Vehicle Intake Static Eliminator for Airflow Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Static electricity charged to a vehicle's intake system affects its driving performance due to high voltage on nonconductive synthetic resin intake passage walls, leading to airflow detachment and reduced intake efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A self-discharge static eliminator, comprising a metal foil or conductive film attached to the intake passage walls with a conductive adhesive, is provided to decrease electrification charges and voltage on specific areas, utilizing corner portions for effective discharge and improving airflow attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the intake passage wall is made of nonconductive synthetic resin material, then the intake passage can be manufactured with ease and cost-effectiveness, but static electricity accumulates on the wall surface causing airflow detachment and reduced intake efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintake passage manufacturingVSAvoidintake efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding conductive elements (metal foils or conductive particles) only at specific locations on the intake passage wall where static electricity accumulation occurs, rather than making the entire passage conductive. This localized treatment maintains the ease of manufacturing synthetic resin passages while addressing the static electricity problem at critical areas, thereby preserving intake efficiency without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the electrification charge amount on the intake passage wall surface is increased, then the static electricity discharge effect is enhanced, but the airflow detachment is worsened and intake efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic electricity dischargeVSAvoidintake efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the intake passage wall by incorporating metal foils or conductive particles into the synthetic resin material. This parameter change allows the wall to discharge static electricity effectively while maintaining proper airflow attachment, thus improving reliability of static discharge without compromising intake efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If a conductive material is applied to the entire intake passage wall surface, then static electricity is eliminated effectively, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintake efficiencyVSAvoidintake passage structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the entire intake passage wall conductive, the patent applies conductive materials only at specific locations where static electricity accumulation most significantly affects airflow. This localized approach eliminates the need for complex manufacturing processes required for full-surface conductive treatment, thereby maintaining simple manufacturing while achieving the desired static electricity elimination and improved intake efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The self-discharge static eliminator significantly enhances intake air efficiency by reducing positive charges on the intake passage walls, minimizing airflow detachment, and maintaining optimal airflow along the intake passage.

Implementation Method 1

a self-discharge static eliminator that is provided on the intake passage wall surface and that decreases an electrification charge amount on that part of the intake passage wall surface which is within a limited range around a mounting part of the self-discharge static eliminator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3009653B1Intake device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3009653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3009653B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3009653B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An intake device for a vehicle, in which an intake passage wall surface defining an intake passage is charged with positive charges, includes: a self-discharge static eliminator (10) that is provided on the intake passage wall surface and that decreases an electrification charge amount on that part of the intake passage wall surface which is within a limited range around a mounting part of the self-discharge static eliminator, by providing the self-discharge static eliminator on the intake passage wall surface.