EP1934461B1 - Device for supplying air to a multiple-cylinder engine head - Google Patents

Abstract

A device including two air distribution chambers configured to be fixed on a cylinder head and an air distributor and/or an air transfer pipe, the air transfer pipe and the air distribution chambers including, in the immediate surroundings of their nozzles, for being relatively positioned and assembled together: between the air distributor and one of the air distribution chambers, a positioning and supporting mechanism for support and precise relative centering, substantially without clearance, except for possible pivoting about the axis of engagement, once the centering has been provided along the axis, and, between the air distributor and the other air distribution chamber: an additional support mechanism and locating mechanism. A fixing mechanism locks, at the required swivel angle and in relative support, each air distribution chamber and the air distributor.

Description

The invention relates to a device for supplying air to a multi-cylinder engine cylinder head comprising two rows of air intake ducts to the cylinders.

In US-A-4,895,112 , as here, such an air supply device comprises a first and a second air distributors arranged, or to arrange, and to fix on the cylinder head, along the air mouths of said air inlet ducts of this cylinder head, which communicate with the combustion chambers of the cylinders.

Such air distributors formed by a first and a second air distributor are typically present on in-line V-engines, for example 6-cylinder engines.

The air distributors are supplied with air via an air distributor means.

In US-A-4,895,112 the air distributor means is integrated in one piece with one of the air distributors and is sealingly connected to the other air distributor via a press fit connection using an O-ring for the air distributor. seal.

This requires a one-piece design and implementation of the air distributor means and the dispatcher means concerned.

This is a massive piece.

This can also pose implementation problems and make it more difficult to work on the engine, for example during maintenance.

An air supply device of a multi-cylinder engine cylinder head according to the preamble of claim 1 is also known by the US-A-4,811,697 .

• qui permette de réduire le volume des pièces concernées à réaliser,
• qui facilite sur certains moteurs la mise en place de ces moyens d'alimentation en air (ici les répartiteurs et moyen distributeur d'air), ceci en particulier sur les moteurs en V et/ou à cylindres en lignes,
• et qui assure un positionnement, un centrage et une fixation appropriés entre les différentes pièces concernées, en permettant des conditions favorables d'intervention, compatibles avec une fabrication en série et un assemblage isostatique.

The object of the invention is to propose a solution:

• which makes it possible to reduce the volume of the parts involved,
• which makes it easier for certain engines to set up these air supply means (here the distributors and the air distributor), this in particular for V-shaped and / or line-cylinder engines,
• and which ensures proper positioning, centering and fixing between the various parts concerned, allowing favorable conditions of intervention, compatible with mass production and isostatic assembly.

• entre le distributeur d'air et l'un des répartiteurs d'air, des premiers moyens complémentaires de positionnement et d'appui à pivot glissant suivant un axe d'engagement entre ce distributeur d'air et le répartiteur, avec : un centrage relatif précis, sensiblement sans jeu, suivant cet axe d'engagement, un possible pivotement autour dudit axe et une translation suivant ce même axe,
• et, entre ledit distributeur d'air et l'autre répartiteur d'air :
  • * des seconds moyens complémentaires de positionnement et d'appui comprenant :
    • des moyens additionnels d'appui,
    • et des moyens de locating pour un arrêt du pivotement autour dudit axe d'engagement, une fois atteint l'angle de pivotement relatif nécessaire pour assurer ledit positionnement requis entre le distributeur et les répartiteurs d'air,
  • * et des troisièmes moyens complémentaires de fixation, pour bloquer, audit angle de pivotement nécessaire et en appui relatif, le distributeur d'air et le répartiteur correspondant.

