Engine Support Degassing Pathway for Cylinder Head Air Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing engine cooling systems face challenges in expelling air pockets from the cylinder head when the engine is repositioned, leading to potential cavitation and erosion issues, requiring costly modifications and additional manufacturing steps.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a degassing function into the engine support by creating a fluid communication pathway between the cylinder head and the engine support, using a pipe and seals to facilitate additional degassing without modifying the cylinder head's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the engine is repositioned to a longitudinal position, then the engine can be installed in different vehicle configurations, but air pockets cannot be properly expelled from the cylinder head water chamber

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine installation positionVSAvoidcooling circuit degassing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the degassing function into two separate pathways: the original degassing tapping in the coolant outlet casing and a new second degassing tapping in the engine support. This segmentation allows each pathway to serve specific regions, enabling effective air pocket removal regardless of engine orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engine support acts as an intermediary component that facilitates fluid communication between the cylinder head water chamber and the cooling circuit. By incorporating a second degassing tapping through the engine support, air pockets can be expelled via this intermediate pathway when the engine is in longitudinal position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an additional degassing circuit is added to the cylinder head, then air pockets can be evacuated, but the manufacturing time and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling circuit degassingVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The engine support is designed to serve multiple functions: structural support for the engine block and an additional degassing pathway. By making the engine support multi-functional, the invention avoids the need for separate modification of the cylinder head, thereby reducing manufacturing time and production cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the degassing function with the existing engine support structure. Instead of adding a separate degassing component or modifying the cylinder head, the second degassing tapping is integrated into the engine support, combining structural and degassing functions in one element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the cylinder head is modified by machining and drilling, then additional degassing pathways can be created, but the structural integrity and complexity of the cylinder head increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling circuit degassingVSAvoidcylinder head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the additional degassing pathway creation from the cylinder head and relocates it to the engine support. This extraction preserves the original cylinder head structure and its complex core, avoiding the need for additional machining and drilling operations on the cylinder head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated tools and modified machining lines are provided, then diverse engine architectures can be accommodated, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine architecture adaptabilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The engine support with the second degassing tapping serves as a universal solution that can be applied to various engine architectures (transverse, longitudinal, different vehicle types). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for architecture-specific modifications, reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach allows for effective air pocket removal without altering the original engine or cylinder head architecture, reducing production costs and time by incorporating the degassing function within the engine support.

Implementation Method 1

the assembly comprises a seal mounted between the engine support and the pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

a cylinder head provided with pipes through which a cooling liquid passes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a delivery pump ensures the circulation of the cooling liquid in the pipes of the engine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3384139B1Assembly for a heat engine comprising an engine mount incorporating a cylinder head degassing function

Publication Date: 2019.10.30 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA

Figure 1~2b
Figure 2c~2f

AI summary

The invention primarily relates to an assembly for a heat engine (10), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a cylinder head (12), - an engine mount (14), - a degassing housing (13), - a first degassing branch connection (17) made in a coolant outlet housing (15). The invention is characterized in that said assembly further comprises a second degassing branch connection (19) made through an engine mount (14) attached to said cylinder head (12).