JP2008248861A - Intake control device for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely prevent freezing fixation or operation disablement (operation failure) of an intake flow control valve caused by freezing of the intake flow control valve. <P>SOLUTION: In this intake control device, a V-shaped guide groove 25 is formed on a valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5. Two guide ribs 27 rising higher than a groove bottom surface of the guide groove 25 are provided on both sides of the guide groove 25 in a groove width direction. Thus, water droplets flowing into the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 are blocked by the two guide ribs 27, and intrusion of the water droplets into a space (a sliding part of a valve unit) between a support hole 20 of a valve bearing part 19 of a housing 4 and a valve sliding surface 22 of a rotating shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 can be prevented. The water droplets temporally staying in the guide groove 25 are sucked to a combustion chamber side of the engine by intake negative pressure of the engine during operation of the engine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an intake control device for an internal combustion engine having an intake vortex generator that opens and closes an intake passage of the internal combustion engine to generate an intake vortex flow in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. The present invention relates to an intake air control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that can be prevented.

[Conventional technology]
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, an intake flow control valve 104 that can be opened and closed around a rotary shaft 103 in an intake passage 102 downstream of a throttle valve in an intake pipe (intake intake duct) 101 of an internal combustion engine. An intake air control device for an internal combustion engine in which the engine is installed is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In this intake control device for an internal combustion engine, the opening degree of the intake flow control valve 104 is controlled in accordance with the valve opening degree of the throttle valve.
In the intake control device for the internal combustion engine, when the opening of the intake flow control valve 104 is in the fully open position, the rotary shaft 103 is a valve for the purpose of reducing the intake resistance in the intake air flowing through the intake passage 102. A cantilevered intake flow control valve 104 that is displaced toward one end side (the lower surface side in the direction of gravity of the intake passage 102) from the center is employed. The rotating shaft 103 is rotatably supported at a lower portion of the intake passage 102 in the gravity direction (near the lower surface of the intake passage 102).

Here, in the intake control device for an internal combustion engine, when the internal combustion engine is cold and the intake air flow rate may be small, that is, at the time of engine start or idle operation, the intake flow control valve 104 is fully closed and fully opened. The opening degree of the intake flow control valve 104 is controlled so as to be in the state.
When the intake flow control valve 104 is closed at the fully closed position, the intake flow is introduced from the outlet portion 105 of the intake passage 102 of the intake pipe 101 into the upper layer portion of the intake port 106 of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the intake flow that flows along the top wall of the upper layer portion of the intake port 106 (the upper surface of the intake port 106 in the direction of gravity) is supplied from the intake valve port 107 of the intake port 106 into the combustion chamber. At this time, a sufficient intake vortex flow (tumble flow) can be generated in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
As a result, the atomization of the fuel sucked together with the intake air into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is improved, the combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber at the time of engine start or idling operation is improved, and fuel consumption and emission can be improved.

In the intake control device for an internal combustion engine, the intake flow control valve 104 is opened so that the intake flow control valve 104 is fully opened during normal operation, operation stop, or after operation stop. Control the degree.
When the intake flow control valve 104 is opened at the fully open position, the intake flow that has flowed into the intake pipe 101 passes straight through the intake passage 102 and passes from the outlet 105 of the intake passage 102 to the intake port 106. Introduced in. The intake air flow that has passed through the intake port 106 is supplied from the intake valve port 107 of the intake port 106 into the combustion chamber. At this time, no tumble flow is generated in the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.

[Conventional technical problems]
However, in the intake control device for an internal combustion engine described in Patent Document 1, a cantilever intake flow control valve in which the rotating shaft 103 is displaced toward one end from the central portion of the valve is adopted as the intake flow control valve 104. Furthermore, the rotating shaft 103 is installed in the lower part in the gravity direction of the intake passage 102.
As a result, a valve bearing (intake passage) in which moisture and water droplets contained in the intake air flowing in from the intake passage 102 upstream of the intake flow control valve 104 in the intake flow direction rotatably supports the rotary shaft 103. There is a possibility of adhering or staying in the lower part in the gravity direction of 102.

In the case of an intake control device in which the intake flow control valve 104 is held in the fully open position when the operation of the internal combustion engine is stopped, the valve bearing portion of the intake pipe 101, the rotary shaft 103, and the intake flow control valve 104 are used in a cold environment. The water adhering to or staying in the water freezes, and icing (icing) is generated in the intake flow control valve 104. Due to this icing, the intake flow control valve 104 may be fixed in the vicinity of the fully open position and become inoperable.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, an intake control device for an internal combustion engine in which a rotating shaft 103 of an intake flow control valve 104 is supported on an upper portion in the gravity direction of an intake port 106 of the internal combustion engine is known (for example, a patent Reference 2).
In the intake control device for an internal combustion engine described in Patent Document 2, water can be prevented from staying in the vicinity of the rotation shaft 103 of the intake flow control valve 104, but the lower portion of the intake port 106 ( The intake air flow that has passed through the lower portion of the intake port 106 in the direction of gravity is supplied from the intake valve port 107 of the intake port 106 into the combustion chamber. For this reason, there was a problem that a sufficient tumble flow could not be generated.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-161128 (first page, FIGS. 4 to 6) Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-000049 (first page, FIGS. 1 to 6)

  An object of the present invention is to provide an intake control device for an internal combustion engine that can prevent problems such as freezing of valves. Another object of the present invention is to provide an intake control device for an internal combustion engine that can reliably prevent the valve from being frozen and inoperable (or malfunctioning) due to icing of the valve.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the valve has two sliding portions that are slidably supported by the housing at both ends in the rotation axis direction. And the valve | bulb has the groove | channel extended in the direction substantially orthogonal to the rotating shaft direction of a valve | bulb on the surface. It should be noted that the extension direction (groove length direction) of the valve groove is a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the valve, and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravity direction of the intake passage when the valve is fully opened. It may be set in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of intake air flowing through the intake passage when the valve is fully opened (so-called axial direction of the intake passage).

