Field of the invention

This invention relates to the field of throttle control for two wheelers.

Background of the invention

Conventional engine management systems that are used to control mass flow rate of air during idling condition rely on bypass facility typically provided in the throttle body assembly. The idling condition is generally achieved by closing the throttle and allowing air to pass through a bypass path that is located transversely to the direction of air flow along the intake path of the throttle body and across the throttle flap. The use of bypass path for air flow leads to additional manufacturing cost, as bypass path needs to be manufactured with very close tolerances. Moreover in case of changing the opening of the bypass by the user may have adverse impact on the performance of the engine due to the non-availability of feedback and to ensure accurate control of mass flow additional sensors would be required which adds up to the cost. Further, during idling condition, there is a need to monitor the rate of flow of air precisely to ensure good idle stability and also faster engine startup.

Advantages of the invention

The advantage of this invention as claimed in the independent claim is to enable adjustment of throttle flap during idling condition without the use of bypass path. The invention enables use of existing throttle flap for controlling idle speed along with the existing application. The invention also helps in determining and controlling mass flow rate of air that is flowing through the intake path of an engine.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings

Different modes of the invention are disclosed in detail in the description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates a device for throttle flap adjustment in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 2 illustrates a method for controlling the mass flow rate of air passing through the intake path of an engine.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates an intake path 106 of an engine showing a screw 102 connected to a throttle flap 101 in accordance with the present invention. The device 100 comprises an adjustable screw 102 mechanically linked to a throttle flap 101. The position of the screw 102 is adapted to adjust the movement of the throttle flap 101. In an embodiment the adjustment of the screw 102 is done manually. A sensor 103 is adapted to sense the position of the throttle flap 101. The positional output that is received from the sensor 103 is communicated to the engine control unit (ECU).The output from the throttle position sensor 103 helps in determining the mass flow rate of air passing via the throttle flap 101.A user then adjusts the throttle flap 101 to vary the amount of air passing through the throttle flap 101. The throttle flap 101 adjustment is usually done for cold start conditions, as there is an increased demand for air.

The function of the throttle flap 101 is to control the speed and the output of the engine by varying the quantity of air passing through the intake path 106. A means to determine the mass flow rate of the engine intake air using the throttle flap 101 position is provided. The air, after passing through the throttle flap 101 further mixes with fuel to be injected into the cylinder for combustion. The amount of fuel that is to be injected into the cylinder is decided by the engine control unit, based on the output received from the sensor 103. As the throttle flap 101 is closed progressively, the obstruction towards the flow of air increases thereby a decreased quantity of air along with fuel is delivered to a cylinder of the engine. The reduction of air-fuel ratio results in the reduced output from the engine. As the throttle flap 101 is opened the output of the engine increases accordingly.

In one embodiment of the invention, an actuator 104 is mechanically linked with the screw 102 to adjust the position of the throttle flap 101. The screw 102 is driven by the actuator 104. The actuator 104 is selected from a group comprising mechanical actuator, electrical actuator, electromechanical actuator, electromagnetic actuator, pneumatic actuator, and hydraulic actuator. A controller 105 is in electronic communication with the sensor 103 and is adapted to adjust the throttle flap 101 position by operating the actuator 104. The controller 105 regulates the intake air flow during idle speed control, and normal speed control.

Figure 2 illustrates a method for controlling the mass flow rate of air passing through the intake path 106 of an engine. The screw 102 is manually adjusted 201 for adjusting the movement of the throttle flap 101. The position of the throttle flap 101 is sensed 202 by the sensor 103. The output from the sensor 103 is communicated 203 to the controller 105. The mass flow rate of air is determined 204 based on the output. The amount of fuel supplied is controlled based on the determined output for maintaining the speed of the engine. The above mentioned method simplifies the process of determining the mass flow rate of air and provides the flexibility to adjust the throttle flap 101 to the user, by adjusting the throttle flap 101 the desired air fuel ration during idling can be achieved.

It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

WE CLAIM:

i. A device (100) for controlling the position of a throttle flap (101) in an intake path (106) of an engine, said device (100) comprising:

an adjustable screw (102) mechanically linked to said throttle flap (101), position of said screw (102) adapted to adjust the movement of said throttle flap (101);

a sensor (103) adapted to sense the position of said throttle flap (101); and
a means to determine the mass flow rate of the engine intake air using said throttle flap (101) position.

2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein adjustment of said screw (102) is done manually.

3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an actuator (104) is mechanically linked with said screw (102).

4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said screw (101) is driven by said actuator (104) to adjust the position of said throttle flap (101).

5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein said actuator (104) is selected from a group comprising mechanical actuator, electrical actuator, electromechanical actuator, electromagnetic actuator, pneumatic actuator, and hydraulic actuator.

6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a controller (105) is in electronic communication with said sensor (103) and is adapted to adjust said throttle flap (101) position by operating the actuator (104).

7. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 6, wherein said controller (105) regulates the intake air flow during idle speed control.

8. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1 and 6, wherein said controller (105) regulates the intake air flow during normal speed control.

9. A method for controlling the mass flow rate of air passing through the intake path (106) of an engine, comprising:

manually adjusting a screw (102) for adjusting the movement of a throttle flap (101);

sensing the position of said throttle flap (101) by a sensor (103);

communicating output from said sensor (104) to a controller (105); and determining said mass flow rate of air based on said output.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising controlling said mass flow rate of air based on said determined output for maintaining the speed of said engine.