(19)
(11)EP 1 571 327 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
11.07.2007 Bulletin 2007/28

(21)Application number: 05002533.7

(22)Date of filing:  07.02.2005
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F02M 35/116(2006.01)
F02B 75/22(2006.01)
F02B 61/02(2006.01)

(54)

Intake system for V engine

Einlassanordnung für Brennkraftmaschine mit V-förmig angeordneten Zylinderreihen

Système d'admission pour moteur avec cylindres disposés en V


(84)Designated Contracting States:
DE GB IT

(30)Priority: 01.03.2004 JP 2004056715

(43)Date of publication of application:
07.09.2005 Bulletin 2005/36

(73)Proprietor: HONDA MOTOR CO., Ltd.
Tokyo (JP)

(72)Inventor:
  • Udono, Takashi, c/o K.K. Honda Gijutsu Kenkyusho
    Wako-shi, Saitama (JP)

(74)Representative: Rupp, Christian et al
Mitscherlich & Partner, Patent- und Rechtsanwälte, Postfach 33 06 09
80066 München
80066 München (DE)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A- 1 293 653
EP-A- 1 520 978
EP-A- 1 387 081
  
  • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2002, no. 11, 6 November 2002 (2002-11-06) & JP 2002 202034 A (HONDA MOTOR CO LTD), 19 July 2002 (2002-07-19)
  • PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1996, no. 04, 30 April 1996 (1996-04-30) & JP 07 332208 A (SUZUKI MOTOR CORP), 22 December 1995 (1995-12-22)
  
Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


Description


[0001] The present invention relates generally to an intake system for a V engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intake system for a V engine having the following specific arrangements. A main body of the V engine is formed as follows. Specifically, first and second banks are formed into the letter V. An intake path forming section forms an intake path having a downstream end in communication with each intake port disposed in each of cylinder heads of the two banks. The intake path forming section is connected to an air chamber such that an upstream end of the intake path opens into the air chamber commonly provided for the two cylinder heads. A plurality of fuel injection valves injecting fuel toward the upstream end opening portion of each of the intake paths in the air chamber is disposed in the air chamber.

[0002] Such an intake system for a V engine is well-known as that disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 or the like.
Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-202034

[0003] The intake system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is constructed as follows. Specifically, the V engine according to Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of fuel injection valves injecting fuel toward an upstream end opening portion in an air chamber of each of intake paths. Each of the intake paths individually connects to a corresponding one of cylinder heads of a pair of front and rear banks. An entire structure of the plurality of fuel injection valves is accommodated in the air chamber. The fuel injection valves thus occupy a relatively large volume in a space of the air chamber. This not only reduces a substantial volume of the air chamber, but also imposes restrictions on a shape of the air chamber.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an intake system for a V engine designed for enhancing a degree of freedom in a shape and design of an air chamber, while securing a substantial volume for the air chamber.

