EP3036424A1

EP3036424A1 - Air intake duct with a sliding cover

Info

Publication number: EP3036424A1
Application number: EP14738878.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nita CORNELIU; Gabriela MIHAI
Original assignee: Renault SAS
Current assignee: Renault SAS
Priority date: 2013-08-23
Filing date: 2014-06-18
Publication date: 2016-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-18
Also published as: EP3036424B1; RU2016110591A3; RU2673979C2; WO2015025088A1; FR3009846A1; FR3009846B1; RU2016110591A

Abstract

An air intake device (1) for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine comprising an air supply duct (2) comprising: -a separation element (20) intended to separate snow from the intake air, -an intake element (30) arranged downstream from the separation element in the direction of flow of the air, intended to connect the supply duct to the engine air circuit, characterised in that the intake element comprises a cover (31) designed to engage against a base (23) by quick locking means.

Description

AIR INTAKE DUCT WITH SLIDING COVER

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an air intake duct to a motor vehicle engine. The invention relates more particularly to a device for filtering snow in said air intake duct.

The invention also relates to engines and motor vehicles equipped with such air intake ducts.

STATE OF THE ART Motor vehicles equipped with an internal combustion engine require an air intake for their proper functioning. The air is known from the front of the motor vehicle and then routed via an intake duct to an air filter and then to the engine.

In cold countries such as Russia and in winter, it is not uncommon to have snowfall or simply snow accumulated on the roads. The air can therefore be mixed with snow particles around the motor vehicle during its movement. The air admitted into said duct can then comprise snow which on the one hand can significantly alter the efficiency of the engine and other disrupt the cold starts of said engines. The operation of the air conditioning system may also be affected.

Indeed, in these countries snowy winters, the snow is sucked with air in an intake duct, which decreases the allowable air flow to the engine and therefore causes a significantly lower performance of said engine.

Another disadvantage of the accumulation of snow in the air duct is that during operation of the engine, said duct being disposed substantially close to the engine and therefore exposed to the engine temperature, the accumulated snow melts and must be evacuated. If the liquid from melting snow remains in the when the vehicle is stopped, always in cold weather, it will turn into ice and partly obstruct the passage section of the air duct, which affects the cold starts of the vehicle.

The publication FR-A1-2 985 784 discloses an air intake system for supplying a heat engine or internal combustion engine comprising a duct arranged horizontally and comprising an air intake orifice, an intake orifice to the motor and an evacuation port controlled by a movable valve between an open position and a closed position. Said valve is adapted to allow the open position under the effect of the pressure of a fluid entering the conduit during the rolling of the vehicle. The air mixed with the snow can therefore during the runway penetrate through the exhaust port and disrupt the operation of the engine.

Another disadvantage is the clutter of the engine compartment which causes a difficulty in having the devices to conduct the air and accessibility problems to the vehicle components, including wear members such as light bulbs of lighthouses. Indeed, it is necessary to easily change the bulbs out of service headlights without removing all or part of a device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks and the subject of the invention is an air intake device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle adapted to filter and evacuate the snow admitted into the vehicle. said device, comprising easily removable elements. Said device is also easy to manufacture and inexpensive. The subject of the invention is characterized more particularly in that the air intake device comprises a supply duct comprising:

a settling element intended for separation between the snow and the intake air, an intake element disposed downstream of the settling element in the direction of flow of the air and intended to connect the supply duct to the air circuit of the engine, characterized in that the element of intake comprises a lid adapted to hang against a sole by means of quick locking.

Advantageously, each of the elements of the air supply duct has a specific function as for the admission of air into the air circuit of the vehicle, each of the functions being optimized separately. The manufacture is simple and inexpensive. The intake element comprises a cover which clings against a sole fixed to a vehicle element by fixing points defined in said soleplate.

The quick locking means of the intake element allow easy assembly and disassembly of the cover of the intake element and free up a large space in order to quickly and easily access the wear members of the vehicle such as the light bulbs.

According to other features of the invention:

-The cover is able to slide against the sole before locking on said sole or after unlocking said sole.

Advantageously, the sliding of the cover against the sole requires little space and therefore allows easy locking of said cover on the sole or after unlocking said sole easy disassembly of the cover.

the sole and the cover are assembled to form an oblong accumulation chamber and disposed substantially orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the shape of the accumulation chamber and its vertical positioning, orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle, makes it possible to ensure that said chamber is not congested by a possible deposit of snow. Indeed, the snow or the water deposited on the walls of the accumulation chamber is driven by gravity towards the settling chamber connected with the accumulation chamber and arranged at the bottom of the accumulation chamber. The volume of air in the chamber then allows starting in cold weather and then the melting of snow in the supply duct.

