EGR Cooler Coolant Piping Thermal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional EGR systems, the coolant inflow and outflow pipes are arranged between the cylinder block and the exhaust gas cleaning device, leading to coolant temperature rise due to heat from the exhaust gas cleaning device, which deteriorates the cooling performance of the EGR cooler.

Innovation Solution

The EGR device is configured with the coolant piping arranged on the opposite side of the EGR cooler from the exhaust passage portion, preventing coolant from being affected by heat from the exhaust passage portion and maintaining effective cooling performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the coolant inflow pipe and coolant outflow pipe are arranged between the cylinder block and the exhaust gas cleaning device, then the EGR cooler can be compactly integrated, but the coolant temperature rises due to heat from the exhaust gas cleaning device, deteriorating cooling performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEGR cooler integration compactnessVSAvoidcoolant temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent repositions the coolant pipes from a front-rear arrangement (between cylinder block and exhaust cleaning device) to a left-right arrangement (on the opposite side of the EGR cooler from the exhaust passage). This spatial reconfiguration in a different dimension allows the coolant pipes to be relocated away from the heat source while maintaining compact integration of the EGR cooler within the engine assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The coolant pipes are extracted from the hot zone near the exhaust gas cleaning device and relocated to a cooler zone on the opposite side of the EGR cooler. This separation removes the coolant pipes from the harmful thermal environment, preventing heat transfer to the coolant while preserving the compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the coolant pipes are arranged close to the exhaust gas cleaning device, then the EGR cooler structure is simplified, but the cooling performance deteriorates due to heat affectation on the coolant

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEGR cooler structure complexityVSAvoidcooling performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the spatial arrangement dimension - placing coolant pipes on the left-right opposite side of the EGR cooler rather than front-rear between components. This maintains structural simplicity while achieving thermal separation to preserve cooling reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The EGR cooler body itself acts as a thermal intermediary or barrier, positioning the coolant pipes on its opposite side from the exhaust passage. This intermediate positioning allows the EGR cooler structure to remain integrated and simple while the coolant pipes are protected from direct heat exposure through the cooler's physical separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively inhibits coolant temperature rise, thereby maintaining the cooling performance of the EGR cooler and preventing deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

an EGR cooler adjacent to the exhaust passage portion, constituting a part of the EGR passage portion; and a coolant piping to circulate a coolant into the body through the EGR cooler to thereby cool the EGR gas flowing through the EGR cooler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

a coolant piping to circulate a coolant into the body through the EGR cooler to thereby cool the EGR gas flowing through the EGR cooler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4253751B1EGR device for internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4253751B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4253751B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4253751B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem to be Solved] It is to provide an EGR device for an internal combustion engine capable of inhibiting coolant flowing through coolant piping from being affected by heat of an exhaust passage portion to thereby avoid cooling performance of an EGR cooler from deteriorating. [Solution] An EGR device 11 for an engine 1 includes: an EGR cooler 13 provided so as to be adjacent to an exhaust cleaning device 9 on a side where an exhaust side wall 1B is located, constituting a part of an EGR passage portion 12, 13, 26, 15; and a coolant introduction pipe 52 and a coolant discharge pipe 53 both to circulate a coolant into an engine body 2 through the EGR cooler 13 to thereby cool a EGR gas flowing through the EGR cooler 13. The coolant introduction pipe 52 and the coolant discharge pipe 53 are installed on an opposite side of the EGR cooler 13 from the exhaust cleaning device 9.