JP4869799B2 - Idle air flow control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an idle air amount control device that controls an air amount during idle operation (idling) of an engine, and more particularly to an idle air amount control device applied to a multi-cylinder engine.

  As a conventional idle air amount control device, one air chamber, an upstream intake system (silencer) and a rubber hose that communicates with the air chamber, and a passage that communicates from the rubber hose to the air chamber are opened and closed to be applied to a 4-cylinder engine. Open / close valve that controls the amount of air, four rubber hoses (bypass pipes) that communicate with the air chamber and the four intake pipes, etc., and when idling, bypass the throttle valve arranged in each intake pipe, One that guides air from the upstream side to the downstream side of the intake system is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In this device, one open / close valve is opened to flow into the common air chamber from the intake system (upstream from the throttle valve), and the air accumulated in the air chamber is passed through the rubber hose (throttle Since it is led to each intake pipe (located downstream of the valve), it is difficult to evenly distribute the air to each intake pipe due to the influence of the route or layout that draws out the rubber hose from the air chamber. In addition, it is difficult to change the air flow characteristics in order to perform optimum idle control according to the operating state of the engine.

JP 2000-130261 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances of the above-described conventional apparatus, and its object is to simplify the structure, reduce the weight, reduce the cost, reduce the size, reduce the air flow resistance, By rectifying the flow, etc., while ensuring a smooth air flow, air can be evenly distributed and supplied to a plurality of intake pipes corresponding to each cylinder, and optimal idle control can be performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an idle air amount control device suitable for a multi-cylinder engine, which can obtain various flow characteristics as much as possible.

An idle air amount control device according to the present invention opens and closes a communication path, a housing that defines a suction path for sucking air, a plurality of discharge paths for discharging air, a communication path that connects the suction path and the plurality of discharge paths. An idle air amount control device that includes a valve body that is reciprocally movable in a housing and a drive source that drives the valve body, and controls the amount of air that flows by bypassing the throttle valve in the intake system of the engine, The valve body includes a columnar valve portion that is reciprocally movable in a direction opposite to a flow of air sucked into the suction passage, and the communication passage slidably fits the valve portion. It has a plurality of communication ports formed so as to communicate with the discharge passage of the number of double that rather base is opened and closed by the outer peripheral surface of the valve portion with a plurality of communication ports are opened radially on the inner peripheral surface of the communicating path , Multiple communication port axes and multiple The axis of the discharge passage is formed to extend in different directions, the axis of the plurality of the discharge passage is formed so as to extend parallel to each other, and has a configuration.
According to this configuration, in an intake system formed by an intake pipe and a throttle valve communicating with each cylinder of a multi-cylinder engine and one surge tank (or an air cleaner, an outside air introduction duct) connecting the intake pipes, etc. The intake passage, the communication passage, and the discharge passage of the engine are introduced into the intake pipes downstream of the throttle valves by introducing air from a common surge tank upstream of the throttle valves so as to bypass the throttle valves. Connected to guide.
During idling, the valve body opens and the air guided to the suction passage collides with the valve portion (columnar end surface) of the valve body sliding in the communication passage from the axial direction so as to be substantially vertical. It is bent and flows into the corresponding discharge passage from each communication port, and is then led to each intake pipe. In this way, the air guided to the intake passage is evenly distributed radially by the valve portion (end face), and is evenly supplied to each intake pipe via each communication port and discharge passage. Thus, air can be evenly distributed and supplied to a plurality of intake pipes corresponding to each cylinder with a simple structure.

In the above-described configuration, a configuration in which the plurality of discharge passages are formed so as to have an axis in a plane substantially perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the valve portion can be adopted.
According to this configuration, since the discharge passage is formed so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the valve portion, the flow of air that is bent substantially vertically by colliding with the end portion of the valve portion. Without disturbing the air, the air can be smoothly guided to the discharge passage, and the flow loss can be reduced.

