Dual Inlet Air Induction System with Angled Panel Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Engine air induction systems face challenges in delivering low-temperature air with minimal pressure drop while managing contaminants and water ingestion, especially in high-temperature engine compartments.
Innovation Solution
The air induction system employs a dual inlet housing with a panel filter positioned to minimize packaging space, directing air from outside sources to the lower side of the filter, reducing pressure drop and inlet air temperature, and incorporating a duct system for contaminant management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is drawn from within the engine compartment, then the air induction system is compact and easy to install, but the inlet air temperature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air induction system is divided into two separate inlet paths: one drawing air from the engine compartment and another drawing air from outside the engine compartment. This segmentation allows the system to combine the advantages of both locations while mitigating their individual disadvantages, specifically enabling low-temperature air intake without excessive system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The air induction housing is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a filter housing and a dual-path air intake manifold. The housing integrates contamination filtering and multi-source air delivery, reducing the need for separate components and minimizing overall system complexity while achieving low-temperature air intake
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a panel filter is used to filter air from dual inlets, then contamination management is improved, but packaging space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panel filter is positioned at an angle relative to the housing walls rather than parallel to them, utilizing diagonal space within the housing. This angular positioning allows the filter to effectively filter air from both inlet paths while minimizing the housing's external dimensions and packaging space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The panel filter is nested within the housing structure in such a way that it divides the internal cavity efficiently. The filter is positioned to maximize its filtering surface area while minimizing the overall housing volume, creating a compact integrated filter-housing assembly that meets both contamination prevention and packaging space requirements
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the unfiltered side of the cavity is positioned high in the housing, then air flow is simplified, but water ingestion management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the unfiltered side of the cavity at the high point as might be intuitively expected for air flow simplicity, the design inverts this arrangement by positioning the unfiltered side at the low point. This inversion leverages gravity to prevent water accumulation in the filtered air path, effectively managing water ingestion while maintaining relatively simple air flow paths
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design improves engine performance, reduces charge air cooler thermal load, and enhances water management, resulting in increased horsepower and improved hill climb and city traffic performance.
Implementation Method 1
A panel filter is mounted within the housing and divides the inner cavity so that the first inlet and the second inlet are upstream of the panel filter and the outlet is downstream of the panel filter when air flows through the housing from the air inlets to the air outlet and through the panel filter from a first side of the filter to a second side of the filter
Implementation Method 2
Air drawn from within the engine compartment is generally at a higher temperature than air drawn from other locations. Vehicle engine compartments have higher air temperatures than compared to their ambient surroundings
Implementation Method 3
Engine performance is improved when the induction system delivers the lowest temperature air with the least pressure drop
Data Source
AI summary
An air induction system includes a housing defining an inner cavity. The housing has a first wall with a first air inlet, a second wall with a second air inlet, and an air outlet for directing air to the vehicle engine. A panel filter is mounted within the housing and divides the inner cavity so that the first inlet and the second inlet are upstream of the panel filter and the outlet is downstream of the panel filter when air flows through the housing from either of the air inlets to the air outlet and through the panel filter from a first side of the filter to a second side of the filter. The first air inlet, the second air inlet, and the panel filter are positioned so that the first side is lower than the second side when the housing is installed in the vehicle.