Supercharger Bypass Connecting Portion Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional internal-combustion-engine superchargers face issues with surge due to idling impellers, which are exacerbated by the recirculation of compressed intake air, leading to inefficiencies and potential liquid accumulation in bypass passages.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a centrifugal compressor with a pre-compression flow path, a post-compression flow path, a bypass passage, and a control valve, where the bypass passage recirculates compressed air to the pre-compression path, and the connecting portion between the bypass and pre-compression paths is positioned other than the extreme-bottom surface, reducing liquid entry and pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bypass passage recirculates compressed intake air to eliminate surge, then surge is eliminated, but liquid accumulates in the bypass passage causing freezing and measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurge eliminationVSAvoidliquid accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful liquid accumulation is extracted from the bypass passage by positioning the connecting portion at a location that prevents liquid entry, separating the liquid-free recirculation path from potential liquid sources while maintaining the surge-eliminating recirculation function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting portion acts as an intermediary element between the bypass passage and pre-compression flow path, strategically positioned to mediate between the need for liquid-free operation and the need for effective surge elimination through recirculation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If the connecting portion is positioned at the extreme-bottom surface to facilitate drainage, then liquid drainage is improved, but pressure loss increases and liquid entry into bypass passage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drainageVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the connecting portion at the extreme-bottom surface for drainage (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by positioning it away from the bottom, preventing liquid entry while maintaining adequate drainage through alternative pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of substance

If the connecting portion is positioned at the extreme-bottom surface, then liquid drainage is facilitated, but liquid enters the bypass passage causing freezing and air flow meter errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drainageVSAvoidair flow meter sensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting portion is positioned to extract or exclude liquid from entering the bypass passage, preventing liquid accumulation that would cause freezing and measurement errors while maintaining necessary drainage functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 configuration effectively suppresses liquid entry into the bypass passage, prevents freezing, ensures accurate air flow meter sensing, and reduces pressure loss, thereby enhancing recirculation efficiency and eliminating surge during turbocharger operation.

Implementation Method 1

compresses and discharges intake air flowing therein with a radial centrifugal force generated by rotation of an impeller

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS9982590B2Internal-combustion-engine supercharger

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An internal-combustion-engine supercharger includes a centrifugal compressor, a pre-compression flow path, a post-compression flow path, a bypass passage, and a control valve. The centrifugal compressor is disposed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine and has an impeller to compress and discharge intake air using a radial centrifugal force generated by rotating the impeller. The intake air in the post-compression flow path is to be recirculated to the pre-compression flow path via the bypass passage. A connecting portion between the bypass passage and the pre-compression flow path is disposed at a position other than an extreme-bottom surface portion located at a lowest portion in a flow path section of the pre-compression flow path in a state where the internal-combustion-engine supercharger is installed in a vehicle. The control valve is disposed in the bypass passage to control a recirculation flow rate of the intake air.