The volume of the accumulation chamber is greater than 1.5 liters. Advantageously, the volume of air ensures the engine starts in cold weather.

The supply duct comprises an air inlet element disposed upstream of the decanting element and having a portion substantially orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle intended to prepare the separation between the snow and the intake air.

Advantageously, the portion of the input element substantially orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle defined by the longitudinal axis connecting the front to the rear of the vehicle and the transverse axis substantially parallel to the axis of the axles of the vehicle, leads the air in a substantially vertical direction from top to bottom, which makes it possible to prepare the separation of snow particles from the air, said particles being heavier than air.

-The decanting element comprises an oblong portion surrounding a settling chamber, intended to be mounted parallel to the plane of the vehicle Advantageously, the settling element comprises an oblong portion and substantially parallel to the plane of the vehicle once the mounted device in the engine compartment to allow more efficient separation of snow and air. Indeed, the speed of air flow with the snow particles is relatively low and the snow under the action of its weight is caused to fall and to separate from the intake air.

The sole extends from the oblong portion of the settling element orthogonally to said oblong portion and to the plane of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the sole is part of the decanting element and is attached to a wall element of the motor which allows a fixing of the decanting element at several points on a wall element motor as well as a simple connection between the settling element and the intake element. Indeed, the cover of the intake element is simply locked on said sole.

The settling element comprises an evacuation hatch for the evacuation of the snow, movable between a sealed closed position and an open position allowing the evacuation of fluid accumulated in the settling chamber, and whose opening / closure is controlled by elastic means.

Advantageously, the escape hatch allows the extraction of snow from the supply duct. Indeed, the snow can be transformed into water under the effect of heat from the engine and flow through the hatch outside the duct.

The elastic means allows automatic closing after opening the hatch for evacuation of snow. The elastic means maintains in normal operation the shutter closed so that the intake air passes through the inlet duct. -The elastic means is adapted to allow the opening of the evacuation door beyond a pressure threshold in the settling element.

Advantageously, the elastic means holds the hatch in the closed position during normal operation, which ensures the flow of the intake air from the input element to the intake opening. Then, when the settling element of the feed conduit is substantially plugged by the accumulated and melted snow and the water level resulting from said slush is above a threshold associated with the triggering of the elastic means, the means elastic allows an opening of the hatch, which allows to evacuate the snow deposited in the settling element. the air intake, settling and intake elements are connected to each other in a sealed manner.

Advantageously, the three elements can be manufactured separately and therefore inexpensive. Brief description of the figures

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, provided by way of example of embodiment and with reference to the appended figures in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the supply duct of air composed of three elements.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the air supply duct with the air circulation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the inlet element of the air supply duct.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the decanting element of the air supply duct.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the intake element of the air supply duct. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the intake element with the chamber.

Detailed description of the figures

The following descriptions refer to the plane of the vehicle defined by the longitudinal axis connecting the front to the rear of the vehicle and the transverse axis parallel to the axis of the axles of the vehicle wheels.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the invention, the same elements represented in different figures keep the same references.

The device 1 according to the invention is intended to be mounted in a motor compartment of the motor vehicle preferably near the engine.

According to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air intake device 1 comprises an air supply duct 2 comprising three elements: a first inlet element 10, a second settling element And a third intake member 30 to an air circuit for a motor vehicle internal combustion engine (not shown).

As shown in Figure 3, the inlet member 10 is substantially tubular and has a preferably rectangular air passage section. The input element comprises an opening 14 protected by a filtering means 1 1 and preferably directed towards the front face of the vehicle. Thus, during the forward movement of the vehicle, air can enter said opening 14 to be directed to the engine air circuit through an opening 24. The filtering means can be as in the representation of Figure 3 a grid having bars to prevent the intrusion into the supply conduit of substantially bulky objects.

The input element 10 comprises an elongated or oblong portion 12 intended to be orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle that is to say vertically once the device mounted in the engine compartment of the vehicle. Said oblong portion 12 thus conducts fresh air from top to bottom and the unevenness allows, depending on the difference in densities between the snow and the air, to prepare the separation of the snow particles from the intake air. The difference in level is of the order of 10 cms. The oblong portion 12 is preferably extended by an end portion 13 substantially orthogonal to the axis of said oblong portion and adapted to be connected to the settling element 20.

