Vehicle Engine Exhaust Purifier Positioning for EGR Passage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle engines, the EGR passage is often positioned close to vehicle structures like partition walls, making it difficult to downsize the engine while maintaining adequate separation from these structures, which can lead to issues with flow resistance and corrosion due to moisture accumulation.

Innovation Solution

Positioning the exhaust purifier in front of the tunnel portion of the partition wall and connecting the EGR passage to its lower portion, allowing the upstream end of the EGR passage to be positioned apart from the ceiling surface and the partition wall, while also projecting the delivering portion outward in the vehicle width direction to maintain space and reduce flow path resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the exhaust purifier is inserted into the tunnel portion of the partition wall, then the engine can be compacted in the longitudinal direction, but the EGR passage becomes close to the vehicle structure causing flow resistance and corrosion issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine longitudinal dimensionVSAvoidflow resistance and corrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust purifier is positioned to extend toward the tunnel portion from the front, rather than being inserted into it. This spatial reconfiguration allows the EGR passage to be connected to the lower portion of the exhaust purifier, positioning it away from the ceiling surface of the tunnel portion, thus resolving the contradiction between compactness and avoiding harmful factors.

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

2Device complexity

If the EGR passage is connected to the upper portion of the exhaust purifier, then the connection is simpler, but the upstream end portion approaches the ceiling surface of the tunnel portion increasing flow resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEGR passage connectionVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The EGR passage is specifically connected to the lower portion of the exhaust purifier, creating a localized connection point that optimizes the distance from the ceiling surface. This local quality change in the connection position reduces flow resistance while maintaining connection simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the delivering portion projects in the vehicle height direction, then the structure is simplified, but moisture accumulates causing corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivering portion structureVSAvoidcorrosion
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivering portion is configured to project outward in the vehicle width direction instead of in the vehicle height direction. This dimensional change prevents moisture accumulation that would occur with vertical projection, thereby reducing corrosion risk while maintaining structural simplicity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3660291B1Vehicle engine
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 MAZDA MOTOR CORP
  • EP3660291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660291B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An engine (1) includes: an exhaust purification system (70) housing a GPF device (73) for purifying exhaust gas; and an EGR passage (52) connected to a portion of the exhaust purification system located downstream of the GPF device, and the engine is mounted in an engine compartment (R) defined in a front portion of a vehicle body. The exhaust purification system is located forward of a dash panel (103) constituting the engine compartment, and is positioned to extend toward a tunnel portion (T) of the dash panel. An upstream end portion (52c) of the EGR passage is connected to a lower portion of the exhaust purification system in a vertical direction of the vehicle.