Here, the groove (valve groove) provided on the surface of the valve is a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the valve, that is, a direction different from both ends (two sliding portions) in the rotation axis direction of the valve. It extends to. For this reason, the groove | channel of a valve | bulb functions as an intrusion prevention groove | channel for preventing the water droplet adhering on the surface of a valve | bulb from entering between a housing and the sliding part of a valve | bulb. Or the groove | channel of a valve | bulb functions as a water collection groove | channel for collecting the water droplet adhering on the surface of a valve | bulb, and draining it to the combustion chamber side of an internal combustion engine.
The water droplets adhering to the surface of the valve are sucked into the combustion chamber side of the internal combustion engine by the negative suction pressure of the internal combustion engine during operation of the internal combustion engine. Water disappears from the surface of the valve.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent problems such as freezing of water adhering to the surface of the bulb and formation of ice blocks straddling between the housing and the bulb and freezing of the bulb. In addition, water adhering to the surface of the valve penetrates between the housing and the sliding portion of the valve, where water freezes and ice blocks are formed across the housing and the sliding portion of the valve. Problems such as freezing of the valve can be prevented. Therefore, the valve can be reliably prevented from being frozen or inoperable (or defective) due to icing of the valve, so that the reliability of the anti-icing effect (anti-freezing effect) of the valve becomes very high.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a cantilever type valve is adopted in which the rotating shaft is shifted to one end side from the center of the valve.
Here, when a plate-like valve is used as the valve, the valve opening is in the fully closed position (closed) at the fully closed position in the intake passage (when the valve is fully closed). ), The rotational axis of the valve is disposed at a position biased to one side of the valve surface direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction of the valve (for example, the lower surface side in the gravity direction of the intake passage). Further, the rotation axis of the valve may be arranged so as to be offset to the lower surface side in the gravity direction of the intake passage with respect to the central portion of the intake passage. That is, the valve accommodated in the intake passage of the housing so as to be openable and closable (rotatable) constitutes a cantilever valve having a rotation shaft that forms a rotation center on the opposite side to the free end side.

  By adopting the above-mentioned cantilever type valve, when the valve is fully open, that is, when the valve is fully open (open) at the fully open position in the intake passage The intake flow that flows into the intake passage of the housing (when the valve is fully opened) passes straight through the intake passage of the housing without being interrupted by the valve and the rotating shaft. That is, the intake air flow that flows into the intake passage of the housing flows straight in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of intake air that flows through the intake passage of the housing (the so-called axial direction of the intake passage), It is introduced into the internal combustion engine from the housing. Thereby, the intake resistance when the valve is fully opened can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the valve is fully opened, that is, when the valve is fully open (open) at the fully open position in the intake passage (valve opened) The valve is disposed in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of the intake air flowing through the intake passage of the housing (so-called the axial direction of the intake passage).
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the groove width of the valve is gradually narrowed toward the downstream side in the axial direction of the intake passage when the valve is fully opened. As a result, water droplets adhering to the surface of the valve are collected in the groove of the valve, so that it is easy to drain the combustion chamber side of the internal combustion engine.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the valve is fully opened, that is, when the opening of the valve is fully opened (open) at the fully opened position in the intake passage (valve The valve is arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity of the intake passage of the housing.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the valve storage space for storing the valve when the valve is fully opened is formed on the lower side in the gravity direction of the intake passage of the housing.
Here, a valve storage space is provided in the intake passage of the housing, and the rotary shaft of the cantilevered valve is rotatably supported inside the valve storage space to further reduce the intake resistance when the valve is fully opened. Can be made.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the housing, the axial direction of the intake passage is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction of the intake passage and a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the valve. Are arranged as follows.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the housing has a groove extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the valve on the lower surface in the gravity direction of the intake passage. Note that the extending direction (groove length direction) of the groove of the housing is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the valve and is perpendicular to the gravity direction of the intake passage when the valve is fully closed. Set to a horizontal direction or a direction parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of the intake air flowing through the intake passage when the valve is fully closed (the so-called axial direction of the intake passage). Also good.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the intake introduction duct having the intake introduction passage is provided on the upstream side in the intake flow direction from the intake passage of the housing. The intake air introduction duct accommodates (stores) a valve unit including a housing and a valve.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the valve storage space for storing the valve when the valve is fully opened is formed on the lower side in the gravity direction of the intake passage of the housing. The air intake duct is provided with a step surface between the lower surface in the gravity direction of the valve storage space and the lower surface in the gravity direction of the intake air introduction passage.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the intake guide duct is provided with the plate-like intake guide that protrudes from the uppermost portion of the step surface in the direction of gravity toward the valve storage space. The intake guide has a groove extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the valve on the lower surface in the gravity direction of the intake introduction passage.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention is to prevent problems such as icing of the valve, and to reliably prevent the valve from being frozen or inoperable (or malfunctioning) due to icing of the valve. This is achieved by forming a groove on the surface of the valve so that water droplets adhering to the surface of the valve do not enter between the housing and the sliding portion of the valve.

[Configuration of Example 1]
1 (a), 1 (b), 2 (a) and 2 (b) show Example 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (a) shows a valve unit (cartridge). 1 (b) is a diagram showing an intake control device for an internal combustion engine.

An internal combustion engine control apparatus (engine control system) according to the present embodiment generates an intake vortex for accelerating combustion of an air-fuel mixture in each cylinder (cylinder) of an internal combustion engine (for example, a four-cylinder gasoline engine: hereinafter referred to as an engine). The present invention is used as an intake control device for an internal combustion engine including an intake vortex generator (intake module) that can be generated.
Here, the engine generates an output by heat energy obtained by combusting an air-fuel mixture of intake air and fuel in a combustion chamber, and includes an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion (combustion) stroke, and an exhaust stroke. A 4-cycle engine that repeats a stroke (stroke) as a cycle is adopted. This engine is mounted in an engine room of a vehicle such as an automobile. The engine includes an intake pipe for introducing intake air into the combustion chamber of the engine and an exhaust pipe for exhausting exhaust gas from the combustion chamber of the engine.

The engine body is composed of a cylinder head 1 and a cylinder block. An intake port (intake port) 2 formed on one side of the cylinder head 1 of the engine is opened and closed by a poppet-type intake valve (intake valve). An exhaust port (exhaust port) formed on the other side of the cylinder head 1 is opened and closed by a poppet type exhaust valve (exhaust valve).
Further, a spark plug is attached to the cylinder head 1 of the engine so that the tip end portion is exposed in the combustion chamber of each cylinder. The cylinder head 1 is provided with an injector (electromagnetic fuel injection valve) for injecting fuel into the intake port 2 at an optimal timing.

A piston coupled to the crankshaft via a connecting rod is supported in a cylinder bore formed in the cylinder block of the engine so as to be slidable in the central axis direction of the cylinder bore.
At least a part (upstream end portion) of the cylinder head 1 has a direction parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of the intake air flowing through the intake port 2, that is, the so-called axial direction of the intake port 2 is the intake port. Are arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravity direction of 2 and in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of the rotation axis of the intake flow control valve 5.
Note that, at the opening end on the upstream side of the intake port 2, the slope gradually increases from the opening end edge located on the same plane as the lower surface of the second intake passage 12 in the direction of gravity toward the downstream side of the intake port 2. A guide surface 13 is provided.