For this purpose, it is proposed that the aforementioned air supply device, which therefore comprises a first and second air distributors, further comprises, replacing the air distributor means integrated with one of these distributors, an air distributor comprising at least two air inlets arranged, or arranged, in front of the respective air mouth of said distributors, respectively, this independent air distributor and the air distributors further comprising, in the immediate environment of their mouths, and to ensure a relative positioning required and a fixation between them:

• between the air distributor and one of the air distributors, first complementary means for positioning and pivotally sliding support along an axis of engagement between the air distributor and the distributor, with: relative centering precise, substantially without play, along this axis of engagement, a possible pivot about said axis and a translation along the same axis,
• and between said air distributor and the other air distributor:
  • second complementary positioning and support means comprising:
    • additional means of support,
    • and locating means for stopping the pivoting about said engagement axis, once reached the relative pivot angle necessary to provide said required positioning between the distributor and the air distributors,
  • and third complementary fastening means for locking, to said necessary pivot angle and in relative support, the air distributor and the corresponding distributor.

Thus, the air supply means for the cylinders will therefore comprise, overall, three main parts: the upstream air distributor and the two downstream air distributors, with optimized positioning, centering and fixing means.

To promote the air supply of the distributors, and therefore of the cylinders, in particular on the V-engines and / or lineal cylinders, it is advisable that the air distributors are each connected, at a first end of their direction of elongation, to an upstream air distributor and / or, at a second downstream end, opposite the first, to an air transfer pipe promoting the good distribution of air there.

Here, one or other of these "air distributor" and "air transfer manifold" can be made as before and it is recommended that this implementation is preferably applied at least to the input air distributor (upstream) which will therefore include several internal conduits (a priori divided into three) with three air mouths, one receiving external air (typically to from a throttle body), the other two being therefore arranged in front of the corresponding air mouth of the splitters.

In the preferred embodiment, it is recommended that both the upstream air distributor and the aforementioned downstream air transfer pipe (s) are made with the positioning, centering and fixing means presented above. .

Thus, it will make even more accessible this part of the engine during its assembly, while ensuring that this assembly will be both efficient and isostatic.

Favorably, the first complementary sliding pivot positioning means between the air distributor and the air distributor concerned will comprise an annular skirt, projecting around the corresponding mouth of the air distributor, this skirt closely covering an outer edge the corresponding mouth of the distributor facing him, to ensure a substantially no radial play interlocking along said axis of engagement.

This solution makes it possible, in a simple way, to obtain precise positioning and centering, as well as a high-performance restraint between the two parts, at the location of their so-called air mouths, while at the same time authorizing vis-à-vis the axis of engagement between these parts the free movements of axial translation and rotation sought, until we have positioned and suitably centered the same distributor vis-à-vis the other air distributor.

• qu'un joint torique ou sensiblement torique soit interposé à l'endroit desdits premiers moyens complémentaires de positionnement à pivot glissant,
• et qu'un joint plat soit interposé à l'endroit des seconds moyens complémentaires de positionnement et d'appui.

For the seal between the distributor and each distributor concerned, we recommend:

• an O-ring or substantially O-ring is interposed at the location of said first complementary sliding pivot positioning means,
• and that a flat seal is interposed at the location of the second complementary positioning and support means.

Regarding locating means, it is furthermore advised that it comprise at least one screw passing through a hole of non-circular section.

This is a simple and powerful solution, compatible with the techniques well mastered in the automobile, during mass production of engines.

As regards the third complementary fastening means mentioned above, it is advisable that they comprise screws passing through oblong holes formed on the air distributor concerned, in the immediate environment of the corresponding mouthpiece.

• que les premiers moyens complémentaires de positionnement à pivot glissant présente un alésage ayant une section adaptée pour assurer ledit centrage relatif précis suivant l'axe d'engagement entre le distributeur et le répartiteur d'air concerné,
• et que les moyens additionnels d'appui comprennent deux surfaces d'appui formées respectivement sur le distributeur et sur l'autre répartiteur, pour assurer entre eux un appui plan, sensiblement perpendiculairement à l'axe d'engagement suivant lequel s'étend l'alésage précité.

