Segmented Air Induction Device for Engine Turbulence Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbulence in the air flow before the throttle body of an internal combustion engine results in less than optimal air flow and a less than desirable air charge, leading to inefficiencies in engine performance.
Innovation Solution
A device made of two flat plates with slits and curved portions is inserted into the air induction tube, separating the air flow into distinct segments, reducing turbulence and improving laminarity, which allows for a greater air charge and increased engine efficiency without modifying the tube or using special tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air flow is allowed to pass through the air induction tube without segmentation, then the structure remains simple, but turbulence increases resulting in less optimal air flow through the throttle body
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow is divided into multiple segments by inserting a device with curved plates into the air induction tube. This segmentation reduces turbulence and improves air flow efficiency through the throttle body by organizing the chaotic air molecules into more orderly streams, while the device itself maintains relative structural simplicity through the use of just a few curved plate elements.
2Productivity
If the device is inserted into the air induction tube, then air flow is segmented and turbulence is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs curved plates with specific radii of curvature to guide and segment the air flow. These curved surfaces naturally redirect air molecules in a manner that reduces turbulence and promotes laminar flow patterns, improving air charge efficiency while maintaining elegant geometric simplicity in the device design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If corners are clipped from the device pieces, then damage risk to the induction tube is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corners of the device pieces are clipped or rounded to remove sharp edges that could damage the air induction tube during installation or removal. This localized modification addresses the specific harm risk at the corners without affecting the overall structural integrity or requiring high precision across the entire device, as only the corner regions need modification.
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 device increases torque range and horsepower, reduces low-end acceleration lag, and enhances engine efficiency by ensuring a greater air charge, even in normally aspirated engines, with a 5-7% increase in rear wheel horsepower observed in dyno tests.
Implementation Method 1
The curved walls can be slightly compressed when inserted into an induction tube to hold the assembly in place
Implementation Method 2
The curved walls can be slightly compressed when inserted into an induction tube to hold the assembly in place
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device used in the air induction tube of an internal combustion engine after the air filter and before the throttle body, and in particular to a device used to separate an air flow into a plurality of segments. The device can be made of two pieces. Each piece is initially a flat plate. A slit is formed half way through each plate and the corners are cut off or clipped. Each plate is then formed to have two generally curved portions. The pieces are joined via the slits resulting in the device. The pieces are generally perpendicular to each other at their intersection. The device is fitted into the air induction tube upstream of the throttle body, whereby it separates the air flow into distinct segments. The curved walls can be slightly compressed when inserted into an induction tube to hold the assembly in place.