DE102011102248A1 - Combustion engine i.e. diesel-combustion engine, for motor car, has combustion chamber, suction area attached to chamber and provided for supplying fluid to chamber and condensate collecting device arranged in suction area - Google Patents

Abstract

The engine (1) has a combustion chamber (2), and a suction area (3) attached to the chamber and provided for supplying fluid to the chamber. A closed condensate collecting device (8) i.e. fluid temporary storage, is arranged in the suction area. The suction area has a suction pipe (5) and a collecting pipe (6), where the suction pipe is connected to the chamber over an inlet (4). The collecting pipe is connected to the chamber over the suction pipe, and the collecting device has a collecting chamber (9) with a storage material e.g. fiber structure or porous foam.

Description

The invention relates to an internal combustion engine, in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one combustion chamber and a suction region associated therewith, via which a fluid of the combustion chamber can be supplied.

Internal combustion engines of the type mentioned are known from the prior art. The fluid is in particular air drawn in through the intake region, for example fresh air or mixed air containing fresh air. During operation of such an internal combustion engine at low ambient temperatures, in particular at temperatures around or below the freezing point, condensate can occur in the intake region. The condensate is thereby eliminated from the fluid. If there are temperatures in the intake area which are below the freezing point of the condensate, this will freeze. In this way, larger amounts of frozen condensate can accumulate in the intake area. The condensate is usually mostly or completely water, so that the frozen condensate is in the form of ice.

If temperatures subsequently rise above the freezing point in the intake area, the frozen condensate melts again. The liquid condensate can now be entrained in larger quantities by the fluid and reach the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. This is the case in particular when the motor vehicle to which the internal combustion engine is assigned switches off after driving at ambient temperatures which are significantly below the freezing point of the condensate in an environment in which the temperature lies above the freezing point. During the stoppage of the internal combustion engine, at least a portion of the frozen condensate can thaw and reach the combustion chamber during a subsequent start of the internal combustion engine. There is a risk that the condensate reaching the combustion chamber in large quantities damages the internal combustion engine or at least impairs its operation.

For this reason, for example, in the DE 10 2009 006 966 A1 a method for controlling a charge air cooler is proposed, in which the cooling capacity of the charge air cooler is set as a function of two threshold values of the charge air temperature of the charge air cooler during operation of the internal combustion engine. In this way, the condensation in the intake or ice formation can be at least partially prevented, so that the internal combustion engine is protected from damage by the condensate.

Such a control of the intercooler is on the one hand consuming. On the other hand, due to the control, the entire rated power can not be provided at every operating point of the internal combustion engine. In addition, not every internal combustion engine has a charge air cooler.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an internal combustion engine which avoids the aforementioned disadvantage and in particular avoids damage to the internal combustion engine by condensate. The measures used should be as efficient and inexpensive as possible.

This is inventively achieved with an internal combustion engine with the features of claim 1. In this case, at least one arranged in the intake, closed condensate collection device is provided. The condensate collecting device is therefore assigned to the intake. It may be located anywhere on or in the intake area, but is preferably provided in a conduit of the intake area. The closed condensate collecting device is to be understood as meaning a condensate collecting device in which the accumulated condensate is not deliberately discharged to the outside from the condensate collecting device, for example in the direction of a collecting container. Rather, no discharge of the condensate is provided to the outside. The condensate collecting device is accordingly an outwardly closed condensate collecting device. This is only fed through the suction fluid. A discharge of the fluid and any condensate present is provided exclusively by the intake in the direction of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is, for example, a diesel internal combustion engine. However, the condensate collection device may also be provided in an Otto internal combustion engine. The fluid supplied to the combustion chamber is essentially gaseous. For example, the fluid is air or a fuel-air mixture. The air may be fresh air or, in particular in the case of exhaust gas recirculation, have at least one fresh air fraction.

A development of the invention provides that the intake region comprises at least one line, in particular a suction line and a manifold, wherein the suction line is connected via an inlet and the manifold via the suction line to the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is supplied via the at least one line, the fluid. Usually, each combustion chamber is assigned a suction line and all combustion chambers a common manifold. The individual suction lines open on the one hand into the respective combustion chamber and on the other hand into the common manifold. The connection of Suction line with the combustion chamber can be made via the inlet, which can also be referred to as intake. The inlet is usually associated with at least one inlet valve, by means of which the amount of fluid introduced into the combustion chamber is adjustable. The line is preferably rigid, so it is in the form of a tube. In that regard, the suction line is a suction pipe and the manifold a manifold, which can also be referred to as a collector. It should be noted that the suction line is connected directly to the combustion chamber via the inlet. So there are no other lines between the suction and the combustion chamber provided.

