Wing structure of air swirling device for internal combustion engine

An air swirling device adapted to be used in the air flow system of an internal combustion engine which comprises a swirling device body having a external dimension adapted for incorporation into said air flow system, a plurality of wing members having upper and lower side surfaces, said wing members extending radially and slantingly from the periphery of the swirling device body toward the center therof, and wherein at least one of the upper and lower side surfaces has a non-linear configuration.

This nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Patent Application No. 2001-32339 filed in Korea on Oct. 23, 2001, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wing structure of an air swirling device for use in an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, to the wing structure of an air swirling device used in an air cleaner or an air duct of an internal combustion engine, which induces a swirl action of the air which is filtered through the air cleaner of a spark ignition internal combustion engine of the carburetor or fuel injection type or diesel engine type. The wing structure of the swirling device introduces air flow into the combustion chamber of the engine, which is effective in reducing resistance due to negative pressure (or minus pressure), thereby reducing wing deformation and improving the air flow level.

2. Background of the Related Art

It is known that swirling devices of internal combustion engines can provide a large amount of high density air flow to the combustion chamber of an engine by adding revolution force to the air flow provided to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and increasing the flow speed per unit of time. The combustion action of the engine is thus improved and engine power is increased. The prior art has the disadvantage that the air resistance generated when the air flow is rotated cannot be completely prevented.

For example, Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 53-26247, 59-11722, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,309,969 disclose a simple turbulence device, which includes an intake valve having a large intake resistance so that the swirling device does not create a uniform air flow but rather creates only a turbulent flow. Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 60-17922 and 61-10645, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,424,777, 4,432,312 and 4,539,954 disclose a swirling device having wings which are disposed in the vicinity of the intake valve for producing a swirling air flow. However, such a device exhibits a high amount of friction resulting in a reduced amount of inlet air and thus is used only for a gasoline engine of the carburetor type.

To solve the above problems, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,642 discloses an air swirling device having a plurality of wings positioned within an air cleaner of an internal combustion engine for swirling the air flow into the combustion chamber so that the combustion performance and engine power can be improved. However, such a device has various disadvantages, such as for example, reduced output of the engine due to a reduced quantity of inlet air and a loss of fuel because of the eddies generated at the rear surface (negative pressure zone) of the wings when the air flow is swirled.

To solve the above problems, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 67786 discloses a swirling device for an internal combustion engine having a swirling device body10and provided with a plurality of wings11having one or more small and long slits12, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The swirling device body10is fixed and mounted in the vicinity of the center of an air cleaner13with bolts and nuts for swirling the intake air, so that eddies generated at the negative pressure zone formed on the rear surface of the wings11when the air enters, is prevented. As the result, air resistance is reduced and the amount of air is increased, so that a complete combustion is achieved, which improves energy efficiency and engine power.

As shown inFIG. 1, the swirling device having the slits12in the wings11adds a revolution force to the air flow introduced into the combustion chamber14, so that the air flow speed per unit time is increased, thereby improving the high density combustion action. During the intake operation of the internal combustion engine caused by the slits12formed in the wings11, the air filtered in the air cleaner13passes and rotates through the slits12formed in the wings11of the swirling device10mounted in the air cleaner13. The rotated air flow is swirled again by another swirling device16mounted near the inlet of the intake manifold15and introduced into the combustion chamber14at high speed. The combusted exhaust gas is rapidly discharged by another swirling device18mounted near the inlet of the exhaust manifold17.

Because the swirling device of the internal combustion engine has at least one or more of slits12in the plurality of wings11, eddy generation at the negative pressure zone of the rear surfaces of the wings is reduced. When the swirling device is placed in the air cleaner13, the carbon monoxide (CO) gas level can be reduced up to 17% at engine idle speed; the engine power can be increased up to 11%; fuel economy can be improved up to 6%; and knocking of the engine can be reduced up to 5%.

Therefore, the swirling device of the internal combustion engine having the slits12in the wings11adds a revolution force to the air flow introduced into the combustion chamber, so that the air flow speed per unit of time is increased and the combustion action, due to increased density, is improved. Furthermore, in the swirling device of the internal combustion engine, eddy generation at the negative pressure zone by the slits12formed in the wings11is prevented, and thereby, the air flow resistance is reduced and the amount of the air flow is increased, so that an effective amount of accelerated air is introduced into the engine to increase its combustion efficiency and engine power.

