JP2005307906A - Throttle device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To positively decompose evaporation fuel produced in an intake system. <P>SOLUTION: The throttle device 1 comprises a throttle body 3 including a bore 2 for air to flow, a spindle 4 rotatably provided in the throttle body 3, and a throttle valve 5 provided on the spindle 4 to open/close the bore 2 by rotating together with the spindle 4. A photocatalyst 6 is applied to the surfaces of the spindle 4 and the throttle valve 5 in order to subject the evaporation fuel to an oxidative decomposition under light irradiation. In the throttle body 3, UV LEDs 7 are provided for application of light to the photocatalyst 6. The photocatalyst 6 and the UV LEDs 7 are provided downstream of the air flow in the bore 2 with the throttle valve 5 as the boundary. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a throttle device that is provided in an intake passage of an engine and includes a throttle valve that opens and closes the passage.

  In conventional engines, unburned components of lubricating oil and fuel may adhere to the wall surfaces of the combustion chamber and exhaust port to generate deposits. When deposits are generated on the wall surface of the combustion chamber in this way, the combustion chamber volume changes and the combustion of the air-fuel mixture deteriorates, the air-fuel mixture ignites before ignition by the spark plug, and the combustion deteriorates. Unburnt components may evaporate and be discharged to the outside.

  The following Patent Documents 1 to 4 describe techniques for avoiding the above-described deposit generation. That is, in these techniques, a titanium oxide layer is formed on the surface of the parts constituting the inner surface of the combustion chamber and the wall surface of the exhaust port. Then, the photocatalytic action is obtained by the titanium oxide layer by the light generated by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber, the light by spark ignition of the spark plug, or the light centered on the ultraviolet light introduced from the outside into the combustion chamber by an optical fiber. Thus, organic substances such as lubricating oil and unburned components are decomposed.

  Patent Document 5 below describes a technique for decomposing harmful components discharged from an engine. That is, in this technique, a fan whose surface is treated with titanium oxide and a light source lamp for irradiating the fan are provided in a bent tubular body connected to a muffler (exhaust gas device). Further, a photocatalyst (titanium oxide) fixing layer and another light source lamp for irradiating the fixing layer are provided on the inner surface of the tubular body. Then, by rotating the fan under irradiation with the light source lamp, a photocatalytic barrier is formed, and harmful substances in the exhaust gas are decomposed. Furthermore, the remaining harmful components are decomposed by the titanium oxide fixed layer under irradiation of another light source lamp, and the treated gas is discharged to the outside.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 6 below describes a technique for completely separating high-boiling hydrocarbons in evaporated fuel (vapor) adsorbed by an adsorbent of a canister from the adsorbent. That is, with this technique, the canister has a cylindrical shape, and an adsorbent (activated carbon) is accommodated therein. Here, an introduction port and a purge port are provided at the upper end of the canister. An air port is provided on the opposite side of the canister with the adsorbent interposed therebetween. A photocatalyst is provided on the upper part of the canister so as to coexist with a part of the adsorbent (activated carbon) corresponding to the introduction port and the purge port, and a light irradiation device for irradiating the photocatalyst with light. This technology oxidizes and decomposes high-boiling hydrocarbons with light-catalyzed photocatalysts to form low-boiling hydrocarbons with a small number of molecules, carbon dioxide, and water, facilitating the removal of vapor from the adsorbent. .

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-236677 (page 2-5, FIGS. 1 and 2) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-324879 (page 2-4, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2000-45859 A (page 2-4, FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2000-73780 A (page 2-4, FIG. 1) JP 2001-286731 A (page 9-10, FIG. 3) JP-A-4-66764 (page 1-4, FIGS. 1 and 2)

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 6 described above are mainly focused on the combustion chamber and the exhaust system or the canister, and no specific configuration focusing on the intake system is described. Patent Documents 1 to 4 include a description of forming a titanium oxide layer on the wall surface of the intake port, but there is no description of a configuration in which the titanium oxide layer is actively irradiated with light, and substantially obtains a photocatalytic action. It is not possible.

