JPH03242430A - Throttle valve driving mechanism for internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent an acceleration feeling of a depressing amount or more of an accelerator pedal by providing an electric motor-driven torque limiting means, in which torque is limited to a torque range not possible to overcome the second return spring but possible to overcome the first return spring, in a throttle valve control means. CONSTITUTION:In the case of a throttle valve 2 open/close driven by an electric motor 10 by placing the throttle valve 2 in a condition that it is opened to a certain degree by depressing an accelerattor pedal 3 by a driver, torque of the electric motor 10 is controlled such that the torque is weaker than a return amount of a stopper 5 by the second return spring 8 and stronger than return force of the throttle valve 2 by the first return spring 6. Consequently, the throttle valve 2 can be freely opened and closed in a step-in range of the accelerator pedal 3 by the electric motor 10, but the throttle valve 2 is prevented from opening more beyond a position of the stopper 5 even when the electric motor 10 tends to be driven by mistake in an opening direction by the step-in range or more.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine (hereinafter referred to as "engine" as necessary).

[Prior Art] Conventionally, the throttle valve in the engine installed in a car has been controlled in conjunction with the depression of the accelerator pedal, but in recent years, the throttle valve has been controlled independently of the movement of the accelerator pedal. Opening operations using actuators such as electric motors have also come to be practiced.

For example, traction control uses an electric motor to drive the throttle valve toward the closed side to suppress slipping when a slip occurs due to the driver suddenly stepping on the accelerator pedal. Things like auto cruise control, where the opening of the throttle valve is automatically controlled by an electric motor and a computer that commands it to drive at a predetermined speed.
The above techniques are applied.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when a throttle valve control device using an electric motor as described above is applied to traction control, if the electric motor opens the throttle valve more than the amount by which the accelerator pedal is depressed, the driver's intention may not be met. It will be contrary.

In addition, when applying the throttle valve control device using an electric motor as described above to auto cruise control, it is necessary to use the electric motor to open the throttle valve more than the amount by which the accelerator pedal is depressed, but when the brake pedal is depressed, It is necessary to ensure that the vehicle is slowed down.

The present invention was devised under these circumstances, and it is possible to apply a predetermined return force to the throttle valve to control the torque of the electric motor so that it cannot overcome this return force, or to control the torque of the electric motor so that it cannot overcome this return force. By closing the intake passage with an auxiliary throttle valve installed separately from the valve, or by canceling the torque limit of the electric motor under required driving conditions such as auto cruise operation, the throttle valve control by the electric motor can be reduced. An internal combustion engine throttle that prevents the control from going too far in the opening direction, reliably reduces engine torque with brake operation, and furthermore allows the above control to be canceled under required driving conditions such as auto-cruise operation. The purpose is to provide a valve drive mechanism.

[Means for Solving the Problem] Therefore, the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 includes: a throttle valve rotatably interposed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine; a rotatable stopper capable of regulating the closed position of the throttle valve; and a throttle lever connected to an accelerator pedal and rotating in conjunction with depression of the accelerator pedal to drive the stopper in the opening direction of the throttle valve. and a first return spring loaded between the stopper and the throttle valve to bias the throttle valve toward the stopper; 1
a second return spring having a spring constant larger than that of the second return spring, and capable of driving the throttle valve independently of depression of the accelerator pedal; throttle valve control means for controlling the opening degree of the throttle valve by controlling the opening degree of the throttle valve; The present invention is characterized in that an electric motor driving torque limiting means is provided for limiting the torque to a range that cannot overcome the biasing force of the return spring.

Further, the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention according to claim 2 includes a throttle valve rotatably interposed in an intake passage of the internal combustion engine, and a rotatable throttle valve capable of regulating a closed position of the throttle valve. a stopper, a throttle lever connected to an accelerator pedal and rotating in conjunction with depression of the accelerator pedal to drive the stopper in the opening direction of the throttle valve, and between the stopper and the throttle valve. a first return spring that is loaded in the spring and biases the throttle valve toward the stopper, and a second return spring that biases the stopper in the closing direction of the throttle valve and has a spring constant larger than that of the first return spring. a sub-throttle valve including a return spring and rotatably interposed in the intake passage of the internal combustion engine in series with the throttle valve;
A sub-throttle lever is connected to the brake pedal and rotates in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal to close the sub-throttle valve, and the throttle valve is closed independently of depression of the accelerator pedal. an electric motor that can be driven; and a throttle valve control means that controls the opening degree of the throttle valve by controlling the electric motor according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine; The present invention is characterized in that an electric motor drive torque limiting means is provided for limiting the torque to a torque range that overcomes the biasing force of the first return spring but cannot overcome the biasing force of the second return spring. .

