V-Type Engine Shared Exhaust Pipe Catalyst Housing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outboard motor engines with V-type configurations require two catalysts and two sets of exhaust concentration sensors due to separate exhaust manifolds, leading to an increased number of components and potential gaps causing exhaust gas leakage.

Innovation Solution

A V-type engine design with a shared exhaust pipe and catalyst housing portion, where exhaust gases from both manifolds flow into a single pipe, allowing a single catalyst to purify gases and reducing the need for duplicate sensors and components, with a movable exhaust pipe connection to absorb dimensional tolerances and enhance sealability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two catalysts and two sets of exhaust concentration sensors are installed in separate exhaust manifolds, then exhaust gas purification is ensured, but the number of components increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexhaust gas purificationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the exhaust flow paths by introducing a connection passage that allows exhaust gases from both banks to mix in a single exhaust pipe. This enables the use of a single catalyst and single sensor system instead of separate systems for each bank, reducing component count while maintaining purification effectiveness through combined exhaust treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid exhaust pipe connections are used, then structural stability is improved, but dimensional tolerances cause gaps and exhaust gas leakage

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable connection mechanism for the exhaust pipe that allows dynamic adjustment to accommodate dimensional tolerances. The connection can move or flex to maintain proper sealing contact, preventing gaps and exhaust gas leakage while preserving structural stability through controlled flexibility

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 design reduces the number of components, ensures effective exhaust gas purification, and improves sealability by using a single catalyst and sensors, while accommodating dimensional variations in the engine components.

Implementation Method 1

a catalyst can be disposed in the connection passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2594760B1Engine, outboard motor, and watercraft
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2594760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2594760B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2594760B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An engine (6, 206) includes a cylinder block (19) including a plurality of cylinders (18) disposed along a V-shaped line (V1), a pair of exhaust manifolds (25) disposed inside the V-shaped line, and an exhaust pipe (26, 226) disposed inside the V-shaped line (V1). Each of the pair of exhaust manifolds (25) includes a first passage (49) that includes a plurality of inflow ports (49a) into which exhaust gases from the cylinders (18) flow, a collecting portion (49c) at which exhaust gases are collected, and an exhaust port (49b) from which exhaust gases are discharged. The exhaust pipe (26, 226) includes a connection passage (50, 250) that includes a pair of intermediate inflow ports (50a) that are connected to the exhaust ports (49b), at least one intermediate exhaust port (50b) from which exhaust gases are discharged. The connection passage (50, 250) is arranged to connect the pair of intermediate inflow ports (50a) and the at least one intermediate exhaust port (50b).