In the above configuration, the communication passage and the suction passage are coaxially formed on a predetermined axis, the valve body is arranged to reciprocate in the direction of the axis in the communication passage, and the plurality of discharge passages are connected to the communication passage from both sides. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which they are arranged symmetrically so as to sandwich them.
According to this configuration, the valve body reciprocates in the axial direction of the communication passage and the suction passage, and the plurality of discharge passages are arranged symmetrically across the communication passage (and the valve body). Downsizing of the housing and further downsizing of the entire apparatus can be achieved.

In the above configuration, the housing is provided with the suction-side connector pipe and the discharge-side connector pipe fitted to the suction-passage and the discharge-passage, respectively, and the discharge passage is connected to the upstream end of the discharge-side connector pipe. The structure formed so that the introduction space which guides the air guide | induced from the communication port to the discharge side connector pipe between the communication ports may be employ | adopted.
According to this configuration, since the suction-side connector pipe and the discharge-side connector pipe are provided with respect to the housing, molding of the housing is facilitated, and the directions of the suction-side connector pipe and the discharge-side connector pipe are appropriately set. By changing the degree of freedom, the degree of freedom of the piping layout is increased, and this device can be easily applied to various engine intake systems.
In addition, since an introduction space is provided between the communication port and the upstream end of the discharge connector pipe (the tip of the portion fitted in the discharge passage), the direction of the communication port (axial direction) and the discharge passage Even if the direction (axial direction) is slightly deviated, air can be smoothly guided by this introduction space.

In the above-described configuration, the discharge-side connector pipe may be configured so as to define a passage that gradually tapers from the upstream end toward the downstream side.
According to this configuration, since the passage of the discharge-side connector pipe is formed in a tapered taper passage, the flow of air can be rectified, and air can be guided more smoothly toward the downstream side.

In the above-described configuration, the communication port may be formed by an irregularly shaped hole other than a circle or a plurality of holes.
According to this configuration, since the communication port is formed by an irregularly shaped hole or a plurality of holes, the amount of air flowing into the discharge passage can be adjusted according to the valve opening operation (lift amount) of the valve body, It is possible to obtain a flow rate characteristic for performing optimum idling control.

In the above configuration, a configuration in which the plurality of holes are formed in different shapes can be adopted.
According to this configuration, the flow characteristics of the air can be more finely adjusted by making the plurality of holes forming the communication port different from each other.

In the above-described configuration, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which two or more of the plurality of discharge passages are connected to one intake passage of the engine as a set.
According to this configuration, for example, an idle air amount control device for an N-cylinder engine having N discharge passages can be used for an N / 2-cylinder engine. In addition, since air can be supplied from two discharge passages to one air pipe, it is possible to obtain optimal and finer flow characteristics for various engines, and optimal idling operation for each engine. Can be obtained.

In the above configuration, the housing has an integral discharge-side connector pipe having two fitting portions fitted into two discharge passages among the plurality of discharge passages and one connection portion integrating the two fitting portions. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which is provided.
According to this configuration, when connecting two discharge passages to one intake pipe, by using an integrated discharge-side connector pipe, it is possible to achieve simplification of the structure, cost reduction, etc. Installation work becomes easy.

In the above configuration, the valve body has a screw portion that defines one of a female screw and a male screw, and the drive source is a stepping motor including a rotor that defines the other of the female screw and the male screw that are screwed into the screw portion. Certain configurations can be employed.
According to this configuration, since the drive source is a stepping motor that reciprocates the valve body by a screw mechanism to open and close, the drive source can be downsized and the apparatus can be downsized, and the open / close operation can be finely controlled. And optimal air amount control can be performed.

  According to the idle air amount control device having the above-described configuration, a smooth air flow can be achieved by simplifying the structure, reducing the weight, reducing the cost, reducing the size, reducing the air flow resistance, and rectifying the air flow. Air that can be evenly distributed and supplied to a plurality of intake pipes corresponding to each cylinder, and various flow characteristics can be obtained for optimum idle control. A quantity control device can be obtained.