Furthermore, in the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention, the throttle valve control means is controlled by the electric engine dynamic torque limiting means under a required operating condition! l
The present invention is characterized in that a motor drive torque limit canceling means for canceling the I limit is provided.

[Function] In the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine of the present invention according to claim 1 above, the driver depresses the accelerator pedal to open the throttle valve to a certain extent, and the electric motor drives the throttle valve to open and close. In this case, the torque of the electric motor is limited to be weaker than the return force of the stopper by the second return spring, but stronger than the return force of the throttle valve by the first return spring. Within this range, the throttle valve can be opened and closed freely, but even if the motor is accidentally driven in the opening direction beyond the above range, the throttle valve will not be opened further beyond the stopper position. .

Further, in the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine of the present invention according to claim 2, in addition to the action of the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1, when the driver depresses the brake pedal, the auxiliary throttle valve When the throttle valve is closed, even if the throttle valve is open, the amount of intake air is restricted, reducing engine torque and eventually stopping the vehicle.

Furthermore, in the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the required operating condition is met, the drive torque limit of the electric motor is canceled by the motor drive torque limit release means. However, when the brake is operated, the sub-throttle valve closes and acts to reduce the engine torque.

[Embodiment] Hereinafter, a throttle valve driving mechanism for an internal combustion engine as an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram thereof, and Fig. 2 is a flowchart for explaining its operation. It is.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a main throttle valve 2 is rotatably installed in an intake passage 1 of an engine. This main throttle valve 2 is basically driven by depressing the accelerator pedal 3, and therefore, there is a valve that rotates coaxially with the main throttle valve 2 on the outside of the intake passage 1 between the main throttle valve 2 and the accelerator pedal 3. The main throttle valve 2 is configured to be interlocked with the accelerator pedal 3 via a freely provided throttle lever 4 and a stopper 5, and further via a wire cable 9. Note that the portion within the intake passage 1 is shown with an interrupted plane.

Further, a first return spring 6 is provided between the main throttle valve 2 and the stopper 5 to bias the main throttle valve 2 toward the stopper 5, and a fixing point 7 between the stopper 5 and the throttle body is provided. A second return spring 8 is provided between the two. This second return spring 8 is.

The spring constant is larger than that of the first return spring 6, and moreover, it biases the stopper 5 in the closing direction of the main throttle valve 2. That is, the first return spring 6
is configured as a weak spring, and the second return spring 8 is configured as a strong spring.

Therefore, when the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed as shown by arrow a, the wire cable 9 is pulled as shown by arrow A, rotating the throttle lever 4 in the direction of arrow C (the opening direction of the main throttle valve 2), and simultaneously The stopper 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow C through the child 4a against the urging force of the second return spring 8, and the main throttle valve 2 is opened slightly later through the first return spring 6. It can be rotated in any direction.

On the other hand, an electric motor (hereinafter referred to as a "motor" as necessary) is connected to the shaft portion 2a of the main throttle valve 2 and can drive the main throttle valve 2 regardless of the depression operation of the accelerator pedal 3.
) 10 are provided. In this case, motor 10
In this case, D and C motors are used.

This motor 10 has a front wheel speed sensor 11. Rear wheel speed sensor 12. Engine speed sensor 13. Engine load sensor 14. The detection results from the auto cruise switch 15 and other sensors 16, as well as the throttle position sensor (TPS) 17 and accelerator position sensor (A
PS) It is designed to be controlled and driven in response to commands from an electronic control unit (ECU) 19 that judges the detection results of the 18° brake switch 27 and the like. That is, E
The CUI 9 has the function of a throttle valve control means that controls the opening degree of the main throttle valve 2 by controlling the motor 10 according to the operating state of the engine, and the motor 10 is drive-controlled by this throttle valve control means. That's what I do.