The intake pipe of the engine is a casing (intake duct) that forms an intake passage for supplying intake air (intake air) into the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine. The intake pipe has an air cleaner case, an intake pipe, a throttle body, a surge tank, an intake manifold 3, and the like. A butterfly-type throttle valve is installed in the middle of the intake pipe, that is, inside the throttle body so as to be freely opened and closed. An engine cylinder head 1 is airtightly coupled to the downstream end of the intake manifold 3.
The exhaust pipe of the engine is a casing (exhaust duct) that forms an exhaust passage for discharging exhaust gas flowing out from the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine to the outside via the exhaust purification device. The exhaust pipe has an exhaust manifold, an exhaust pipe, and the like.

  The intake control device (intake vortex generator) of the internal combustion engine of the present embodiment includes an intake manifold 3 that is airtightly connected to the downstream side in the intake flow direction with respect to the throttle body of the intake pipe of the engine, and the inside of the intake manifold 3 An intake control valve (intake flow control valve, tumble flow control) for generating a vertical intake vortex flow (tumble flow) in intake air flowing through an intake passage of an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as first and second intake passages 11 and 12) A valve (hereinafter referred to as TCV), an actuator having an electric motor for driving a shaft (pin rod) 7 press-fitted to the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 which is a valve body of the TCV, and a valve opening of the TCV. Engine control unit for controlling the degree of combustion in association with each system such as an ignition device, a fuel injection device, and an intake passage opening / closing device (throttle control device for an internal combustion engine) And a hereinafter referred to as ECU) and.

Here, the throttle control device for an internal combustion engine is a system that controls the flow rate of intake air supplied to the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine according to the throttle opening corresponding to the valve opening of the throttle valve.
This throttle control device includes a throttle body installed in the middle of an intake pipe of an engine, and an intake air flow rate (intake air) accommodated in the cylinder body (throttle bore wall) inside the throttle body (throttle bore) so as to be opened and closed. A throttle valve that is a quantity control valve, a rotary shaft (shaft) that supports and fixes the throttle valve, and an actuator that has an electric motor that drives the throttle valve via the shaft.
Here, the electric motor that drives the throttle valve is configured to be energized and controlled by the ECU.

  The intake manifold 3 of this embodiment is an intake manifold that distributes the intake air that has flowed into the intake ports 2 for the number of cylinders provided in the cylinder head 1 of the engine, and is integrally formed of a resin material. Has been. The intake manifold 3 constitutes a common intake duct for TCVs installed corresponding to each cylinder of the engine, and has a plurality of polygonal cylinder portions 8 and 9 (see FIG. 7). . Each polygonal cylinder part 8 and 9 comprises the polygonal cylinder part (1st cylinder part of an air intake introduction duct) of the outer side of the intake manifold 3 of a double pipe structure.

A fitting hole 10 having a square cross section (or a rectangular cross section) is formed in each polygonal cylinder portion 8 of the intake manifold 3. Each fitting hole 10 is a valve unit storage portion (valve unit storage space) for storing (accommodating and holding) a plurality of valve units (cartridges).
In addition, in each polygonal tube portion 9 of the intake manifold 3, that is, on the upstream side of each fitting hole 10 in the intake flow direction, a first intake passage (a rectangular cross-section) of the first intake passage (intake intake duct). An intake intake passage) 11 is formed. Each first intake passage 11 is connected to each intake port 2 for each cylinder of the engine independently of each other via each second intake passage 12.
Here, the opening cross-sectional area of the polygonal cylinder part 8 on the intake port side of the engine is larger than the opening cross-sectional area of the polygonal cylinder part 9 on the throttle body side of the intake pipe. That is, the opening sectional area of the fitting hole 10 is larger than the passage sectional area of the first intake passage 11.

At least a part of the intake manifold 3 (the plurality of polygonal cylinder portions 8 and 9) is parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of the intake air flowing through the first intake passage 11, that is, a so-called first intake passage. 11 is arranged so that the axial direction of the first horizontal passage 11 is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity of the first intake passage 11 and substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5.
Further, the intake manifold 3 is disposed between the upper surface in the gravity direction of the polygonal cylinder portion 8 (the ceiling surface of the polygonal cylinder portion 8) and the upper surface in the gravity direction of the polygonal cylinder portion 9 (the ceiling surface of the polygonal cylinder portion 9). The manifold 3 has a step surface 14 on the upper side in the direction of gravity. Further, the intake manifold 3 is disposed between the lower surface in the gravity direction of the polygonal cylinder portion 8 (the bottom surface of the polygonal cylinder portion 8) and the lower surface in the gravity direction of the polygonal cylinder portion 9 (the bottom surface of the polygonal cylinder portion 9). Has a step surface 15 on the lower side in the direction of gravity.

The intake manifold 3 is an average of the intake air flowing through the first and second intake passages 11 and 12 from the uppermost portion of the lower step surface 15 in the direction of gravity toward the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5. It has a flat plate-like intake guide 16 extending in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the flow (so-called axial direction of the first and second intake passages 11 and 12).
The intake guide 16 is installed so as to close a gap formed between the step surface 15 of the intake manifold 3 and the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5. 4 has a function of suppressing the inflow of intake air to the bottom surface of 4 and the stagnation (stagnation) of the intake air.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the TCV of this embodiment includes a plurality of housings 4 respectively housed in the fitting holes 10 of the intake manifold 3, and the interiors of these housings 4 ( And a plurality of intake flow control valves 5 accommodated in the second intake passage 12) so as to be freely opened and closed. The housing 4 and the intake flow control valve 5 constitute a valve unit (cartridge) that is housed and held in each fitting hole 10 of the intake manifold 3.
The housing 4 is a polygonal cylindrical body that accommodates the intake flow control valve 5 in an openable and closable manner, and is integrally formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin material. Inside the housing 4, a second intake passage 12 (intake passage of the housing 4) 12 having a square cross section (or a rectangular cross section) is formed. Each second intake passage 12 is independently connected to the intake port 2 for each cylinder of the engine.

In the housing 4, the direction parallel to the axial direction of the average flow of the intake air flowing through the second intake passage 12, that is, the axial direction of the so-called second intake passage 12 is in the direction of gravity of the second intake passage 12. They are arranged in a vertical horizontal direction and in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5.
The housing 4 has an upper surface (ceiling surface) and a lower surface (bottom surface) at the upper and lower portions in the gravity direction of the second intake passage 12, and a horizontal direction orthogonal to the gravity direction of the second intake passage 12 ( Both sides are provided on both sides in the direction of the rotation axis perpendicular to the intake flow direction.