A further development of the invention provides that the intake area has a charge air cooler and a charge air feed opening into the charge air cooler. The internal combustion engine can therefore have to increase the performance of a supercharger and the intercooler. By means of the supercharger, which is designed, for example, as a turbocharger or as a compressor, sucked-in air can be compressed in order to increase the power density of the internal combustion engine. When compressed, however, the temperature of the air increases, whereby the efficiency of the internal combustion engine decreases. In order to achieve a particularly high performance increase of the internal combustion engine, the charge air cooler is therefore connected downstream of the supercharger. The compressed air thus passes through the intercooler into the combustion chamber. In the intercooler, the compressed air is cooled, that is brought to a lower temperature level, and then fed to the combustion chamber. On the side facing away from the combustion chamber of the charge air cooler, the charge air supply is provided which, for example, establishes a connection between the loader and the intercooler. The charge air supply is preferably also in the form of a conduit, preferably in the form of a pipeline before.

A development of the invention provides that the condensate collection device is provided in the line, the intercooler or the charge air supply. In principle, the condensate collecting device can be arranged arbitrarily in the intake region. However, it is preferably part of the line, the intercooler or the charge air supply, because it can be arranged in this way comparatively close to the combustion chamber. If there are several condensate collection devices, they can be distributed at will on the line, the intercooler and the charge air supply. For example, in each case at least one condensate collecting device is provided in the line, the intercooler and the charge air supply. Of course, it is also possible that a common condensate collection device is present in the areas mentioned. Thus, for example, the condensate collection device may extend in regions in the suction line and in some areas in the manifold and thus exist as a common condensate collection device of the two lines.

A development of the invention provides that the condensate collecting device has a collecting chamber into which condensate accumulating in the intake region is forced by the influence of gravity. The collection chamber serves to collect the condensate. In this case, the collection chamber is not connected to the environment, so it is available as an outwardly closed collection chamber. The collection chamber is therefore only in fluid communication with the intake area. The collecting chamber is arranged in the suction region in such a way that condensate is forced into it by gravity. This means that the collecting chamber is usually provided in a lower region of the intake region, in particular an at least local low point of the intake region.

A development of the invention provides that the collecting chamber is formed by a cross-sectional area of the conduit, so that in the intake manifold - seen in cross-section - a conduit region and the collection chamber, or that the conduit for forming the collection chamber has a cross-sectional change, so that the line - seen in cross-section - next to the not cross section changed line area has the collection chamber. The line is in particular in the form of the suction line or the manifold before. The collecting chamber can now be present directly in the cross-sectional area of the conduit, for example, as seen in cross-section, it is subdivided such that the conduit area and the collecting chamber are formed. Alternatively, the line may also have the change in cross section. This means that, furthermore, the line region and the collecting chamber are seen in cross-section in the line. However, the line region is not or only slightly changed in cross-section with respect to adjacent regions in which the collection chamber is not present. The collection chamber is thus formed essentially solely by the change in cross section of the line. This variant is more expensive to manufacture, but the flow cross-section of the conduit in the region in which the collection chamber is provided, however, is not reduced. Thus, the pressure loss in the line is comparatively low.

A further development of the invention provides that the collecting chamber has, at least in regions, a storable material, in particular a fibrous structure or a porous foam, and / or a honeycomb structure. The storable material or the honeycomb structure are used for collecting and caching the condensate: These are preferably designed so that they are not damaged by freezing of the condensate. The storable material is present for example as a fiber structure or as a porous foam. The fiber structure is, for example, a nonwoven fabric, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric or the like consisting of a plurality of fibers. The honeycomb structure may be formed, for example, of plastic or of metal. The individual honeycomb of the honeycomb structure are arranged such that the condensate can flow into the honeycomb and is then held in this by gravity. Accordingly, the honeycombs are arranged substantially vertically, at least with respect to an expected arrangement of the internal combustion engine.

A development of the invention provides that the collecting chamber is separated from the Saugleitungsbereich at least partially by a perforated plate. This is provided in particular for covering the honeycomb structure or the storable material. Through the perforated plate, the collection chamber is in flow communication with the Saugleitungsbereich. Thus, condensate accumulating in the suction line region can easily pass through the perforated plate into the collection chamber.

A development of the invention provides that the collection chamber forms a fluid buffer. This means that the condensate should be present only temporarily in the collection chamber and can get out of this again in particular by evaporation or evaporation. Preferably, the collection chamber is designed such that the condensate can escape from it only with a low throughput (mass or volume of the condensate per unit time). The collecting chamber or the intermediate fluid reservoir is accordingly provided for the slow or targeted delivery of the condensate to the fluid or in the direction of the combustion chamber, the throughput being less than or equal to a specific throughput at which no impairment or damage to the internal combustion engine occurs. It is therefore not intended that the condensate remains permanently in the collection chamber. Rather, it should be selectively discharged in the direction of the combustion chamber, and this is provided with such a low throughput that the internal combustion engine is not damaged.