Further, the throttle valve control means of the ECUI 9 controls the motor 1.
The drive torque of the motor 10 overcomes the biasing force of the first return spring 6, but the drive torque of the motor 10 overcomes the biasing force of the second return spring 8. It is restricted so that it cannot overcome the urging force of And ECUI 9
The drive command to the motor 10 is sent via the drive command signal line 2.
This is done through two signal lines: 0 and active current limit signal line 21. Of course, it is also possible to include drive current limit information in the drive command, and in this case, only the drive command signal line 20 is required.

Therefore, at the position of the stopper 5 as shown in FIG. 1, the main throttle valve 2 driven by the motor 10 can be driven in a range that can be opened and closed with low torque within the limited range shown by the arrow d. The area between the arrow e is a range in which opening cannot be driven unless the torque exceeds the limit.

Further, the throttle valve control means of the ECUI 9 also has the function of an electric motor drive torque limit release means for canceling the restriction by the electric motor drive torque limiter under a required driving mode such as auto-cruise operation. As a result, when it is detected that the auto cruise switch 15 is in the on state, the motor drive torque limit release means cancels the restriction by the motor drive torque limit means.

As a result, the motor 10 operates in the first . By overcoming the urging force of the second return spring 6.8, the main throttle valve 2 can be rotated beyond the throttle opening corresponding to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal 3.

Furthermore, the throttle valve control means of the ECU 19 also includes means for cutting the control current to the motor 10 when the brake pedal 23 is stepped on, so that the brake switch 27 detects that the brake pedal 23 has been stepped on. Then, at the same time as this brake operation, the opening signal command to the motor 10 is stopped, and the motor 10 is stopped, so that the main throttle valve 2 is returned to the stopper 5 side by the first return spring 6.

Further, when the throttle position sensor 17 or the like detects that the main throttle valve 2 is not opened according to the command groove of the ECU 19, the control current to the motor 10 is also cut.

In the figure, reference numeral 22 denotes a third return spring that is biased to return the rotation of the throttle lever 4 (arrow C) caused by depression of the accelerator pedal 3 to its original direction.

Further, an auxiliary throttle valve 24 is provided at the upstream side of the main throttle valve 2 in the intake path Ml, and is fully open when the brake pedal 23 is not depressed and is driven in the closing direction by depression of the brake pedal 23. . A wire cable 2 is connected to this sub-throttle valve 24.
A sub-throttle lever 26 is disposed coaxially with the brake pedal 23 by means of 5, and the sub-throttle valve 24 is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the sub-throttle lever 26.
It can also be rotated. The shape of the auxiliary throttle lever 26 is such that it rotates slowly in the first stage range of the brake pedal 23 depression operation and quickly in the last stage range.

Therefore, when the brake pedal 23 is depressed as indicated by arrow f, the wire cable 25 is pulled as indicated by arrow g, and the sub-throttle valve 24 is directed from open to closed within the range indicated by arrow i. drive That is, when the vehicle is braked by pressing the brake pedal 23, the sub-throttle valve 24 is closed and the engine torque can be reduced.

In the figure, reference numeral 28 denotes a fourth return spring that is biased to return the rotation of the sub-throttle lever 26 (in the direction of arrow i) caused by depression of the brake pedal 23 to its original direction.

Next, the operation of the throttle valve movement mechanism according to this embodiment will be explained. First, when the driver does not press the accelerator pedal 3, the second return spring 8 causes the stopper 5 to be in the almost upright position shown in FIG. Located close to
The main throttle valve 2 is pushed through the first return spring 6, and the main throttle valve 2 is placed in a fully closed state. In this case, the main throttle valve 2 cannot be opened by the motor 10.

Next, when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal 3 as shown by arrow a, the wire cable 9 causes the throttle lever 4 to
At the same time as the stopper 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow C, the stopper 5 is rotated in the direction of arrow C by being pushed by the protrusion 4a. Then, the main throttle valve 2 is pulled by the first return spring 6 and rotates toward the stopper 5.

That is, when the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed, the main throttle valve 2 opens, and the vehicle shifts to a normal running state.