When the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened, the housing 4 is disposed on the lower side of the second intake passage 12 in the direction of gravity, that is, on the lower side of the second intake passage 12 in the direction of gravity (the lower side of the second intake passage 12). A valve storage space 17 is provided for storing (storing) the intake flow control valve 5 so that the intake flow control valve 5 does not protrude into the main passage of the second intake passage 12.
Here, the main passage of the second intake passage 12 refers to the flat surface (valve surface) of the intake guide 16 of the intake manifold 3 and the two front and back surfaces of the intake flow control valve 5, and the upper wall portion of the housing 4. The main passage has the same opening area as the first intake passage 11, that is, a space formed above the valve storage space 17 in the gravity direction of the second intake passage 12. Have.

Two valve bearing portions 19 that face each other with the second intake passage 12 therebetween are provided on both side walls of the valve storage space 17. Two support holes 20 are respectively formed in the valve bearing portions 19. Two bearing members (for example, cylindrical bearings) 21 are fitted and held on the inner periphery of these support holes 20 (see FIG. 6).
That is, the valve bearing portion 19 of the housing 4 supports both end portions (two valve sliding surfaces) 22 in the rotation axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 through two bearings 21 so as to be slidable in the rotation direction. ing. Note that these bearings 21 may be omitted.

The housing 4 is elastically supported inside each fitting hole 10 of the intake manifold 3 via two gaskets 23.
Here, the two valve bearing portions 19 and the two support holes 20 are disposed so as to be offset from the central axis of the second intake passage 12 to the lower surface side in the gravity direction of the housing 4. Further, the two valve bearing portions 19 and the two support holes 20 are arranged so as to be offset from the central portion of the second intake passage 12 in the intake flow direction to the upstream side of the second intake passage 12 in the intake flow direction. Yes.
That is, the two valve bearing portions 19 and the two support holes 20 are arranged near the opening end on the upstream side of the housing 4 and close to the lower surface of the housing 4 in the gravity direction.

A V-shaped water collecting groove 24 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 is formed on the lower surface in the gravity direction of the housing 4 (the lower surface of the housing 4). The water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 is provided by digging a part (center portion) of the lower surface (bottom surface) of the housing 4 in the thickness direction of the lower wall portion of the housing 4. The central portion of the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 (the deepest portion of the water collecting groove 24) extends from the upstream opening end to the downstream opening end of the housing 4 in the axial direction (intake air flow direction). ) Straightly along. The water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 gradually increases in height from the center of the water collecting groove 24 (the deepest part of the water collecting groove 24) toward both sides of the water collecting groove 24 in the groove width direction. Is provided.
Further, in this embodiment, the extension direction (groove length direction) of the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 and the second intake passage 12 The direction is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the axial direction of the second intake passage 12.

  The plurality of intake flow control valves 5 have a rotation center axis in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction (intake flow direction) of each housing 4, and are coupled to one pin rod 7 so as to be skewered. Type valve. The plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are configured such that the flow rate of the intake air flowing through the second intake passages 12 is minimized from the fully open position where the flow rate of the intake air flowing through the second intake passages 12 is maximum. The second intake passage 12 for each of the plurality of housings 4 is opened and closed by changing the rotation angle (valve opening) in the valve operation range (valve opening / closing range) up to the fully closed position.

Each intake flow control valve 5 is integrally formed of, for example, a thermoplastic resin material, and has a rectangular plate (or rectangular plate) valve body.
The plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are fully closed when the plate-shaped valve body is fully closed, that is, when the valve body opening degree (valve opening degree) is fully closed (closed). When the opening is in the open state (when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully closed), the rotary shaft 6 is on one side of the valve surface direction perpendicular to the plate thickness direction of the intake flow control valve 5 (of the second intake passage 12). It is arranged at a position biased downward in the direction of gravity (downward in the figure). In other words, the intake flow control valve 5 is a cantilever type in which the rotation shaft 6 that forms the rotation center on the opposite side to the free end side is shifted to one end side (lower side in the drawing) from the center of the intake flow control valve 5. An intake flow control valve is configured.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened when the plate-shaped valve body is fully opened, that is, when the opening of the valve body (valve opening) is fully open (valve open). ) When the fully open position is set (when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened), the rotational axis of the intake flow control valve 5 is placed on the upper surface in the gravity direction of the intake flow control valve 5 (the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5). V-shaped guide groove (water collection) extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction (the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 (intake flow direction), the horizontal direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity of the second intake passage 12) Grooves (drain grooves) 25 are formed.

The guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 is provided by digging a part (central part) of the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5 in the plate thickness direction of the intake flow control valve 5. Further, the central portion of the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 (the deepest portion of the guide groove 25) is located at the free end of the intake flow control valve 5 from the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. It extends straight so as to extend along the tangential direction of the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 (the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 (intake flow direction)) up to the front end portion on the side. The guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 gradually increases in height from the center part of the guide groove 25 (the deepest part of the guide groove 25) toward both sides of the guide groove 25 in the groove width direction. Is provided.
Further, in this embodiment, the extension direction (groove length direction) of the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 and the intake flow control valve 5 is set in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction of the second intake passage 12 when fully opened, and in the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened.

Further, on both sides of the guide groove 25 in the groove width direction (rotational axis direction), when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened, the groove bottom surface of the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 and the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 are provided. Two guide ribs 27 having an uppermost surface (valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5) on the upper side in the gravity direction of the intake flow control valve 5 than the two valve sliding surfaces 22 are provided. These guide ribs 27 are provided so as to rise higher in the plate thickness direction of the intake flow control valve 5 than the groove bottom surface of the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5.
Similarly to the deepest portion of the guide groove 25, the two guide ribs 27 reach from the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 to the free end of the intake flow control valve 5 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. Until the rotation axis 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 extends straight along the tangential direction (the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 (intake flow direction)).

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the intake flow control valve 5 has a rotating shaft 6 on the lower surface in the gravity direction of the intake flow control valve 5 (the back surface of the intake flow control valve 5) when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 29 are formed so that the height gradually decreases from the free end side toward the free end side (front end side) of the intake flow control valve 5. These reinforcing ribs 29 may not be provided.
Here, the rotation shaft 6 of each intake flow control valve 5 is rotatably accommodated inside each housing 4. The rotating shaft 6 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the periphery of the pin rod 7 in the circumferential direction.
Then, both ends of each intake flow control valve 5 in the rotation axis direction (both ends in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 6) are rotatable to the inner periphery of the valve bearing portion 19 of the housing 4 via two bearings 21. Two valve sliding surfaces 22 are provided which are supported by the motor.