[0005] To achieve the foregoing object, an intake system for a V engine according to a first aspect of the present invention is defined in claim 1. The engine has an engine main body shaped into the letter V by having first and second banks. There is provided an intake path forming section forming an intake path. The intake path has a downstream end in communication with an intake port included in each of cylinder heads included in the first and second banks. The intake path forming section connects to an air chamber common to the cylinder heads such that an upstream end of the intake path opens in the air chamber. A plurality of fuel injection valves is disposed in the air chamber. These fuel injection valves inject fuel toward the upstream end opening portion of the intake path in the air chamber. Specifically, a path forming member constituting at least part of the intake path forming section by forming the upstream end of the intake path connects to a first wall portion of the air chamber. Further, each of the fuel injection valves is mounted from an outside on a second wall portion of the air chamber opposing the first wall portion such that a leading end portion thereof faces an inside of the air chamber.
Patent document EP 1 520 978 A2 (date of publication : 6.4.2005) relates to air cleaners and to intake air routing structure for use in a motorcycle, and particularly to air cleaners which incorporate throttle bodies therein. The air cleaner housing is partitioned into an upper filtered side and a lower unfiltered side, and intake funnel pipes connected to front and rear cylinders, project into the filtered side. The air cleaner is provided on the front side of the housing above the intake funnel pipes. When air enters the housing, it is cleaned by the air cleaner, and then flows through the filtered side into the intake funnel pipes and toward the cylinders on the lower side. A mount seat similarly in a roughly V shape is fixed onto the upper surface of the housing and injectors are provided coaxially with the extension of each corresponding intake funnel pipe to inject fuel toward upper end opening portion of the intake fuel pipes.
Patent document EP 1 293 653 A1 describes an apparatus for mixing air and fuel in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus comprises at least two throttle bodies having an inlet and an outlet and at least two air chokes, each located at the inlet of one of the throttle bodies and coaxially with the throttle body. The air chokes consist of a fixed and a moveable portion to vary the intake pipes in length independent of one another. Injectors are positioned on the longitudinal axis of the throttle body and of the air choke. The injectors are mounted on a frame that is integral with the throttle body or they are linked to and move with the mobile portion of the air choke or they are mounted on the air box.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the intake system is characterized by the following points in addition to the arrangements according to the first aspect of the present invention. Specifically, at least part of the air chamber is disposed between the first and second banks. Further, upstream ends of the intake paths on a side of the first and second banks are disposed close to each other as viewed from a side with the first and second banks arranged in a fore-aft direction.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the intake system is characterized by the following points in addition to the arrangements according to the second aspect of the present invention. Specifically, in the side view with the first and second banks arranged in the fore-aft direction, a center axis of each of the plurality of fuel injection valves is disposed inside a triangle formed with extension lines toward an upstream side of axes of the intake paths on the side of the first and second banks and a straight line connecting centers on the upstream ends of the intake paths on the side of the first and second banks.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the intake system is characterized by the following point in addition to the arrangements according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention. Specifically, rear portions of the plurality of fuel injection valves are fitted in, and connected to, a delivery pipe disposed on an outside of the air chamber. The fuel injection valves are then mounted in the second wall portion by having coupler portions for connecting electrical wires thereto disposed on the outside of the air chamber.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the intake system is characterized by the following points in addition to the arrangements according to any one of the first to the fourth aspects of the present invention. Specifically, each of the plurality of fuel injection valves is disposed in the air chamber as valves intended for high-speed operation of the engine. A fuel injection valve for injecting fuel at all times during operation of the engine is mounted in the intake path forming section so as to inject fuel directly into the intake path.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the intake system is characterized by the following point in addition to the arrangements according to any of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention. Specifically, the air chamber serves also as a cleaner case for an air cleaner including a filter element.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the intake system is characterized by the following points in addition to the arrangements according to the sixth aspect of the present invention. Specifically, the air chamber is divided into a purified chamber and an unpurified chamber with the filter element as a partition. Part of the intake path forming section is accommodated inside the unpurified chamber.

[0012] According to the first aspect of the present invention, a volume of fuel injection valves taking up a space inside the air chamber can be made small, thereby providing a greater substantial space for the air chamber. The degree of freedom in the shape and design of the air chamber can thus be enhanced.

[0013] According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the side view with the first and second banks arranged in the fore-aft direction, the upstream ends of the intake paths on the side of the first and second banks are close to each other inside the air chamber disposed between the two banks. The fuel injection valves disposed in the second wall portion, which opposes the first wall portion to which the intake path forming portion is connected, on the side of the first and second banks can also be disposed close to each other. This enables compact disposition of the fuel injection valves.

[0014] According to the third aspect of the present invention, each of the fuel injection valves can be disposed even closer to each other. This enables even more compact disposition of the fuel injection valves.

