Two-Stroke Engine Air-Intake Valve Control for No-Load Idle Speed

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Two-stroke engines face sub-optimal performance and high emissions when operating outside their ideal conditions, leading to misfires, high temperatures, and engine failure due to inadequate scavenging and excessive engine speeds without external load.

Innovation Solution

A two-stroke combustion engine with a user-operated throttle control and an adjustable valve, controlled by a unit that maintains engine speed within target ranges to avoid unwanted operating zones by adjusting valve states based on engine speed, torque, and user profiles, thereby optimizing scavenging and reducing emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If ignition is cut to prevent racing engine speeds, then engine speed is controlled below maximum levels, but emissions increase due to unburnt fuel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine speedVSAvoidemissions
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic control system that continuously adjusts the adjustable valve position based on real-time engine speed feedback. Instead of a static speed limit, the system dynamically modulates air intake to maintain engine speed within a target range, allowing flexible response to varying operating conditions while preventing racing speeds without relying on ignition cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring engine speed and comparing it against target ranges. Based on this feedback, the control unit continuously adjusts the adjustable valve position to maintain engine speed within desired boundaries. This closed-loop control enables precise speed management while avoiding the emissions problems associated with ignition cutting, as the system proactively prevents speed excursions rather than reactively suppressing them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If engine operates without external load, then engine speed increases to high levels, but this creates racing conditions and potential engine failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle control freedomVSAvoidengine reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control system takes preliminary action by continuously monitoring engine speed and proactively adjusting the adjustable valve before the engine can reach dangerous racing speeds. This preventive approach ensures that even when the throttle is fully opened without external load, the engine speed remains constrained within safe operating limits, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving full throttle control freedom for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control system provides self-service by automatically managing engine speed without requiring user intervention. When the engine operates without external load, the control unit autonomously adjusts the adjustable valve to maintain appropriate speed levels, freeing the user to operate the throttle without concern for racing conditions while ensuring engine reliability is maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-generated harmful factors

If adjustable valve is used to control engine speed in second idle mode, then emissions are reduced by avoiding ignition cutting, but valve control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveemissionsVSAvoidvalve control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable valve serves multiple functions: it controls air intake for engine combustion, acts as a speed control mechanism to prevent racing conditions, and enables the control system to maintain engine speed within target ranges during idle operation. By making the valve multi-functional, the system avoids emissions problems without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby managing complexity while achieving emission reduction goals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Power

If engine is optimized for full load operation, then power output is maximized, but performance degrades when operating far from ideal operating point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidoperating range flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system introduces dynamic adaptability by continuously adjusting the adjustable valve position based on real-time engine operating conditions. This enables the engine to maintain optimal performance across a wider range of operating points, not just at full load. The system dynamically modifies air intake to keep the engine operating within desirable parameters regardless of load conditions, thereby improving versatility without sacrificing power output capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operating parameters by dynamically adjusting the adjustable valve position to modify air intake characteristics. This allows the engine to adapt to different operating conditions by changing the effective throttle opening, maintaining optimal scavenging and combustion parameters across varying load levels. The parameter changes enable the engine to operate efficiently both at full load and at partial load conditions, expanding the useful operating range while preserving power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3830402B1Two-stroke engine control
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 HUSQVARNA AB
  • EP3830402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3830402B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP3830402B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A two-stroke combustion engine comprising a user-operated throttle control, an adjustable valve arranged to control one or more air intakes of the combustion engine, and a control unit arranged to control a state of the adjustable valve, wherein the combustion engine is arranged to operate in a first idle mode at an idle engine speed below a clutch engagement engine speed when the user-operated throttle control is not engaged, wherein the combustion engine is arranged to operate in a second idle mode at a target engine speed above the clutch engagement engine speed when the user-operated throttle control is engaged and when the engine is not subject to an external load, the control unit being arranged to control the state of the adjustable valve to maintain engine speed at the target engine speed when the engine operates in the second idle mode.