Intake Manifold Fuel Return Passage for Simpler Injector Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intake manifolds often require separate fuel drain lines with connectors, increasing machining and assembly complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
An intake manifold with an integrated internal fuel passage system that includes a flange with inlet and outlet openings, allowing for the integration of fuel drain lines during manufacturing, reducing the need for separate connectors and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate fuel drain lines with connectors are used, then fuel drainage function is achieved, but device complexity and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the fuel drainage function directly into the intake manifold body by forming an internal fuel passage system within the manifold. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate external fuel drain lines and connectors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the fuel drainage function through the integrated passage that receives excess fuel from fuel injectors and directs it to the outlet opening.
2Productivity
If separate fuel drain lines are used, then fuel drainage is achieved, but manufacturing time and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel passage system is integrated into the intake manifold as a single unified component, allowing the manifold to be manufactured as one piece with built-in fuel drainage capability. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps to connect external fuel drain lines, significantly reducing both manufacturing time and assembly time while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel passage system is pre-formed as an integral part of the intake manifold during the manifold's manufacturing process. The internal passages, inlet openings, and outlet openings are created beforehand as part of the manifold structure, so that when the manifold is assembled to the fuel injectors, the fuel drainage function is already in place, eliminating subsequent assembly steps.
3Ease of operation
If separate connectors are used for fuel drain lines, then fuel drainage connection is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates separate connectors by integrating the fuel passage system directly into the intake manifold. The manifold itself becomes the connection medium, with inlet openings that receive excess fuel from fuel injectors and an outlet opening that directs it away. This merging simplifies assembly by removing the need to install and connect separate fuel drain lines and connectors.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to an intake manifold integrated drain rifle. An intake manifold to reduce external fuel drain lines is provided. The intake manifold includes an intake manifold curved portion and a distribution portion in fluid communication with the intake manifold curved portion. The intake manifold includes a flange extending radially outward from the distribution portion. The flange includes an internal fuel passage system with a first end and a second end. The internal fuel passage system includes a plurality of inlet openings distributed between the first end and the second end of the internal fuel passage system and configured to receive excess fuel from a plurality fuel injectors. The internal fuel passage system includes an outlet opening between the first end and the second end of the internal fuel passage system and in excess fuel receiving communication with the plurality of inlet openings. The outlet opening is configured to distribute the excess fuel out of the internal fuel passage system.