[0015] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, fuel piping and electrical wiring connected to each of the fuel injection valves are disposed on the outside of the air chamber. This facilitates jobs of assembling the fuel injection valves in the air chamber and of service and inspection, thus leading to an enhanced workability. Moreover, placement of the fuel piping and the electrical wiring requires no penetration through the wall portion of the air chamber. This eliminates the need for extra parts and the like for achieving good sealing performance.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, fuel is directly injected into the intake paths at all times during operation of the engine from the fuel injection valves disposed closer to the cylinder heads. This enhances response in fuel supply amount control.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the air chamber serves also as the cleaner case. This not only eliminates the need for securing a space for disposing the cleaner case in addition to the air chamber, but also reduces the number of parts required.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, part of the intake path forming portions is accommodated in the unpurified chamber of the air chamber. An even greater volume can be provided for the air chamber as compared with a type, in which the upstream end of the intake path forming portion is connected to the wall portion of the air chamber.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a motorcycle.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view showing an area near an air chamber, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view on arrow 5 of FIG. 2 with the air chamber removed.

FIG. 6 is a view on arrow 6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a construction of a fuel piping system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a construction of a fuel piping system according to a first modified example.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a construction of a fuel piping system according to a second modified example



[0019] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference an exemplary case shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] FIGS. 1 through 7 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a motorcycle. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view showing an area near an air chamber, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 6. FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a view on arrow 5 of FIG. 2 with the air chamber removed. FIG. 6 is a view on arrow 6 of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a construction of a fuel piping system.

[0021] Referring first to FIG. 1, a vehicle body frame F of the motorcycle includes a head pipe 12, a pair of right and left main frames 13, a pair of right and left engine hangers 14, a pair of right and left pivot plates 15, and a rear portion frame 16. The head pipe 12 steerably supports a front fork 11 journaling a front wheel WF.
Each of the right and left main frames 13 ... extends rearwardly and downwardly from the head pipe 12. Each of the right and left engine hangers 14 ... is welded to a front portion of the head pipe 12 and the main frames 13 ... and extends downwardly from the main frames 13 ... Each of the right and left pivot plates 15 ... extends downwardly from a rear portion of each of the main frames 13 ... The rear portion frame 16 extends rearwardly and upwardly and is connected to the rear portion of each of the main frames 13 ....

[0022] An engine main body 17 that includes a front portion bank BF as a first bank and a rear portion bank BR as a second bank and that may, for example, be configured into a V-five type, is supported at the following points. Specifically, the main body 17 is supported at a lower portion of the engine hangers 14 ..., an intermediate portion of the main frames 13 ..., and an upper portion and a lower portion of the pivot plates 15 ....

[0023] A front end portion of a swing arm 18 is swingably supported on an intermediate portion in a vertical direction of the pivot plates 15 ... by way of a pivot shaft 19. An axle 20 of a rear wheel WR is rotatably supported on a rear end portion of the swing arm 18.

[0024] A transmission is built into the engine main body 17. A power drive from an output shaft 21 of the transmission is transmitted to the rear wheel WR via chain transmission means 22. The chain transmission means 22 includes a drive sprocket 23, a driven sprocket 24, and an endless chain 25. The drive sprocket 23 is secured to the output shaft 21. The driven sprocket 24 is secured to the rear wheel WR. The endless chain 25 is wound around the drive sprocket 23 and the driven sprocket 24.

[0025] An upper end portion of a rear cushion unit 26 is connected to a front portion of the swing arm 18. A lower end portion of the rear cushion unit 26 is connected to a lower portion of each of the right and left pivot plates 15 via a linkage mechanism 27.

[0026]  An air chamber 29 is disposed above cylinder heads 28F, 28R in the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR of the engine main body 17. A fuel tank 30 is supported on the rear portion frame 16. The fuel tank 30 covers the engine main body 17 from above in rear of the air chamber 29. A main seat 31 is supported on the rear portion frame 16 rearward of the fuel tank 30. A rider sits astride the motorcycle on the main seat 31. There is a pillion seat 32 for allowing a passenger to ride thereof. The pillion seat 32 is supported on the rear portion frame 16 at a position away from and rearward of the main seat 31.

