Internal Combustion Engine Actuator and Fuel Injector Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional internal combustion engines with throttle valve actuators and straddled vehicles face challenges in achieving a compact arrangement of the motor and fuel injector while ensuring a desirable fuel injection direction.

Innovation Solution

The internal combustion engine design includes an actuator and fuel injector positioned on the side of the cylinder head relative to the intake passage, with the actuator placed opposite to the cylinder head along the intake camshaft axis, allowing for a compact arrangement and optimal fuel injection direction by aligning the fuel injector's injection port with the intake valve, reducing the angle between the injection direction and the cylinder center line.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the motor and fuel injector are both arranged rearward of the intake passage, then the arrangement is simplified, but the engine size increases and the fuel injection direction becomes suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement simplicityVSAvoidengine size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional rearward arrangement to a two-dimensional arrangement on the cylinder head side, utilizing the lateral space along the intake camshaft axis. This dimensional shift allows compact packaging while maintaining functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent positions components with different spatial requirements in distinct locations: the fuel injector is placed closer to the intake port for optimal injection direction, while the motor is positioned further along the camshaft axis. Each component receives localized optimal positioning independent of the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the fuel injector is positioned far from the intake port, then the actuator and fuel injector arrangement is simplified, but the fuel injection direction angle increases reducing injection efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement simplicityVSAvoidinjection direction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel injector is given special localized attention by positioning it on the cylinder head side with optimized orientation, while the motor receives different positioning requirements. This allows the injector to achieve precise injection angles without compromising the overall arrangement simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the actuator and fuel injector are arranged on the cylinder head side, then the engine becomes more compact, but the arrangement space becomes more constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine sizeVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the lateral dimension along the intake camshaft axis to accommodate both components on the cylinder head side. This approach transforms a potentially congested one-dimensional space into a more spacious two-dimensional arrangement, achieving compactness without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Length of stationary object

If the actuator is positioned on the same side as the cylinder head, then the overall engine width is reduced, but the connection to the throttle valve becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine widthVSAvoidpower transmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the actuator in the lateral dimension along the camshaft axis rather than extending the engine width. This dimensional repositioning reduces the engine's overall width while keeping the power transmission path relatively straightforward through the throttle body integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3670877B1Internal-combustion engine and saddle-type vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.09.29 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3670877B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3670877B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3670877B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

It is an object to provide an internal combustion engine including an actuator for actuating a throttle valve and a fuel injector, wherein it is possible to both realize a compact arrangement of the actuator and the fuel injector and realize a desirable injection direction of the fuel injector. A motor (37) and a fuel injector (50) are arranged on a side of a cylinder head (13) with respect to a center line (L1) of a throttle body (32), as seen along an axial direction of an intake camshaft (29). The motor (37) is arranged on a side opposite to the cylinder head (13) with respect to a straight line (L2) that passes through an axis of a valve shaft (36) of a throttle valve (35) and is perpendicular to the center line (L1) of the throttle body (32), as seen along the axial direction of the intake camshaft (29).