Supercharger Head Integrated Cooling Circuit Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing supercharger connection to the hydraulic cooling circuit is complex, costly, and inefficient, leading to increased manufacturing costs, bulkiness, and reduced heat dissipation, which affects the reliability and positioning of the supercharger in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A supercharger design where the hydraulic connector is directly integrated into the head, allowing for a single-piece connection that simplifies assembly, reduces bulk, and enhances liquid flow rate, thereby improving connection efficiency and manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ports are screwed to the head of the supercharger to connect the cooling circuit, then the connection is established, but the assembling complexity increases and manufacturing costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the connection ports directly into the head structure as integral features rather than separate components. The head includes first and second connection ports formed directly in its body, eliminating the need for separate port components that need to be screwed in and connected to hydraulic connectors. This merging of functions reduces the number of parts and assembly steps while maintaining reliable hydraulic connections for the cooling circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If ports are screwed to the head with threaded connections, then the connection is secure, but the manufacturing costs increase due to critical threading requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection ports are formed as integral features of the head during the head manufacturing process (casting or machining), rather than being separate threaded components. This eliminates the need for separate threading operations and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining secure hydraulic connections through direct integration into the head structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If hydraulic connectors are screwed to the head, then the cooling circuit is connected, but the bulk increases and positioning constraints arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic connection functionalityVSAvoidsupercharger bulk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection ports are integrated directly into the head structure, eliminating the need for external hydraulic connectors that would increase bulk. The ports are formed as recesses or openings in the head itself, allowing direct connection to the cooling circuit without protruding connector components, thereby reducing the overall volume and positioning constraints of the supercharger assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If connectors are screwed to the head, then the connection is established, but the flow rate in the cooling circuit is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydraulic connectionVSAvoidcooling circuit flow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated connection ports provide larger, unobstructed flow passages compared to threaded connector interfaces. By forming the ports directly in the head structure, the design eliminates flow restrictions that would be introduced by threaded connections and small connector openings, thereby enabling higher flow rates in the cooling circuit and improved heat dissipation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2543846B1Supercharger for an industrial vehicle with improved connection characteristics to the cooling circuit and industrial vehicle comprising such supercharger
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 IVECO SPA
  • EP2543846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2543846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2543846B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a supercharger (1) for an engine of an industrial or commercial vehicle with improved characteristics of connection to the hydraulic cooling circuit. According to the invention the supercharger comprises a supercharger body (5) and a head (6) connected to the body (5) . Said head (6) comprises at least a portion (11) defining a connection port (21) of an hydraulic connector (22) in order to allow the hydraulic connection between the cooling circuit of the supercharger (11) and a circulation line of the cooling liquid external to the supercharger (1).