WO1994005906A1

WO1994005906A1 - Output enhancing device for internal combustion engine of vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO1994005906A1
Application number: PCT/KR1993/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Suk Ju Yoon
Original assignee: Suk Ju Yoon
Priority date: 1992-09-03
Filing date: 1993-07-06
Publication date: 1994-03-17
Also published as: CN2168960Y; AU5130093A

Abstract

A device for enhancing an output of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, comprising a body (10) installed in front of a carburetor of the vehicle or at an inlet of an intake manifold of the vehicle, selectively, and a swirling plate (20, 20') made of a thin rigid laminate material and twisted in a manner that it generates a swirl flow, the swirling plate (20, 20') having a plurality of vanes (22) for swirling rapidly a fluid introduced and a central opening (21) for sucking a fluid pressure into the interior of the body (10) in a direction that the fluid pressure flows straightly along a central axis of the body (10), whereby the swirling plate (20, 20') swirls a fluid introduced along a peripheral wall of the body (10) while enhancing the velocity of the fluid by the straight fluid pressure sucked through the central opening (21). Accordingly, it is possible to achieve a very sensitive response to a manipulation of an acceleration pedal and thus a rapid supplying of the fuel-air mixture with the fuel to air ratio proper to the running condition. As a result, complete combustion can be achieved, thereby enhancing the output of internal combustion engine.

Description

OUTPUT ENHANCING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE OF VEHICLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, and more particularly to a device for enhancing an output of such an internal combustion engine.

Description of the Prior Art

Internal combustion engines for vehicles are different from those for general industrial purposes. That is, outputs of vehicles are varied, depending on the running speed and the condition upon the running. The variation in output results in a variation in a ratio between air and fuel to be mixed together. In the internal combustion engines for vehicles, accordingly, it is important to achieve a proper air intake. In particular, when a fuel consumption is increased as the vehicles runs along a slope or at an accelerated speed, the air intake amount becomes insufficient, so that complete combustion can not be achieved. As a result, it is impossible to accomplish a maximum output. For solving this problem, there have been propose various devices which are adapted to improve the fuel-to-air ratio and thus the combustion efficiency, there by enabling an enhancement of the output of an engine. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,877,907 discloses an air swirling unit comprising a series of radially extending plates mounted in the interior of a filter of an air cleaner and adapted to make air introduced in the filter form a swirl flow at an inlet of an air intake pipe connected to the air cleaner. The formation of the swirl flow results in an increase in velocity of air flow and thus an increase in air intake amount. In this construction, however, air flows radially introduced along the plates strike against one another at the upper portion of air intake pipe, since the plates extend vertically. As a result, it is impossible to promote the velocity of air flow.

Since each guide plate has an inclined lower end, its air swirling force becomes weak. Moreover, the swirling of air is achieved only in the interior of the air cleaner. As a result, the air flow becomes weak during it passes through a carburetor. This results in an insufficient improvement in engine output obtained by a combustion of fuel and a slow response to a manipulation of an acceleration pedal.

U.S. Patent No. 4,274,386 discloses a plurality of inclined air guide plates mounted between a carburetor and an intake manifold. The air guide plates are constructed such that they are twisted to provide a central opening. With this construction, the air guide plates swirl a gaseous mixture introduced in the intake manifold, so as to improve the vaporization of the gaseous mixture and thus increase the combustion efficiency. In this case, however, it is difficult to expect an introduction of air alone at a high density, since the swirling plates swirl the mixture of fuel and air.

Referring to FIGS. la, lb and 2, there are illustrated other conventional air swirling devices which are disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 91- 444. These devices comprise three swirling means attached to an air cleaner, an intake manifold and an inlet of an exhaust manifold, respectively, for exhausting air out of the exhaust manifold in an amount corresponding to the amount of incoming air. In this case, however, the swirling means attached to the exhaust manifold rather serves to shut off the exhausting and thereby attenuate the exhaustion effect. As a result, the output of the engine is reduced. Furthermore, the conventional devices encounter a high possibility that vanes constituting the swirling means may be damaged, because the vanes are made of a flexible material. Actually, the air swirling device is currently used in the modified form that only one of the air swirling means is provided in front of the intake manifold or in the interior of the air cleaner. On the other hand, Korean Utility Model Publication No. 92-4745 discloses a swirling device including a plurality of slitted vanes. By virtue of such a slitted shape of each vane, it is possible to prevent a formation of a negative pressure zone generating a swirl flow, at the rear surface of each vane. As a result, there is a decrease in the resistance of fluid and thus an increase in flow rate.