Further, the rotation shaft 6 of each intake flow control valve 5 is disposed so as to be offset toward the lower surface side of the housing 4 with respect to the central axis of each second intake passage 12, and in the intake flow direction of each second intake passage 12. It arrange | positions so that it may offset from the center part to the upstream of the intake flow direction of each 2nd intake passage 12. As shown in FIG. That is, the rotation shaft 6 of each intake flow control valve 5 is disposed near the upstream opening end of each housing 4 and close to the lower surface of each housing 4. For this reason, when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened, the back surface of the intake flow control valve 5 is the bottom surface of the housing 4 (the bottom surface of the groove in the gravity direction of the water collecting groove 24 and the bottom wall portion of the housing 4). (The bottom surface of the water collecting groove 24 on the center line) with a necessary minimum gap therebetween.
In addition, the rotation shaft 6 of each intake flow control valve 5 is formed with a polygonal hole (through hole) 31 through which the pin rod 7 penetrates in the rotation axis direction (center axis direction). Each polygonal hole 31 formed for each of the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 has a polygonal hole shape (square hole shape) corresponding to the cross-sectional shape (square shape) of the pin rod 7, that is, the valve holding portion of the pin rod 7. The hole shape is substantially the same as the cross-sectional shape, and relative rotation between the intake flow control valve 5 and the pin rod 7 is restricted.

Here, the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are fully closed using the driving force of an actuator such as an electric motor when the engine is cold or when the intake amount may be small. That is, control is performed so that the valve opening of the intake flow control valve 5 is in a fully closed position (fully closed position).
Further, the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are fully opened using the driving force of an actuator such as an electric motor in the middle / high speed rotation region of the engine. That is, the valve opening degree of the intake flow control valve 5 is controlled so as to be in the fully opened position (fully opened position).

Here, the pin rod 7 of the present embodiment is a polygonal section shaft (square steel shaft) whose section perpendicular to the rotation axis direction is formed in a polygonal shape (for example, a quadrangular shape) by, for example, an iron-based metal material. The pin rod 7 is inserted into each polygonal hole 31 formed for each of the plurality of intake flow control valves 5.
The pin rod 7 is a single drive shaft that connects all the intake flow control valves 5 so as to be interlocked with each other by connecting the rotary shafts 6 of the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 in a skewed state. The pin rod 7 is a polygonal section shaft that extends straight in the direction of the rotation axis, and is press-fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of each rotation shaft 6 provided for each of the plurality of intake flow control valves 5.

Even if the pin rod 7 having a polygonal cross section is directly supported by the support holes 20 of the two valve bearing portions 19 of the housing 4, the pin rod 7 cannot be smoothly rotated. For this reason, the pin rod 7 of the present embodiment is covered with each rotary shaft 6, and the outer peripheral side is rotatably supported on the inner peripheral surfaces of the two bearings 21 via the rotary shaft 6.
Here, the two bearings 21 are press-fitted and fixed to the inner circumferences of the respective support holes 20 of the two valve bearing portions 19 of the housing 4, and the valves of the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 are arranged on the inner circumferences of the respective bearings 21. Between the sliding surface 22, it has a sliding surface that constitutes a sliding portion of the valve unit. If the bearing 21 is not provided, the inner periphery of each support hole 20 of the two valve bearing portions 19 of the housing 4 is between the valve sliding surface 22 of the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 and A sliding surface constituting the sliding portion of the valve unit is formed.

Here, the electric motor that drives the intake flow control valve 5 via the pin rod 7 is configured to be energized and controlled by the ECU. The ECU includes a CPU for performing control processing and arithmetic processing, a storage device (memory such as ROM and RAM) for storing a control program or control logic and various data, an input circuit (input unit), an output circuit (output unit), A microcomputer having a known structure configured to include functions such as a power supply circuit and a timer is provided.
Further, when the ignition switch is turned on (IG / ON), the ECU controls energization of the electric motor of the intake vortex generator and the electric motor of the throttle controller based on the control program or control logic stored in the memory. In addition, an ignition device (ignition coil, spark plug, etc.) and a fuel injection device (electric fuel pump, injector, etc.) are driven. Thus, during the operation of the engine, the valve opening of the TCV, the intake air amount, the fuel injection amount, and the like are controlled so as to become control command values (control target values), respectively.
Further, when the ignition switch is turned off (IG / OFF), the ECU forcibly ends the engine control including the ignition control and the fuel injection control based on the control program or the control logic stored in the memory. It is configured to be. When the engine is stopped or after the engine is stopped, the power supply to the electric motor is cut off, and the valve opening of the TCV is opened at the fully opened position by the biasing force of the return spring (the state of the fully opened opening). ).

[Operation of Example 1]
Next, the operation of the intake control device (intake vortex generator) for the internal combustion engine of the present embodiment will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  When the ignition switch is turned on (IG / ON), the ECU controls energization of the electric motor of the throttle control device, as well as an ignition device (ignition coil, spark plug, etc.) and a fuel injection device (electric fuel pump, injector, etc.) Drive. As a result, the engine is operated. At this time, when the specific cylinder of the engine moves from the exhaust stroke to the intake stroke where the intake valve opens and the piston descends, the negative pressure (pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure) in the combustion chamber of the cylinder is reduced as the piston descends. The air-fuel mixture is sucked into the combustion chamber from the intake port 2 which is enlarged and opened.

Further, the ECU controls the power supplied to the electric motor (for example, energizes the electric motor) when the engine is warm and the intake air flow rate (intake amount) is large, that is, during normal operation of the engine. At this time, since the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 and the pin rod 7 are driven in the valve opening operation direction using the driving force of the electric motor, the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are opened. That is, the valve opening of the TCV is controlled so as to be in a state where the valve is opened at the fully opened position (a state of the fully opened opening).
In this case, the intake air flow that has flowed from the plurality of first intake passages 11 of the intake manifold 3 of the engine into the respective second intake passages 12 formed for each of the plurality of housings 4 through the inlet portions of the respective housings 4 of the TCV, The gas passes through the plurality of second intake passages 12 and is introduced into the intake port 2 provided in the cylinder head 1 of the engine from the outlets of the plurality of housings 4. The intake air flow that has passed through the intake port 2 is supplied from the intake valve port of the intake port 2 into the combustion chamber. At this time, no vertical intake vortex flow (tumble flow) is generated in the combustion chamber.