A further development of the invention provides that the condensate collecting device, in particular the intermediate fluid reservoir, can be heated at least in regions by the heat of the internal combustion engine. During operation of the internal combustion engine is generated by this heat. The condensate collecting device should now be arranged so that it can be heated by this heat. In this way, the condensate present in the condensate collection device can be specifically heated, so that it - if it is in the frozen state - is thawed. However, the heating can also be provided so that the condensate is heated above its boiling point, so that it can be fed to the combustion chamber in a gaseous state.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, without any limitation of the invention. Show it:

1 FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine with a condensate collection device arranged in a suction region, FIG.

2 a cross section through a conduit in which the condensate collecting device is present, in a first embodiment,

3 a second embodiment of the conduit with the condensate collecting device arranged therein,

4 a cross section through a first embodiment of the condensate collection device,

5 a cross section and a plan view of a second embodiment of the condensate collecting device, and

6 a cross section and a plan view of a third embodiment of the condensate collecting device.

The 1 shows a schematic view of an internal combustion engine 1 , which is present for example as a diesel internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine 1 has at least one combustion chamber 2 into which a suction area 3 a fluid can be introduced. The intake area 3 In particular, it comprises an inlet 4 , a suction line 5 and a manifold 6 , The suction line 5 lies as a suction tube and the manifold 6 as collecting manifold before, both lines 5 and 6 are therefore rigid. In the manifold 6 the fluid is provided which subsequently passes through the suction line 5 and the inlet 4 into the combustion chamber 2 can get. The inlet 4 is at least one inlet valve 7 assigned, by means of which the fluid targeted into the combustion chamber 2 can be introduced. On the combustion chamber 2 opposite side of the manifold 6 can be provided here not shown intercooler and an opening into this charge air.

When the internal combustion engine is operated at low ambient temperatures, condensate can condense out of the fluid in the intake region. Lying in the intake area 3 Temperatures below the freezing point of the condensate ago, which may be the case in particular when using the intercooler, the condensate freezes in the intake 3 , In this way, can accumulate during driving a larger amount of frozen condensate. If the frozen condensate thaws again, it can suddenly, so with high throughput, into the combustion chamber 2 reach. This can possibly damage the internal combustion engine 1 to lead. It is particularly dangerous if the internal combustion engine is operated at low temperatures, so that - as described above - the condensate accumulates, the internal combustion engine is deactivated and then a higher ambient temperature occurs, so that the temperature in the intake increases above the freezing point of the condensate. In this case, a large part of the frozen condensate or the entire condensate can thaw and in a subsequent activation of the internal combustion engine abruptly into the combustion chamber 2 arrive, resulting in malfunction of the internal combustion engine 1 or can lead to their damage.

For this reason is in the intake area 3 a closed condensate collection device 8th arranged. This is only with the intake area 3 fluidly connected, so has no means to that in the condensate collection device 8th accumulating condensate to the outside, for example, in a collecting device to dissipate. The condensate collector 8th insofar exists as a closed condensate collection device. The condensate collector 8th has a collection chamber 9 in which in the intake area 3 accumulating condensate is forced by gravity. Preferably, the collection chamber 9 with respect to an expected orientation of the internal combustion engine 1 arranged below, in particular in a local low point of the intake 3 , Basically, the condensate collection device 8th optionally in the intake area 3 be arranged. However, it is preferably in the lines 5 or 6 , the intercooler or the charge air supply provided.

The 2 shows a cross section through the manifold 6 , In this case, the illustration is to be understood merely as an example, in principle, what is described below can also be applied to another line or another element of the intake area 3 be transmitted, for example on the suction line 5 , the intercooler or the charge air supply. In the manifold shown here 6 becomes the collection chamber 9 from a cross-sectional area 10 the manifold 6 educated. Thus lie in the manifold 6 both a line area 11 as well as the collection chamber 9 in front. The line area 11 is the flow area available to the fluid while in the collection chamber 9 the accumulating condensate accumulates.

The 3 shows a further embodiment of the manifold 6 , In contrast to that on the basis of 2 described embodiment has here the manifold 6 a cross section change 12 on. The collection chamber 9 is so in the cross-sectional change 12 before that in the manifold 6 continue the line area 11 is available, however, compared to the basis of the 2 shown is not changed cross-section. In this way, continues to be the entire cross section of the manifold 6 for the flow through the fluid available, whereby pressure losses are reduced. The in the 3 shown embodiment of the manifold 6 is purely exemplary to understand. For example, it might be in the range of cross-sectional change 12 also have an oval cross-section and the collection chamber 9 in the over the circular cross-section of the line area 11 outgoing areas of the manifold 6 available.

