V-Type Engine Air Intake System Motor Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air intake systems for V-type engines are large in size, particularly in the direction of the engine banks and vehicle width, due to the placement of electric motors and coil springs, which also leads to vibration issues and complicates the layout between engine banks.

Innovation Solution

The electric motor is placed between the first and second throttle bodies, with the coil springs positioned to reduce distortional deformation and vibration, and fuel injection valves are strategically aligned to minimize size and enhance compactness in both the arrangement and air intake flow directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the electric motor is placed outside the throttle bodies, then the air intake system becomes large in the direction in which the two banks are arranged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning of electric motorVSAvoidsize in bank arrangement direction
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electric motor is merged with the throttle body structure, positioned between the first and second throttle bodies rather than outside them. This integration allows the motor to serve both throttle valves simultaneously while reducing the overall size in the bank arrangement direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single electric motor is designed to commonly drive both the first throttle valve and the second throttle valve. The motor's output shaft is connected to both valves through a unified transmission mechanism, enabling one component to perform multiple functions and reduce the need for separate motors for each bank.

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

2Reliability

If coil springs are placed between throttle valves and driving force transmission place, then the air intake system becomes large in size in the direction along the pivoting axes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrottle valve biasing mechanismVSAvoidsize along pivoting axis direction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The coil springs are repositioned from a location between the throttle valves and the driving force transmission place to positions above and below the electric motor in the vehicle widthwise direction. This dimensional relocation eliminates the need for extended spaces along the pivoting axes while maintaining the spring biasing function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Different coil springs are strategically positioned at specific locations: the first coil spring is placed above the electric motor on the first throttle body side, while the second coil spring is placed below the electric motor on the second throttle body side. This localized positioning optimizes space utilization and reduces the overall size along the pivoting axis direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of stationary object

If the electric motor is placed between the throttle bodies with optimized spring positioning, then the air intake system becomes compact and vibration is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall system sizeVSAvoidvibration from electric motor
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electric motor, being a heavy component, is positioned at the center portion of the air intake system in the arrangement direction between the first and second banks. This central placement utilizes the motor's weight as a counterweight to reduce vibrations of the entire air intake system, transforming a potential harmful factor into a beneficial stabilizing element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 configuration allows for a more compact air intake system, reduced vibration, and easier layout between engine banks, while maintaining effective fuel injection performance.

Implementation Method 1

a first coil spring for biasing the first throttle valve in the closing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second coil spring for biasing the second throttle valve in the closing direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2631455B1Air intake system of v-type engine for vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.12.31 KEIHIN CORP
  • EP2631455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2631455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2631455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an air intake system of a V-type engine for a vehicle, a pair of throttle bodies connected to each other and placed between a pair of banks includes throttle valves, respectively, and an electric motor is interlinked with and connected to the throttle valves. At least part of an electric motor (16) placed between first and second throttle bodies (9A, 9B) is placed within a range (W1) of offset in a vehicle widthwise direction between points of intersection (P1, P3) on the one side in the vehicle widthwise direction, which are points of intersection between turn axis lines (T1, T2) of first and second throttle valves (14A, 14B) and inner surfaces of first and second air intake passages (13A, 13B), respectively, and is also placed among one ends and opposite ends of the respective first and second throttle bodies (9A, 9B) in a direction orthogonal to a virtual plane passing through the turn axis lines (T1, T2). A first coil spring (29) is placed at one side of the first throttle body (9A) in the vehicle widthwise direction, and a second coil spring (30) is placed at a side of the second throttle body (9B), which is a side opposite from the side on which the electric motor (16) is placed. Accordingly, the air intake system can be made compact.