However, the slits12formed in the wings11of the conventional swirling device of the internal combustion engine are not completely ideal in reducing eddy because of being formed by cutting portions of the flat sheet type wings11both small and long. According to such circumstances, the conventional swirling device of an internal combustion engine containing slits12formed in the wings11cannot cope with a more controlled air flow.

For example, the conventional swirling device of the internal combustion engine having the slits12formed in the wings11increases air flow speed per unit time and raises the density of the air by adding revolution force to the air flow introduced into the combustion chamber so that the combustion action and the engine power are improved. However, only a single swirling device cannot control the air flow conditions because a supercharging of the air by the swirling device may occur.

Moreover, in the conventional swirling device, the small and long rectangular slits12are not uniformly provided in the wings11, and thus the wings11have a higher deformation rate than perforated type wings. The deformation of the wings reduces the amount of air flow.

Additionally, because the shape of the wings for preventing eddy generation at the negative pressure zone by forming the slits12in the wings11, produces a linear type of air flow due to the flat upper and lower side, it is difficult to maintain a stable and uniformly mixed level of air and fuel particles and to secure a sufficient amount of air flow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a wing structure of an air swirling device for an internal combustion engine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a wing structure of air swirling device for an internal combustion engine, which can increase the air flow speed per unit of time and increase the density of the air by adding a revolution force to the air flow introduced into the combustion chamber so that the combustion action and the engine power are improved.

Another object of the present invention is to provide the wing structure of an air swirling device for an internal combustion engine, which can reduce the deformation of the wings of the swirling device and improve processability for the purpose of improving the combustion action and the engine power by increasing the air flow speed per unit of time and increasing the density of the air by adding revolution force to the air flow introduced into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a wing structure for an air swirling device utilized in an combustion engine which can increase the uniformly mixed level of air and fuel particles and the amount of air flow by changing the air flow accelerated through the wings of the swirling device into a non-linear air flow.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a wing structure of an air swirling device for an internal combustion engine, which has a swirling device body mounted in an air cleaner and a plurality of slantingly and radially disposed wings mounted on the swirling device body for accelerating or increasing the air flow revolution, includes non-linear type wave surfaces formed along the upper or lower side of the wing to increase the surface area in contact with the air flow.

Each of the wings has at least one or more air flow holes formed at prescribed positions for reducing air flow resistance due to eddy generation at the negative pressure zone of the wing.

The wave surfaces formed on the wings of the swirling device of the present invention increases the surface area of the wing, and thus, more air is introduced into the combustion chamber. Also, the approach angle can be rapidly changed, the straight level can be raised, the deformation of the wings can be reduced, and the processability can be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 3-7show various examples of wings of the swirling device of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention.FIG. 3is a partially exploded perspective view of wings20coupled to a swirling device body30;FIG. 4is a plan view of the wings20assembled together with the swirling device body30; FIGS.5(A)-5(D) show various examples of shapes and arrangements of air flow holes40of the wings20of the present invention, wherein FIG.5(A) is an example of a regular arrangement, FIG.5(B) is an example of an independent arrangement, FIG.5(C) is an example of a cross arrangement, and FIG.5(D) is an example of a multiple arrangement.

A plurality of the wings20of the swirling device of the internal combustion engine according toe the present invention, as shown inFIG. 3, are mounted slantingly and radially on the swirling device body30, so as to accelerate and increase air revolution. Each of the wings20has at least one or more of air flow holes40formed at prescribed positions for preventing eddy generation at a negative pressure zone in the rear surface thereof.

Furthermore, the wing20has wave surfaces25on the upper and lower peripheral sides thereof for creating non-linear type air flow, so that mixing of the air and fuel particles is accelerated.

InFIGS. 3 and 4, reference element21identifies protrusions21formed on the wings, and element31indicates through holes formed in the swirling device body for receiving and coupling with the protrusions of the wing.

A plurality of air flow holes40are formed in the wings20for reducing air flow resistance due to eddies generated at the negative pressure zone of the wing20, and their arrangement may be exemplified by one of FIGS.5(A)-5(D).

FIG.5(A) shows a regular arrangement of the air flow holes40, wherein at least one or more of the air flow holes40are arranged regularly and uniformly along a surface22of the wings20, in a line.

FIG.5(B) shows an independent arrangement of the air flow holes40, wherein the air flow holes40having an enlarged air flow area are arranged at the centers of the wings20along the surfaces22of the wings20.

