Cylinder Head Water Jacket Rigidity and Pressure Loss

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water jacket structures in cylinder heads face challenges in securing rigidity against explosion loads and suppressing pressure loss associated with cooling water flow.

Innovation Solution

The water jacket structure incorporates a reduced diameter part near reinforcing post formation areas and features inclined, curved surfaces to control cooling water flow, ensuring rigidity and minimizing pressure loss by facilitating vertical flow between cylinders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a water jacket is formed in the cylinder head, then cooling function is provided, but rigidity against explosion load deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidrigidity against explosion load
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The water jacket flow passage is segmented into multiple stages (first water jacket and second water jacket) with intermediate flow passages. This segmentation allows strategic placement of reinforcing posts at interfaces between stages, providing structural reinforcement without compromising the overall cooling function. The cooling water flow is divided into multiple paths, enabling rigidity enhancement in specific regions while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcing posts are strategically placed at specific locations where rigidity is most needed, such as at the interface between the first and second water jackets and at the communication flow passage. The wall thickness is locally increased at these reinforcing post locations. This local quality approach provides targeted structural reinforcement without adding unnecessary weight or complexity throughout the entire water jacket structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If a water jacket is formed in the cylinder head, then cooling function is provided, but pressure loss of cooling water increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidpressure loss of cooling water
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling water flow passage is divided into multiple stages with intermediate communication passages. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths and reduces the length of individual flow passages, thereby reducing the total pressure loss. The cooling water can flow through shorter segments rather than a single long passage, maintaining cooling efficiency while reducing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water jacket structure utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with multiple levels (first and second water jackets) connected by communication flow passages. This vertical arrangement in another dimension allows cooling water to flow through a more compact and efficient path, reducing the horizontal flow distance and associated pressure losses while maintaining effective cooling coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If reinforcing posts are added to enhance rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverigidity between cylindersVSAvoidwater jacket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing posts are merged with the water jacket structure itself, serving dual purposes: providing structural reinforcement and forming part of the cooling water flow passage boundaries. The reinforcing posts are integrated into the wall structure between water jackets, combining structural and functional elements into a unified design, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing posts serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enhance rigidity against explosion loads, define the boundaries of cooling water flow passages, and create structural interfaces between the first and second water jackets. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while achieving multiple objectives.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3567237B1Water jacket structure
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3567237B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3567237B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3567237B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water jacket structure includes: a lower water jacket that is provided inside a cylinder head installed at the top of a cylinder block; and an upper water jacket that communicates with the lower water jacket, and is provided on a side away from the cylinder block than the lower water jacket; wherein the lower water jacket includes, for each space between cylinders: a communication flow passage that communicates with the upper water jacket; and a reinforcing post formation part on which a reinforcing post is installed; wherein the reinforcing post formation part is located on a downstream side in a flowing direction of cooling water along a cylinder arrangement direction than the communication flow passage.