Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Generally, in conventional motor vehicles, a lambda sensor, also called an oxygen sensor, is a small probe-like element that is located on a vehicle exhaust. The lambda sensor is typically located between the exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter. In modern vehicles that are subjected to stricter emission norms, two lambda sensors are used. In that, one lambda sensor is located in the exhaust pipe right behind the catalytic converter and another lambda sensor is located in the cylinder head, particularly in the exhaust port.
[003] The lambda sensor inputs are used to adjust the air fuel ratio that is sent to the engine cylinders by optimizing the air and fuel mixture. This also impacts the harmful gas emissions rate by making sure the catalytic converter is working correctly. Therefore, the lambda sensor ensures that the vehicle complies with the standard regulations on pollution and CO2 emissions. The arrangement of the sensor before & after the catalytic converter permits to maintain the hygiene of the exhaust & check the converter’s efficiency.
[004] In existing internal combustion engines, the lambda sensor is dipped inside the exhaust port from a top portion of the exhaust port. Herein, the distance between the exhaust valve and the place where the sensor is installed is an important factor effective functioning of the sensor. Such an existing arrangement has the oxygen sensor being placed away from the exhaust valve. Hence, on opening of the valves, there is a significant delay of time for the gases to reach to the oxygen sensor, which increases the response time of the lambda sensors.
[005] In other conventional internal combustion engines, the lambda sensor is placed in various orientations in the internal combustion engine. However, conventional orientations either result in higher distance between the exhaust valve and the lambda sensor or require significant engine modifications to the engine. The engine modifications result in significantly increases manufacturing complexity and cost.
[006] Thus, there is a need in the art for an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle, which addresses at least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] In one aspect, the present invention is directed towards an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine has a cylinder block for housing a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A cylinder head is provided on the cylinder block. An exhaust valve opening is provided in the cylinder block for allowing exit of exhaust gases from the cylinder block. An exhaust port is provided in the cylinder head for receiving the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening and allowing exit of the exhaust gases away from the exhaust valve opening. An exhaust sensor is provided in the exhaust port. The exhaust sensor is provided at a first inclination with respect to a vertical axis passing through the exhaust port, wherein a probe of the exhaust sensor faces the exhaust valve opening.
[008] In an embodiment of the invention, the exhaust sensor is an oxygen sensor configured to determine a quantity of unburnt oxygen in the exhaust gases.
[009] In another embodiment of the invention, the internal combustion engine has a spark plug provided in the cylinder block. The spark plug is provided at a second inclination with respect to the vertical axis.
[010] In a further embodiment of the invention, the exhaust sensor is being provided on a right side of the spark plug in a vehicle right side view. In another embodiment of the invention, the exhaust sensor and the spark plug extend outwardly from the cylinder head and the cylinder block respectively, and the exhaust sensor and the spark plug extend parallelly to each other.
[011] In a further embodiment of the invention, the probe of the exhaust sensor is directly in line with a direction of exit of the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening.
[012] In a further embodiment of the invention, the exhaust port has an orifice provided thereon and the orifice is configured to receive the exhaust sensor.
[013] In a further embodiment of the invention, the exhaust port has a uniform cross section.
[014] In a further embodiment of the invention, the exhaust port has an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein the exhaust valve opening is connected to the exhaust port at the inlet end. The outlet end is connected to a muffler of the motor vehicle.
[015] In a further embodiment of the invention, a distance between the probe of the exhaust sensor and the inlet end of the exhaust port being less than a distance between the probe of the exhaust sensor and the outlet end of the exhaust port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle illustrating the position of an exhaust sensor with respect to a vertical axis (A-A’) passing through an exhaust port, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a rear view of the internal combustion engine illustrating sections taken along imaginary axis B-B and imaginary axis C-C’, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view of the internal combustion engine of Figure 2 with section taken along section C-C’, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a first sectional view of the internal combustion engine shown in Figure 2 with section taken along section B-B while an exhaust valve opening is in a closed state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a second sectional view of the internal combustion engine with section taken along section B-B while the exhaust valve opening is in a closed state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a third sectional view of the internal combustion engine with section taken along section B-B while the exhaust valve opening is in an open state, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[017] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine of the present invention is typically used in a two wheeled vehicle, or a three wheeled vehicle, or a four wheeled vehicle, or other multi-wheeled vehicles as required. However, it should be understood that the internal combustion engine as illustrated may find its application in any non-automotive application using an internal combustion engine.
[018] Figure 1 illustrates an internal combustion engine 100 for a motor vehicle. As illustrated in Figure 1, the internal combustion engine 100 comprises a cylinder block 110 that houses a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine 100. Combustion occurring in the combustion chamber of the cylinder block 110 provides the motive force for moving a crankshaft, that in turn causes movement of the motor vehicle. The internal combustion engine 100 further has a cylinder head 120 that is provided on top of the cylinder block 110. The cylinder head 120 is configured to house at least an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and a camshaft of the internal combustion engine 100, wherein movement of the crankshaft causes movement of the camshaft, thus opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves in synchronisation with the movement of the crankshaft.
[019] The internal combustion engine 100 further has an exhaust valve opening 130 (shown in Figure 2) that is provided in the cylinder block 110. The exhaust valve opening 130 is provided for allowing exit of exhaust gases from the cylinder block 110 in an exhaust stroke of the internal combustion engine 100. The exhaust valve keeps the exhaust valve opening 130 in an open position during an exhaust stroke of the internal combustion engine 100, and in a closed position during the other strokes.
[020] As further illustrated in Figure 1, the internal combustion engine 100 has an exhaust port 140 that is provided in the cylinder head 120. The exhaust port 140 is provided for receiving the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening 130. Such exhaust port 140 allows exit of the exhaust gases from inside of the internal combustion engine 100 to the muffler of the motor vehicle (not shown). In an embodiment, the exhaust port 140 extends in a vehicle width direction from the exhaust valve opening 130, when the internal combustion engine 100 is mounted on the motor vehicle, thus allowing a passage for the exhaust gases away from the exhaust valve opening 130. An exhaust sensor 150 is provided in the exhaust port 140. The exhaust sensor 150 is a sensor that gauges one or more parameters in the exhaust gases that are exiting the exhaust valve opening 130, and provides the same to a control unit of the motor vehicle. The control unit of the motor vehicle based on the inputs from the exhaust sensor 150, is capable of controlling an air fuel ratio for most efficient combustion and desired emissions. In an embodiment, the exhaust sensor 150 is an oxygen sensor configured to determine a quantity of unburnt oxygen in the exhaust gases, based on which the control unit varies the air fuel ratio.