  1 to 9 show an embodiment of an idle air amount control device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a system diagram in which this device is applied to an intake system of a four-cylinder engine, and FIG. 2 is an external view of the device. 3 is a plan view and a side view of the apparatus, FIGS. 4 and 5 are front views of the apparatus, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus, FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus, and FIG. 8 is a part of the apparatus. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view and an end view of the valve body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the intake system of the engine E includes four intake pipes 1 communicating with the respective cylinders, one surge tank (or air cleaner) 2 connecting the upstream ends of the four intake pipes 1, and a surge tank. 2, an outside air introduction duct 3 connected to the upstream side, a throttle valve 4 disposed in each intake pipe 1 so as to be freely opened and closed, a throttle shaft 5 for coaxially supporting the four throttle valves 4 to be opened and closed, and a throttle shaft 5, an actuator 6 for driving 5, a suction side connector pipe (suction passage) 40 of the idle air amount control device M and one pipe 7 for connecting the surge tank 2, and four discharge side connector pipes (discharge) of the idle air amount control device M Passage) 50 and four pipes 8 connected to the respective intake pipes 1 on the downstream side of the throttle valve 4 and the like.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the idle air amount control device M includes a suction passage 11 that sucks air, four discharge passages 12 that discharge air, and a communication that connects the suction passage 11 and the four discharge passages 12. The housing 10 defining the passage 13 and the like, the valve body 20 provided in the housing 10 so as to reciprocate to open and close the communication passage 13, the stepping motor 30 as a drive source for driving the valve body 20, and the suction passage 11 are fitted. The suction side connector pipe 40, the four discharge side connector pipes 50 fitted in the discharge passage 12, the two retaining plates 60 that are fixed to the housing 10 so as not to be detached are provided. .

  The housing 10 is formed of an aluminum material or a resin material, and as shown in FIGS. 2 to 7, the suction passage 11 extending in the direction of the axis L, and the four extending in the direction of the axis S1 in the plane S perpendicular to the axis L. A discharge passage 12, a communication passage 13 formed coaxially with the suction passage 11 (extending in the direction of the axis L), a recess formed coaxially with the communication passage 13 (adjacent to the direction of the axis L) and having an enlarged diameter. 14, two screw holes 15 for fastening the retaining plate 60, a flange 16 having two screw holes 16a for fastening a cover 35 of a stepping motor 30 described later, a mounting flange 17 having a through hole 17a, a reinforcing rib 18 and the like I have.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the suction passage 11 is formed by a fitting passage 11a for fitting the suction-side connector pipe 40 and a reduced diameter passage 11b formed by reducing the diameter of the fitting passage 11a. Yes.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the four discharge passages 12 are formed so as to have an axis S <b> 1 in a plane S perpendicular to the reciprocating direction (axis L direction) of the valve portion 21, and the discharge-side connector pipe 50. A fitting passage 12a for fitting the two and an introduction passage 12b as an introduction space are defined.
Therefore, the air is smoothly discharged without disturbing the flow of the air bent substantially vertically by colliding with the end surface of the valve body 20 (the end surface 21b ′ of the valve portion 21 and the flange portion 22b of the screw portion 22). The flow loss can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the four discharge passages 12 are symmetrical so as to sandwich the communication passage 13 from both sides, that is, the discharge-side connector pipe 40 is line-symmetric with respect to the straight line X. Is arranged.
Thereby, the components (discharge-side connector pipe 40) attached to the housing 10 can be concentrated and arranged near the center, and the size of the apparatus can be reduced by narrowing the width of the housing 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the communication passage 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape coaxially and with a larger diameter following the reduced diameter passage 12 b of the suction passage 12, and in the direction of the axis S <b> 2 on the inner peripheral surface thereof. There are four circular or elliptical communication ports 13a formed so as to be opened radially and communicate with the respective discharge passages 12 (introduction passages 12b). The communication passage 13 guides a cylindrical valve portion 21 (described later) slidably fitted in the direction of the axis L so as to open and close the communication port 13a formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof. ing.

  That is, the air sucked into the suction passage 11 is guided from the communication passage 13 through the communication port 13a to the four discharge passages 12, and the valve body 20 opens / closes or opens the communication port 13a. By adjusting, the amount of air flowing from the suction passage 11 to the discharge passage 12 is controlled.

