Compact V-Type Engine Throttle Body Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional throttle body assemblies for V-type engines are difficult to miniaturize due to the need for clearance between fuel supply pipes and the motor, leading to increased height and longitudinal dimensions, which complicates the design of compact engine units.
Innovation Solution
The throttle body assembly is configured with a fuel supply pipe positioned between the central axes of the front and rear air cylinders in a longitudinal direction, and the motor is arranged between these axes with its rotating shaft offset from the fuel supply pipe, allowing for a more compact design by reducing the height and longitudinal length of the assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the motor and fuel supply pipes are arranged between the front and rear throttle bodies in a conventional aligned manner, then the throttle body assembly can be compact in plan view, but the height dimension increases due to required clearance for motor vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the motor and fuel supply pipes from a vertical alignment (height direction) to a longitudinal arrangement along the throttle bodies. The motor is placed on the outer side of the front throttle body, and the fuel supply pipe is positioned between the central axes of front and rear air cylinders in the longitudinal direction, changing the spatial dimension of component layout to reduce height while maintaining plan view compactness
2Length of stationary object
If the motor is positioned close to the fuel supply pipes to reduce assembly size, then the height dimension decreases, but reliability deteriorates due to vibration-induced clearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is extracted from the central region between throttle bodies and repositioned to the outer side of the front throttle body. This separation removes the motor from the vibration-prone clearance zone near the fuel supply pipes, allowing the fuel pipe to be positioned stably between the air cylinder axes without risk of vibration-induced contact, thus maintaining reliability while reducing overall assembly height
Data Source
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AI summary
An engine unit 30 comprises an engine 31 and a throttle body assembly 50. The throttle body assembly 50 includes front throttle bodies 53a, 53b, rear throttle bodies 54a, 54b, a fuel supply pipe 81 arranged between central axes A4, A5 and central axes A6, A7 in a longitudinal direction to extend widthwise in a lower position than upper ends of throttle bodies 53, 54 and to supply a fuel to front air cylinders 55a, 55b and rear air cylinders 56a, 56b, and a motor 60, for driving of throttle valves, arranged between the central axes A4, A5 and the central axes A6, A7 in the longitudinal direction. An axis A3 of a rotating shaft 60a of the motor 60 is positioned forwardly or rearwardly of a central axis A2 of the fuel supply pipe 81.