Intake Manifold Integrating Crankcase Ventilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing internal combustion engine systems face challenges in efficiently evacuating and treating 'blow-by' gases from the crankcase due to complex and large recovery circuits, which increase space requirements and assembly complexity, and require additional connections and materials.

Innovation Solution

A compact intake manifold with an integrated recovery and evacuation circuit, where the ducts are partially shared with the mixing/distribution chamber and pipes, minimizing additional space and material usage, and allowing for efficient gas evacuation without significantly altering the manifold's size or structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate recovery circuit for blow-by gases is added to the intake manifold, then gas evacuation capability is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas evacuation capabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the blow-by gas recovery circuit directly into the intake manifold structure. The recovery duct is formed as an integral part of the manifold, sharing common walls and spaces with the air intake passages. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate, standalone recovery systems while maintaining effective gas evacuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intake manifold is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes air to cylinders, recovers blow-by gases from the crankcase, and provides a pathway for gas evacuation. By making the manifold multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate recovery circuit is installed, then gas evacuation is improved, but space requirements and material usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas evacuation capabilityVSAvoidmanifold size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The recovery duct is nested within the existing intake manifold structure. The duct for recovering blow-by gases is positioned inside the manifold body, utilizing available internal space. This nesting approach allows the recovery function to be incorporated without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the manifold assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the air intake passages and blow-by gas recovery ducts into a single integrated manifold structure. By merging these previously separate functions into one component, the overall volume required is reduced compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional connection interfaces are added for gas recovery, then gas evacuation capability is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas evacuation capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The recovery duct is designed as an integral part of the intake manifold, formed in the same molding or manufacturing process. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps to attach recovery components to the manifold, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly operations while maintaining effective gas recovery functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2299100B1Intake manifold with integrated crankcase ventilation and vehicle comprising such an intake manifold
Publication Date: 2012.10.24 SYST MOTEURS
  • EP2299100B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2299100B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2299100B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The manifold (1) has a hollow body formed by assembly of two constituent parts that are made of metal or thermoplastic material molding, where a combustion gas recovery conduit (7) and a combustion gas evacuation conduit (8) are combined with the manifold. A mixing chamber of the hollow body is formed with a supply opening that is connected to a mounting plate (6). Multiple pipes (5) are connected with the mixing chamber. An entry opening (7') is formed in the combustion gas recovery conduit. An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle comprising a distributor/intake manifold.