The recess 14 is formed so as to accommodate the stepping motor 30 and to position the stepping motor 30 at a predetermined position in the direction of the axis L.
The screw hole 15 is for fastening the screw B in order to fix the retaining plate 60 to the housing 10.
The flange 16 is formed so as to fix the stepping motor 30 to the housing 10 by contacting a cover 35 of the stepping motor 30 described later and fastening the screw B to the screw hole 16a.
The mounting flange 17 is used when the device M is fixed to a mounting portion (not shown) such as the intake pipe 1.
The reinforcing ribs 18 are formed so as to reduce the weight by thinning the housing 10 and to increase the mechanical strength of the housing 10, particularly the bending strength in the direction intersecting the axis L. Thereby, deformation of the communication passage 13 can be prevented, and the valve body 20 can smoothly reciprocate.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the valve body 20 includes a valve portion 21 formed in a cylindrical shape, a screw portion 22 disposed inside the valve portion 21 and connected with a gap in the direction of the axis L, and the valve portion. An O-ring 23 having a sealing function and a buffering function is provided between 21 and the screw portion 22.

  The valve portion 21 includes a cylindrical wall 21a that defines a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 21a ', an annular end surface 21b' in a lower outer edge region, a bottom wall 21b that defines a substantially long opening 21b '' in a central region, and the like. Yes. And the outer peripheral surface 21a 'of the valve part 21 slides on the inner peripheral surface of the communicating path 13, and opens and closes the communicating port 13a. Further, the end surface 21 b ′ of the bottom wall 21 b is seated on a step portion 11 b ′ that defines the reduced diameter passage 11 b of the suction passage 11.

The screw portion 22 is formed so as to extend inside the valve portion 21 in the direction of the axis L, and is passed through the female screw 22a extending in the direction of the axis L and the opening 21b ″ of the valve portion 21, and is rotated by approximately 90 degrees. As a result, a collar portion 22b connected to the valve portion 21, a neck portion 22c that passes through the opening 21b ″ with a gap, a diameter-enlarged portion 22d that radially expands from the neck portion 22c, and the like are provided.
The screw portion 22 has a two-sided width portion on the outer periphery of the columnar portion that defines the female screw 22a, and is guided so as to be movable in the direction of the axis L while being restricted in rotation by a guide portion 34 of a stepping motor 30 described later. It has become so.

  The O-ring 23 is fitted so as to be interposed between the bottom wall 21b of the valve portion 21 and the enlarged diameter portion 22d of the screw portion 22, and pushes the flange portion 22b of the screw portion 22 against the bottom wall 21b of the valve portion 21. It is assembled to attach. That is, when the screw portion 22 receives an impact force (or pressing force) or the like downward in FIG. 9A in the axis L direction, the O-ring 23 absorbs the impact force (or pressing force). Due to elastic deformation, the flange 22b is slightly separated from the bottom wall 21b of the valve portion 21. Thereby, unnecessary impact force etc. can be prevented from being transmitted to the valve portion 21, and the valve portion 21 can reliably open and close the communication port 13a.

  That is, the valve body 20 has a cylindrical shape in appearance, and when its outer peripheral surface opens the communication port 13a, its end surfaces (bottom wall 21b and flange portion 22b) are sucked from the suction passage 11 and flow in the direction of the axis L. The air is evenly distributed to the four communication ports 13a facing the air and moving in the direction perpendicular to the axis L direction (axis S2 direction).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the stepping motor 30 includes a case 31, a rotor (not shown) that is rotatably supported around the axis L in the case 31, and two stators that are stacked around the rotor in the direction of the axis L. (Not shown), a guide portion 34 that guides the screw portion 22 of the valve body 20 in the direction of the axis L, a cover 35 that is joined to the housing 10 and that defines an electrical connection connector 35a, the guide portion 34 and the valve portion 21 And a coil spring 36 fitted in a compressed state.