On the other hand, the ECU controls the power supplied to the electric motor (for example, energizes the electric motor) when the engine is cold and the flow rate (intake amount) of the intake air may be small, that is, when the engine is started or idling. To do. At this time, since the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 and the pin rod 7 are driven in the valve closing operation direction using the driving force of the electric motor, the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are closed. That is, the valve opening of the TCV is controlled so as to be in a closed state at the fully closed position (a state of the fully closed opening).
In this case, the intake air flow that flows into the plurality of second intake passages 12 from the plurality of first intake passages 11 of the intake manifold 3 of the engine through the inlet portions of the plurality of housings 4 is almost the upper end edge of the intake flow control valve 5. Through the gap between the upper portion of the housing 4 and the upper wall portion of the housing 4, is introduced into the upper layer portion of each intake port 2 from the outlet portions of the plurality of housings 4, and flows along the top wall of the upper layer portion of the intake port 2. . The intake flow flowing along the top wall of the upper layer portion of the intake port 2 is supplied from the intake valve port of the intake port 2 into the combustion chamber. At this time, since a tumble flow is generated in the combustion chamber for each cylinder of the engine, the combustion efficiency in the combustion chamber at the time of engine start or idling operation is improved, and fuel consumption and emission (for example, HC reduction effect) are improved. The

[Effect of Example 1]
As described above, in the intake control device (intake vortex generator) for the internal combustion engine of the present embodiment, the rotary shaft 6 is cantilevered as one end side of the center of the plate-like valve body as a TCV valve. The intake air flow control valve 5 is used.
The intake flow control valve 5 is arranged so that the valve surface (flat flat surface) is along the intake flow direction when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened, and the intake resistance when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. Is stored in the valve housing space 17 of the housing 4 so that the intake flow control valve 5 does not protrude into the main passage of the second intake passage 12 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened.
For this reason, the moisture contained in the intake air and the outside of the intake pipe enter the lower surface of the valve housing space 17 of the housing 4 in the gravity direction (the bottom surface of the housing 4) while the vehicle such as an automobile is traveling or stopped. Water may accumulate.

Here, as moisture entering from the outside of the intake pipe, water exposure such as when a vehicle such as an automobile is washed, water exposure when the vehicle passes through rainwater or a puddle in rainy weather, and the like can be considered.
Alternatively, a blow-by gas reduction device (PCV device) that does not release the gas (blow-by gas) that blows through the gap between the cylinder and the piston of the engine into the atmosphere through the intake manifold 3 and re-combusts it. ) Is attached, a large amount of moisture is contained in the blow-by gas, so that moisture contained in the blow-by gas may enter the inside of the TCV.

Alternatively, when an exhaust gas recirculation device (EGR device) that recirculates part of the exhaust gas flowing out from the combustion chamber of the engine to the intake passage of the intake pipe is attached, the exhaust gas contains a large amount of moisture. Therefore, moisture contained in the exhaust gas may enter the inside of the TCV. In addition, moisture condensed in the intake pipe upstream of the TCV may enter the TCV.
In addition, on the left and right side walls of each housing 4 of the TCV, the valve sliding surface 22 of the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 is interposed via two bearings 21 so as to face each other with the valve storage space 17 therebetween. Are provided with two valve bearing portions 19 that rotatably support the shaft. For this reason, water drops staying in the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 can also enter the annular gap (sliding portion of the valve unit) between the rotating shaft 6 and the bearing 21, and water can accumulate in the annular gap. There is sex.

Therefore, in the intake vortex generator of the present embodiment, water drops on the lower surface of the housing 4 are formed on the lower surface of the second intake passage 12 of the housing 4 in the direction of gravity. A V-shaped water collecting groove 24 is formed so as not to enter the sliding portion of the valve unit.
Further, water droplets on the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5 are prevented from dropping on the lower surface of the housing 4 on the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5, and the water droplets on the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5 are rotated. A V-shaped guide groove 25 is formed so as not to enter the annular gap (sliding portion of the valve unit) between the bearing 6 and the bearing 21.

  Here, the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 and the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5, that is, in the rotation axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5. Both ends (two valve sliding surfaces 22) extend in a different direction. Therefore, the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 and the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 are configured so that water droplets adhering to the lower surface of the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 and the valve of the intake flow control valve 5 It functions as an intrusion prevention groove for preventing entry into the annular gap between the bearing 21 and the bearing 21. Further, the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 and the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 collect water droplets adhering on the lower surface of the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 and on the valve of the intake flow control valve 5 to burn the engine. It functions as a water collecting ditch for draining to the room side.

  Further, on both sides of the guide groove 25 in the groove width direction, water droplets on the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5 are prevented from dropping on the lower surface of the housing 4, and water droplets on the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5 are formed. Two guide ribs 27 raised above the groove bottom surface of the guide groove 25 are provided so as not to enter the annular gap (sliding portion of the valve unit) between the rotary shaft 6 and the bearing 21. As a result, water droplets that have entered the guide groove 25 of the intake flow control valve 5 from the guide surface of the intake guide 16 of the intake manifold 3 are blocked by the two guide ribs 27 provided on both sides of the guide groove 25 in the groove width direction. It is blocked, and entry into the valve sliding surfaces 22 on both sides of the intake flow control valve 5 in the rotation axis direction is prevented. Further, the ingress of water droplets on the lower surface (the bottom surface of the housing 4) in the gravity direction of the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 is suppressed.

Then, water droplets flowing on the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5 from the bottom surface of the polygonal cylinder portion 9 of the intake manifold 3, that is, the guide surface of the intake guide 16, or moisture adhering to the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5, In particular, water droplets temporarily retained in the guide groove 25 are caused by the intake negative pressure (engine intake negative pressure) generated when the piston is lowered and the intake valve is opened during engine operation. Inhaled.
Also, water droplets that flow into the lower surface of the housing 4 or water adhering to the lower surface of the housing 4, particularly water droplets that temporarily stay in the water collecting groove 24, are sucked into the combustion chamber side of the engine by the negative suction pressure of the engine. It is taken out from the lower surface of the housing 4 through the guide surface 13 of the intake port 2 to the combustion chamber side of the engine.

As a result, water adhering or staying in the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5, the periphery of the intake flow control valve 5, and the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 can be removed using the intake negative pressure of the engine.
Accordingly, water is removed from the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5, the vicinity of the intake flow control valve 5, and the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 during the operation of the engine. In addition, there is no water in the valve surface of the intake flow control valve 5, the periphery of the intake flow control valve 5, and the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4.

  As a result, water that has entered the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 freezes, an ice block is formed between the housing 4 and the intake flow control valve 5, and the intake flow control valve 5 freezes. Problems can be prevented. Further, water that has entered the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4 enters the annular gap (sliding portion of the valve unit) between the rotating shaft 6 and the bearing 21, where the water freezes and the housing 4 (or bearing). 21) and the valve sliding surface 22 of the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 can prevent problems such as formation of ice blocks and freezing of the intake flow control valve 5.

