Intake Structure Partitioning Flow Path for Tumble Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intake structures for internal combustion engines require a tumble control valve (TCV) to manage intake air flow, increasing the number of components and costs, while also being complex in configuration.

Innovation Solution

An intake structure that partitions the intake flow path into a main flow path and a tumble flow path using a butterfly-type throttle valve, where the main flow path has a larger sectional area than the tumble flow path, allowing intake air to flow back and be guided into the tumble flow path without a separate TCV, utilizing negative pressure to enhance tumble flow in the combustion chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tumble control valve (TCV) is provided on the downstream side of the throttle valve to manage intake air flow, then the tumble flow in the combustion chamber can be controlled, but the number of component parts increases and the cost is raised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumble flow controlVSAvoidnumber of component parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the tumble control function from a separate TCV component and integrates it into the throttle valve assembly. The partition plate is incorporated into the throttle valve body, allowing the throttle valve to simultaneously perform both throttling and tumble flow path separation functions, thereby eliminating the need for a separate TCV

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the throttle valve and TCV into a single integrated component. The throttle valve assembly includes both the throttle valve for controlling overall intake air flow and the partition plate for separating main flow and tumble flow paths, combining multiple functions into one component to reduce part count and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a tumble control valve (TCV) is provided on the downstream side of the throttle valve to manage intake air flow, then the tumble flow in the combustion chamber can be controlled, but an interlock mechanism or actuator is needed which increases cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumble flow controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle valve is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a throttling device and as a tumble flow control device through the integrated partition plate. This universal design eliminates the need for separate actuators or interlock mechanisms required by conventional TCV systems, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the sectional area of the main flow path is set greater than the sectional area of the tumble flow path, then intake air can be effectively guided to the tumble flow path, but the flow path configuration becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintake air flow efficiencyVSAvoidflow path configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intake flow path is segmented into distinct main flow path and tumble flow path regions by the partition plate. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each flow path's cross-sectional area, with the main flow path having a larger area for high-volume flow and the tumble flow path having a smaller area specifically designed to generate effective tumble flow, thereby improving overall intake efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplifies the device configuration, reduces the number of components, and enhances tumble flow in the combustion chamber by guiding intake air effectively into the tumble flow path, improving engine performance without the need for a TCV.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing negative pressure to enhance tumble flow in the combustion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP3650670B1Air intake structure for internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2023.05.03 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3650670B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3650670B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3650670B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an intake structure for an internal combustion engine that is capable of guiding intake air to a tumble flow path and strengthening a tumble flow, without providing a tumble control valve, and capable of simplifying configuration. The intake structure for the internal combustion engine includes a throttle valve 75 in a throttle body 7 having an intake passage 70 constituting part of an intake flow path 80, in which the intake flow path is partitioned on the downstream side of the throttle valve by a partition section 81 into a tumble flow path 80A and a main flow path 80B. The throttle valve is a butterfly type valve rotatably supported in the throttle body by a throttle valve shaft 76 disposed to perpendicularly intersect the center axis X of the intake passage. A valve body 77 of the throttle valve is bisected on both sides of the throttle valve shaft to have a one-end-side half 77A and an other-end-side half 77B. The sectional area of the main flow path is greater than the sectional area of the tumble flow path.