In this case, however, the coupling of each vane to an outer supporting member becomes weak, since the vane itself is not only comprised of a thin laminate, but also provided with a slitted portion. As a result, the vanes may be broken by a suction force of air, thereby causing the broken pieces to enter the interior of engine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages encountered in the prior arts and to provide a device for enhancing an output of an internal combustion engine, which has a simple construction and enables its semi-permanent use, and improves its performance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for enhancing an output of an internal combustion engine such as a gasoline engine, a LPG engine, a hydrogen engine, an engine of the fuel injection type or the electric ignition type with or without a vaporizer, or a diesel engine, which is capable of enhancing the engine output and reducing interferences upon air intake and exhaust by complete combustion of fuel resulting from an over-supply of a circular fluid at a high density, of maintaining the engine output at a high level even at a high rotation of the engine, achieving a rapid response to a manipulation of an acceleration pedal, economically reducing the ratio of fuel to the running distance, reducing a pollution due to the exhausting gas and preventing an accumulation of impurities such as carbon in the interior of each cylinder, by supplying fuel and air in the cylinder at a high rate and uniformly.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects can be accomplished by providing a device for enhancing an output of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, comprising: a body installed in front of a carburetor of the vehicle or at an inlet of an intake manifold of the vehicle, selectively; and a swirling plate made of a thin rigid laminate material and twisted in a manner that it generates a swirl flow, the swirling plate having a peripheral portion for swirling rapidly a fluid introduced and a central opening for sucking a fluid pressure into the interior of the body in a direction that the fluid pressure flows straightly along a central axis of the body, whereby the swirling plate swirls a fluid introduced along a peripheral wall of the body while enhancing the velocity of the fluid by the straight fluid pressure sucked through the central opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. la is a perspective view of a conventional air swirling device which is employed in an internal combustion engine of the electronic injection type;

FIG. lb is a plan view of the device shown in FIG. la;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another conventional air swirling device which is employed in an internal combustion engine of the carburetor type;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an air swirling device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the air swirling device shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 to 8 are perspective views of air swirling devices according to other embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an example wherein the air swirling device of the present invention is employed in an internal combustion engine of the electronic injection type; and FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating an example wherein the air swirling device of the present invention is employed in an internal combustion engine of the carburetor type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an air swirling device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is employed in an internal combustion engine of the electronic injection type. As shown in FIG. 3, the air swirling device comprises an outer cylindrical body 10 fitted in an inlet of an intake manifold. In the body 10, a pair of vertically arranged swirling plates 20 and 20' defining a predetermined space therebetween. The swirling plates 20 and 20' have the same construction including a central opening 21 and four vanes 22 arranged around the central opening 21. Each vane 22 has a twisted shape such as the fan blade shape, to define a space 23, together with each vane arranged adjacent thereto. Each vane 22 is also provided at its opposite side portions with inclined portions 22a and 22b, respectively. Each inclined portion 22a extends upwardly whereas each inclined portion 22b extends downwardly. The peripheral edge of each vane 22 is firmly attached to the inner wall of the cylindrical body 10.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the air swirling device shown in FIG. 3, in which a flow of air is indicated by arrows. Since each vane 22 has a twisted construction defining the space 23, the incoming air or fluid proceeds rapidly in circular, by virtue of the twisted angle of each vane. The velocity of the circular air flow is increased by the functions of two swirling plates 20 and 20' arranged to define the predetermined space therebetween. On the other hand, introduction of air or fluid is also achieved through the openings 21 which are formed at the center portions of swirling plates 20 and 20', respectively. The air or fluid flow passing through the central openings 21 proceeds straightly, without any interference. The fluid impinging against each twisted vane 22 generates a swirl flow at the central portion of cylindrical body 10 while proceeding rapidly in circular along the inner wall of cylindrical body 10. The swirl flow sucks and interferes with the circular high density fluid flow proceeding at a high velocity, so that it can not proceed toward the intake manifold. At this time, the straight fluid flow passing through the openings 21 serves to guide the circular high density fluid toward the intake manifold, by virtue of its straight propulsion force. Accordingly, the flow rate is increased, as compared with the conventional construction including vanes (air sucking vanes) with an angle approximately corresponding to the proceeding direction of fluid. This makes it possible to achieve a very sensitive response to a manipulation of an acceleration pedal and thus a rapid supplying of the fuel-air mixture with the fuel to air ratio proper to the running condition, in each cylinder. As a result, the combustion efficiency can be improved. Although the number of vanes 22 are illustrated as being four, it may be increased or decreased, depending on the output condition of the internal combustion engine employing the air swirling device according to this embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an air swirling device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is adapted to be employed in an internal combustion engine of the carburetor type. The device is disposed in an air cleaner.

The device comprises a body 100 with a size meeting the air cleaners of vehicles. The body 100 has a cylindrical shape and covered at its upper portion with a cover 110 mounted to the upper portion. The cover 110 serves to make easy the installation of the body 100 in the air cleaner and prevent the cylindrical shape of body 100 from being deformed. The cover 110 has a large opening 111 at its central portion and a plurality of cut-off portions 112 at its peripheral portion.

