Gas Intake Device Mounting Plate Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas intake devices for motor vehicle combustion engines face challenges in being compact while maintaining resistance to pressure loadings and vibration, often requiring stiffening that increases weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A gas intake device with a mounting plate directly attached to the cylinder head, eliminating the need for an outlet box and housing, featuring a double valve and heat exchanger mounted on the plate, which enhances rigidity and simplifies installation by avoiding internal bolts and using a metallic plate for improved thermal conductivity and structural support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a plastic casing is used to house the heat exchanger and support other components, then the device can accommodate multiple components, but the casing requires stiffening to resist pressure loadings and vibration, which increases weight and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accommodationVSAvoidcasing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the heat exchanger from the plastic casing and mounts it directly on the cylinder head via a mounting plate. This eliminates the need for the plastic casing to support the heat exchanger, thereby removing the requirement for stiffening structures and reducing overall weight while maintaining component accommodation capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into separate functional modules: the heat exchanger, valve, and other components are mounted independently on the mounting plate rather than being enclosed in a single plastic casing. This segmentation allows each component to be supported directly by the rigid mounting plate, eliminating the need for weight-intensive stiffening of a enclosing casing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If the casing is stiffened to resist pressure loadings and vibration, then structural integrity is improved, but the device becomes heavier and more expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcasing weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heat exchanger and other components are extracted from the plastic casing and mounted directly on the rigid mounting plate. This transfers the structural load-bearing function from the plastic casing to the metal mounting plate, which is inherently stiffer and does not require additional stiffening structures, thereby maintaining structural integrity without increasing weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plate serves as a rigid support structure that replicates the structural function previously required to be provided by the stiffened plastic casing. The metal mounting plate naturally provides the required stiffness and strength without needing additional reinforcing elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If bolts are used inside the cooler volume to secure components, then assembly is achieved, but loose bolts pose a risk of being aspirated by cylinders and damaging the engine

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidscrew aspiration risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate design extracts the fastening function from the internal volume of the cooler. All bolts and fasteners are positioned on the external surfaces of the mounting plate, away from the gas flow paths and cylinder intake zones. This eliminates the risk of loose bolts being aspirated into the cylinders while maintaining secure assembly of all components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Volume of moving object

If a compact gas intake device is pursued, then space efficiency is improved, but resistance to pressure loadings and vibration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice volumeVSAvoidpressure and vibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plate merges multiple functions into a single compact structure: it serves as the support base for the heat exchanger, valve, and other components, while also providing rigid structural support against pressure loadings and vibration. This integrated design achieves compactness without sacrificing strength, as all components are directly supported by the rigid metal plate rather than requiring a larger enclosing structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution results in a more compact, vibration-resistant, and easier-to-install gas intake device with enhanced thermal management and structural integrity, reducing the risk of screw aspiration and improving engine performance.

Implementation Method 1

one carrying them indirectly via a heat exchanger that can be used to cool the gases passing through it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

the plate, on which the heat exchanger and the valve are mounted, to be fitted to the cylinder head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2307680B1Gas intake device
Publication Date: 2015.02.25 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2307680B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2307680B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a gas intake device for letting the said gases into an inlet volume of a cylinder head of a motor vehicle combustion engine. The device comprises a valve (10) for supplying the cylinder head with gas, this valve communicating with the inlet volume of the cylinder head directly and indirectly via a heat exchanger (14). The valve (10) and the heat exchanger (14) are mounted on a plate (21) intended to be mounted directly on the cylinder head. By virtue of the invention, the device is compact and relatively insensitive to vibration.