  By the way, in the intake system, a part of the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve (injector) may adhere to the wall surface of the intake port, or the fuel dripped from the nozzle of the injector may adhere to the intake port when the engine is stopped. is there. Then, there is a problem that the fuel component adhering to these wall surfaces evaporates when the engine is stopped and leaks from the intake passage into the atmosphere. Therefore, it is necessary to actively decompose the evaporated fuel even in the intake system.

  In addition, since the intake system is required to have a function of smoothly guiding air to the engine, it is necessary to avoid separately providing components that increase the intake resistance. Therefore, the applicant of the present application pays attention to a throttle device that is normally provided in the intake system, and devised to add a configuration for decomposing evaporated fuel and the like to this device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a throttle device capable of actively disassembling the evaporated fuel generated in the intake system.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, a support shaft provided on the support shaft and rotating together with the support shaft. In a throttle device having a throttle valve that opens and closes a bore by this, it is provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve, and oxidizes and decomposes the evaporated fuel by receiving light irradiation And a light irradiation means provided on the throttle body for irradiating the photocatalyst with light.

  According to the configuration of the above invention, when the support shaft rotates in a state where the throttle body is assembled in the intake passage of the engine, the throttle valve rotates to open and close the bore, and the amount of air flowing through the intake passage is adjusted. The Here, when the evaporated fuel generated at the intake port of the engine leaks from between the bore and the throttle valve to the upstream side of the bore air flow with the throttle valve as a boundary, the light irradiation means is activated. Then, light is irradiated to the photocatalyst provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve. As a result, the hydrocarbon in the evaporated fuel is oxidized and decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst that has been irradiated with light, and converted into carbon dioxide and water.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, a support shaft provided on the support shaft and rotating together with the support shaft. In the throttle device having a throttle valve that opens and closes the bore, provided on at least one of the bore wall surface, the spindle surface, and the throttle valve surface on the downstream side of the bore air flow with the throttle valve as a boundary. A photocatalyst for oxidatively decomposing vaporized fuel upon receiving light irradiation, and a light irradiation means for irradiating the photocatalyst with light provided on the throttle body on the downstream side of the air flow of the bore. And

  According to the configuration of the above invention, when the support shaft rotates in a state where the throttle body is assembled in the intake passage of the engine, the throttle valve rotates to open and close the bore, and the amount of air flowing through the intake passage is adjusted. The Here, when the evaporated fuel generated at the intake port of the engine leaks from between the bore and the throttle valve to the upstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary, the light irradiation means is operated. Then, the photocatalyst provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve is irradiated with light from the air flow downstream side of the bore. As a result, the hydrocarbon in the evaporated fuel is oxidized and decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst that has been irradiated with light, and converted into carbon dioxide and water.

  In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect of the present invention provides a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, a support shaft provided on the support shaft, and rotating together with the support shaft. Therefore, in the throttle device having the throttle valve for opening and closing the bore, the throttle valve and the support shaft are formed of a light transmissive material, and on the downstream side of the bore air flow with the throttle valve as a boundary, A photocatalyst that is provided on at least one of the wall surface, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve, and oxidizes and decomposes the evaporated fuel when irradiated with light, and on the upstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary A light irradiating means provided on the throttle body for transmitting light to the throttle valve and the support shaft and irradiating the photocatalyst with light. That the purpose of the.

  According to the configuration of the above invention, when the support shaft rotates in a state where the throttle body is assembled in the intake passage of the engine, the throttle valve rotates to open and close the bore, and the amount of air flowing through the intake passage is adjusted. The Here, when the evaporated fuel generated at the intake port of the engine leaks from between the bore and the throttle valve to the upstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary, the light irradiation means is operated. Then, light is transmitted to the photocatalyst provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve from the upstream side of the air flow of the bore through the throttle valve and the support shaft. As a result, the hydrocarbon in the evaporated fuel is oxidized and decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst that has been irradiated with light, and converted into carbon dioxide and water. Further, according to this configuration, since the light irradiation means is provided on the upstream side of the air flow of the bore, the light irradiation means is hardly contaminated by evaporated fuel or the like.

