V-Engine Air Intake Structure with Angled Throttle Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional V-engine air intake structures face challenges in compactification and spatial constraints, particularly due to the parallel alignment of throttle valve rotation shafts with the crankshaft, which limits the arrangement of other components like ignition coils and affects the capacity of air cleaners and fuel tanks.
Innovation Solution
The V-engine air intake structure arranges the first and second cylinders at an angle or perpendicular to the crankshaft, with throttle bodies positioned on opposing sides, allowing valve rotation devices to rotate around bore central axes at angles relative to the crankshaft, thereby reducing the width and enabling compactification and optimal placement of peripheral components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the throttle valve rotation shaft is arranged parallel to the crankshaft, then the throttle valve can be driven independently on each cylinder, but the width of the electric actuator increases, compressing the space in the width direction inside the vehicle body frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of the throttle valve rotation shaft from parallel to the crankshaft (horizontal dimension) to perpendicular to the crankshaft (vertical dimension). This dimensional change allows the electric actuator to be arranged above or below the throttle body rather than extending in the width direction, thereby resolving the spatial conflict in the width direction while maintaining independent throttle control capability
2Ease of operation
If the actuator is arranged above the throttle body, then independent throttle control is achieved, but the capacity of air cleaner and fuel tank is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arrangement where the electric actuator is positioned on one side of the throttle body (either above or below) rather than symmetrically distributed. This asymmetric positioning, combined with the perpendicular shaft orientation, creates uneven spatial distribution that allows optimization of specific component locations - enabling independent throttle control while preserving space for air cleaner and fuel tank capacities
3Ease of manufacture
If the actuator cover projects outside the throttle body in vehicle side view, then the electric actuator can be housed, but it becomes difficult to ensure capacity of air cleaner or fuel tank close to the throttle body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the projection issue by changing the shaft orientation to perpendicular to the crankshaft, which repositions the actuator cover in the vertical dimension rather than allowing it to project outward in the horizontal side view. This dimensional repositioning eliminates the interference with air cleaner and fuel tank placement while maintaining proper actuator housing
Data Source
AI summary
A first throttle body and a second throttle body include valve rotation devices that independently drive respective throttle valves. The first throttle body and the second throttle body are arranged such that the respective valve rotation devices have states rotated around respective bore central axes to cause respective throttle valve rotation shafts to have angles with respect to straight lines parallel to a crankshaft in an engine top view.