Intake Manifold Pressure Sensor Inclined Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intake manifolds face challenges in securing a large surge tank capacity and preventing soil and condensed water issues, especially when an EGR system is used, due to space restrictions and pedestrian protection lines.
Innovation Solution
The intake manifold design includes a pressure measurement portion on the outer periphery of the surge tank, with a sensing space that has an inclined bottom surface to direct condensed water away from the pressure sensor, and a passage and sensor arrangement space configuration that enhances drainage and prevents exhaust gas from entering the sensing area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the pressure sensor is attached to the upper surface portion of the surge tank, then the pressure measurement is straightforward, but the surge tank capacity is reduced due to height restrictions from pedestrian protection lines
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure measurement portion is moved from the upper surface to the outer periphery portion of the surge tank, changing the spatial dimension of measurement. This allows the pressure sensor to be positioned on the side surface rather than the top, preserving the vertical height and capacity of the surge tank while still enabling accurate pressure measurement of the intake air.
2Measurement precision
If the pressure sensing portion is directly inserted into the surge tank to measure pressure, then pressure measurement is direct, but a complicated soil prevention structure is required when EGR system is used
Solution Approach 1:
A sensing space is introduced as an intermediary chamber between the surge tank and the pressure sensor. This sensing space allows the pressure sensor to indirectly measure the surge tank pressure through a controlled interface, eliminating the need for direct insertion and complex soil prevention structures while maintaining measurement accuracy. The sensing space acts as a buffer that prevents exhaust gas and condensation from directly contacting the sensor.
3Ease of operation
If the sensing space is provided on the crotch part of adjacent intake pipes, then the pressure measurement is accessible, but the lateral width of the sensing space is enlarged causing condensed water to stay on corner portions
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing space is designed with an asymmetric configuration where the bottom surface is inclined toward the opening end, creating a non-uniform shape that prevents condensed water accumulation. Unlike the symmetric crotch position between intake pipes, this asymmetric design ensures that condensation drains naturally toward the opening end rather than pooling in corners, while still maintaining accessibility for pressure measurement.
4Ease of operation
If the bottom surface of the sensing space is inclined to discharge condensed water, then drainage is improved, but condensed water may still stay on corner portions when the sensing space is large
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom surface of the sensing space is designed with localized inclination toward the opening end, creating a directional flow path for condensed water. This local quality change in the bottom surface geometry ensures that even in larger sensing spaces, condensation consistently drains toward the opening end without accumulating in corner portions, effectively addressing the drainage issue while maintaining measurement 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 secures a larger surge tank capacity, prevents soil and freezing issues, and effectively discharges condensed water, improving the reliability and durability of the pressure sensor measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom surface constituting the sensing space of the pressure measurement portion is inclined downwardly toward an opening portion of the sensing space to the surge tank
Data Source
AI summary
An intake manifold includes a surge tank and left and right intake pipes. On a part of an outer periphery portion of the surge tank that faces a front direction or a rear direction of a vehicle, a pressure measurement portion to measure pressure in the surge tank is provided. A pressure sensor is attached to the pressure measurement portion. A sensing space containing one end side that is opened in the surge tank and the other end side in which a pressure sensing portion of the pressure sensor is disposed is formed on the pressure measurement portion. A bottom surface constituting the sensing space of the pressure measurement portion is inclined downwardly toward an opening portion to the surge tank.