Rotating Airflow Straightener for Engine Intake
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air intake assemblies for automotive engines fail to stabilize air flow over the entire range of engine operation, leading to inaccurate airflow measurements by flow meters due to unstable airflow conditions, especially at low airflow rates.
Innovation Solution
An air intake assembly with a straightening device comprising a peripheral and perforated part, where the perforated part can pivot relative to the peripheral part, utilizing rotation means such as an annular or radial pivot connection and deflector shapes to stabilize airflow across all engine operation ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a standard grille is positioned upstream of the MAF sensor to stabilize airflow, then airflow stability is improved, but the stabilization is insufficient across the entire range of airflow rates during engine operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the straightening device adjustable through rotation. The device includes a rotatable element that can change the degree of airflow straightening based on operating conditions, allowing optimal stabilization across varying airflow rates while maintaining measurement accuracy at all engine loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the straightening effect through rotational adjustment. By changing the angular position of the straightening element, the degree of airflow direction correction is modified, enabling effective stabilization for both low and high airflow conditions that a fixed grille cannot achieve.
2Device complexity
If the MAF sensor is positioned in the air intake pipe at the outlet of the filter box to save space, then device complexity is reduced, but airflow instability increases due to bend proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a straightening device as an intermediary element between the filter box outlet and the MAF sensor. This mediator component actively corrects airflow instability caused by the nearby bend, allowing the MAF to remain in the space-efficient position while achieving stable measurements through the intermediate straightening function.
3Device complexity
If the perforated portion is made stationary relative to the peripheral portion, then device complexity is reduced, but airflow stabilization is insufficient across the entire engine operating flow range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the stationary straightening structure into a dynamic, adjustable one by incorporating rotational capability. This allows the device to adapt its straightening effect to different airflow conditions, achieving precise measurement across the full engine operating range while maintaining relatively simple construction through a single rotating component.
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 solution effectively stabilizes airflow over the entire range of engine operation, ensuring more accurate airflow measurements by flow meters, even at low airflow rates, by homogenizing flow speeds and reducing turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one deflector may have a curved wing shape with an upper and lower surface, designed to receive variations and threshold values of airflow pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an air intake assembly (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising an air intake pipe (2), a flow meter (3) and a rectifier device (5) for an air flow (V) which is positioned upstream of said flow meter (3) with respect to the flow direction of the air flow (V) in the pipe (2). The airflow rectifier device (5) comprises a peripheral portion (6) and an open-work portion (7). Moreover, said airflow rectifier device (5) comprises rotation means which allow the open-work portion (7) to pivot with respect to the peripheral portion (6).