Throttle Drive Actuator Using Lorentz Force for Precise Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing throttle drive actuators for engines lack efficient mechanisms to precisely control the tilt of throttle valves in response to varying engine operating conditions and accelerator inputs, leading to suboptimal air flow management.
Innovation Solution
A throttle drive actuator comprising a pair of magnets with opposing poles and an armature with windings, utilizing Lorentz force to rotate the throttle valve between open and closed positions, driven by an electronic control system to adjust air passage based on engine speed and throttle position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motor is used to control the throttle valve tilt, then the throttle valve can be adjusted in response to accelerator operation and engine conditions, but the existing actuators lack precise control and efficient air flow management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical linkage systems with an electromagnetic actuator system. The actuator uses a voice coil motor where an armature with permanent magnets interacts with a coil to produce electromagnetic force, directly controlling the throttle valve without complex mechanical linkages. This substitution enables more precise control and better responsiveness to accelerator inputs and engine conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a voice coil motor that controls the throttle valve by changing electromagnetic parameters (current in the coil) rather than mechanical parameters. The armature moves along the coil axis based on the electromagnetic force generated by varying current, allowing precise and rapid adjustment of the throttle valve position in response to changing engine operating conditions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuator design is simplified, then manufacturing becomes easier, but control precision and force generation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is divided into distinct functional segments: a housing, an armature with permanent magnets, a coil, and a throttle valve assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard processes, then assembled together. The modular design maintains reliability while simplifying manufacturing and enabling easier replacement or repair of individual components.
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
The solution enables precise control of air flow by rotating the throttle valve through a significant range, achieving rapid and controlled adjustments in air passage opening, with a compact design that provides sufficient force to manage engine air intake efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
The armature rotates between the first magnet and the second magnet when the windings are energized by use of Lorentz force
Implementation Method 2
The north pole of the second magnet is positioned opposite the south pole of the first magnet to create a first magnetic field, and the south pole of the second magnet is positioned opposite the north pole of the first magnet to create a second magnetic field
Data Source
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AI summary
A throttle drive actuator for an engine includes a first magnet including a north pole and a south pole and a second magnet positioned adjacent the first magnet, the second magnet including a north pole and a south pole. The north pole of the second magnet is positioned opposite the south pole of the first magnet to create a first magnetic field, and the south pole of the second magnet is positioned opposite the north pole of the first magnet to create a second magnetic field. A direction of the second magnetic field is directed opposite a direction of the first magnetic field. An armature is positioned between the first magnet and the second magnet, the armature including windings. The armature rotates between the first magnet and the second magnet when the windings are energized, and the armature rotates a valve of a throttle body of the engine, to open a close an air passage of the throttle body.