  Therefore, the intake resistance when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened is reduced, and the intake flow control valve 5 is caused by icing of the intake flow control valve 5 after the engine is stopped or at the next cold start of the engine. Therefore, the reliability of the intake flow control valve 5 with respect to the anti-icing effect (the anti-freezing effect) becomes very high. Further, even when the intake manifold 3 or the housing 4 is formed of a resin material that is inferior in thermal conductivity as compared to a metal material, it is possible to effectively take measures against icing of the intake flow control valve 5, so that TCV can be reduced. The provided intake module is lightweight and low in cost.

  FIGS. 2 (c) and 2 (d) show a second embodiment of the present invention and show an intake flow control valve.

In the intake flow control valve 5 of the present embodiment, two guide grooves 41 and 42 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 are formed on the surface (valve surface) of the plate-like valve body. Is formed. The two guide grooves 41 and 42 rotate the intake flow control valve 5 from the rotating shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 to the free end of the intake flow control valve 5 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. The shaft 6 extends straight along the tangential direction of the shaft 6 (the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 (intake flow direction)).
A thick portion 32 having the same height as the two guide ribs 27 is formed between the two guide grooves 41 and 42.

  FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3A to 3C show an intake flow control valve.

In the intake flow control valve 5 of the present embodiment, one guide groove 43, 44 extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 is formed on the surface (valve surface) of the plate-like valve body. Is formed. One guide groove 43, 44 rotates the intake flow control valve 5 from the rotation shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 to the free end of the intake flow control valve 5 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. The shaft 6 extends straight along the tangential direction of the shaft 6 (the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 (intake flow direction)).
Here, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the guide groove 43 of the intake flow control valve 5 has a bottom surface curved in an arc shape. That is, the guide groove 43 of the intake flow control valve 5 is provided so as to gradually increase in height from the center part of the guide groove 43 (the deepest part of the guide groove 43) toward both sides in the groove width direction. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 3C, the guide groove 44 of the intake flow control valve 5 has a flat groove shape, and is formed on both sides in the groove width direction (rotational axis direction), that is, the guide groove 44. Between the bottom surface and the guide rib 27, a step surface 45 perpendicular to the bottom surface direction is provided.

  FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show an intake flow control valve.

  The guide groove 46 of the intake flow control valve 5 of the present embodiment has a groove width located on the downstream side of the rotating shaft 6 when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened, so that the second intake passage 12 is fully opened when the intake flow control valve 5 is fully opened. It gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the axial direction. As a result, water droplets adhering to the surface of the intake flow control valve 5 are changed from the wide portion of the guide groove 46 of the intake flow control valve 5 near the rotating shaft 6 to the narrow portion of the guide groove 46 of the intake flow control valve 5. Since it collects at the (downstream end), it becomes easy to drain into the combustion chamber side of the engine using the negative suction pressure of the engine.

  FIGS. 5 and 6 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing an intake manifold, and FIG. 6 is a view showing a valve unit (cartridge). .

  The intake manifold 3 of this embodiment is a guide for a flat plate-like intake guide 16 that protrudes from the uppermost portion of the step surface 15 in the direction of gravity toward the valve storage space 17 of the housing 4, particularly toward the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5. A direction (the axial direction of the second intake passage 12 (intake flow direction)) that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 on the surface (the lower surface in the gravity direction of the first and second intake passages 11 and 12) A V-shaped guide groove (water collecting groove, drainage groove) 47 extending in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity of the second intake passage 12 is formed.

The guide groove 47 of the intake guide 16 is provided by digging down a part (central portion) of the guide surface of the intake guide 16 in the plate thickness direction of the intake guide 16. The central portion of the guide groove 47 of the intake guide 16 (the deepest portion of the guide groove 47) extends straight along the axial direction (intake flow direction) of the first and second intake passages 11 and 12. The guide groove 47 of the intake guide 16 is provided so as to gradually increase in height from the center part of the guide groove 47 (the deepest part of the guide groove 47) toward both sides in the groove width direction.
Further, in this embodiment, the extending direction (groove length direction) of the guide groove 47 of the intake guide 16 is a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis direction of the intake flow control valve 5 and the second intake passage 12 The direction is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the axial direction of the second intake passage 12.

Here, in the guide groove 47 of the intake guide 16, like the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4, water drops that have flowed onto the guide surface of the intake guide 16 enter the annular gap between the rotating shaft 6 and the bearing 21. In addition to functioning as an intrusion prevention groove for avoiding this, it also functions as a water collection groove for collecting water droplets flowing on the guide surface of the intake guide 16 and draining them to the combustion chamber side of the engine.
The water droplets that flow into the guide groove 47 on the guide surface of the intake guide 16, especially the water droplets that temporarily stay in the guide groove 47, are accompanied by the lowering of the piston and the opening of the intake valve during engine operation. The generated intake negative pressure (engine intake negative pressure) is sucked into the combustion chamber side of the engine through the guide groove (not shown) of the intake flow control valve 5 and the intake port 2.

Here, as shown in the comparative example of FIG. 7, the intake vortex generator of the present embodiment includes a plurality of intake flow control valves 5 arranged for each of a plurality of valve units inside the intake manifold 3. This is a multiple-integrated type valve opening / closing device arranged in parallel at regular intervals in the rotation axis direction (rotation center axis direction) of the pin rod 7.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the plurality of intake flow control valves 5 are formed by cutting out a part (center portion) of the upper edge of the plate-like valve body, that is, the valve upper end surface on the free end side. A rectangular main opening (notch, slit) 51 for generating a tumble flow in the combustion chamber of the engine is formed. The main opening 51 may not be provided.
Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the sub-opening having a smaller opening area than the main opening 51 is obtained by cutting out part of both side surfaces of the plate-like valve body of the intake flow control valve 5. Four portions (notches, slits) 52 are formed. Note that these sub-openings 52 may not be provided.
Further, the water collecting groove 24 of the housing 4 may not be provided. Further, the intake guide 16 may be integrally formed in the vicinity of the opening end on the upstream side of the housing 4.

[Modification]
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an intake control device for an internal combustion engine equipped with an intake vortex generator, but the present invention is applied to the amount of intake air taken into the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the internal combustion engine. The present invention may be applied to an intake air amount control device (throttle control device) for an internal combustion engine to be controlled, and a variable intake air control device for an internal combustion engine provided with an intake variable valve for changing the passage length and passage cross-sectional area of the intake passage.

  In this embodiment, the intake vortex generator is configured so as to be able to generate a vertical intake vortex (tumble flow) for promoting combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine. The intake vortex generator may be configured to be able to generate a lateral intake vortex (swirl) for promoting combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of each cylinder of the engine. Further, the intake vortex generator may be configured to be able to generate a squish vortex for promoting engine combustion.

