Engine Intake Manifold Protrusion for Frontal Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine intake manifolds lack sufficient impact absorption capability during vehicle frontal collisions, leading to potential interference with fuel distribution pipes due to insufficient deformability.
Innovation Solution
The intake manifold is designed with a protruding portion on its front surface, positioned to absorb the impact of colliding components, and features a front divided segment with reduced strength compared to the rear segment, allowing for controlled deformation and fracture to absorb collision forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the intake manifold is made of synthetic resin to achieve weight reduction, then the weight is reduced, but the impact absorption capability is insufficient during vehicle frontal collision
Solution Approach 1:
The intake manifold is designed with a protruding portion that has different structural characteristics from the main body. This protruding portion is specifically configured to engage with the fuel distribution pipe and provide enhanced impact absorption capability at the critical collision zone, while the rest of the manifold maintains its lightweight synthetic resin construction for overall weight reduction.
2Strength
If the far-side divided segment is set to have reduced strength to absorb impact, then impact absorption is improved, but the deformability is insufficient due to even impact distribution
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly reducing strength across the entire far-side divided segment, the invention introduces a localized protruding portion with specific geometric features. This creates a concentrated deformation zone that can effectively absorb impact energy through controlled deformation, while other areas maintain sufficient structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portion is pre-configured with specific geometric features that anticipate the collision force direction and magnitude. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that during frontal collision, the deformation occurs in a controlled manner at the predetermined protruding portion, maximizing impact absorption efficiency.
3Strength
If the protruding portion is added to enhance impact absorption, then collision force absorption is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion is integrated directly into the intake manifold body as a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate components or additional assembly steps. This merging approach enhances impact absorption capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity by incorporating the protective feature within the existing manifold geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an intake apparatus for an engine transversely mounted within an engine compartment at a front of a vehicle. The intake apparatus comprises: an intake manifold made of a synthetic resin and disposed on a front side of the engine, the engine front side being a front side of the vehicle; and a fuel distribution pipe disposed between the engine and the intake manifold to extend in the cylinder row direction and capable of delivering fuel to respective cylinders of the engine; wherein the intake manifold has a protruding portion provided on a front surface thereof to protrude from the front surface in a vehicle forward direction, wherein the protruding portion is provided at a position capable of allowing a member disposed in front of the intake manifold to come into collision therewith in the event of a vehicle frontal collision.