Asymmetric Intake Valve Stabilization via Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intake systems for internal combustion engines face challenges in reliably maintaining the opening amount of tumble control valves, leading to inconsistent combustion efficiency due to the orientation of the valve body against the intake air flow and difficulty in adjusting the valve position.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a valve system with a valve body that pivots and is divided into long and short portions, utilizing rotation restriction portions to stabilize the opening amount at specific positions, and a control unit to adjust the valve opening within a defined range, ensuring the valve body is maintained at the first or second opening position by the intake air flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the valve body orientation is always against the flow of intake air, then the valve structure is simple, but the opening amount cannot be reliably maintained and the valve position is continuously changed by the intake air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to dynamically change its orientation relative to the intake air flow based on the opening amount. At the first opening amount (fully closed), the valve body is oriented against the flow for structural simplicity. At the second opening amount (fully open), the valve body is oriented parallel to the flow to eliminate flow-induced position changes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and reliable opening amount maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the valve body relative to the intake air flow. By adjusting the valve body's angular position according to the opening amount, the system achieves both structural simplicity when closed and stable positioning when open, eliminating the continuous position changes caused by flow pressure.
2Reliability
If the valve body is pushed against the rotation restriction portion by intake air flow, then the opening amount is stably maintained, but the valve shaft may be subjected to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed with asymmetric length portions (long and short sides) relative to the valve shaft. This asymmetric configuration allows the valve body to be pushed against the rotation restriction portion in a controlled manner that stabilizes the opening amount while distributing forces to minimize stress on the valve shaft, preventing excessive force concentration.
3Productivity
If the valve opening amount is continuously adjusted by the actuator, then the swirl flow intensity can be controlled, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the intake air flow itself to maintain the valve body at the desired opening position rather than requiring continuous actuator power. The airflow naturally pushes the valve body against the rotation restriction portion, creating a self-sustaining positioning mechanism that eliminates the need for continuous electrical power consumption while maintaining precise swirl flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the actuator system and transfers it to the airflow-valve interaction mechanism. By removing the need for continuous actuator intervention, the system achieves both precise swirl flow control and minimal energy consumption.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration stabilizes the valve opening amount, reduces the risk of valve shaft breakage, minimizes electric power consumption, and effectively maintains the desired flow patterns for improved combustion efficiency by ensuring the valve body is reliably positioned.
Implementation Method 1
When the valve opening amount is the first opening amount, the intake air flow control valve is pushed against the first rotation restriction portion by an intake air flowing through the intake pipe. When the valve opening amount is the second opening amount, the intake air flow control valve is pushed against the second rotation restriction portion by the intake air flowing through the intake pipe.
Data Source
AI summary
An intake system for an internal combustion engine includes a control unit that adjusts the opening amount of a TCV having a valve body and a valve shaft within a valve opening amount range between first and second opening amounts, and first and second rotation restriction portions that prevent the valve body from moving beyond first and second opening amount positions, respectively, by contacting the valve shaft. The valve body is divided into a short valve portion and a long valve portion located upstream of the short valve portion by the valve shaft. The length from the valve shaft to the tip is greater in the long valve portion than in the short valve portion. When the valve body is in the first or second opening position, the valve shaft is pushed against the first or second rotation restriction portion by intake air flowing through an intake pipe.