Electronic Throttle Valve Shaft Layout for Compact Vehicle Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in developing an electronic throttle device for two-wheeled motor vehicles is the limited housing space, which restricts the layout and mechanism mounting options, unlike four-wheeled vehicles.
Innovation Solution
An electronic throttle valve system with a throttle valve, electric motor, and control unit is integrated into a straddle-type vehicle, featuring a throttle opening sensor on one end of the valve shaft and a mechanical throttle valve mechanism on the other, with a throttle cable engaged to an acceleration controller, allowing for space-efficient installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronic throttle valve system is installed in a two-wheeled motor vehicle, then intake air control and emission reduction are improved, but housing space is limited and layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve shaft is oriented laterally (left-right direction) rather than longitudinally, utilizing the lateral dimension of the vehicle frame. This dimensional change allows the electronic throttle valve system to be installed within the limited housing space of two-wheeled vehicles while maintaining proper functionality for intake air control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the electronic throttle valve mechanism from the accelerator controller by positioning them at opposite ends of the lateral valve shaft. The throttle cable connects these segmented components through the vehicle frame, allowing distributed installation that accommodates limited housing space while maintaining system integrity.
2Length of moving object
If the throttle cable extends directly to the valve shaft, then the cable length is minimized, but the cable curvature is reduced and routing becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The throttle cable is routed through the vehicle frame rather than in a straight line, utilizing the three-dimensional space within the frame structure. This spatial routing increases cable curvature and allows the cable to connect the accelerator controller and valve shaft while accommodating the lateral orientation of the valve shaft and limited housing space.
3Extent of automation
If only an electronic motor is used to actuate the throttle valve, then the system is fully automated, but reliability is reduced when the motor stops
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a mechanical backup mechanism (throttle cable connected to valve shaft) that can take over throttle actuation if the electronic motor fails. This redundant mechanical connection provides beforehand cushioning against motor failure, ensuring continuous reliable throttle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve shaft serves as an intermediary component that receives actuation from both the electronic motor and the mechanical throttle cable. This dual-input intermediary structure allows the system to switch between electronic and mechanical actuation modes, maintaining reliability when the motor stops.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to an electronic throttle device for a straddle-type vehicle configured to adjust an amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine of the vehicle, said electronic throttle valve system comprising a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine, an electric motor for driving the throttle valve, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor, wherein the throttle valve is fixed to a valve shaft, and wherein the electronic throttle valve system is further provided with a throttle opening sensor arranged on a first end of the valve shaft of the throttle valve, and with a mechanical throttle-valve mechanism arranged on an opposite second end of the valve shaft of the throttle valve, wherein a throttle cable is engaged with the mechanical throttle-valve mechanism.