In the body 100, an air swirling plate is disposed which has a central threaded hole 121 receiving a screw for coupling the air swirling plate to the air cleaner, and four vanes 120 arranged around the central threaded hold 121. Each vane 120 has a twisted shape such as the fan blade shape, to define a space 122, together with each vane arranged adjacent thereto. Each vane 120 is also provided at its opposite side portions with inclined portions 120a and 120b, respectively. Each inclined portion 120a extends upwardly whereas each inclined portion 120b extends downwardly. The peripheral edge of each vane 120 is firmly attached to the inner wall of the cylindrical body 100. The cover 110 also serves to concentrate a flow of air introduced in the interior of body 100 at the vanes 120. The body 100 is also provided at its peripheral wall with a plurality of air holes 101 for introducing air in the interior of body 100. In operation, a flow of fluid passing through the air cleaner is introduced in the interior of body 100 through the air holes 101 formed at the peripheral wall of body 100 and then proceeds rapidly in circular at the lower portion of body 100 by the twisted vanes 120, so that its velocity is increased. This makes it possible to achieve a very sensitive response to a manipulation of an acceleration pedal and thus a rapid supplying of air in a proper amount in each cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an air swirling device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which is designed to meet the construction of air cleaner. The air swirling device comprises a cylindrical body 200 which has four vanes 220 each attached at its peripheral edge to the inner wall of the cylindrical body 200 and a central opening 230. Attached to the upper end of body 200 is a cover 210 having a central opening 211. The opening 230 has the same diameter as the central opening 211 of cover 210. With such a construction, this air swirling device can achieve the same effects as the above-mentioned air swirling devices, when it is attached to the air cleaner which receives air through its upper and side portions.

FIG. 7 illustrates an air swirling device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which includes a ring type cover 310 attached to its body 300.

FIG. 8 illustrates an air swirling device according to another embodiment of the present invention, which includes a body 400 vanes 420 each having a hole 421 adapted to pass a part of air entering the upper portion of body 400, straightly therethrough, without making it proceed in circular. This makes it possible to increase the velocity of air flow and thus achieve a very sensitive response to a manipulation of an acceleration pedal. In FIG. 9, there is illustrated a condition that the air swirling device including the body 10 according to the first embodiment is installed at the inlet of intake manifold A, for the use thereof.

In FIG. 10, there is illustrated a condition that the air swirling device including the body 100 according to the second embodiment is installed in the air cleaner B, for the use thereof. The installation of FIG. 10 is equivalently applicable to other air swirling devices including respective bodies 200, 300 and 400.

Now, operations of the air swirling devices will be described.

The device including the body 10 is installed at the inlet of intake manifold A whereas the devices including respective bodies 100, 200, 300 and 400 are installed in air cleaners B. In each device with the above-mentioned construction, as the acceleration pedal (not shown) is pushed down, the amount of injected fuel increases. Correspondingly, the amount of intake air increases.

In the device, the incoming air proceeds rapidly in circular by the function of twisted vanes while accelerating its velocity by virtue of a pressure of air passing straightly through the central opening. By such an accelerated air flow, it is possible to achieve a very sensitive response to the manipulation of acceleration pedal and thus a supplying of air or fuel in an amount corresponding to the accelerated speed of a vehicle. As a result, a mixture of air and fuel with the mixing ratio proper to the engine output can be injected into each cylinder of the engine, thereby enabling complete combustion.

Also, there is no phenomenon that foreign matters are attached to inner walls of feeding pipes and intake anifold, by virtue of the rapid flowing of fluid. Since oxygen is sucked in an amount required for the complete combustion, the fuel to air ratio can be improved. In addition, the knocking phenomenon is reduced. Thus, the output of internal combustion engine can be enhanced.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device for enhancing an output of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, comprising: a body installed in front of a carburetor of the vehicle or at an inlet of an intake manifold of the vehicle, selectively; and a swirling plate made of a thin rigid laminate material and twisted in a manner that it generates a swirl flow, the swirling plate having a peripheral portion for swirling rapidly a fluid introduced and a central opening for sucking a fluid pressure into the interior of the body in a direction that the fluid pressure flows straightly along a central axis of the body, whereby the swirling plate swirls a fluid introduced along a peripheral wall of the body while enhancing the velocity of the fluid by the straight fluid pressure sucked through the central opening.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the swirling plate has a plurality of vanes arranged around the central opening at the peripheral portion, each of the vanes having a twisted shape such as the fan blade shape, to define a space, together with each vane arranged adjacent thereto.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein each vane has a pair of inclined portion at opposite side portions thereof, one extending upwardly and the other extending downwardly, and a peripheral edge firmly attached to the peripheral wall of the body.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the body is of a cylindrical shape and is provided at its upper portion with a cover having an opening.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein the body has a plurality of air holes at the peripheral wall thereof.

6. A device in accordance with claim 3, wherein each vane has a hole.