Always to promote the isostatic assembly, under conditions of performance in terms of mechanics, cost and ergonomics, it is also expected, favorably:

• that the first complementary sliding pivot positioning means has a bore having a section adapted to ensure said accurate relative centering along the axis of engagement between the distributor and the air distributor concerned,
• and that the additional support means comprise two bearing surfaces formed respectively on the distributor and on the other distributor, to provide a flat support between them, substantially perpendicular to the axis of engagement along which extends the aforesaid bore.

• l'une (au moins) de ces vis assurant l'arrêt en rotation et définissant ainsi lesdits moyens de locating, en coopération avec un trou non circulaire formé sur l'un au moins parmi le distributeur et le répartiteur considéré,
• ces vis assurant en outre, ensemble, une fixation serrée entre le distributeur et le répartiteur correspondant, en bloquant également ce distributeur par rapport à l'autre répartiteur.

And for the same purposes, it is also recommended that the third complementary fastening means comprise three screws:

• one (at least) of these screws ensuring the stop in rotation and thus defining said locating means, in cooperation with a non-circular hole formed on at least one of the distributor and the distributor considered,
• these screws further ensuring, together, a tight attachment between the distributor and the corresponding distributor, also blocking the distributor relative to the other distributor.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective et en éclaté d'une partie d'un moteur conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 montre assemblées les trois pièces constituées par le distributeur amont d'entrée d'air et les deux répartiteurs, la tubulure de transfert d'air apparaissant en traits fantômes en haut de la figure, laquelle correspond à une perspective inverse de celle de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue de face, dans le sens de la flèche III de la figure 1, du seul distributeur amont d'air d'entrée,
• et la figure 4 est une vue partielle, en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3, les liaisons entre le distributeur considéré et chaque répartiteur étant représentées séparément, indépendamment l'une de l'autre.

An even more detailed description of the invention will now be given with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic perspective and exploded view of a portion of an engine according to the invention,
• the figure 2 shows assembled the three pieces constituted by the upstream air inlet distributor and the two distributors, the air transfer manifold appearing in phantom at the top of the figure, which corresponds to a perspective opposite to that of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a front view, in the direction of arrow III of the figure 1 only the upstream distributor of inlet air,
• and the figure 4 is a partial view, in section along the line IV-IV of the figure 3 , the connections between the distributor considered and each distributor being represented separately, independently of one another.

Figure 1 two air distributors 1, 3 are shown, designed in a manner known per se, for distributing the intake air to the two series of air inlet mouthpieces (marks 5a, 5b, 5c for the one of them) of a cylinder head 9 of multicylinder engine 11 covering a crankcase of the engine.

This is a six-cylinder V-line engine, with two sets of three groups of air inlet mouthpieces.

Three of the cylinders corresponding to one of the lines have been schematized at 13a, 13b, 13c.

Each air distributor 1, 3 comprises at least one air intake mouth and a plurality of mouths, or groups of mouths, air distribution or outlet to said corresponding air mouth of the cylinder head 9.

Figure 1 1a, 1b, 1c, the three groups of air outlet mouths of the air distributor 1 to the cylinder head have been identified.

These three groups, with in each case here two orifices, are distributed parallel to the axis 10 of elongation of this air distributor 1, which is also the axis of elongation of the internal conduit reserved for the circulation of the air in this splitter.

It is the same for the other distributor 3 (axis 30).

In 1d and 3d, we see figure 1 the two air intake mouths in the splitters, with one for each air distributor 1, 3.

These mouths have end surfaces, such as 15 for the mouth 1d, which serves as a support, and 17 for the mouth 3d, which has along the axis of engagement 30 a clearance e with the surface 25 opposite ( see figure 4 ).

Air distributor side, marked 19 on the figures 1 , 3 and 4 there are three air openings, since it is here an air intake distributor.

Figure 1 , 21a locates the air inlet zone in the dispenser 19 (see also figure 3 ). The air is thus admitted substantially parallel to the axes 10 and 30.

In 21b and 21c we see the two air outlet mouths of the distributor 19, again following substantially the directions 10 and 30, respectively.

