Turbocharger Housing Coupling with Biasing Force Against Thermal Loosening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbochargers experience loosening of the coupling between the turbine housing and the bearing housing during transient engine operation due to thermal expansion, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a biasing member, such as a back plate, that applies an elastic force to separate the flange portions, allowing the gripping unit to maintain a secure hold despite thermal expansion, and configuring the back plate with various shapes and support structures to enhance design flexibility and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a gripping unit is used to couple the turbine housing and bearing housing, then the housings are fastened together, but loosening occurs during transient operation due to thermal expansion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening forceVSAvoidcoupling stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a biasing member that exerts a separating force between the turbine housing and bearing housing before thermal expansion occurs. This pre-applied counterforce compensates for the thermal expansion forces that will occur during transient operation, preventing the gripping unit from loosening. The biasing member is configured to apply a force in the opposite direction to the thermal expansion force, thereby maintaining reliable coupling throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the gripping unit is tightly fastened to prevent loosening, then coupling stability is maintained, but thermal expansion during transient operation causes excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling stabilityVSAvoidthermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by using a biasing member that generates a separating force to counterbalance the thermal expansion forces acting on the gripping unit during transient operation. This counterforce allows the gripping unit to maintain a stable coupling without experiencing excessive stress, as the biasing member absorbs and compensates for the thermal expansion effects. The system achieves both reliability and stress management through this force balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the turbine housing and bearing housing are rigidly coupled, then structural stability is achieved, but thermal expansion causes loosening of the coupling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcoupling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by replacing the static rigid coupling with a dynamic system that includes a biasing member. This biasing member allows the coupling to adapt to thermal expansion dynamically during transient operation. The system transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a flexible connection that can accommodate thermal changes while maintaining coupling reliability, as the biasing member adjusts the force balance in response to temperature variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution effectively suppresses loosening of the coupling between the turbine and bearing housings during transient operation, maintaining a stable grip and improving turbocharger performance by providing a heat transmission path at full load.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic force in a direction to separate the turbine-housing side flange portion and the bearing-housing side flange portion from each other is applied to each of the turbine housing and the bearing housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

providing a heat transmission path at full load

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transmission: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3444462B1turbocharger
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 MITSUBISHI HEAVY IND ENGINE & TURBOCHARGER LTD
  • EP3444462B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3444462B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3444462B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A turbocharger includes a gripping unit gripping a turbine-housing side flange portion and a bearing-housing side flange portion to couple a turbine housing and a bearing housing. In a state where the turbine housing and the bearing housing are coupled by the gripping unit, an elastic force in a direction to separate the turbine-housing side flange portion and the bearing-housing side flange portion from each other is applied to each of the turbine housing and the bearing housing.