Engine Cylinder Deactivation via Exhaust Recirculation Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine systems require additional mechanical components and increased complexity to implement cylinder deactivation, leading to higher manufacturing costs and potential diagnostic challenges.

Innovation Solution

An engine system configuration that utilizes a recirculation line and manifold connection valves to manage intake and exhaust air flow without a separate mechanical configuration for cylinder deactivation, allowing for the deactivation of cylinders by controlling the recirculation inlet valve and manifold connection valve to minimize pumping loss and maintain catalyst efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical configuration is used to stop the driving of intake and exhaust valves for cylinder deactivation, then cylinder deactivation function is achieved, but the number of components increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylinder deactivation functionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cylinder deactivation function with the existing exhaust recirculation system by integrating the recirculation inlet valve into the exhaust manifold structure. This allows the exhaust gas recirculation pathway to serve dual purposes: normal exhaust recirculation and cylinder deactivation, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed for deactivation while maintaining the adaptability to deactivate specific cylinders when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The recirculation inlet valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls exhaust gas recirculation during normal operation and simultaneously serves as the deactivation mechanism for specific cylinders. By making this valve universal, the patent eliminates the need for separate deactivation actuators, thus reducing component count while preserving the cylinder deactivation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional actuators are added to control intake and exhaust valves for each cylinder, then cylinder deactivation is enabled, but manufacturing cost of the vehicle increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylinder deactivation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the deactivation actuator function into the existing exhaust recirculation system. The recirculation inlet valve, which already exists for exhaust gas recirculation purposes, is repurposed to control the deactivation of specific cylinders. This integration eliminates the need for additional actuators, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to deactivate cylinders as needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of components is increased for cylinder deactivation, then deactivation function is achieved, but failure possibility of each component increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylinder deactivation functionVSAvoidfailure possibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the deactivation mechanism with the existing exhaust recirculation system, so that the same valve and control logic serve both exhaust recirculation and cylinder deactivation functions. This reduction in component count directly lowers the probability of component failure, as there are fewer separate parts that could potentially fail, while the system maintains the capability to deactivate cylinders when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of energy

If mechanical configuration is used to stop valve driving, then pumping loss is minimized, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping lossVSAvoidmechanical configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical valve deactivation mechanisms with a simpler control system that utilizes the existing exhaust recirculation valve. Instead of requiring separate mechanical actuators to physically stop valve driving, the system uses electronic control of the recirculation inlet valve to achieve deactivation, thereby minimizing pumping loss through precise control while reducing mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11359585B2Engine system

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An engine system may include: an engine including cylinders that generate a driving torque by combusting fuel; a first intake manifold connected to an intake line through which flows intake air into some of the plurality of cylinders; a second intake manifold supplying the intake air to the other cylinders of the plurality of cylinders through the first intake manifold; a first exhaust manifold connected to some cylinders that are connected to the first intake manifold; a second exhaust manifold connected to some other cylinders that are connected to the second intake manifold; a recirculation line branched from the second exhaust manifold to be coupled to the second intake manifold; a recirculation inlet valve disposed at a point at which the recirculation line and the second exhaust manifold are joined; and a manifold connection valve disposed on an intake line between the first intake manifold and the second intake manifold.