Sliding Valve Body for Non-Circular Intake Passage Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intake control devices face challenges in accurately adjusting intake amounts and locating valves downstream due to non-circular intake port shapes, which affect engine reaction speed and fuel vaporization efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An intake control device with a valve body that slides relative to a seal plane, allowing for precise adjustment of the intake passage opening degree, even in non-circular cross-sectional shapes, and includes a friction reduction mechanism to minimize wear and pressure differences, facilitating vaporization and uniformization of air-fuel mixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a butterfly valve is used in a non-circular intake passage to locate it close to the intake port, then the reaction speed of engine output improves, but the manufacturing accuracy of the gap between the valve and intake passage wall becomes extremely difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is divided into multiple valve elements (first valve element, second valve element, etc.) that can move independently or in coordination. This segmentation allows each valve element to be simpler in shape and easier to manufacture with precise gaps, while collectively achieving the desired flow control function in the non-circular intake passage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single large butterfly valve that requires high precision gaps in non-circular passages, the invention inverts the approach by using multiple smaller valve elements with simpler geometries. The valve elements may have circular or simplified cross-sections that are easier to manufacture with consistent gaps, while their collective arrangement controls flow in the non-circular passage.
2Speed
If the valve body is located more downstream in the intake passage to improve reaction speed, then the volume of downstream intake pipe is reduced, but the drive force transmission mechanism interferes with the cylinder head
Solution Approach 1:
The valve elements are arranged to move in directions that utilize three-dimensional space more efficiently. By changing the orientation and movement dimension of the valve elements, the drive mechanism can be positioned without interfering with the cylinder head, while still achieving downstream location for improved response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive force transmission mechanism is integrated or nested within the valve body structure itself. The transmission components are housed within or combined with the valve element assemblies, allowing compact downstream positioning without external mechanisms that would interfere with the cylinder head.
3Temperature
If the intake passage opening degree is reduced to improve fuel vaporization, then the flow of intake air around the injection port improves, but the intake amount control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control function is divided among multiple valve elements, each capable of independent or coordinated movement. This segmentation provides finer control resolution in the low opening degree region, allowing precise intake amount control while maintaining improved fuel vaporization conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve elements are designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing smooth and precise adjustment of opening degrees. The multiple valve elements can be controlled to achieve incremental position changes, providing precise control in the low opening degree region while optimizing flow patterns for fuel vaporization.
Data Source
AI summary
An intake control device 1 includes: a body 3 including an intake passage 2; and a valve body 4 located in the intake passage 2. The intake passage 2 includes a direction continuation segment 13 in which a first major axis direction d1 and a second major axis direction d2 are approximately parallel to each other continuously from a downstream opening 6 of the body 3. The body 3 includes a seal plane 14 formed along a plane that intersects with part of the direction continuation segment 13. The valve body 4 includes a valve plane 15 formed by a plane that abuts the seal plane 14, and is configured to slide relative to the seal plane 14 via the valve plane 15 to adjust an opening degree of the intake passage 2.