  The rotor is integrally provided with a cylindrical magnetized portion magnetized in multiple poles on the outer peripheral surface thereof and a rotor screw portion 32 formed with a male screw 32a. The male screw 32a of the rotor screw part 32 is screwed into the female screw 22a of the valve body 20 (screw part 22). When the rotor (the magnetized portion and the rotor screw portion 32) rotates, the valve body 20 is moved in the direction of the axis L.

Each of the two stators is formed by an exciting coil, a bobbin around which the coil is wound, and a yoke including a pair of components that are joined by sandwiching the bobbin.
The guide portion 34 has a substantially frustoconical appearance, and is formed so as to slidably receive the screw portion 22 of the valve body 20 therein, thereby restricting the screw portion 22 from rotating about the axis L. However, it is guided so as to reciprocate in the direction of the axis L.
The cover 35 covers a substantially half of the case 31 and defines a connection connector 35 a for energizing the coil. The cover 35 is fastened to the flange 16 of the housing 10 with screws B.

  The coil spring 36 is assembled in a compressed state so as to abut against the root region of the guide portion 34 and the valve portion 21 (the bottom wall 21b inside the cylindrical wall 21a) and exert a predetermined urging force. The coil spring 36 prevents rattling between the valve portion 21 and the screw portion 22 and exerts an urging force so as to remove backlash between the female screw 22a of the screw portion 22 and the male screw 32a of the rotor screw portion 32. ing.

Thus, by adopting the stepping motor 30 that reciprocates and opens and closes the valve body 20 by a screw mechanism as a drive source, the drive source and the device M can be downsized, and the valve body 20 can be opened and closed. The operation can be finely controlled, and optimal air amount control can be performed.
Further, since the stepping motor 30 and the valve body 20 are arranged on the axis L coaxial with the communication passage 13 and the suction passage 11, the structure can be consolidated, the housing 10 can be downsized, and the entire apparatus M can be reduced. Miniaturization can be achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the suction-side connector pipe 40 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the direction of the axis L, and is fitted (press-fitted) into the suction passage 11 (fitting passage 11 a) of the housing 10. Although a straight pipe is shown here as the suction side connector pipe 40, an elbow pipe whose open end side is bent at approximately 90 degrees, or a pipe bent or curved at various other angles can be adopted. .

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the four discharge-side connector pipes 50 are fitted to the discharge passage 12 (fitting passage 12 a) of the housing 10, on the downstream side of the fitting portion 51. A connecting portion 52 formed with a reduced diameter is provided.
The fitting portion 51 is formed with an annular seal groove 51a for fitting the O-ring and an annular retaining groove 51b for engaging (inserting) a retaining plate 60 described later.
Further, the discharge-side connector pipe 50 gradually tapers (conical) from its upstream end (end of the fitting portion 51) toward the downstream side (that is, up to the boundary region with the connection portion 52). It is formed so as to define a passage.
The discharge-side connector pipe 50 is fitted in the discharge passage 12 (fitting passage 12a) of the housing 10 with the O-ring fitted in the seal groove 51a.

As described above, in a state where the discharge-side connector pipe 50 is fitted in the discharge passage 12 of the housing 10, the gap between the end portion (upstream end portion) of the fitting portion 51 and the communication port 13 a is an introduction space. Since the introduction passage 12b is defined, even if the direction of the communication port 13a (in the direction of the axis S2) and the direction of the discharge passage 12 (in the direction of the axis S1) do not coincide (even if slightly shifted), the introduction is performed. Air can be smoothly guided by the passage 12b.
Further, since the passage of the discharge-side connector pipe 50 is formed as a tapered passage, the flow of air can be rectified, and the air can be guided more smoothly toward the downstream side.
Further, by assembling the suction side connector pipe 40 and the discharge side connector pipe 50 as separate members to the housing 10, the housing 10 can be easily molded, and the suction side connector pipe 40 and the discharge side connector pipe 50 can be formed. By appropriately changing the direction, the degree of freedom in piping layout is increased, and this apparatus M can be easily applied to various intake systems of the engine E.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the retaining plate 60 is formed in a flat plate shape, and two discharge-side connector pipes 50 arranged in parallel are fitted into the discharge passage 12 (fitting passage 12a). In the state, the two engaging portions 61 and the through holes 62 through which the screws B are passed in the central regions of the two engaging portions 61 are defined by the notch edges so as to be fitted into the two retaining grooves 51b. Yes.
Then, the retaining plate 60 is inserted into the retaining groove 51b in the state where the discharge side connector pipe 50 is fitted to the two discharge passages 12 (fitting passages 12a), respectively. When the screw B is screwed into the screw hole 15 through the through hole 62, the screw B is fastened to the housing 10.
As a result, the discharge-side connector pipe 50 is simply fitted into the discharge passage 12 and is prevented from falling off the housing 10. Therefore, the assembling work becomes easy and functional reliability can be ensured.