  To achieve the above object, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, a support shaft provided on the support shaft and rotating together with the support shaft. In the throttle device having the throttle valve for opening and closing the bore, the throttle valve is formed of a light-transmitting material, and the bore wall surface and the support are provided on the downstream side of the bore air flow with the throttle valve as a boundary. A photocatalyst that is provided on at least one of the surface of the shaft and the surface of the throttle valve and that oxidizes and decomposes the evaporated fuel when irradiated with light, and a photocatalyst that is provided on the spindle and transmits light to the throttle valve It is intended to include a light irradiation means for irradiating light.

  According to the configuration of the above invention, when the support shaft rotates in a state where the throttle body is assembled in the intake passage of the engine, the throttle valve rotates to open and close the bore, and the amount of air flowing through the intake passage is adjusted. The Here, when the evaporated fuel generated at the intake port of the engine leaks from between the bore and the throttle valve to the upstream side of the bore air flow with the throttle valve as a boundary, the light irradiation means is activated. Then, light is transmitted from the support shaft to the throttle valve to irradiate the photocatalyst provided on at least one of the bore wall surface, the support shaft surface, and the throttle valve surface. As a result, the hydrocarbon in the evaporated fuel is oxidized and decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst that has been irradiated with light, and converted into carbon dioxide and water.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, a light reflecting surface is provided on the surface of the throttle valve on the upstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary. The purpose is to be.

  According to the configuration of the invention described above, in addition to the operation of the invention according to claim 4, the light that is about to pass through the throttle valve from the support shaft toward the upstream side of the air flow of the bore is caused to flow by the light reflecting surface. Reflected downstream and irradiates the photocatalyst.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the throttle valve has a substantially rhombic cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the support shaft. Intended to be

  According to the configuration of the invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of claims 3 to 5, the throttle valve has a substantially rhombus shape, so that irregular reflection of light from the light irradiation means can be suppressed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the evaporated fuel generated in the intake system can be actively decomposed, and the leakage of the evaporated fuel from the intake system to the atmosphere can be prevented.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the evaporated fuel generated in the intake system can be actively decomposed, and the leakage of the evaporated fuel from the intake system to the atmosphere can be prevented.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the evaporated fuel generated in the intake system can be actively decomposed, and the leakage of the evaporated fuel from the intake system to the atmosphere can be prevented. In addition, the maintenance of the light irradiation means can be simplified.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the evaporated fuel generated in the intake system can be actively decomposed, and leakage of the evaporated fuel from the intake system to the atmosphere can be prevented. In addition, the molding of the throttle body can be simplified by the amount that the light irradiation means is not provided in the throttle body.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to suppress a decrease in intensity of light irradiated to the photocatalyst.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 3 to 5, the amount of light transmitted through the throttle valve and the support shaft can be increased, and the light that is stronger than the photocatalyst. Can be irradiated.

[First Embodiment]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment that embodies a throttle device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a throttle device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an engine system in which the throttle device 1 is assembled. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion indicated by a one-dot chain line circle in FIG.

  The throttle device 1 includes a throttle body 3 including a bore 2 through which air flows, a support shaft 4 that is rotatably provided on the throttle body 3, and is integrally provided on the support shaft 4 and rotates together with the support shaft 4. And a disk-like throttle valve 5 that opens and closes the bore 2. The throttle valve 5 is rotatably provided between a fully closed position in which the bore 2 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1 is fully closed and a fully open position in which the bore 2 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The rotation of the throttle valve 5 is restricted by a predetermined stopper (not shown) at the fully closed position and the fully open position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the throttle device 1 is assembled in the middle of the intake passage 12 of the engine 11. In this assembled state, when the support shaft 4 rotates, the throttle valve 5 rotates and the bore 2 is opened and closed, and the amount of air flowing through the intake passage 12 is adjusted. In the intake passage 12, a part of the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve (injector) 13 adheres to the wall surface of the intake port 14, or the fuel dripped from the nozzle of the injector 13 while the engine 11 is stopped is the intake port 14. May adhere to the wall surface. The fuel adhering to these wall surfaces may evaporate when the engine 11 is stopped or the like and leak from the air cleaner 15 to the atmosphere through the intake passage 12. Therefore, the throttle device 1 has a configuration for positively decomposing the evaporated fuel (vapor) generated at the intake port 14 or the like.