According to FIG. 4, the settling element 20 comprises an elongate or oblong portion 21 surrounding a settling chamber 21c extending substantially parallel to the plane of the vehicle, for example along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle when the device is mounted in the engine compartment of said vehicle. The length of this oblong portion 21 is of the order of 20 cms. Said oblong portion 21 comprises at its downstream end 28b opposite the end 28a connected with the input element 10, an opening or flap 22 controlled by a movable flap 28c to allow the release or closure of the hatch 22. Preferably, the valve is pivotally movable about an axis transverse to the axis of the oblong portion and controlled by an elastic means 29 adapted to hold the valve 28c in the closed position leakproof in normal operation to prevent pressure losses in the flow of intake air. Thus, in normal operation, the intake air follows the path from the opening 14 of the input element 10 to the opening 24 connected with the engine air circuit passing through the element. decantation 20 to be cleared of snow particles. The elastic means 29 allows a pivoting of said valve 28c causing the connection of the settling chamber 21c with the outside from a pressure threshold. This pressure threshold takes into account, for example, the level of water from slush which may be of the order of 10 mm. In fact, the snow deposited and accumulated in the settling chamber 21c heated by the engine in operation, turns into water and said mass of accumulated water presses on the wall of the valve. Beyond a force threshold of the order of 0.03N corresponding to an accumulated water level threshold of the order of 10 mm, the elastic means 29 allows the valve to pivot towards the open position for allow the escape of this accumulated water.

The settling element 20 comprises an end portion at the downstream end of the oblong portion 21 which is preferably extended orthogonally to the axis of the oblong portion 21 by a sole 23 adapted to be connected to the element of FIG. admission 30. Said sole 23 of the settling element has a substantially flat wall and adapted to be fixed to a vehicle element. Indeed, said sole comprises fixing holes 27 to be traversed by fixing screws which are then driven into fixing holes in the vehicle element (not shown). Said sole 23 has the opening 24 opening in the engine air intake circuit (not shown). Said flange 23 extends orthogonal to the axis of the settling chamber 21 of the settling element and the plane of the vehicle and the periphery of said soleplate is preferably surrounded by a seal aeraulic (not shown )

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the inlet member 30 has a lid 31 shaped half-shell substantially oblong or elongated. The periphery 34 of this lid is complementary to the periphery of the sole 23 of the settling element 20. In operating position that is to say say when the lid 31 is supported on the sole 23 by their complementary periphery, the aeraulic seal is substantially crushed to prevent any loss of air. The cover 31 and said sole 23 then surround an accumulation chamber 35 which allows on the one hand a regular supply of air for the operation of the engine and on the other hand to prevent any risk of blockage of the passage section of air by snow or water or ice accumulated, which makes reliable cold starts.

The cover 31 comprises means for rapid locking / unlocking of the lid 31 resting on the soleplate 23. Said means are for example elastic hooks (not shown) fixed at one end to the cover 31 and now engaged around the sole 23 by the second end.

These means may also be preferentially as shown in Figures 4 to 6, a sliding attachment system. The sole 23 of the settling element 20 has on its periphery first ears 25 having orifices arranged substantially orthogonal to the plane of the sole and the second ears 26 also having an orifice extending from a part of the periphery of the sole parallel to the plane of the sole. The cover 31 of the intake element 30 has lugs 32, 33 at its periphery 34 intended to pass through the orifices of the first and second lugs 25, 26. To fix the lid against said soleplate, the lid is moved in sliding on a short distance along an axis transverse to the axis of the oblong cover. The first lugs 32 pass through the orifices of the first lugs 25 and then the second lugs 33 penetrate into the orifices of the second lugs 26 to secure the lid 31 against the sole 23. To detach the lid from the sole, it is preferable to press the second ears 26 to release the second pins 33 and then slide the cover in the opposite direction to the attachment. The volume of the accumulation chamber 35 is of the order of 2 liters and preferably greater than 1.5 liters in order to ensure the admission of air into the chamber. engine for optimal operation of this engine, especially during cold starts. The shape of the elongate cover surrounding the accumulation chamber and the arrangement of the intake element orthogonally to the plane of the vehicle once mounted in the vehicle makes it possible to have no accumulation of snow or ice water on the walls which can then alter the operation of the engine. The water is driven by gravity into the settling chamber 21c and then discharged outside this chamber when the water level threshold is reached. The volume of the chamber is adapted to guarantee at least cold starts without incident due to the accumulation of snow. In addition, said volume is obtained by calculation and by tests to obtain optimum operation of the engine.

