Throttle Device with Distributed Transmission Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional throttle devices for multi-cylinder engines face challenges in compactness due to the concentration of gears, sensors, and actuators, which increases the full width and reduces detection accuracy, making them difficult to mount on two-wheeled vehicles and affecting the accuracy of throttle opening degree detection.

Innovation Solution

The throttle device is designed with the rotation transmission mechanism between two throttle bodies and the throttle opening degree sensor within the installation width of either throttle body, allowing the actuator to be accommodated in one body and the sensor to detect rotational displacement without protruding, thus reducing the full width and improving detection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the rotation transmission mechanism, actuator, and throttle position sensor are concentratedly arranged in the center of the throttle body, then the rotational transmission function is achieved, but the full width of the throttle body increases making it difficult to mount on two-wheeled vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement of rotation transmission mechanismVSAvoidfull width of throttle body
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle body is divided into a first throttle body and a second throttle body that are adjacent to each other. The rotation transmission mechanism is disposed at the position where the first and second throttle bodies are adjacent, separating the concentrated arrangement into distributed segments across multiple bodies, thereby reducing the full width of each individual throttle body while maintaining the overall functional arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Extent of automation

If the throttle position sensor detects the rotation of the sensor shaft interlocked with the throttle shaft through the gear, then the rotational position is detected, but the detection accuracy is insufficient due to backlash and other error factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection of throttle opening degreeVSAvoidaccuracy of angular position detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A lever member is introduced as an intermediary component connected to the throttle shaft. The lever member transmits the rotational displacement of the throttle shaft to the throttle position sensor, providing a direct transmission path that reduces the impact of backlash and other error factors inherent in gear-based direct coupling, thereby improving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If the magnet is disposed at the shaft end of the rotor and the sensor is disposed in the fixed side member opposed to the magnet, then the rotational detection is achieved, but the full width of the throttle device increases and the rotational radius of the detection portion is small reducing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotational detection functionVSAvoidfull width of throttle device
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection arrangement is repositioned from a configuration that increases the full width of the throttle device to one that utilizes the space more efficiently. The lever member connects the throttle shaft to the sensor in a manner that reduces the rotational radius of the detection portion while maintaining detection functionality, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to reduce overall device width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3514369B1Throttle device
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 MIKUNI CORP
  • EP3514369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3514369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3514369B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A throttle device, including: a throttle valve (13) disposed in a plurality of intake passages (12) of a throttle body (11); a throttle shaft (14) supporting the throttle valve (13); a motor (15) for driving the throttle valve (13) to open and close through the throttle shaft(14); a rotation transmission mechanism (20) interposed between the motor (15) and the throttle shaft (14); and a position sensor to detect a displacement in the rotation transmission mechanism (20). The rotation transmission mechanism (20) is disposed at a position where the first and the second throttle bodies (11f, 11s) are adjacent, the motor (15) is disposed within an installation width Ws of either one of the first and the second throttle bodies (11f, 11s), and the throttle opening degree sensor (30) is disposed within an installation width Wt of the other one of the first and the second throttle bodies (11f, 11s).