  Next, the operation of the device M will be described. When the engine E is in an idling state, the stepping motor 30 is driven, and the valve body 20 (valve portion 21) opens the communication port 13a. Also, the air guided from the upstream surge tank 2 through the pipe 7 to the suction passage 11 passes through the end face of the valve body 20 that slides in the communication passage 13 (the end face 21b ′ of the valve portion 21 and the screw portion 22). It collides with the flange portion 22b) from the direction of the axis L, is bent in a substantially vertical direction (surface S), is evenly distributed radially, and flows into the corresponding discharge passages 12 from the four communication holes 13a.

At this time, since the introduction space (introduction passage 12b) is provided between the communication port 13a and the discharge-side connector pipe 50, the direction of the communication port 13a (axis line S2) and the direction of the discharge passage 12 (axis line S1) are different. Even if they do not match, the air is smoothly guided downstream.
The air flowing into the four discharge passages 12 is supplied into the four intake pipes 1 located downstream of the throttle valve 4 via the pipe 8.
Thus, air can be evenly distributed and supplied to the four intake pipes 1 corresponding to each cylinder with a simple structure. Thereby, in each cylinder, the stable combustion which does not have dispersion | variation is obtained, and the engine E can be idling stably.

FIG. 10 is a system diagram showing an embodiment in which the idle air amount control device M according to the present invention is applied to a two-cylinder engine E ′. In addition, about the structure same as the above-mentioned embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 10, the intake system of the engine E ′ includes two intake pipes communicating with the respective cylinders 1, one surge tank (or air cleaner) 2 ′ connecting the upstream ends of the two intake pipes 1, An outside air introduction duct 3 connected to the upstream side of the surge tank 2 ', a throttle valve 4 disposed in each intake pipe 1 so as to be freely opened and closed, and a throttle shaft 5 for coaxially supporting the four throttle valves 4 so as to be opened and closed. ', The actuator 6 that drives the throttle shaft 5', the suction side connector pipe (suction passage) 40 of the idle air amount control device M and one pipe 7 that connects the surge tank 2 ', and the idle air amount control device M Two pipes 8 ′ for connecting two of the discharge side connector pipes (discharge passages) 50 to one intake pipe 1 downstream of the throttle valve 4 are provided. To have. The pipe 8 ′ is formed to be bifurcated so as to be connected to the two discharge-side connectors 50 (connection portions 52).

According to this, since the four discharge passages 12 are a set of two discharge passages 12 and communicate with one intake pipe 1 of the engine E ′, a four-cylinder engine E having four discharge passages 12 is provided. Therefore, the idle air amount control device M can be used for the two-cylinder engine E ′. Therefore, the cost of the apparatus M can be reduced due to the mass production effect.
In addition, since air can be supplied to the single air pipe 1 from the two discharge passages 12, it is possible to obtain a finer flow rate characteristic that is optimal for the engine E ', which is optimal for the engine E'. Idling operation can be obtained.

