Motorcycle Intake System Throttle Valve Malfunction Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle intake systems fail to adjust air intake appropriately when there is a malfunction in the valve device, leading to insufficient engine output and compromised traveling performance.

Innovation Solution

An intake system with a flow rate detector and throttle valve that adjusts air intake based on detected flow rates, combined with a continuously variable valve device and state detector, to ensure stable engine output and improved traveling performance, even in case of malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a valve device is used to control intake/exhaust, then fuel consumption is improved and power output is increased, but the system becomes unreliable when malfunctions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary throttle valve mechanism that can independently control air intake when the primary valve device malfunctions. This intermediary system ensures continuous reliable operation by taking over the air control function, preventing complete system failure while maintaining the high performance benefits of the variable valve mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by providing a backup throttle valve system that is ready to activate immediately upon detecting a malfunction in the primary valve device. This pre-prepared redundancy ensures that performance degradation is minimized and system reliability is maintained even when the primary system fails.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Measurement precision

If the flow rate detector is placed close to the engine, then detection precision is improved, but the detector is affected by blow-back from intake pulsation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate detection precisionVSAvoidblow-back effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the air cleaner element as an intermediary barrier between the flow rate detector and the engine intake pulsation. This intermediary component filters the air flow and prevents blow-back from directly affecting the detector, allowing the detector to be positioned close to the engine for high precision measurement while eliminating the harmful blow-back effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the intake passage is made compact, then the motorcycle size is reduced, but space for protecting the flow rate detector from blow-back is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorcycle sizeVSAvoidblow-back protection space
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the air cleaner element's protective function with the existing intake passage structure. By integrating the air cleaner into the compact intake system, the patent achieves both space efficiency and blow-back protection without requiring additional separate protection space, thus maintaining compact motorcycle design while safeguarding the flow rate detector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If the throttle valve is added to adjust air intake, then the system becomes more complex, but the traveling performance is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraveling performanceVSAvoidintake system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the throttle valve system to serve multiple functions: it acts as a backup control mechanism during malfunctions, provides fine-tuned air intake adjustment under normal operation, and works cooperatively with the air cleaner element for optimized performance. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering enhanced traveling performance and reliability across various operating conditions.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2103800B1Intake system and motorcycle including the same
Publication Date: 2015.05.27 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2103800B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2103800B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2103800B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motorcycle includes an air inlet pipe (26), an airflow box (27), an air cleaner box (8), and a throttle body as an air passage arranged to allow outside air to be taken into the engine (7). The air inlet pipe (26) is provided in a front portion of a main frame (1). The air inlet pipe (26) is provided with an airflow sensor (621) and a throttle valve (622). An air cleaner element (611) is provided between the airflow sensor (621) and the engine (7).