Engine Intake Manifold Surge Tank Positioning for Fuel Piping Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine structures do not effectively prevent the removal or breakage of fuel piping during a vehicle front collision when the engine is mounted longitudinally in the engine compartment, as they are designed to prevent interference with transverse mounting configurations.
Innovation Solution
The engine structure features an intake manifold with independent intake pipe portions and a surge tank portion positioned to avoid interference with fuel piping, where the fuel piping is located behind the intake manifold and the surge tank portion is designed to retract without contacting the fuel piping, with a flat surface and projecting portions to maintain distance and prevent interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the engine is mounted longitudinally with the intake manifold positioned on one side, then the fuel pump and piping can be disposed behind the engine, but vehicle components in front of the engine may retract and contact the intake manifold during collision, causing fuel piping removal or breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the fuel piping in the vertical direction (upward extension from the fuel pump) rather than only in the horizontal plane, creating a three-dimensional spatial separation. This vertical arrangement ensures that even if the intake manifold retracts horizontally during collision, it cannot contact the vertically positioned fuel piping, thus preventing fuel system damage while maintaining longitudinal engine mounting flexibility
2Volume of moving object
If the surge tank portion is positioned closer to the engine to reduce overall intake manifold size, then compactness is improved, but interference with fuel piping during collision becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict between the surge tank and fuel piping by utilizing the vertical dimension. The fuel piping extends upward from the fuel pump in the vertical direction, while the surge tank remains in the horizontal plane closer to the engine. This dimensional separation allows the surge tank to be positioned optimally for compactness without increasing collision interference risk, as the vertically positioned fuel piping is out of the horizontal collision path
3Weight of moving object
If the intake manifold is made of resin for weight reduction, then weight is improved, but the structure may retract more easily during collision potentially causing fuel piping damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for heavy reinforcement structures by positioning the fuel piping in the vertical direction away from the horizontal collision path. This allows the use of lightweight resin material for the intake manifold without compromising fuel piping protection, as the vertical fuel piping arrangement prevents contact regardless of the manifold's material properties or retraction behavior during collision
Data Source
AI summary
Removal and breakage of fuel piping during a vehicle front collision is prevented for an engine mounted longitudinally in an engine compartment. Embodiments include a side structure of the engine having an alternator in front of an intake manifold and fuel piping behind the intake manifold so as to extend in the vertical direction. The intake manifold includes a plurality of independent intake pipe portions each having one end portion connected to one side of the engine in a vehicle width direction, and a surge tank portion to which the other end portions of the independent intake pipe portions are connected. As seen from the rear side, a portion of the fuel piping closer to the surge tank portion is located closer to the one side of the engine in the vehicle width direction than the surge tank portion.