In FIG. 1, a thick arrow indicates a direction in which air sucked into the engine 11 flows in a state where the throttle device 1 is assembled to the intake passage 12. In this embodiment, as shown by a thick broken line in FIG. 1, a photocatalyst 6 for oxidatively decomposing vapor by irradiating light onto the wall surface of the bore 2, the surface of the support shaft 4, and the surface of the throttle valve 5. Is applied and supported. Further, the throttle body 3 is provided with an ultraviolet LED 7 as a light irradiation means of the present invention for irradiating the photocatalyst 6 with light. In particular, in this embodiment, on the downstream side of the air flow of the bore 2 with the throttle valve 5 as a boundary (hereinafter simply referred to as “the downstream side of the bore 2”), the wall surface of the bore 2, the surface of the support shaft 4, and the throttle A photocatalyst 6 is supported on the surface of the bulb 5. Thus, the photocatalyst 6 is provided on the downstream side of the bore 2 because the vapor generated in the intake port 14 of the engine 11 is located downstream of the bore 2 when the throttle valve 5 is in the fully closed position. Because they gather. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the photocatalyst 6 carried on the wall surface 2a of the bore 2. In this embodiment, a material mainly composed of titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) is used as the photocatalyst 6. In this embodiment, a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 7 are attached to the throttle body 3 on the downstream side of the bore 2. These ultraviolet LEDs 7 are attached to attachment holes 3a formed obliquely upward in the throttle body 3 so as to irradiate light toward the throttle valve 5 and the wall surface 2a of the bore 2. A condensing lens 8 is mounted on the bore 2 side of the mounting hole 3a. The surface of the lens 8 is also thinly coated with a photocatalyst in order to decompose dirt such as vapor. Each ultraviolet LED 7 is electrically connected to a predetermined drive circuit (not shown), and lights up in response to a drive signal from the drive circuit when the engine 11 is stopped.

  According to the throttle device 1 of the present embodiment described above, for example, vapor generated from the wall surface of the intake port 14 flows to the downstream side of the bore 2 in the throttle body 3 while the engine 11 is stopped, and so on. 2 and the throttle valve 5, when trying to leak to the upstream side of the air flow of the bore 2 with the throttle valve 5 as a boundary (hereinafter simply referred to as “the upstream side of the bore 2”), each ultraviolet LED 7 Is turned on to irradiate the photocatalyst 6 carried on the wall surface 2 a of the bore 2, the surface of the support shaft 4 and the surface of the throttle valve 5 from the downstream side of the bore 2. Thereby, the hydrocarbons in the vapor are oxidatively decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst 6 that has been irradiated with light, and converted into carbon dioxide and water. As a result, the vapor generated in the intake system of the engine 11 can be actively decomposed. As a result, it is possible to prevent vapor generated in the intake system of the engine 11 from leaking into the atmosphere via the intake passage 12 as it is.

  In this embodiment, in order to prevent vapor from leaking to the air in the intake system, the throttle body 3 constituting the throttle device 1 is provided with the ultraviolet LED 7, and the wall surface of the bore 2 constituting the throttle body 3 and the support shaft 4. The photocatalyst 6 is only provided on the surface of the valve and the surface of the throttle valve 5. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a special part for treating the vapor in the intake passage 12. The photocatalyst 6 is carried in layers on the wall surface of the bore 2, the surface of the support shaft 4, and the surface of the throttle valve 5, and each ultraviolet LED 7 is assembled in the mounting hole 3a of the throttle body 3 to be bored. It does not protrude to 2. For this reason, the photocatalyst 6 and the ultraviolet LED 7 do not increase the intake resistance in the intake passage 12 and can ensure the function of smoothly guiding the air to the engine 11 through the throttle device 1.