Here, instead of the four discharge-side connector pipes 50, as shown in FIG. 11, two fitting portions 51 ′ and two fitting portions 51 ′ fitted into the two discharge passages 12 are integrated. An integrated discharge-side connector pipe 50 'having two connecting portions 52' may be employed. The fitting portion 51 ′ is formed with a seal groove 51 a ′ and a retaining groove 51 b ′ similarly to the above-described embodiment.
According to this, when two discharge passages 12 are connected to one intake pipe 1, the integrated discharge side connector pipe 50 ′ (connection portion 52 ′) and the intake pipe 1 are connected to one intake pipe 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The pipes 8 can be connected, and the simplification of the structure and the cost reduction can be achieved, and the installation work of the pipes 8 can be facilitated.

12 (a), (b), (c), and (d) show another embodiment of the idle air amount control device M ′ according to the present invention, except that the communication port 13 is changed. Since this is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
That is, in this apparatus M ′, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), the housing 10 ′ has a communication port 13a ′ formed of a plurality of circular holes, or FIGS. 12 (b), (c), (d). As shown in FIG. 2, a communication port 13a ′ is formed which is formed of a hole having a different shape other than a circle, such as a rectangle, a trapezoid, an L shape, and a keyhole shape. Further, the plurality of circular holes that define the communication port 13a ′ are formed in different shapes as shown in FIG.
The two communication ports 13a 'shown in the figure are those communicating with the two discharge passages 12 located on one side of the housing 10' (connected to one intake pipe 1), respectively. Two communication ports 13 a ′ respectively communicating with the two discharge passages 12 (connected to the other one intake pipe 1) located on the other side of the housing 10 are also formed in the same manner.

According to this, since the communication port 13a ′ is formed by an odd-shaped hole or a plurality of holes, the amount of air flowing into the discharge passage 12 is adjusted according to the valve opening operation (lift amount) of the valve body 20. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a flow rate characteristic for performing optimum idling control.
In particular, by forming the communication port 13a ′ with a plurality of holes having different shapes, the flow rate characteristic of air can be adjusted more finely.

In the above SL embodiment, the housing 10 ', although the configuration for connecting the suction side connector pipe 40 and the discharge-side connector pipe 50, 50' of the separate member is not limited thereto These connector pipes may be integrally molded with the housing.

In the above-described embodiment, the idle air amount control devices M and M ′ having four discharge passages 12 are shown to correspond to the four-cylinder engine E (or to be diverted to the two-cylinder engine E ′). The idle air amount control device having N discharge passages corresponding to other N-cylinder engines (or to be diverted to N / 2-cylinder engines) may be employed.
In the above embodiment, one or two discharge passages 12 are connected to one intake pipe 1, but three or more discharge passages are connected to one intake pipe 1, respectively. Also good.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the female screw 22a is provided on the screw portion 22 of the valve body 20 and the male screw 32a is provided on the rotor (rotor screw portion 32) of the stepping motor 30 has been described. Instead, a male screw may be provided on the screw portion of the valve body, and a female screw may be provided on the rotor of the stepping motor.
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the stepping motor 30 is employed as the drive source of the valve body 20 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The actuator may be used.

  As described above, the idle air amount control device of the present invention achieves simplification of structure, weight reduction, cost reduction, size reduction, reduction of air flow resistance, air flow rectification, etc. Since air can be evenly distributed and supplied to a plurality of intake pipes corresponding to cylinders, it can be applied to a multi-cylinder engine mounted on a two-wheeled vehicle or an automobile, as well as other vehicles. It is also useful in an engine or general-purpose engine.

1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment in which an idle air amount control device according to the present invention is applied to a four-cylinder engine. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of an idle air amount control device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the idle air amount control device shown in FIG. 2, (a) is a plan view of the device, and (b) is a side view of the device. FIG. 3 is a front view of the idle air amount control device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state where a discharge side connector pipe and a retaining plate are removed in the idle air amount control device shown in FIG. 2. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the idle air amount control apparatus shown in FIG. It is a cross-sectional view of the idle air amount control device shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a retaining plate that forms part of the idle air amount control device shown in FIG. 2, (a) is a front view thereof, and (b) is a transverse sectional view thereof. FIG. 3 shows a valve body that forms part of the idle air amount control device shown in FIG. 2, (a) is a longitudinal sectional view thereof, and (b) is an end view thereof. It is a system diagram showing another embodiment in which the idle air amount control device according to the present invention is applied to a two-cylinder engine. The other embodiment of the discharge side connector pipe is shown, (a) is the top view, (b) is the cross-sectional view. (A), (b), (c), (d) shows still another embodiment of the idle air amount control device according to the present invention, with the discharge side connector pipe and the retaining plate removed. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