Thus, the internal ducts defining a Y are each bent in U.

On the two distributors, with regard to the bearing surface 15 and the surface 17, without axial contact with its counterpart 25 (slight space e for the distributor 3), they are parallel respectively to the bearing surface 23 and the surface 25 of the corresponding outlet mouths 21b, 21c of the distributor considered, as illustrated figure 4 where it is noted that there is always a very slight clearance between the surfaces 17 and 25.

In practice, these surfaces 17 and 25 will therefore, axially, in the immediate vicinity, one in front of the other, when the parts 1, 3 and 19 will be fixed together, after being correctly positioned and centered, according to the invention.

Preferably, said surfaces will be planes. In the favorable example illustrated, these planes are perpendicular to the axis 10 or 30 considered, the axis 30 constituting the axis of engagement along which we will approach, and here engage, the outlet mouth of the distributor 19 on the mouthpiece 3d, sliding pivot.

Thus, said surfaces or support planes will cooperate in pairs to correctly connect and position the air distributor 19 vis-à-vis each of the two distributors 1, 3, with the mouths and surfaces concerned in support or face to face.

• entre le distributeur d'air et le répartiteur 3, par un emmanchement 27 ne laissant qu'une situation de pivot glissant entre ces deux pièces, ceci consécutivement à un interengagement entre ces pièces suivant l'axe d'engagement 30,
• entre ledit distributeur 19 et l'autre départiteur d'air, 1, par un moyen additionnel d'appui 29 complété par des moyens de locating 31, ceci une fois atteint l'angle de pivotement relatif nécessaire pour assurer le positionnement requis entre le distributeur 19 et les répartiteurs d'air 1, 3, ainsi que des moyens de fixation 33, l'emmanchement 27, et la position donc axiale entre les surfaces 17 et 25 demeurant établie, par ailleurs.

To position, center and fix in a powerful and isostatic manner the air distributor 19 with respect to the two distributors, these co-operating surfaces are completed:

• between the air distributor and the distributor 3, by a fitting 27 leaving only a sliding pivot situation between these two parts, this following an interengagement between these parts along the axis of engagement 30,
• between said distributor 19 and the other air distributor, 1, by additional support means 29 completed by locating means 31, this once reached the relative pivot angle necessary to ensure the required positioning between the distributor 19 and the air distributors 1, 3, and fastening means 33, the fitting 27, and the axial position between the surfaces 17 and 25 remaining established, moreover.

As regards the bearing surfaces between the distributor 19 and the distributor 3, if there is therefore no axial support between the surfaces 17 and 25, this support exists laterally at the respective adjacent lateral surfaces, respectively 17a and 25a (see figure 4 ), where is placed the seal 35, here an O-ring or substantially O-ring (taking into account the possible oval shape of the mouths concerned).

The fitting 27 is favorably realized, as illustrated figures 1 , 3 and 4 by a skirt 37 formed around the mouth 21c, this over the entire periphery of the corresponding end flange.

When the distributor 19 of the distributor 3 is approached, along the engagement axis 30, this skirt 37 covers the end of the mouthpiece 3d of the distributor tightly and externally, until it is therefore placed axially as close as possible to the end surfaces 17, 25, as explained above, the seal 35 then being compressed radially.

This positioning and centering operation of said parts along the axis 30 being performed, with the freedom of rotation around this axis and translation along the same axis that remain for the distributor 19, it can then ensure the centering and fixing, vis-à-vis the other distributor 1.

For this, three screws 39a, 39b, 39c have been used which can pass for at least some with clearance (in their unsealed state) two sets of three holes, such as 41a and 43a for the screw 39a which will serve to ensure the locating effect sought, in connection with the corresponding orifice 41a and its vis-à-vis 43a, said holes being formed through the rim of one side of the mouth 1d, and the other of the mouth 21b, and thus through the aforementioned surfaces 15 and 23 transverse to the axis 10 common to these two mouths.

