V-Type Engine Charge Air Layout for Standardized Duct Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Turbo-charged internal combustion engines require different designs of charge air pipes and components due to non-standardized turbocharger positions, leading to increased material costs and part diversity.

Innovation Solution

A V-type internal combustion engine design with charge air coolers positioned on opposite axial sides, implementing a diagonal concept that allows for the use of identical components across cylinder banks, including charge air pipes, manifolds, and blow-by systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If charge air coolers are arranged on the same axial side of the engine, then the engine layout is conventional and compact, but different parts are required for charge air ducts between different cylinder banks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepart diversityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning charge air coolers on opposite axial sides of the V-type engine (diagonal arrangement). Specifically, the first charge air cooler is positioned on a first side of the first cylinder bank, while the second charge air cooler is positioned on an opposing second side of the second cylinder bank. This asymmetric diagonal configuration enables symmetric routing of charge air ducts from both turbocharger arrangements to their respective coolers, allowing identical duct designs to be used for both cylinder banks, thereby reducing part diversity and manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If turbocharger positions are non-standardized, then different engine configurations can be adapted, but the number of different charge air pipe designs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidcharge air architecture diversity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality through a standardized diagonal charge air architecture that can serve multiple engine configurations (V12, V16, V20, etc.). The diagonal arrangement of charge air coolers on opposite axial sides creates a universal template where identical charge air ducts, manifolds, and piping components can be used across different cylinder bank configurations, reducing the need for configuration-specific custom parts while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different charge air pipe designs are used, then different turbocharger configurations can be supported, but material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturbocharger configuration supportVSAvoidmaterial cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetric diagonal positioning of charge air coolers on opposite axial sides of the engine enables symmetric routing paths for charge air ducts. This configuration allows the same duct designs and material specifications to be used for both cylinder banks regardless of turbocharger arrangement variations, significantly reducing material costs by eliminating the need for multiple different pipe designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 diagonal arrangement reduces the number of different parts required, standardizes the charge air architecture, and lowers material costs by enabling the use of identical components for both cylinder banks.

Implementation Method 1

a first charge air cooler positioned on a first side of the first cylinder bank with respect to the axial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4647590A1V-type internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 LIEBHERR COMPONENTS COLMAR SAS
  • EP4647590A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4647590A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4647590A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a V-type internal combustion engine comprising a first cylinder bank and a second cylinder bank, each cylinder bank comprising a plurality of cylinders arranged in an axial direction of the V-type internal combustion engine, a first turbocharger arrangement for providing charged air to the first cylinder bank and a second turbocharger arrangement for providing charged air to the second cylinder bank, the first turbocharger arrangement comprising at least one turbocharger and a first charge air cooler, and the second turbocharger arrangement comprising at least one turbocharger and a second charge air cooler, wherein the first charge air cooler is positioned on a first side of the first cylinder bank with respect to the axial direction and the second charge air cooler is positioned on an opposing, second side of the second cylinder bank with respect to the axial direction.