Valve Device Actuator Control for Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valve devices in internal-combustion engines face issues with actuator burnout and valve freezing/sticking due to high urging forces and resistance forces, particularly when maintaining a fully-closed position, which requires excessive electric power and can lead to valve immobilization.
Innovation Solution
A valve device with a reduced set load for the opening spring, combined with an ACT control part that shifts the valve to an intermediate position using an electric actuator after the ignition switch is turned off, ensuring the valve remains at an intermediate position without relying solely on spring urging forces, thereby reducing electric power consumption and preventing actuator burnout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the urging force of the opening spring is increased to ensure the valve returns to the intermediate position against resistance forces, then the valve reliability is improved, but the electric power consumption increases and the actuator may burn out
Solution Approach 1:
The control part performs preliminary action by detecting the valve position before the valve naturally returns, and actively drives the actuator to position the valve at the intermediate position in advance. This prevents the valve from stopping at incorrect positions and eliminates the need for excessive spring urging force, thereby reducing electric power consumption while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control part uses feedback from the position detection means to monitor the valve position during the return process. Based on this feedback, the control part adjusts the actuator drive to ensure the valve reaches the intermediate position accurately, replacing the need for high spring force with intelligent control, thus reducing power consumption.
2Reliability
If the urging force of the opening spring is increased to overcome resistance forces, then the valve can reliably return to the intermediate position, but the valve freezing and sticking risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control part performs preliminary positioning of the valve at the intermediate position before the valve fully returns, preventing the valve from remaining in positions where freezing and sticking could occur. This active control replaces the need for high spring force that would keep the valve under excessive stress, thereby reducing the risk of freezing and sticking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring-based return mechanism with an electro-mechanical control system. The position detection means and control part substitute for the mechanical spring force, allowing the valve to be positioned accurately without requiring high urging forces that cause freezing and sticking.
3Reliability
If a high set load opening spring is used to ensure valve return against resistance, then the valve positioning reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control part uses feedback from the position detection means to actively control the valve position, replacing the complex high-set-load spring configuration with a simpler control algorithm. This feedback-based control achieves reliable positioning without requiring complex spring mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the complex mechanical spring system with an electro-mechanical control system consisting of a position detection means and control part. This replacement simplifies the mechanical structure while maintaining or improving positioning reliability through intelligent control.
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 reduces the risk of actuator burnout and prevents valve freezing/sticking by maintaining the valve at an intermediate position post-ignition switch off, minimizing electric power usage and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
a valve urging part that urges the valve from the fully-closed position toward the opening side
Implementation Method 2
an electrically-operated actuator that rotates the valve toward its closing side or opening side
Implementation Method 3
a resistance force (frictional force and motor detent torque) is loaded on a valve shaft in the direction of restraining the valve from returning to the intermediate position
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically-operated actuator rotates a valve toward its closing side or opening side. A valve urging part urges the valve from a fully-closed position toward the opening side. An ACT control part controls the electrically-operated actuator to drive. A set load of the valve urging part is smaller than a set load that is capable of returning the valve from a fully-closed position to an intermediate position only by urging force of the valve urging part. When a position of the valve at time of turning off an IG switch for stopping operation of an internal-combustion engine is on the closing side of the intermediate position, the ACT control part shifts the valve to the intermediate position by the electrically-operated actuator after the IG switch is turned off.