Here, the threads of the screws 39a, 39b, 39c engage threads formed in the three holes (such as 43a) of the flange 15 of the distributor 1.

The displacement 29 is stopped at the location of the bearing surface 15, by the engagement of the screws in their holes, such as the hole 41a, here formed in the outer rim 45 of the air distributor.

Thus, while the bore 370 at the location of the skirt 37 complementary positioning means (17, 17a, 25a, 37) participates with the opposite end of the distributor 3 at the precise relative centering along the axis of engagement 30 between the distributor and the air distributor, the freedom of movement authorized by the sliding pivot will be stopped at the location of a plane support substantially perpendicular to the axis 30 of engagement of the bore, precisely between the two bearing surfaces 15, 23 formed respectively on the distributor and the distributor 1 and by the screws 33, with the locating element 31.

To ensure the rotational stop of the air distributor 19 relative to the distributor 1, it has in fact accurately realized the oblong hole (or any suitable form) 41a which receives the locating means concerned.

In this way it is possible to block the pivoting around the axis 30, in the desired angular position, along the bearing plane created between the surfaces 15 and 23 between which the flat gasket 47 has been favorably interposed, before being put in place. screws (this seal being traversed by suitable orifices, such as 49, for the passage of said screws).

If the screw 39a also serves for locating, the three screws forming here the fastening means 33 can then be clamped on the distributor 1, through their corresponding holes, to ensure the desired tight attachment.

The effect of centering / locking in rotation without said game by the locating means retained could, alternatively, be achieved for example by a shaft end or a stud reported.

Moreover, we will have noted on the figure 1 that the screw heads are located on the side of the air distributor 19 and are therefore fixed in the air distributor 1. This could be the opposite (fixing on the distributor).

At the longitudinal end located opposite the air distributor 19 (along their respective axes 10, 30), the two air distributors 1, 3 can also be interconnected by the same isostatic assembly system acting without deformation of the parts, since at this end we will have provided, as illustrated figure 2 , to connect their corresponding mouths 50, 51, via an air transfer tube 53.

The positioning, centering and fixing means, which may be identical to those presented, have not been illustrated; but we can easily imagine them, identical to those mentioned above.

This air transfer pipe 53 will therefore preferably bear the same means 27, 31, 33 for positioning and centering (sliding pivot, surface support, locating,) and fastening as the distributor 19.

The axis of engagement (previously 30) between the air transfer tube 53 and the air distributor 3 has been identified 60.

The difference between the distributor 19 and the air transfer manifold 53 here relates to their internal construction. The distributor 19 here comprises three main air ducts: one for admission (on which opens its air intake opening 21a) the other two bringing air to the respective outlet mouths 21b and 21c, these three conduits of course communicating with each other inside the dispenser.

The air transfer tube 53 contains only one duct, with an opening, respectively 55 and 57, at each end, to let air circulate between the two air distributors 1 and 3, respectively. opposite of the inlet distributor 19.

Figure 2 , at 59, where there has been a recirculating air inlet (EGR) which can arrive transversely in the air intake distributor 19.

Claims (10)

1. Device for supplying air to a cylinder head (9) of a multi-cylinder engine comprising two banks of air inlet ducts leading toward the cylinders, these ducts having inlet orifices (5a, 5b, 5c), said air supply device comprising:

   - one first and one second manifold (1, 3), these manifolds being positioned or intended to be positioned and fixed on the cylinder head, along the inlet orifices of said air inlet ducts, each manifold comprising, at a first end, an air orifice (1d, 3d, 19, 51)

   - a splitter (19) comprising at least two air orifices (21b, 21c) positioned or intended to be positioned facing the air orifice of the respective manifolds, characterized in that the splitter and the manifolds comprise, in the immediate surroundings of their said orifices, in order to ensure the required relative positioning and the joining-together:

   of: the splitter (19) and one of the manifolds (3), positioning first complementary means (17, 27, 37) with sliding pivoting along an axis (30) of engagement between this splitter and the manifold, with substantially play-free precise relative centering, along this axis, the possibility of pivoting about said axis (30) and translational movement along this same axis,

   and, of: said splitter and the other manifold (1) :