E, E 'Engine 1 Intake pipe (intake system)
2, 2 'surge tank 4 throttle valve 10, 10' housing 11 suction passage 11a fitting passage 11b reduced diameter passage 12 discharge passage 12a fitting passage 12b introduction passage (introduction space)
13 Communication path 13a, 13a 'Communication port 14 Recess 15 Screw hole 16 Flange 17 Mounting flange 18 Reinforcement rib 20 Valve body 21 Valve part 21a Cylindrical wall 21a' Outer peripheral surface 21b Bottom wall 21b 'End surface 21b "Opening 22 Screw part 22a Female Screw 22b collar 22c neck 22d expanded diameter 30 stepping motor (drive source)
31 Case 32 Rotor screw portion 32a Male screw 34 Guide portion 35 Cover 35a Connection connector 36 Coil spring 40 Suction side connector pipes 50, 50 'Discharge side connector pipes 51, 51' Fitting portions 51a, 51a 'Seal grooves 51b, 51b' Retaining grooves 52, 52 'connecting portion 60 retaining plate 61 engaging portion 62 through hole

Claims (10)

A housing that defines a suction passage for sucking air, a plurality of discharge passages for discharging air, a communication passage that connects the suction passage and the plurality of discharge passages, and reciprocating to the housing to open and close the communication passage An idle air amount control device that controls the amount of air that flows by bypassing the throttle valve in the intake system of the engine.
The valve body has a cylindrical valve portion that is reciprocally movable in a direction opposite to a flow of air sucked into the suction passage,
The communication passage, said valve portion to be opened and closed by the outer peripheral surface of the valve portion causes slidably fitted, have a pre-Symbol plurality of communication ports formed so as to communicate with a plurality of discharge passages ,
The plurality of communication ports are radially opened on the inner peripheral surface of the communication path,
The axes of the plurality of communication ports and the axes of the plurality of discharge passages are formed to extend in different directions,
The axes of the plurality of discharge passages are formed to extend in parallel to each other.
An idle air amount control device characterized by that. The plurality of discharge passages are formed so as to have axes in a plane substantially perpendicular to the reciprocating direction of the valve portion.
The idle air amount control device according to claim 1. The communication passage and the suction passage are formed coaxially on a predetermined axis,
The valve body is disposed in the communication path so as to be capable of reciprocating in the direction of the axis,
The plurality of discharge passages are arranged symmetrically so as to sandwich the communication passage from both sides.
The idle air amount control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The housing is provided with a suction-side connector pipe fitted to the suction passage and a discharge-side connector pipe fitted to the discharge passage,
The discharge passage is formed between an upstream end portion of the discharge-side connector pipe and the communication port so as to define an introduction space that guides air guided from the communication port to the discharge-side connector pipe. ,
The idle air amount control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The discharge side connector pipe is formed so as to demarcate a passage that gradually tapers from the upstream end portion toward the downstream side thereof.
The idle air amount control device according to claim 4, wherein: The communication port is formed by a non-circular hole or a plurality of holes,
The idle air amount control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The plurality of holes are formed in different shapes,
The idle air amount control device according to claim 6. Two or more of the plurality of discharge passages are connected to one intake passage of the engine as a set.
The idle air amount control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The housing includes an integrated discharge-side connector pipe having two fitting portions fitted into two discharge passages among the plurality of discharge passages and one connection portion integrating the two fitting portions. Provided,
The idle air amount control device according to claim 8. The valve body has a screw portion that defines one of a female screw and a male screw,
The drive source is a stepping motor including a rotor that defines the other of a female screw and a male screw that are screwed into the screw portion.
The idle air amount control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

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