EGR Valve Support Structure at Cylinder Head Cover Intersections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The EGR valve in conventional engines is supported with fixing hardware in a cantilever manner, leading to low stiffness and vibration, which deteriorates control accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The EGR device is configured with the EGR valve fastened to first and second fastening portions at high-stiffness intersections and points on the cylinder head cover, enhancing support stiffness and preventing vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the EGR valve is supported with fixing hardware in a cantilever manner, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stiffness in support is low causing vibration and control accuracy deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing hardware configurationVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple fastening portions (first fastening portion at the intersection and second fastening portion on the exhaust side wall) instead of a single cantilever support, distributing the load and increasing overall stiffness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support configuration transitions from a one-dimensional cantilever arrangement to a two-dimensional distributed fastening system across different locations on the cylinder head cover, adding spatial dimension to the support structure

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the EGR valve is supported with fixing hardware in a cantilever manner, then the installation is simplified, but vibration occurs due to low stiffness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple discrete fastening portions located at different positions on the cylinder head cover, allowing vibration isolation through spatial distribution while maintaining installation simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple fastening portions act as counterbalancing support points that distribute and counteract vibrational forces, preventing the EGR valve from vibrating during engine operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Strength

If the EGR valve is fastened to multiple fastening portions at high-stiffness intersections, then the stiffness in support is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport stiffnessVSAvoidfastening structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening portions are strategically located at high-stiffness intersections and structurally optimal positions on the cylinder head cover, concentrating support strength at critical locations rather than uniformly distributing fastening elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4253749B1EGR device for internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP4253749B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4253749B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4253749B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Problem to be Solved] It is to provide an EGR device for an internal combustion engine capable of enhancing stiffness in support of an EGR valve on a cylinder head cover to prevent the EGR valve from vibrating to thereby prevent control accuracy of the EGR valve from deteriorating. [Solution] An EGR device 11 for an engine 1 includes: an upstream-side EGR piping 12, an EGR cooler 13, an EGR housing passage portion 26, and a downstream-side EGR piping 15 those of which branch from an exhaust cleaning device 9 and circulate, as an EGR gas, a part of an exhaust gas in the exhaust cleaning device 9 into an intake manifold 8; and an EGR valve 14 to adjust a flow rate at which the EGR gas flows through the EGR housing passage portion 26. The EGR valve 14 is fastened to a first fastening portion 27A that is provided at an intersection 29 where a front wall 25A and a left side wall 25C of an EGR housing portion 25 intersect and a second fastening portion 27B that is provided at the front wall 25A.