   * positioning and pressing second complementary means (29, 31, 33) comprising:

   - additional pressing means (29),

   - and locating means (31) for preventing pivoting about said axis of engagement (30) once the relative angle of pivoting needed to ensure said required positioning between the splitter and the manifolds has been reached,

   * and fixing third complementary means (33) for immobilizing the splitter (19) and the corresponding manifold (1, 3) pressing against one another at said required angle of pivoting.
2. Air supply device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the splitter (19) comprises several internal ducts with three air orifices (21a, 21b, 21c), one receiving air from the outside to supply air to the manifolds, the other two therefore being intended to be positioned opposite the corresponding air orifice (1d, 3d) of the manifolds (1, 3).
3. Air supply device according to Claim 1, characterized in that:

   - each manifold comprises, at a second end, a second air orifice (49, 51) to allow air to flow between the manifolds (1, 3),

   - an air transfer pipe (53) is provided at this second end, with two air orifices positioned or to be positioned one against each manifold, facing said second air orifices thereof, to allow air to flow between these manifolds through this air transfer pipe.
4. Air supply device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the air transfer pipe (53) and the manifolds (1, 3) comprise, in the immediate surroundings of their said orifices, in order to ensure the required relative positioning and the joining-together:

   of: the air transfer pipe (53) and one of the manifolds (1), positioning fourth complementary means (17, 27, 37) with sliding pivoting about an axis (60) of engagement between this air transfer pipe and the manifold, with substantially play-free precise relative centering, along this axis, the possibility of pivoting about said axis (60) and translational movement along this same axis,

   and, of: said air transfer pipe (53) and the other manifold (1):

   * positioning and pressing fifth complementary means (29, 31, 33) comprising:

   - additional pressing means (29),

   - and locating means (31) for preventing pivoting about said axis of engagement (30) once the relative angle of pivoting needed to ensure said required positioning between the splitter and the manifolds has been reached,

   * and fixing sixth complementary means (33) for immobilizing the splitter (19) and the corresponding manifold (1, 3) pressing against one another at said required angle of pivoting.
5. Air supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positioning first complementary means with sliding pivoting comprise an annular skirt (37) projecting around the corresponding orifice (21c) of the splitter (19), this skirt closely covering an external edge (17) of the corresponding orifice of the manifold concerned in order to allow the two to be pushed together with practically no radial play along said axis of engagement (30).
6. Air supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:

   - an 0-ring seal (35) or a more or less 0-shaped seal is inserted at the location of said positioning first complementary means with sliding pivoting,

   - and a flat seal (47) is inserted at the location of the positioning and pressing second complementary means.
7. Air supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locating means comprise at least one screw (39a) passing through a hole (41a) of non-circular cross section.
8. Air supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing third complementary means comprise screws (39a, 39b, 39c) passing through holes (41a, 41b, 41c) formed on the splitter, in the immediate surroundings of the corresponding orifice.
9. Air supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that:

   - the positioning first complementary means (17, 27, 37) with sliding pivoting comprise a bore (370) that provides said precise relative centering along the axis of engagement (30) of the splitter with respect to the relevant manifold,

   - and the additional pressing means (29) comprise two pressing surfaces formed one on the splitter and the other on the other manifold, so that between them they form a flat pressing surface substantially perpendicular to the axis of engagement (30) of the bore.
10. Air supply device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing third complementary means comprise three screws (31, 33):

    - one (31) of these screws preventing rotation and thus defining said locating means, in conjunction with a non-circular hole formed on at least one of either the splitter or the relevant manifold,

    - these screws (31, 33) together fixing the splitter and the corresponding manifold tightly together while at the same time also immobilizing this splitter with respect to the other manifold.

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