The three elements 10, 20, 30 are connected to each other successively in a sealed manner via, for example, aeraulic joints (not shown) arranged at the connection portions. The inlet element 10 is thus fitted into the decanting element 20. The decanting element 20 is fixed on a vehicle element. Then the cover 31 of the intake element 30 is locked against the sole 23 of the settling element 20.

The device 1 is arranged in the engine compartment near the engine with the inlet grille 1 1 of the input element 10 preferably facing the front of the vehicle.

The inlet element 10 and the settling element 20 may be composed of two complementary parts and said parts and the cover 31 of the inlet element 30 are preferably made of plastic obtained by molding. When the engine is started, the air contained in the accumulation chamber 35 is sucked into the engine air intake circuit through the opening 24. The air requirements for the cold weather starts are thus insured.

Then, when the vehicle is traveling, snow mixed with air can rush into the input element through the opening 14 protected by the grid 1 1 of substantially bulky objects. The air-snow mixture is conducted in the substantially vertical oblong portion 12 of the inlet member 10 and then in the settling element 20. The change of direction of flow between the inlet member 10 and the settling member 20 forces the separation between air and mixed snow which is then deposited on a wall element of the settling element. Then the air freed of the snow goes back into the accumulation chamber 35 to join the engine air intake circuit. Water may possibly appear on the walls of said accumulation chamber 35 to then flow by gravity to the settling chamber 21. In said settling chamber, the accumulated snow will be converted into water due to the heat produced by the engine. Beyond the water level threshold associated with the triggering threshold of the elastic means 29 for controlling the discharge hatch, said elastic means allows the valve 28c to open to allow the accumulated water to escape to the outside.

During technical manipulations around the engine, for a change of headlight bulb for example, the cover 31 of the intake element 30 can be detached from the sole 23 in a simple manner and deposited to clear an important access space . The settling element 20 is also arranged lower than the headlight or bodywork elements to be reached. The input member may be offset from the axis of the settling member and the opening 14 is not impeded by a body member. Thus after removing the cover of the intake element, accessibility to the headlight elements is easy.

The object of the invention is achieved: the air intake device makes it possible to filter and evacuate the snow mixed with the air, the device further comprises elements comprising parts of simple pieces of shape and little expensive to manufacture.

Claims

1) Device (1) for the intake of air for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle comprising an air supply duct (2) comprising:

a settling element (20) intended for the separation between the snow and the intake air,

an inlet element (30) arranged downstream of the decanting element in the direction of flow of the air, intended to connect the supply duct to the engine air circuit, characterized in that the intake element comprises a cover (31) adapted to hook against a sole (23) by quick locking means.

2) Device (1) for admission of air according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (31) is slidable against the sole (23) before locking on said sole or after unlocking said sole.

3) Device (1) for admission of air according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the sole (23) and the cover (31) are assembled to form an accumulation chamber (35). ) oblong and disposed substantially orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle.

4) Device (1) for admission of air according to claim 3, characterized in that the volume of the accumulation chamber (35) is greater than 1, 5 liter.

5) Device (1) for admission of air according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the settling element (20) comprises an oblong portion (21) surrounding a settling chamber (21 c ), intended to be mounted parallel to the plane of the vehicle.

6) Device (1) for admission of air according to claim 5, characterized in that the sole (23) extends from the oblong portion (21) of the settling element (20) orthogonally to said oblong part and the plane of the vehicle.

7) Device (1) for admission of air according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the settling element (20) comprises a trap discharge device (22) for the evacuation of snow and whose opening / closing is controlled by an elastic means (29).

8) Device (1) for admission of air according to claim 7, characterized in that the resilient means (29) is adapted to allow the opening of the escape hatch (22) beyond a threshold pressure in the settling element (20).

9) Device (1) for admission of air according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the supply duct (2) comprises an inlet element (10) of air arranged upstream the settling element (20) and having a portion (12) substantially orthogonal to the plane of the vehicle for preparing the separation between the snow and the intake air.

10) Device (10) for admission of air according to claim 9, characterized in that the air inlet elements (10), decantation (20) and admission (30) are connected one to the other in a sealed way.