[0027] First individual exhaust pipes 33F ... continue into corresponding ones of cylinders of the cylinder head 28F of the front portion bank BF. The first individual exhaust pipes 33F ... are disposed extendedly downward of the engine main body 17 toward a side of the rear wheel WR. Each of the first individual exhaust pipes 33F ... is connected commonly to a first converging exhaust pipe 34F. A first exhaust muffler 35F disposed on the right-hand side above the rear wheel WR is supported on the rear portion frame 16. A downstream end of the first converging exhaust pipe 34F is connected to the first exhaust muffler 35F. Second individual exhaust pipes 33R ... continue into corresponding ones of cylinders of the cylinder head 28R of the rear portion bank BR. The second individual exhaust pipes 33R ... extend rearwardly along a portion above the rear cushion unit 26. Each of the second individual exhaust pipes 33R ... is connected commonly to a second converging exhaust pipe 34R. A second exhaust muffler 35R is disposed below the pillion seat 32. The second exhaust muffler 35R is supported on the rear portion frame 16. A downstream end of the second converging exhaust pipe 34R is connected to the second exhaust muffler 35R.

[0028] A space forward of the head pipe 12 is covered with a front cowl 36 formed from a synthetic resin. Both sides at a front portion of the vehicle body are covered with a center cowl 37 formed from a synthetic resin and continuing from the front cowl 36. Lower cowls 38 ... formed from a synthetic resin are provided in a connected row arrangement for the center cowl 37. The lower cowls 38 ... cover both sides of part of the engine main body 17 and the first individual exhaust pipes 33F ... continuing to the cylinder head 28F of the front portion bank BF. In addition, a rear cowl 39 covers a rear portion of the rear portion frame 16 together with the most part of the second exhaust muffler 35R. A cover 40 covers the fuel tank 30 and the air chamber 29. A front fender 41 covering a space above the front wheel WF is attached to the front fork 11.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the front portion bank BF of the engine main body 17 includes three cylinders, while the rear portion bank BR of the engine main body 17 includes two cylinders. The cylinder heads 28F, 28R in the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR include intake ports 43 ... having a bifurcated pair of branch path portions 43a ... so as to communicate with each of combustion chambers 42 ... of the cylinders. A pair of intake valves 44 ... are disposed in the cylinder heads 28F, 28R for each cylinder so as to open and close the branch path portions 43a ... Upstream ends of the intake ports 43 ... are open to upper portion side walls of the cylinder heads 28F, 28R.

[0030] There is disposed between the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR at least part of the air chamber 29 common to the cylinder heads 28F, 28R of the two banks BF, BR. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the most part of the air chamber 29 is disposed between the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR above the cylinder heads 28F, 28R.

[0031] A downstream end of each of intake paths 46 ... individually provided for corresponding ones of the cylinders is in communication with the intake ports 43 ... of the cylinder heads 28F, 28R in the two banks BF, BR. Intake path forming portions 47 ... forming the intake paths 46 ... are connected to the air chamber 29 such that upstream ends of the intake paths 46 are open to the air chamber 29. Each of the intake path forming portions 47 ... includes an insulator 48, a throttle body 49, and an air funnel 50. The insulator 48 is connected to the upper portion side wall of the cylinder heads 28F, 28R so as to continue into the intake ports 43 .... The throttle body 49 has a downstream end connected to the insulator 48. The air funnel 50 is connected to an upstream end of the throttle body 49.

[0032] A valve shaft 51 traversing the intake path 46 is rotatably supported on the throttle body 49. A butterfly type throttle valve 52 for regulating a circulating area of the intake path 46 is secured to the valve shaft 51.