Here, the results of the photocatalytic reaction test assuming vapor oxidative decomposition by the photocatalyst are shown in the graphs of FIGS. FIG. 6 shows an outline of the photocatalytic reaction test. This test was performed by accommodating a petri dish 102 having a diameter of 90 mm in an evaluation bag 101 having a capacity of 3 liters. On the petri dish 102, a large number of glass beads having a diameter of 2 mm coated with a photocatalyst were spread in one layer. This evaluation bag 101 is placed in a butane (C ₄ H ₁₀ ) atmosphere having an initial concentration of 200 ppm set to normal temperature and normal pressure, and an ultraviolet intensity of 4 mW / cm ² (midsummer sunlight level) from a predetermined light source 103 to the evaluation bag 101. ). A similar test was performed using glass beads that were not coated with a photocatalyst.

FIG. 4 shows the change in butane concentration with time after light irradiation. FIG. 5 shows changes in the carbon dioxide concentration over time after light irradiation. As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the test of the glass beads coated with the photocatalyst, the butane concentration decreased from 200 ppm to 140 ppm to 60 ppm during 120 minutes after the start of light irradiation. In contrast, in the test of glass beads not coated with a photocatalyst, the butane concentration hardly changed from 200 ppm. On the other hand, as can be seen from FIG. 5, in the test of the glass beads coated with the photocatalyst, the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) increased from 400 ppm to 450 ppm and increased to 850 ppm during 120 minutes after the start of light irradiation. It became. In contrast, in the test of glass beads not coated with a photocatalyst, the concentration of carbon dioxide hardly changed from 400 ppm. As is clear from this test result, it was found that by irradiating the photocatalyst with light, butane was oxidized and decomposed into carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, it can be inferred that the effect of oxidative decomposition by the photocatalyst is also effective for the vapor containing hydrocarbon (HC).

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment in which the throttle device of the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In each embodiment described below, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The following description focuses on the different points.

  This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the support shaft 4 and the throttle valve 5 and the arrangement of the ultraviolet LED 7. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the throttle device 21 of the present embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the throttle valve 5 and the support shaft 4 are formed of a light transmissive material. A plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 7 are provided in the throttle body 3 on the upstream side of the bore 2 with the throttle valve 5 as a boundary. Then, the light emitted from each ultraviolet LED 7 is transmitted through the throttle valve 5 and the support shaft 4 so as to irradiate the photocatalyst 6. In this embodiment, as a material for the support shaft 4 and the throttle valve 5, an ultraviolet transmissive acrylic resin that is a light transmissive material is used. Each ultraviolet LED 7 is attached to an attachment hole 3 b formed obliquely downward in the throttle body 3 so as to irradiate light toward the surface of the throttle valve 5. A condensing lens 8 is mounted on the bore 2 side of the mounting hole 3b. The surface of the lens 8 is also thinly coated with a photocatalyst in order to decompose dirt.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the throttle device 21 of this embodiment, each ultraviolet LED 7 is turned on, and the photocatalyst carried on the wall surface of the bore 2, the surface of the support shaft 4, and the surface of the throttle valve 5 on the downstream side of the bore 2. 6, the light is transmitted through the throttle valve 5 and the support shaft 4 from the upstream side of the bore 2 to irradiate the light. Thereby, the hydrocarbons in the vapor are oxidatively decomposed by the action of the photocatalyst 6 that has been irradiated with light, and converted into carbon dioxide and water. As a result, the vapor generated in the intake system of the engine 11 can be actively decomposed. As a result, it is possible to prevent vapor generated in the intake system of the engine 11 from leaking into the atmosphere via the intake passage 12 as it is.

