Throttle Device with Differential Deceleration Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-cylinder engines with multiple throttle devices often experience uncomfortable driving conditions due to differences in cylinder outputs caused by varying throttle valve openings, which are difficult to synchronize.
Innovation Solution
A throttle device with two units, each having a distinct deceleration ratio and motor control system, allows for differential opening/closing speeds of throttle valves, ensuring that all cylinders achieve a uniform output by adjusting the deceleration mechanisms and return springs to match the desired opening state quickly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors independently control throttle valves for each cylinder, then individual cylinder control is achieved, but significant differences in throttle valve opening degrees occur causing uncomfortable driving feelings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the throttle control system into multiple independent throttle units, each with its own motor and decelerator. This segmentation allows individual control of each cylinder's throttle valve while maintaining the ability to coordinate them collectively, resolving the contradiction between individual adaptability and overall synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces different deceleration ratios as a key parameter for each throttle unit. By adjusting the deceleration ratio parameter, the system can control the speed at which each throttle valve opens or closes, enabling synchronized operation despite independent motor control, thus eliminating uncomfortable driving feelings caused by asynchronous throttle valve movements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If throttle valves are set to predetermined opening degrees for deactivated cylinders, then cylinder deactivation function is achieved, but output differences between activated and deactivated cylinders cause driver discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the deceleration ratios and return spring characteristics for each throttle unit before cylinder deactivation occurs. This ensures that when deactivation is commanded, the throttle valves of deactivated cylinders can quickly and smoothly transition to their predetermined opening positions, minimizing output fluctuations and maintaining smooth engine operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through the control unit that monitors the opening degrees of all throttle valves and adjusts motor commands accordingly. This feedback control ensures that during cylinder deactivation, the throttle valves transition smoothly to their target positions, preventing abrupt output changes and maintaining driver comfort.
3Ease of operation
If all throttle valves are controlled to reach the same target opening degree, then uniform cylinder output is achieved, but the transition from significantly different opening degrees takes time causing driver discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the deceleration ratio parameter for different throttle units to optimize the transition speed. By carefully selecting deceleration ratios, the system enables faster synchronization of throttle valve opening degrees while maintaining uniform cylinder output, thereby reducing the time delay and preventing driver discomfort during mode transitions.
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 solution effectively synchronizes the output of all cylinders, reducing engine output variations and enhancing driving comfort by ensuring that throttle valves reach the target opening state simultaneously, thus smoothing engine performance.
Implementation Method 1
a decelerator that decelerates a rotation speed of the motor
Implementation Method 2
a return spring that urges the throttle valve to have an initial opening position
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a throttle device (10) including a total of two throttle units (11,12) in each two cylinders in an engine 1, each of the throttle units (11,12) having a unit body (23) having intake air passages (13a,13b,13c,13d) corresponding to four cylinders (2a,2b,2c,2d) of the engine (1), a throttle shaft (15) rotatably supported by the unit body (23), throttle valves (16a,16b,16c,16d) secured to the throttle shaft (15) to open and close the intake air passages (13a,13b,13c,13d) for the cylinders (2a,2b,2c,2d), a motor (17), and a deceleration mechanisms (20,45) decelerating rotation of a drive shaft (24) of the motor (17) and transmitting the decelerated rotation to the throttle shaft (15), in which a deceleration ratio of the deceleration mechanism (20) provided in a first throttle unit (11) and a deceleration ratio of the deceleration mechanism (45) provided in a second throttle unit (12) out of the two throttle units (11,12) are different from each other.