Intake Manifold Curved Lower Surface Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing intake manifold with a curved lower surface is unstable when placed on a floor surface with the lower side directed downward, leading to potential damage and reduced assembly efficiency due to tumbling and interference with surrounding components.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a support bracket and projections that project downward from the curved lower surface, arranged in opposition to the center of gravity, serving as legs for self-support and a fixture to secure the engine body and intake manifold, allowing stable placement and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lower surface side of the intake manifold is formed into a curved shape to reduce size and achieve inertial supercharging effect, then the path length is optimized and size is reduced, but the intake manifold becomes unstable and may tumble down when placed on a floor surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds vertical support elements (projections and support bracket) that extend downward from the curved lower surface, creating a multi-level support structure. This transforms the single-curve geometry into a multi-dimensional configuration where the curved upper portion maintains compactness while the downward projections provide stable floor contact points, resolving the contradiction between size reduction and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket and projections are designed to automatically provide stability when the intake manifold is placed on a floor surface. The structure self-supports through the geometric arrangement of projections and bracket that contact the floor, eliminating the need for external support devices or additional assembly steps to ensure stability during handling and installation.
2Reliability
If the intake manifold is formed with a curved lower surface, then the inertial supercharging effect is achieved, but additional work is required to direct the intake manifold toward the correct mount attitude during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket and projections are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations during manufacturing. When the intake manifold is placed on the floor, these elements automatically orient the manifold in the correct mount attitude relative to the engine body, eliminating the need for workers to perform additional alignment operations during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket and projections are positioned asymmetrically relative to the center of gravity of the intake manifold. This asymmetric arrangement creates a unique stable orientation when placed on the floor, which corresponds to the correct mount attitude for installation, thereby guiding proper orientation without requiring additional alignment work.
3Ease of operation
If the intake manifold is placed on a floor surface with the lower surface directed downward, then handling is facilitated, but the curved shape causes the intake manifold to tumble down and potentially damage components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces downward-protruding support elements that create a multi-level structure. When the intake manifold is placed on its curved lower surface, these protrusions extend further downward to contact the floor first, creating stable contact points that prevent tumbling. This dimensional addition allows the manifold to be handled in the convenient orientation while preventing harmful instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket and projections are positioned in advance to prevent tumbling before it can occur. These elements act as preventive stabilizers that contact the floor surface first, creating a stable base that prevents the curved intake manifold from rolling or tumbling, thereby protecting components from damage before instability can develop.
Data Source
AI summary
Support bracket and projection which project from curved lower surface of intake manifold are provided. Both parts are arranged in an opposed relation to each other with respect to a center of gravity of the intake manifold when viewed from a longitudinal direction in which a plurality of branches are arranged in parallel to one another. Intake manifold can be stably placed on a flat surface of a floor or the like in such a state that intake manifold is directed downwardly using support bracket and projection as legs. Support bracket also serves as a boss portion for a fixing bolt that fastens an engine body and intake manifold.