  Further, in this embodiment, since each ultraviolet LED 7 is provided on the upstream side of the bore 2, each ultraviolet LED 7 and the lens 8 are less likely to be contaminated with vapor or the like than when provided on the downstream side of the bore 2. For this reason, the maintenance of these components 7 and 8 can be simplified. Other functions and effects are basically the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment in which the throttle device of the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the configuration of the throttle valve 5 is different from that of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the throttle device 22 according to this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the throttle valve 5 has a substantially diamond shape in cross section in the direction orthogonal to the support shaft 4. This is different from the throttle valve 5 of the second embodiment.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the throttle device 22 of this embodiment, the throttle valve 5 has a substantially rhombus shape, so that irregular reflection of light irradiated to the throttle valve 5 from each ultraviolet LED 7 can be suppressed. For this reason, the amount of light transmitted through the throttle valve 5 and the support shaft 4 can be increased, and the photocatalyst 6 can be irradiated with stronger light. In this sense, the oxidative decomposition reaction by the photocatalyst 6 can be enhanced. Other functions and effects are basically the same as those of the second embodiment.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment in which the throttle device of the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the structure of the light irradiation means for irradiating the photocatalyst 6 with light is different from that of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the throttle device 23 according to this embodiment. That is, in this embodiment, the support shaft 4 is formed in a hollow shape, and a cylindrical ultraviolet LED 9 having substantially the same length as the support shaft 4 is provided in the hollow. The ultraviolet LED 9 emits light from the entire outer periphery thereof. In this embodiment, the active light reflecting surface 10 is provided on the surface of the throttle valve 5 on the upstream side of the bore 2. The reflecting surface 10 is made of a paint applied on the surface of the throttle valve 5. The light reflecting surface 10 reflects the light from the ultraviolet LED 9 toward the downstream side of the bore 2.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the throttle device 23 of this embodiment, since the ultraviolet LED 9 is provided in the support shaft 4, compared with the above-described embodiments, the mounting holes 3a and 3b for the ultraviolet LED 7 in the throttle body 3 are provided. Therefore, the molding of the throttle body 3 can be simplified accordingly. Further, light that is about to pass through the throttle valve 5 from the support shaft 4 toward the upstream side of the bore 2 is reflected to the downstream side of the bore 2 by the active light reflecting surface 10 and irradiates the photocatalyst 6. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the intensity of light that passes through the throttle valve 5 and is applied to the photocatalyst 6. In this sense, the oxidative decomposition reaction by the photocatalyst 6 can be enhanced. Other functions and effects are basically the same as those of the third embodiment.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment embodying the throttle device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the structure of the light irradiation means for irradiating the photocatalyst 6 with light is different from that of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the throttle device 24 of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the support shaft 4 and the throttle valve 5. That is, in this embodiment, the support shaft 4 is formed in a square bar shape, and a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs 31 are scattered and provided along the longitudinal direction of the support shaft 4. These ultraviolet LEDs 31 are arranged so as to emit light in different directions.

  Therefore, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can be basically obtained by the configuration of the throttle device 24 of this embodiment.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, a sixth embodiment in which the throttle device of the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, the structure of the light irradiation means for irradiating the photocatalyst 6 with light is different from the fourth and fifth embodiments. FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the throttle device 25 of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. That is, in this embodiment, the support shaft 4 is formed in a hollow shape, and a bundle of a plurality of leaky optical fibers 32 is provided in the hollow along the longitudinal direction of the support shaft 4. Further, an ultraviolet LED 33 for supplying light to each optical fiber 31 is provided at one end of the support shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 12, two bundles of optical fibers 32 are provided so as to be line symmetric in the cross section of the support shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 13, the outside of the bundle of optical fibers 32 is cut obliquely as a whole, and each optical fiber 32 has an oblique cut opening 32a. Then, when the ultraviolet LED 33 is turned on, the light passes through the bundle of optical fibers 32 and is emitted as a bundle of light from each cutting port 32a as shown by a number of parallel broken lines in FIG. The photocatalyst 6 on the wall surface and the surface of the throttle valve 5 is irradiated.

  Therefore, basically the same effect as that of the fifth embodiment can be obtained also by the configuration of the throttle device 25 of this embodiment.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, a seventh embodiment in which the throttle device of the present invention is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  This embodiment is different from the sixth embodiment in the arrangement of the optical fiber 32 on the support shaft 4 and the like. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the throttle valve 5. That is, in this embodiment, in the bundle of optical fibers 32 provided on the support shaft 4, the lengths of the optical fibers 32 are set so as to be different in stages, and the oblique cut ports 32 a of the pair of optical fibers 32 are provided. Are arranged in opposite directions. Then, by turning on the ultraviolet LED 33, the light passes through each optical fiber 32 and is emitted in the opposite direction from each cutting port 32a, as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 14, and the wall surface of the bore 2 and the throttle valve 5 The photocatalyst 6 on the surface is irradiated.

