Single Actuator Exhaust Valve Control for Engine Complexity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exhaust control devices for engines with multiple exhaust valves require independent actuators for each valve, leading to complex structures and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A single actuator is used to control multiple exhaust valves through a communication pipe and a collecting pipe, with specific rotational operation ranges and opening degrees to manage exhaust control, simplifying the device structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If independent actuators are provided for each exhaust valve, then the exhaust control performance is improved, but the device structure becomes complex and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple exhaust valve control functions into a single actuator. The actuator includes a housing with a rotary valve that can simultaneously control multiple exhaust valves (first exhaust valve in communication pipe and second exhaust valve in collecting pipe) through different rotational positions, thereby reducing the number of actuators from multiple to one while maintaining exhaust control performance
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can control the first exhaust valve to open/close the communication pipe and simultaneously control the second exhaust valve to open/close the collecting pipe. This multi-functional design allows one actuator to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate actuators
2Manufacturing precision
If independent actuators are provided for each exhaust valve, then the exhaust control precision is improved, but the cost increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuator functions into a single integrated actuator unit. By using one actuator with a rotary valve mechanism that can be precisely positioned at different rotational angles to control multiple exhaust valves, the patent reduces component count and assembly complexity, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining control precision through the rotary mechanism's inherent positioning capability
3Device complexity
If a single actuator controls multiple exhaust valves, then the device structure is simplified, but the control performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator employs a dynamic rotary valve mechanism that can rotate to different positions to control different exhaust valves at different engine rotation ranges. The rotary valve can be dynamically positioned to open/close the communication pipe (first exhaust valve) and collecting pipe (second exhaust valve) according to engine operating conditions, maintaining adaptability and control performance while simplifying the overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator's rotary valve is divided into multiple control sections or positions, each corresponding to different exhaust valve control functions. By segmenting the rotational positions of the single rotary valve to correspond with different exhaust valve control requirements, the patent enables one actuator to perform multiple control functions with the precision of dedicated actuators
Data Source
AI summary
An exhaust control device for an engine performs exhaust control of an exhaust system composed of exhaust pipes connected to a plurality of cylinders respectively and gathering to a collecting pipe. The exhaust control device includes at least two kinds of exhaust valves that perform the exhaust control at different parts in the exhaust system; and a single actuator that drives the exhaust valves to open and close.