[0033] The shape of a transverse cross section of a path portion 46a, at which the throttle valve 52 is disposed, in the intake path 46 of the throttle body 49 is circular. Meanwhile, the shape of a transverse cross section of a path portion 46b at the downstream end is an ellipse having a direction of arrangement of the branch path portions 43a, 43a of the intake ports 43 in the cylinder heads 28F, 28R as the major axis direction as shown in FIG. 4.

[0034] The shape of a transverse cross section of the insulator 48 and that of an upstream end of the intake port 43 are also formed into an ellipse corresponding to the shape of the transverse cross section of the path portion 46b at the downstream end in the throttle body 49. Accordingly, the shape of the transverse cross section changes smoothly from a circle to an ellipse for a range of portions covering from the intake path 46 downstream of the throttle valve 52 to the branch path portions 43a ... of the intake port 43. This allows the length from the throttle valve 52 to the branch path portions 43a ... of the intake port 43, that is, the pair of intake valves 44 to be set relatively short.

[0035] The major axis of the elliptic path portion 46b is set smaller than the diameter of the path portion 46a, at which the throttle valve 52 is disposed. This allows a draft direction of a core for forming an inner surface of the throttle body 49 to be set in one direction when casting the throttle body 49. Need for machining the inner surface of the throttle body 49 can thus be eliminated. A simple two-part mold can be used. All this contributes to a reduced manufacturing cost of the throttle body 49.

[0036] The air chamber 29 includes upper portion, intermediate portion, and lower portion case members 51, 52 53' formed from a synthetic resin. The upper portion, intermediate portion, and lower portion case members 51, 52', 53' are mutually connected together such that the upper portion case member 51 and the lower portion case member 53 sandwich the intermediate portion case member 52. The upper portion case member 51 and the lower portion case member 53 are formed into bowls with their respective opposing sides opened. The intermediate portion case member 52 is formed so as to partition off the air chamber 29 into upper and lower halves.

[0037] The air chamber 29 serves also as a cleaner case for an air cleaner 55 including a filter element 54. A communication hole 57 is provided in the intermediate portion case member 52' at a position above the front portion bank BF. An opening portion 58 is provided in the upper portion case member 51' at a position above the communication hole 57. A lid member 59 for closing the opening portion 58 is removably attached to the upper portion case member 51 using a plurality of screw members 60 ....

[0038] A support frame 56 supporting the filter element 54 formed into a cylindrical shape is clamped between the intermediate portion case member 52 and the lid member 59 at a portion corresponding to the communication hole 57. An endless sealing member 61 surrounding the communication hole 57 is interposed between the support frame 56 and the intermediate portion case member 52.

[0039] Accordingly, the air chamber 29 is divided into a purified chamber 62 and an unpurified chamber 63 with the filter element 54 as a partition. Specifically, the purified chamber 62 is a space formed between the upper portion case member 51 and the intermediate case member 52, excluding the filter element 54. The unpurified chamber 63 includes a space between the intermediate portion case member 52 and the lower portion case member 53 and an inside of the filter element 54. The filter element 54 therefore filters air circulating from the unpurified chamber 63 to the purified chamber 64 by way of the filter element 54.

[0040] Air introduction holes 64, 64 for communicating with the unpurified chamber 63 are provided on both sides of the lower portion case member 53'. Intake ducts 65, 65 for drawing an outside air into the unpurified chamber 63 through the air introduction holes 64, 64 are connected to both sides of the lower portion case member 53'.

[0041] The lower portion case member 53 is supported by the intake path forming portions 47 ... of the cylinders in the engine main body 17. Cylinder bores are joined to the cylinder heads 28F, 28R with the ring-shaped insulators 48 ..., interposed between the throttle bodies 49 of the intake path forming portions 47 ... and the cylinder heads 28F, 28R, clamped between the cylinder heads 28F, 28R. This results in the lower portion case member 53 being supported by the insulators 48 ..., that is, a plurality of the intake path forming portions 47 ... The throttle bodies 49 ... forming part of the intake path forming portions 47 ... are accommodated in the unpurified chamber 63 so as to be clamped between the intermediate portion case member 52 and the insulators 48 ... Each of the air funnels 50 ... connected to each of the throttle bodies 49 ... protrudes into the purified chamber 62 from the intermediate portion case member 52'.

