Exhaust Partition Plate With Communicating Hole

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional exhaust systems for motor vehicles face challenges in increasing engine output at medium speed regions due to shortened exhaust passages, which can be addressed by dividing the passages with a partition plate, but this increases the number of components, weight, and cost, and may compromise low-speed engine performance.

Innovation Solution

An exhaust system design that includes a partition plate dividing multiple header pipes into juxtaposed passages with a communicating hole, using a single exhaust gas sensor positioned near the communicating hole to detect exhaust gas composition, and placing the catalytic converter downstream to maintain purification efficiency, while minimizing the number of components and weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a partition plate is provided in the exhaust passage upstream of the catalytic converter to divide the passage into multiple zones, then the engine output at medium speed region can be increased, but the number of exhaust gas sensors must be increased (one per passage)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine output at medium speed regionVSAvoidnumber of exhaust gas sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single exhaust gas sensor positioned near the communicating hole serves multiple functions: it detects exhaust gas composition from multiple exhaust passages that are divided by the partition plate, and provides control feedback for the catalytic converter. This universal sensor replaces what would traditionally require multiple sensors, one for each exhaust passage zone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The communicating hole acts as an intermediary element that allows exhaust gases from multiple divided passages to mix and communicate with each other. This intermediary structure enables a single sensor positioned near the hole to detect the combined exhaust composition, resolving the contradiction between passage division and sensor multiplication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If multiple exhaust passages are merged at a location upstream of the catalytic converter, then the structure is simplified, but the exhaust passage length is shortened and engine output at medium speed region is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust passage structureVSAvoidengine output at medium speed region

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The exhaust passage is segmented into multiple zones by the partition plate upstream of the catalytic converter, while maintaining a single merged passage structure downstream. This segmentation extends the effective exhaust passage length and improves medium-speed engine output, while the downstream merging maintains structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the exhaust passage is divided into multiple zones with multiple sensors, then measurement precision is improved, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaust gas composition detectionVSAvoidweight of exhaust system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A single exhaust gas sensor positioned near the communicating hole performs the measurement function for multiple exhaust passage zones, reducing the total weight of the exhaust system while maintaining adequate measurement capability for catalytic converter control.

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 design enhances engine output at medium speed regions by extending exhaust passage length, reduces the number of sensors needed, and maintains high engine performance at low speed regions, while minimizing component count and cost, and ensuring effective catalytic converter functionality.

Implementation Method 1

an exhaust gas sensor, positioned at a location close to the communicating hole, for detecting a composition of the exhaust gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas detection:

Implementation Method 2

a catalytic converter disposed in a portion of the exhaust passageway downstream of the communicating hole with respect to the direction of flow of the exhaust gases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS8087230B2Exhaust system for motor vehicles

Publication Date: 2012.01.03 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

An exhaust system for discharging exhaust gases through an exhaust passageway, emitted from a multi-cylinder combustion engine mounted on a motor vehicle includes a partition plate formed therein for dividing the exhaust passageway into a plurality of juxtaposed exhaust passages and having a communicating hole defined therein, and an exhaust gas sensor positioned at a location in proximity of the communicating hole for detecting a composition of the exhaust gases.