Dual-Inlet Intake Duct Valve for Engine Air Temperature Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Internal combustion engine intake air temperature varies significantly between traveling and stopping, affecting fuel efficiency and power performance, and existing systems risk introducing snow or rain into the engine, potentially damaging it.

Innovation Solution

An intake apparatus with a dual-inlet air duct system and integrated valve that selectively opens and closes upper and lower inlets based on vehicle operation, using driving wind to block foreign substances during travel and introduce low-temperature air during stops.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the inlet is directed outward in front of the engine compartment to receive cold air, then the traveling intake air temperature is reduced improving fuel efficiency and power performance, but snow or rain may be excessively sucked into the engine causing damage and stall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraveling intake air temperatureVSAvoidintroduction of snow or rain into engine

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct is divided into two separate inlets: a first inlet positioned higher for traveling operation and a second inlet positioned lower for stopping operation. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate air sources based on vehicle state, preventing snow/rain intake while maintaining cooling efficiency during travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve dynamically switches between the first and second inlets based on vehicle operation mode (traveling vs. stopping). During traveling, the valve opens the first inlet for cool air intake; during stopping, it closes the first inlet and opens the second inlet to prevent snow/rain ingestion while maintaining adequate intake temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If the inlet is positioned lower to reduce intake air temperature, then fuel efficiency improves, but the engine may stall and be damaged due to introduction of snow or rain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintake air temperatureVSAvoidengine operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct is divided into two separate inlets: a first inlet positioned higher for traveling operation and a second inlet positioned lower for stopping operation. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate air sources based on vehicle state, preventing snow/rain intake while maintaining cooling efficiency during travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve dynamically switches between the first and second inlets based on vehicle operation mode (traveling vs. stopping). During traveling, the valve opens the first inlet for cool air intake; during stopping, it closes the first inlet and opens the second inlet to prevent snow/rain ingestion while maintaining adequate intake temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate bulkhead is installed ahead of the inlet to turn driving wind, then protection from snow and rain improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from snow and rainVSAvoidair duct structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air duct is divided into two separate inlets: a first inlet positioned higher for traveling operation and a second inlet positioned lower for stopping operation. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate air sources based on vehicle state, preventing snow/rain intake while maintaining cooling efficiency during travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve dynamically switches between the first and second inlets based on vehicle operation mode (traveling vs. stopping). During traveling, the valve opens the first inlet for cool air intake; during stopping, it closes the first inlet and opens the second inlet to prevent snow/rain ingestion while maintaining adequate intake temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The system reduces intake air temperature by 5°C, improving fuel efficiency and start performance by about 5-10% while preventing snow or rain from entering the engine.

Implementation Method 1

driving wind to block foreign substances during travel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind: Wind

Implementation Method 2

introduce low-temperature air during stops

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11415090B2Intake apparatus for internal combustion engines

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An intake apparatus for an internal combustion engine may include: an air duct coupled to a front of an engine compartment, and having a first inlet and a second inlet formed on an outer side of the air duct and a passage space defined therein; and an integrated valve coupled to the air duct to selectively open and close the first inlet or the second inlet.