By the way, if the driver is driving with the stopper 5 and therefore the main throttle valve 2 open to a certain extent, and it is necessary to open/close the main throttle valve 2 within the range of the closing direction (for example, when the driver presses the accelerator from the above state) When a slip phenomenon is detected due to sudden depression of the pedal 3, traction control 1 is performed to suppress slip by driving the main throttle valve 2 in the closing direction and reducing the engine output torque. case) is possible. For example, if the vehicle slips on a snowy or slippery road, it is better not to apply the brakes while the vehicle is slipping, so the engine should be turned to a low speed to quickly get out of the slip. . In such a case, the ECU 19 controls the front wheel speed sensor 1.
1 and the rear vehicle speed sensor 12 detect the slip condition from the rotational speed difference between the front and rear wheels, and the engine rotation speed sensor 1
3 and engine load sensor 14 to detect the operating state of the engine, and a throttle position sensor (
TPS) 17 and accelerator position sensor (APS)
) 18 detects the position of the main throttle valve 2 and the accelerator depression state, and gives a command to the motor 10 to drive the main throttle valve 2 in the closing direction.

In such a case, the torque by which the motor 10 moves the main throttle valve 2 is so low that it overcomes the spring force of the first return spring 6 but cannot overcome the spring force of the second return spring 8. Therefore, the main throttle valve 2 is driven within the range in which it can be opened and closed with low torque as shown by the arrow d. Therefore, opening and closing can be controlled freely in the closing direction by the stopper 5, but when driving the throttle opening beyond the throttle opening specified by the stopper 5, even if the motor 10 accidentally attempts to drive in the opening direction, the second return Due to the spring force of the spring 8, the throttle does not rotate in the opening direction beyond the throttle opening defined by the stopper 5. Therefore, there is no possibility that the main throttle valve 2 will open excessively and the vehicle will be inadvertently accelerated.

Further, when the motor 10 causes the vehicle to perform auto-cruise operation (driving under a required driving mode), for example, the auto-cruise switch 15 is turned on while the accelerator pedal 3 is depressed by the required amount. ,
Since it is necessary to drive the main throttle valve 2 to the opening side more than the opening of the throttle lever 4 moved by the driver, that is, the opening of the stopper 5, only at this time, the ECU 19 is controlled by the on/off state of the auto cruise switch 15. determines the necessity, cancels the drive current restriction of the motor 10, and increases the drive current. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2, in the case of auto cruise mode, the YES route of step a1 is taken and the motor drive torque limit release means operation mode (step a2) is entered. As a result, in the auto-cruise mode, the motor 10 generates a torque that overcomes the second return spring 8, and opens the main throttle valve 2 to a range that cannot be opened unless a high torque is applied, as indicated by the arrow e.

Note that if you are not in auto cruise mode, step a
Taking the NO route of No. 1, the motor drive torque limiting means operation mode (which limits the motor drive torque as described above)
Step a3) is carried out.

In any of the above operating modes, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 23, the brake switch 27 causes the ECU 19 to forcibly cut off the opening current of the motor 10. Therefore, the main throttle valve 2 is closed by the force of the return spring.

Furthermore, when the driver depresses the brake pedal 23 as described above, the vehicle is braked and the arrow g
The wire cable 25 is pulled as shown, and the sub-throttle valve 24 is turned in the direction of arrow i to close the intake passage l.

Therefore, even if the main throttle valve 2 does not close for some reason, the throttle position sensor 17
When the accelerator position sensor 18 detects that the main throttle valve 2 is no longer closed, the current to the motor 10 is cut, and the sub-throttle valve 24 is closed, thereby reducing the amount of air flowing into the intake passage 1. Therefore, the engine torque and eventually the engine speed can be reduced. Further, at this time, a good braking force is maintained by the brake negative pressure booster, so the vehicle can be stopped reliably.

In this way, by operating the brake pedal 23, the auxiliary throttle valve 24 is closed to reduce the engine torque, and the motor drive current is cut and the braking effect of the brakes is used to smoothly stop the vehicle and ensure safety. It is.

Note that when it is determined that the motor 10 is no longer driven as instructed by the ECU 19, the ECUI 9 cuts the motor drive current, so the main throttle valve 2 is connected to the first return terminal connected to the stopper 5. The spring 6 causes the vehicle to move following the accelerator lever 4, allowing normal driving to be maintained.