  Therefore, the same effect as that of the sixth embodiment can be basically obtained by the configuration of this embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be carried out as follows without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  (1) In each of the above embodiments, the photocatalyst 6 is carried on the wall surface of the bore 2, the surface of the support shaft 4, and the surface of the throttle valve 5, but the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve One or two of them may carry a photocatalyst.

  (2) In each of the above embodiments, as the light irradiation means for irradiating the photocatalyst with light, the ultraviolet LEDs 7, 9, 31 are used, or the ultraviolet LED 33 and the optical fiber 32 are used in combination. May be introduced into an optical fiber to irradiate the photocatalyst with light. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to electrically operate the ultraviolet LED or the like, and it is possible to save energy required for the decomposition process of vapor or the like.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) is used as the photocatalyst, but cadmium selenide (CdSe) or cadmium sulfide (CdS) is used as the photocatalyst, or tin oxide (SnO ₂ ) or oxide is used. Niobium (Nb ₂ O ₅ ) may be used.

  (4) In the second to seventh embodiments, a light-transmitting acrylic resin is used as the light-transmitting material, but a light-transmitting fluororesin or a light-transmitting polyester resin may be used.

Sectional drawing which shows the throttle apparatus of 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the engine system which assembled | attached the throttle apparatus. The expanded sectional view which shows a part of FIG. The graph which shows a photocatalytic reaction test result. The graph which shows a photocatalytic reaction test result. Schematic which shows a photocatalytic reaction test. Sectional drawing which shows the throttle apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the throttle apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the throttle apparatus of 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the throttle apparatus of 5th Embodiment. The top view which shows a throttle valve. Sectional drawing which shows the throttle apparatus of 6th Embodiment. Sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. The top view which shows the throttle valve of 7th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Throttle device 2 Bore 2a Wall surface 3 Throttle body 4 Support shaft 5 Throttle valve 6 Photocatalyst 7 UV LED (light irradiation means)
9 Cylindrical UV LED (light irradiation means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Light reflecting surface 21 Throttle apparatus 22 Throttle apparatus 23 Throttle apparatus 24 Throttle apparatus 25 Throttle apparatus 31 Ultraviolet LED (light irradiation means)
32 Optical fiber (light irradiation means)
33 UV LED (light irradiation means)

Claims (6)

A throttle body including a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, and a throttle valve provided on the support shaft to open and close the bore by rotating together with the support shaft In the device
A photocatalyst that is provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve, and oxidatively decomposes the evaporated fuel by receiving light irradiation;
A throttle device comprising: a light irradiation means provided on the throttle body for irradiating the photocatalyst with light. A throttle body including a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, and a throttle valve provided on the support shaft to open and close the bore by rotating together with the support shaft In the device
Provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve on the downstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary. A photocatalyst for oxidative decomposition,
A throttle device comprising: a light irradiating means provided on the throttle body on the downstream side of the air flow of the bore for irradiating the photocatalyst with light. A throttle body including a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, and a throttle valve provided on the support shaft to open and close the bore by rotating together with the support shaft In the device
The throttle valve and the support shaft are formed of a light-transmitting material;
Provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve on the downstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary. A photocatalyst for oxidative decomposition,
A light irradiating means provided on the throttle body on the upstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary for transmitting light to the throttle valve and the support shaft and irradiating the photocatalyst with light; A throttle device characterized by comprising. A throttle body including a throttle body including a bore through which air flows, a support shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body, and a throttle valve provided on the support shaft to open and close the bore by rotating together with the support shaft In the device
The throttle valve is formed of a light transmissive material;
Provided on at least one of the wall surface of the bore, the surface of the support shaft, and the surface of the throttle valve on the downstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary. A photocatalyst for oxidative decomposition,
A throttle device comprising: a light irradiating means provided on the support shaft for transmitting light to the throttle valve and irradiating the photocatalyst with light. 5. The throttle device according to claim 4, wherein a light reflecting surface is provided on a surface of the throttle valve on an upstream side of the air flow of the bore with the throttle valve as a boundary. The throttle device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the throttle valve has a substantially rhombic cross-sectional shape in a direction orthogonal to the support shaft.

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