  In this embodiment, the valve drive device (actuator) for driving the rotary shaft 6 of the intake flow control valve 5 to open or close is constituted by an electric actuator provided with an electric motor and a power transmission mechanism. Actuator that opens or closes the shaft is driven by a negative pressure actuator with an electromagnetic or electric negative pressure control valve, or an electromagnetic actuator with an electromagnet such as a coil and a moving core (or armature). It may be configured.

  In addition, as an intake control valve that has a valve installed in an intake passage formed inside the intake introduction duct and controls intake air (intake) sucked into the combustion chamber of the engine, instead of the TCV of this embodiment, An intake flow control valve having a throttle valve installed in an intake passage formed inside the throttle body and controlling an intake air amount (intake amount) sucked into the combustion chamber of the engine, an intake passage formed inside the housing An intake flow rate control valve that has an installed idle rotation speed control valve and controls an intake air amount (intake amount) that bypasses the throttle valve may be used.

  In addition, as an intake control valve having a valve, an intake passage opening / closing valve, an intake passage switching valve, and an intake pressure control valve may be used instead of an intake flow control valve such as TCV or an intake flow control valve. Further, the intake control valve of the present invention may be applied to an intake flow control valve such as a tumble flow control valve or a swirl flow control valve, an intake variable valve that changes the passage length or passage cross-sectional area of the intake passage, and the like. A diesel engine may be used as the engine. Further, as the engine, not only a multi-cylinder engine but also a single-cylinder engine may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, a valve unit in which one intake flow control valve 5 is incorporated in one housing 4 so as to be freely opened and closed, and the rotation direction of the pin rod 7 in the intake manifold 3 serving as an intake introduction duct is provided. A multiple integrated valve opening and closing device is used, which is arranged at regular intervals. However, it is arranged at regular intervals in the direction of the shaft rotation axis inside the intake duct (other engine intake pipe or engine head cover or cylinder head). A multiple integrated valve opening / closing device in which a plurality of valves are directly arranged may be employed. In this case, the housing 4 can be eliminated.
In addition, the valve is not limited to a multiple-integrated intake flow control valve, and can be either a single cantilever valve or a single double-end valve as long as the valve is installed in the intake passage. good.

Further, the intake flow control valve 5 may be incorporated in the intake pipe other than the intake manifold 3 or in the intake port 2 of the cylinder head 1 of the engine.
In this embodiment, the front shape of the intake flow control valve 5 is a square shape or a rectangular shape, but the front shape of the intake flow control valve 5 may be a circular shape, an elliptical shape, an oval shape, or a polygonal shape. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the intake passage in the housing (cylinder portion) of the intake introduction duct is changed in accordance with the front shape of the intake flow control valve 5.

(A) is the front view which showed the valve unit (cartridge), (b) is the schematic which showed the intake control device of the internal combustion engine (Example 1). (A), (b) is the front view and side view which showed the intake flow control valve, (c), (d) is the front view and side view which showed the intake flow control valve (Example 1, 2) ). (A)-(c) is the front view which showed the intake flow control valve, the side view, and the front view (Example 3). (A), (b) is the top view and side view which showed the intake flow control valve (Example 4). (A), (b) is the front view and sectional drawing which showed the intake manifold (Example 5). (Example 5) which is the perspective view which showed the valve unit (cartridge). It is the perspective view which showed the intake control device of the internal combustion engine (comparative example). It is sectional drawing which showed the intake control device of the internal combustion engine (conventional example 1). It is sectional drawing which showed the intake control device of the internal combustion engine (conventional example 2).

Explanation of symbols

1 Cylinder head 2 Cylinder head intake port 3 Intake manifold (intake intake duct, housing)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 Housing 5 Intake flow control valve 6 Rotating shaft of intake flow control valve 10 Fitting hole of intake manifold 11 First intake passage of intake manifold (intake intake passage, intake passage of internal combustion engine) 12 Second intake passage of housing (internal combustion) Engine intake passage)
15 Intake manifold step surface 16 Intake manifold intake guide 17 Housing valve storage space 19 Housing valve bearing portion 20 Housing support hole 21 Bearing 22 Valve sliding surface of intake flow control valve (both ends in the rotation axis direction of the valve) )
24 Housing water collecting groove 25 Intake flow control valve guide groove 27 Intake flow control valve guide groove 41 Intake flow control valve guide groove 42 Intake flow control valve guide groove 43 Intake flow control valve guide groove 44 Intake flow control valve 46 Guide groove of intake flow control valve 47 Guide groove of intake guide

Claims (11)

(A) a housing forming an intake passage of the internal combustion engine;
(B) In an intake control device for an internal combustion engine having a rotation shaft that is rotatably accommodated in the housing, and comprising a valve that opens and closes the intake passage.
Two sliding portions that are slidably supported by the housing are provided at both ends in the rotational axis direction of the valve,
An intake air control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that a groove extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to a rotation axis direction of the valve is provided on a surface of the valve. The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1,
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the valve is a cantilever valve in which the rotation shaft is shifted to one end side from the center of the valve. The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2,
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the valve is arranged in an axial direction of the intake passage when the valve is fully opened. The intake control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 3,
An intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the groove width of the valve is gradually narrowed toward the downstream side in the axial direction of the intake passage when the valve is fully opened. The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the valve is disposed in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a gravitational direction of the intake passage when the valve is fully opened. The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the housing has a valve storage space for storing the valve when the valve is fully opened at a lower side in the gravity direction of the intake passage. . The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The housing is arranged such that the axial direction of the intake passage is a horizontal direction perpendicular to the gravitational direction of the intake passage and substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis direction of the valve. An air intake control device for an internal combustion engine. The intake control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 7,
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the housing has a groove extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a rotation axis direction of the valve on a lower surface in a gravity direction of the intake passage. The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Intake of an internal combustion engine having an intake introduction passage having an intake introduction passage upstream of the intake passage in the intake flow direction and accommodating and holding a valve unit constituted by the housing and the valve Control device. The intake control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to claim 9,
The housing has a valve storage space for storing the valve when the valve is fully opened on the lower side in the gravity direction of the intake passage.
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the intake introduction duct has a step surface between a lower surface in the gravity direction of the valve storage space and a lower surface in the gravity direction of the intake introduction passage. The intake control device for an internal combustion engine according to claim 10,
The intake introduction duct has a plate-like intake guide that protrudes from the uppermost portion in the direction of gravity of the step surface toward the valve storage space,
The intake control device for an internal combustion engine, wherein the intake guide has a groove extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to a rotation axis direction of the valve on a lower surface in a gravity direction of the intake introduction passage.

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