[021] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 3, the exhaust sensor 150 is provided at a first inclination (θ1) with respect to a vertical axis (A-A’) passing through the exhaust port 140. The first inclination (θ1) of the exhaust sensor 150 means that a probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 faces the exhaust valve opening 130. The first inclination (θ1) of the exhaust sensor 150 and the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 facing the exhaust valve opening 130 means that distance between the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 and the exhaust valve opening 130 is reduced, thereby allowing exhaust gases to directly flow over the probe 152 once the exhaust valve opening 130 is in an open state which results in reduction in the response time of the exhaust sensor 150, thus allowing for improved performance of the exhaust sensor 150, and hence providing more accurate control of the internal combustion engine 100 by the control unit. Further, the probe 152 being closer to the exhaust valve opening 130 ensures that the probe 152 is subjected to higher temperatures and hence, heats up quickly. It is known that an oxygen sensor requires high temperatures for accurate performance, and hence the internal combustion engine 100 of the present invention allows rapid heating up of the oxygen sensor, and hence more accurate performance.
[022] As further illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, in an embodiment, the internal combustion engine 100 comprises a spark plug 160 that is provided in the cylinder block 110. The spark plug 160 is configured to provide timed sparks to the combustion chamber for combustion of the air fuel mixture. As illustrated, the spark plug 160 is provided at a second inclination (θ2) with respect to the vertical axis (A-A’). As shown, in an embodiment, the exhaust sensor 150 is provided on a right side of the spark plug 160 in a vehicle right side view.
[023] In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, the exhaust sensor 150 extends outwardly from the cylinder head 120 and the spark plug 160 extends outwardly from the cylinder block 110. Herein, the exhaust sensor 150 and the spark plug 160 extend parallelly to each other. This means that first inclination (θ1) of the exhaust sensor 150 and the second inclination (θ2) of the spark plug 160 are equal to each other. Such a configuration allows more compact packaging of the internal combustion engine 100, and better accessibility for servicing.
[024] Figure 4 and Figure 5 illustrate sectional view of the internal combustion engine 100 along section B-B (shown in Figure 2). As shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 is directly in line with a direction of exit of the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening 130. Herein, as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5, the exhaust valve opening 130 is in a closed state. Further, the exhaust port 140 has an orifice 142 provided thereon, and the orifice 142 is configured to receive the exhaust sensor 150. The orifice 142 is provided directly in line with the direction of the exhaust gases exiting the exhaust valve opening 130.
[025] Further, in an embodiment, as depicted in Figure 5, the exhaust port 140 has a uniform cross section (Xi) across the exhaust port 140. This means that no significant modifications to the exhaust port 140 of the internal combustion engine 100 are required to accommodate the exhaust sensor 150. Moreover, providing a uniform cross section (Xi) of the exhaust port 140 enables to provide a dedicated path through the exhaust port 140 to allow exhaust gases to pass directly through the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150. In case of non-uniform cross section of the exhaust port 140, the exhaust gases tend to travel through larger path in the exhaust port 140, which prevents the exhaust gases from directly passing through the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150, thus resulting in decreased performance of the exhaust sensor 150.
[026] Reference is made to Figure 6 wherein as illustrated, the exhaust port 140 comprises an inlet end 140A and an outlet end 140B. Herein the exhaust valve opening 130 is connected to the exhaust port 140 at the inlet end 140A. Further, the outlet end 140B of the exhaust port 140 is connected to a muffler of the motor vehicle. The direction of flow of the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening 130 through the exhaust port 140 is depicted by dotted arrows. Once, the exhaust valve opening 130 is in an open state, the exhaust gases exit the exhaust valve opening 130 and the enter the exhaust port 140 through the inlet end 140A. The exhaust gases then travel over the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 and thereafter exit the exhaust port 140 via the outlet end 140B and are released into atmosphere by the muffler. This means that the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 lies directly in the path of the exhaust gases exiting the exhaust valve opening 130, which provides for improved performance of the exhaust sensor 150.
[027] In another embodiment, a distance between the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 and the inlet end 140A of the exhaust port 140 is less than a distance between the probe 152 of the exhaust sensor 150 and the outlet end 140B of the exhaust port 140. This means that the probe 152 is closer to the exhaust valve opening 130, thus ensuring enhanced performance of the exhaust sensor 150.
[028] Advantageously, the present invention provides an internal combustion wherein the probe of the exhaust sensor is placed closer to the exhaust valve opening, and hence the distance between the exhaust valve opening and the exhaust sensor is reduced. This allows lower response time of the exhaust sensor, thus allowing more accurate air fuel ratio estimates and more efficient engine control. Further, this reduced distance allows the exhaust sensor to be heated up quicker, which further enhances the performance of the exhaust sensor.
[029] The probe of the exhaust sensor being closer to the exhaust valve opening also ensures that lower emission levels are achieved by virtue of more accurate control of air fuel ratio.
[030] In addition, no significant engine modifications are required for accommodating the exhaust sensor in the internal combustion engine of the present invention. This is because cross section of the exhaust port need not altered, or a variable cross section need not be provided for accommodating the exhaust sensor in the proximity of the exhaust valve opening. This reduces the complexity in manufacturing and hence lower associated costs.
[031] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
100: Internal Combustion Engine
110: Cylinder Block
120: Cylinder Head
130: Exhaust Valve Opening
140: Exhaust Port
140A: Inlet end of the Exhaust Port
140B: Outlet end of the Exhaust Port
142: Orifice
150: Exhaust Sensor
152: Probe of the Exhaust Sensor
160: Spark Plug
θ1: First Inclination
θ2: Second Inclination
A-A’: Vertical Axis through exhaust port
B-B: Imaginary Axis thorough internal combustion engine
C-C’: Imaginary Axis along the exhaust sensor
Xi: Cross section of the Exhaust Port
, Claims:
1. An internal combustion engine (100) for a motor vehicle, the internal combustion engine (100) comprising:
a cylinder block (110), said cylinder block (110) being capable of housing a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine (100);
a cylinder head (120), said cylinder head (120) being provided on the cylinder block (110);
an exhaust valve opening (130), said exhaust valve opening (130) being provided in the cylinder block (110) for allowing exit of exhaust gases from the cylinder block (110);
an exhaust port (140), said exhaust port (140) being provided in the cylinder head (120), the exhaust port (140) provided for receiving the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening (130) and allowing exit of the exhaust gases away from the exhaust valve opening (130); and
an exhaust sensor (150), said exhaust sensor (150) being provided in the exhaust port (140), the exhaust sensor (150) being provided at a first inclination (θ1) with respect to a vertical axis (A-A’) passing through the exhaust port (140), wherein a probe (152) of the exhaust sensor (150) faces the exhaust valve opening (130).

2. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust sensor (150) being an oxygen sensor configured to determine a quantity of unburnt oxygen in the exhaust gases.

3. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a spark plug (160) provided in the cylinder block (110), the spark plug (160) being provided at a second inclination (θ2) with respect to the vertical axis (A-A’).

4. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the exhaust sensor (150) being provided on a right side of the spark plug (160) in a vehicle right side view.

5. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the exhaust sensor (150) and the spark plug (160) extend outwardly from the cylinder head (120) and the cylinder block (110) respectively, and the exhaust sensor (150) and the spark plug (160) extend parallelly to each other.

6. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the probe (152) of the exhaust sensor (150) being directly in line with a direction of exit of the exhaust gases from the exhaust valve opening (130), wherein said exit of the exhaust gases from the cylinder block (110) being based on the exhaust valve opening (130) being in an open state.

7. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust port (140) comprises an orifice (142) provided thereon, the orifice (142) being configured to receive the exhaust sensor (150).

8. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust port (140) has a uniform cross section (Xi).

9. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the exhaust port (140) comprises an inlet end (140A) and an outlet end (140B), wherein the exhaust valve opening (130) being connected to the exhaust port (140) at the inlet end (140A) and the outlet end (140B) being connected to a muffler of the motor vehicle.

10. The internal combustion engine (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein a distance between the probe (152) of the exhaust sensor (150) and the inlet end (140A) of the exhaust port (140) being less than a distance between the probe (152) of the exhaust sensor (150) and the outlet end (140B) of the exhaust port (140).

Dated this 30th day of September 2022

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-1471