FIG.5(C) shows a concentrated cross arrangement of the air flow holes40, wherein the air flow holes40are divided into an upper part and a lower part and arranged along the surfaces22of the wings20in tow or more lines.

FIG.5(D) shows a multiple arrangement of the air flow holes40, wherein the air flow holes40are arranged along the surfaces of the wings40so as to substantially cover the surface area of the wings without regard to their own positions.

Furthermore, the wave surfaces25for inducing non-linear type air flow at the upper and lower side23and24can be selectively formed on the upper side23or the lower side24. As shown in the drawings, the wave surfaces may be streamline-type wave surfaces (a) or saw-tooth type wave surfaces (b), or it will be appreciated that other type wave surfaces may be formed in consideration of characteristics of the air flow. The number of the wave surfaces25formed on the sides of the wing20may be formed at need.

The wings20of the swirling device of the internal combustion engine having the air flow holes40and the wave surfaces25can enhance the characteristics obtained by the wings of a conventional swirling device. That is, the wings of the swirling device according to the present invention can increase air flow speed per unit time and raise the air density by increasing the revolution force in the air flow introduced into the combustion chamber of the internal engine, so that the combustion action of the engine and engine power are improved.

As shown in FIGS.5(A)-5(D), the plurality of the air flow holes40have various sizes, but the complete combustion and output performance cannot be obtained only by selecting the arrangement and shape of the holes. The complete combustion and output performance depend on the conditions of the engine. Both the slits12of the prior art and the air flow holes40of the present invention, cannot achieve the complete combustion and output performance by only a difference in their shapes.

When the air flow holes40are formed in the surfaces22of the wings20for preventing eddies generated at the negative pressure zone, a more systematic design can be utilized. That is, the swirling device can be designed for the engine by the arrangement and size of the air flow holes40according to the engine condition. Therefore, the present invention can provide a swirling device which can be suited to the engine condition.

Additionally, the air flow holes40can be press-finished in various arrangements and sizes in a relatively narrow area of the wing20.

In consideration of the fact that eddy formation is severe at the outer wall, and is reduced at the center, because the revolution force of the wings20is increased at the outer wall, and is reduced at the center, it is preferable that the sizes of the air flow holes40are gradually reduced toward the center.

If circular air flow holes40and not slits are formed in the surfaces of the sheet type wings20, self internal power is generated because there is no distortion and the circular air flow holes40are smaller in deformation after the press finishing than rectangular holes.

Also, the wave surfaces25formed in the longitudinal direction along the sides not in contact with the swirling device body30when the wings20are mounted on the swirling device body30, i.e., the upper side23and the lower side24, can change the air flow which collides along the outermost walls of the wings20when the wings20are rotated, into non-linear type wave forms (W1, W2) as shown inFIG. 7, and maintain the air flow uniformly.

The non-linear type air flow provides an indirect stirring effect when the air is mixed with the fuel particles, so that the mixing level of the air and the fuel particles is good.

Furthermore, the present invention provides an increased surface area which is in contact with the air flow, so that an increased air inflow and a rapid change of approach angle are achieved and the air flow resistance is reduced because of the increased straight level.

Moreover, when the air is introduced into the combustion chamber, the revolution force applied to the air reduces the impact due to the air of the wings and reduces the air flow resistance, so that the air flow rate into the cylinder is increased and the wings are prevented from becoming broken and have a longer life.

The wings of the swirling device according to the present invention can be used for a carburetor type or a throttle body injector type internal combustion engine.FIG. 8schematically shows how the swirling device of the present invention can be incorporated into the operational system of a typical internal combustion engine. InFIG. 8, element134represents the air filter of a carburetor; element135represents the intake duct to the carburetor; element136is a throttle valve; elements138and139represent the intake manifold for the engine142; element137represents the exhaust manifold; element140is a catalytic converter and element141represents the exhaust pipe. Advantageously, the swirling device of the present invention is a flexible device which can be positioned in one of the locations designated as130,131, or132. Also, the swirling device can be made of a variety of materials, e.g., steel, aluminum, plastic, etc.

As described above, because the structure and shape of the wings of the swirling device of the internal combustion engine according to the present invention can be changed without using separate components, the present invention can provide the swirling device suitable for various engine conditions. Furthermore, the present invention can prevent deterioration in processability and a deformation of the eddy preventing means formed on the surfaces of the wings. Additionally, the present invention can change the air flow by changing the shape of the sides of the wings, so that the combustion action and engine power are improved and the life and performance of the swirling device are increased.