Further, in the above embodiment, the means for increasing and decreasing the driving torque of the motor 10 was explained as being performed by current control, but it goes without saying that this may be performed by voltage control.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the throttle valve actuating mechanism for an internal combustion engine of the present invention as set forth in claim 1, the torque of the motor that drives the throttle valve is weaker than the return biasing force of the stopper. Since this is set, the throttle valve will not be opened more than a predetermined opening degree, which has the advantage of preventing the driver from experiencing a feeling of acceleration greater than the amount by which he/she depresses the accelerator pedal.

Further, according to the throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine of the present invention as set forth in claim 2, since the auxiliary throttle valve is driven to close in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal, even when the throttle valve remains open, the auxiliary throttle valve is driven to close. This has the advantage of being able to suppress engine torque and stopping the vehicle reliably.

Furthermore, in the throttle retaining/disengaging mechanism for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, the drive torque restriction of the electric motor can be canceled under a required driving mode such as during auto-cruise driving. An advantage of an electric motor having a drive torque limiting function is that auto-cruise operation can be achieved with the accelerator pedal released.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 show a throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram thereof, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining its operation. 1-Intake passage, 2-Main throttle valve, 2a-Shaft portion, 3-
Accelerator pedal, 4-throttle lever 5-stopper,
6-.-First return spring. 7-Fixing point, 8.-Second return spring, 9.-
Wire cable, 10-Electric motor (motor), 11-Front vehicle speed sensor, 12-Rear wheel speed sensor, 13-Engine rotation speed sensor, 14-Engine load sensor, 15-Auto cruise switch, 16-Other sensors , 17-throttle position sensor, 18-accelerator position sensor, 19-- ECU, 20-drive signal command line, 21-drive current limit signal line, 22-third return spring, 23-brake pedal , 24-sub-throttle valve, 25-wire cable, 26-sub-throttle lever, 27-brake switch, 28-fourth return spring. 9 Figure 1

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A throttle valve rotatably installed in an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, a rotatable stopper capable of regulating the closed position of the throttle valve, and a rotatable stopper that is connected to an accelerator pedal so that the accelerator pedal is depressed. a throttle lever that rotates in conjunction with the throttle valve to drive the stopper in the opening direction of the throttle valve; and a throttle lever that is installed between the stopper and the throttle valve to push the throttle valve toward the stopper. a first return spring that biases the stopper in the closing direction of the throttle valve, and a second return spring that biases the stopper in the closing direction of the throttle valve and has a spring constant larger than that of the first return spring; an electric motor that can be driven independently of a depression operation of the internal combustion engine; and a throttle valve control means that controls the opening degree of the throttle valve by controlling the electric motor according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine. The valve control means is provided with motor drive torque limiting means for limiting the motor drive torque to a torque range that overcomes the biasing force of the first return spring but cannot overcome the biasing force of the second return spring. A throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine, characterized by: (2) A throttle valve rotatably installed in the intake passage of an internal combustion engine, a rotatable stopper capable of regulating the closed position of the throttle valve, and a rotatable stopper that is connected to and connected to an accelerator pedal when the accelerator pedal is depressed. a throttle lever that rotates in conjunction with the throttle lever to drive the stopper in the opening direction of the throttle valve; and a throttle lever that is installed between the stopper and the throttle valve and urges the throttle valve toward the stopper. 1
and a second return spring that biases the stopper in the closing direction of the throttle valve and has a spring constant larger than that of the first return spring, and the internal combustion engine is connected in series with the throttle valve. a sub-throttle valve rotatably interposed in the intake passage of the sub-throttle valve, and a sub-throttle lever connected to a brake pedal and rotating in conjunction with depression of the brake pedal to close the sub-throttle valve. an electric motor that can drive the throttle valve independently of depression of the accelerator pedal, and a throttle valve that controls the opening degree of the throttle valve by controlling the electric motor according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine. control means is provided, and the throttle valve control means is configured to control the motor drive torque to a torque range that overcomes the biasing force of the first return spring but does not overcome the biasing force of the second return spring. A throttle valve drive mechanism for an internal combustion engine, characterized in that a motor drive torque limiting means is provided. (3) The throttle valve control means for an internal combustion engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the throttle valve control means is provided with a motor drive torque restriction release means for releasing the restriction by the motor drive torque restriction means under a required operating condition. Valve drive mechanism.