Off-Road Vehicle Air Induction System Motor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles with throttle-by-wire systems face challenges in maintaining the electric motor's functionality due to exposure to dusty, wet, and muddy environments, and the mechanical complexity of throttle linkage makes assembly and maintenance time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The electric motor in the air induction system is positioned rearwardly of the throttle pedal sensor and forwardly of the engine, within a central cooling tunnel, to reduce exposure to environmental elements, and the throttle body is designed with an ellipsoidal air intake conduit and plenum chamber to equalize air pressure and reduce noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the electric motor is positioned in the air induction system near the throttle body, then the throttle-by-wire system can be implemented, but the electric motor is exposed to dusty, wet, and muddy environmental elements which adversely affects its performance
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor is extracted from the traditional throttle body location and repositioned to a protected area within the vehicle's air induction system, specifically in the air box or intake manifold area. This separation removes the motor from direct exposure to external environmental elements while maintaining its functional connection to the throttle body through electrical wiring and control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary location (the air box or intake manifold) that serves as a protected zone for housing the electric motor. This intermediary space provides a buffer between the motor and harsh external conditions, allowing the motor to operate reliably while still controlling the throttle valve through the air induction system's existing structure.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical links are used to actuate the throttle valve, then the throttle body can be mechanically connected to the pedal, but the mechanical linkage becomes complex making assembly and maintenance time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical linkage system with an electrically actuated system. The electric motor converts electrical signals from the control unit into mechanical rotation to directly drive the throttle valve, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, cables, or levers that would require manual adjustment and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from mechanical parameter transmission (physical movement through linkages) to electrical parameter transmission (voltage or current signals). This parameter change allows for simpler physical connections while maintaining precise control capability through electronic signal processing and motor control algorithms.
3Ease of repair
If the throttle body is accessible for maintenance, then assembly and maintenance can be performed easily, but the electric motor may be exposed to environmental elements that adversely affect its performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two distinct functional zones: the throttle body remains accessible for maintenance while the electric motor is positioned in a protected, less accessible location within the air induction system. This segmentation allows the throttle body to be serviced independently without requiring access to or exposure of the electric motor to environmental elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric motor is nested within the protected interior space of the air box or intake manifold, which serves as a protective enclosure. This nesting arrangement places the motor inside a confined, protected space that shields it from external elements while the throttle body remains accessible outside this nested structure for routine maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
An off-road vehicle has a frame, a cockpit area, a roll cage, driver and passenger seats disposed side-by-side, an engine, a CVT, four wheels, and a steering device. A throttle pedal is disposed forwardly of the driver seat below the steering device. A throttle pedal position sensor senses a position of the pedal, is connected to a control unit for sending a throttle pedal position signal to the control unit and is disposed forward of the CVT. A throttle body, having a valve, is fluidly connected to an air intake conduit that is fluidly connected to the engine. An electric motor is operatively connected to the valve for positioning the valve. The control unit controls an operation of the electric motor based at least in part on the throttle pedal position signal.