The 4 shows a cross section through the condensate collection device 8th which is present in a first embodiment. It becomes clear that in the collection chamber 9 the condensate collection device 8th a storable material 13 is arranged. This may for example have a fibrous structure or be a porous foam. In this case, the fibrous structure is to be understood as meaning, in particular, a fleece, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric or the like, which is designed to receive the condensate and to store or temporarily store it. The material 13 can from a cover 14 be overflowed, which has openings, so that the condensate in the material 13 can get. The cover 14 is however purely optional.

The 5 shows a second embodiment of the condensate collection device, wherein a cross-section above and below a plan view of the condensate collection device 8th is shown. In this embodiment is in the collection chamber 9 a honeycomb structure 15 provided, which is formed for example by a honeycomb grid. The honeycomb structure 15 has numerous honeycombs 16 on, of which only a few are exemplified. The honeycomb 16 the honeycomb structure 15 can, but need not be, flow separated from each other. By this is meant that in the honeycomb 16 This condensate is not in an adjacent honeycomb 16 can get.

The 6 shows a third embodiment of the condensate collection device 8th , again with a cross section at the top and a plan view at the bottom. In the plan view it becomes clear that the collection chamber 9 with a perforated plate 17 is covered, so that in the intake 3 present condensate only through holes 18 of the perforated sheet 17 , of which in turn only a few are marked, in the collection chamber 9 can get into it. Below the perforated plate 17 For example, the basis of the 5 shown honeycomb structure 15 available. However, it can also only struts 19 for supporting the perforated sheet 17 available.

The collection chamber described above 9 is each as a fluid cache. This means that the condensate from the intake area 3 in the collection chamber 9 can get there and is only cached there. The condensate is therefore over a certain period back into the intake 3 or delivered to the fluid flowing through this. However, this is done only with a low flow rate, so no larger amount of condensate, which again from the collection chamber 9 come out, abruptly into the combustion chamber 2 is introduced.

With the collection chamber 9 or the condensate collection device 8th Thus, even if there is a larger amount of condensate in the intake area, it causes 3 an introduction of this condensate in the combustion chamber 2 always done only with a low flow rate or mass flow. In this way, damage to the internal combustion engine 1 or an impairment of their operation largely avoided. It is particularly advantageous if the condensate collection device 8th is arranged such that it at least partially by heat of the internal combustion engine 1 is heated. The heat of the internal combustion engine 1 can, for example, via heat conduction of the lines 5 and 6 or via convection to the condensate collection device 8th reach. For this purpose, the condensate collecting device 8th in the area of the combustion chamber 2 arranged, as for example in the 1 is shown.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Internal combustion engine

2

combustion chamber

3

suction

4

inlet

5

suction

6

manifold

7

intake valve

8th

Condensate collector

9

plenum

10

Cross-sectional area

11

management area

12

Cross-sectional change

13

material

14

cover

15

honeycomb structure

16

honeycomb

17

perforated sheet

18

holes

19

brace

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102009006966 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

Internal combustion engine ( 1 ), in particular for a motor vehicle, with at least one combustion chamber ( 2 ) and one of these associated intake area ( 3 ), over which a fluid of the combustion chamber ( 2 ) can be fed, characterized by at least one in the intake area ( 3 ), closed condensate collection device ( 8th ). Internal combustion engine according to claim 1, characterized in that the intake area ( 3 ) at least one line ( 5 . 6 ), in particular a suction line ( 5 ) and a collecting line ( 6 ), wherein the suction line ( 5 ) via an inlet ( 4 ) and the manifold ( 6 ) via the suction line ( 5 ) to the combustion chamber ( 2 ) connected. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intake area ( 3 ) has a charge air cooler and a charge air inlet opening into the intercooler. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate collecting device ( 8th ) in the line ( 5 . 6 ), the intercooler or the charge air supply is provided. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate collecting device ( 8th ) a collection chamber ( 9 ), into which in the intake area ( 3 ) condensate is separated by the influence of gravity. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber ( 9 ) of a cross-sectional area ( 10 ) of the line ( 5 . 6 ) is formed so that in the line ( 5 . 6 ) - seen in cross-section - a line area ( 11 ) and the collection chamber ( 9 ), or that the line ( 5 . 6 ) to form the collection chamber ( 9 ) a cross-section change ( 12 ), so that the line ( 5 . 6 ) - seen in cross-section - next to the non-cross-section changed line area ( 11 ) via the collection chamber ( 9 ). Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber ( 9 ) at least partially a storable material ( 13 ), in particular a fibrous structure or a porous foam, and / or a honeycomb structure ( 15 ) having. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber ( 9 ) of the line area ( 11 ) at least partially through a perforated plate ( 17 ) is separated. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collecting chamber ( 9 ) forms a fluid buffer. Internal combustion engine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the condensate collecting device ( 8th ), in particular the intermediate fluid storage, at least partially of heat of the internal combustion engine ( 1 ) is heated.

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