Engine Cooling Spacer With Localized Fixing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling structures for internal combustion engines suffer from obstructed cooling water flow due to support legs, leading to non-uniform cylinder bore temperatures, particularly at intake and exhaust positions, which affects cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
A spacer is fitted inside the water jacket with a fixing member that minimizes the influence on cooling water flow, ensuring uniform temperature distribution by regulating the flow and reducing friction between cylinder bores and pistons, while the support legs are strategically positioned to minimize flow obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If support legs are provided to position the spacer inside the water jacket, then the spacer can be fixed in position, but the flow of cooling water is obstructed around the support legs
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is designed with localized contact areas that provide sufficient positioning stability while minimizing the overall obstruction to cooling water flow. The member contacts the water jacket at specific points rather than requiring extensive support structures throughout the entire circumference.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member extends in the radial direction from the spacer toward the water jacket wall, utilizing the radial dimension to provide fixation without blocking the axial or tangential flow paths of the cooling water. This dimensional orientation allows the fixing member to anchor the spacer while maintaining flow channels.
2Ease of manufacture
If spacers are arranged at the farthest positions from the cylinder row line on the intake and exhaust sides, then the spacer positioning is simplified, but the cross-sectional area of the water jacket is reduced in those areas
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is positioned at specific locations on the spacer where it provides effective fixation without interfering with the water jacket's cross-sectional area. The member is strategically placed to avoid critical flow passages while maintaining positioning function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member acts as an intermediary element that transfers the positioning function from the spacer to the water jacket wall, allowing the spacer to be secured without directly reducing the water jacket's operational cross-sectional area. The member serves as a bridge between the spacer and the water jacket structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support legs are provided in areas where temperatures tend to become higher, then the spacer positioning is more stable, but the cooling performance is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing member is designed with localized contact points that provide stable positioning while minimizing thermal interference. The member's contact areas are strategically positioned to avoid creating significant thermal resistance in the critical high-temperature regions of the water jacket.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing member's geometric parameters (such as contact area size, position, and orientation) are optimized to balance positioning stability with thermal performance. By carefully selecting the member's dimensions and location, the design achieves stable spacer fixation while minimizing impact on heat transfer efficiency in high-temperature zones.
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 solution achieves uniform cylinder bore temperatures and reduced friction, enhancing cooling performance and fuel efficiency by optimizing the flow and positioning of the spacer and support legs within the water jacket.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling condition of the cylinder bores is controlled by regulating a flow of cooling water in the water jacket by use of the spacer
Implementation Method 2
A fixing member for fixing the spacer inside the water jacket is provided on an inner wall surface of the spacer facing the cylinder bores
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling structure for an internal combustion engine includes a spacer. The spacer is fitted inside a water jacket which is formed to surround peripheries of a plurality of cylinder bores arranged one after another on a cylinder row line of a cylinder block of the internal combustion engine. A cooling condition of the cylinder bores is controlled by regulating a flow of cooling water in the water jacket by use of the spacer. A fixing member for fixing the spacer inside the water jacket is provided on an inner wall surface of the spacer facing the cylinder bores.