V-Type Engine Intake Actuator Cooling via Wind Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

In V-type internal combustion engines, the V-shaped space between banks is prone to hot air accumulation, which can negatively impact the durability of electrically-operated actuators driving throttle valves, and existing solutions fail to adequately address this thermal influence while also ensuring space for auxiliary equipment.

Innovation Solution

The intake system structure positions electrically-operated actuators between cylinder heads of front and rear banks, with a cooling wind guide opening on the front bank to introduce traveling wind into the V-shaped space, enhancing cooling and preventing overheating, while maintaining space for auxiliary equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the electrically-operated actuator is arranged in the V-shaped space between banks, then the space utilization is improved, but the actuator is exposed to hot air accumulation which reduces its durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidactuator durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically-operated actuator is extracted from the hot air accumulation zone by positioning it in the cooling air flow path on the front side of the engine, separating it from the harmful thermal environment while maintaining compact arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Cooling air flow is introduced as an intermediary element between the hot exhaust gases and the actuator, creating a protective thermal barrier that allows the actuator to operate reliably while positioned in the compact V-shaped space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the electrically-operated actuator is arranged in the V-shaped space, then the overall engine compactness is improved, but the actuator is thermally influenced by hot air which reduces its reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveengine compactnessVSAvoidthermal influence on actuator
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling air flow is directed specifically to the actuator's location, creating a localized cool zone in the otherwise hot V-shaped space, allowing compact arrangement without thermal damage to the actuator

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If auxiliary equipments are arranged in the V-shaped space, then the engine layout efficiency is improved, but the space for actuator arrangement is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout efficiencyVSAvoidactuator space
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is positioned in a different spatial dimension (front side cooling air flow path) rather than competing for the same lateral space in the V-shaped area, allowing both auxiliary equipment and actuator to coexist efficiently

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

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 arrangement effectively reduces the thermal influence on actuators, enhances their durability, and ensures proper intake air control, while allowing for the arrangement of auxiliary equipment, thereby improving the overall cooling and operational reliability of the system.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling wind guide opening on the front bank to introduce traveling wind into the V-shaped space, enhancing cooling and preventing overheating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP1887212B1Intake system structure of V-type internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2010.11.03 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP1887212B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1887212B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1887212B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Problem The present invention can arrange electrically-operated actuators for driving throttle valves in a V-shaped space defined between front and rear banks of a V-type internal combustion engine by avoiding the formation of a region into which hot air is liable to easily filled in the V-shaped space thus preventing the overheat of the actuators whereby the durability of the electrically-operated actuators can be enhanced. Further, in spite of the fact that the electrically-operated actuators are arranged in the V-shaped space, it is possible to ensure a storing space for arranging auxiliary equipment or the like in the V-shaped space. Means for Resolution An intake system IN of an internal combustion engine is arranged in a V-shaped space V formed between front and rear banks BF, BR, and the intake system IN includes front and rear throttle bodies 25F, 25R which form front and rear throttle valves 27F, 27R thereon, and electrically-operated actuators AE which drive the throttle valves 27F, 27R. The electrically-operated actuators AE are respectively arranged between cylinder heads 14 of the front and rear banks BF, BR and the front and rear throttle bodies 25F, 25R.