[0042] Reference is also made to FIG. 5. Referring to the front portion bank BF, there are three throttle valves 52 ... of the throttle bodies 49 ... corresponding to the front portion bank BF fastened to the valve shafts 51 ... Referring to the rear portion bank BR, there are two throttle valves 52 ... of the throttle bodies 49 ... corresponding to the rear portion bank BR fastened to the valve shafts 51 .... These valve shafts 51 ... are mutually connected through operatively associating and connecting means 66F, 66R. A throttle drum 67 is disposed on an outer side surface of the throttle body 49 on one end along the arrangement direction of the throttle bodies 49 ... on the front portion bank BF. The throttle drum 67 continues into the valve shafts 51 ... that are mutually operatively associated and connected together. A throttle operating force is transmitted from the throttle drum 67 to the operatively associating and connecting means 66R on the side of the rear portion bank BR via an operatively associating lever 68.

[0043] Reference is now made to the air funnels 50 ... forming downstream ends of the intake paths 46 ... so as to serve as path forming members constituting at least part of the intake path forming portions 47 .... Lower portions of the air funnels 50 ... are joined to the throttle bodies 49 ... as follows. Specifically, while lower end portions of the air funnels 50 ... are inserted into upper end portions of the throttle bodies 49 ..., a first wall portion 29a forming part of the intermediate portion case member 52 forming part of the air chamber 29 is clamped by the throttle bodies 49 .... That is, the air funnels 50 ... are connected to the first wall portion 29a of the air chamber 29.

[0044] Reference is also made to FIG. 6. Of the upper portion case member 51 forming part of the air chamber 29, a second wall portion 29b opposing the first wall portion 29a forms an upper wall portion of the upper portion case member 51. A first fuel injection valve 70 is mounted for each cylinder on this upper wall portion of the upper portion case member 51 from an outside such that a leading end portion thereof faces the inside of the air chamber 29. The first fuel injection valves 70 ... are designed to inject fuel toward upper end opening portions inside the air chamber 29 of the intake paths 46 ... when the engine is run at high speed.

[0045] The second wall portion 29b of the air chamber 29 includes an opening portion 71 corresponding to all of the air funnels 50 .... A support plate 72 for plugging the opening portion 71 from an outside is fastened to the second wall portion 29b using a plurality of bolts 73 .... There are provided fitting recessed portions 74 ... in the support plate 72. The leading end portions of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... have coupler portions 70a ..., to which electrical wires are connected, disposed on the outside of the air chamber 29. The leading end portions of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... are fitted into the fitting recessed portions 74 ... from the outside. Rear portions of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... are commonly fitted in, and connected to, a first delivery pipe 75 disposed on the outside of the air chamber 29.
The first delivery pipe 75 is thus fastened to the support plate 72. An intake air temperature sensor 76 is mounted to the support plate 72.

[0046] To state it another way, the first fuel injection valves 70 ... are clamped between the support plate 72 and the first delivery pipe 75 fastened to the support plate 72. When the support plate 72 is fastened to the second wall portion 29b of the air chamber 29, the first fuel injection valves 70 ... are mounted to the second wall portion 29b from the outside such that the leading end portions of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... face the inside of the purified chamber 62 of the air chamber 29.

[0047] Reference is made to FIG. 2 of a side view showing a layout of the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR in the fore-aft direction. The upstream ends of the intake paths 46 on the side of the front and rear portion banks BF, BR are disposed close to each other in the purified chamber 62 of the air chamber 29. A center axis of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... is disposed inside a triangle T formed with extension lines toward the upstream side of axes CF, CR of the intake paths 46 on the side of the front and rear portion banks BF, BR and a straight line L connecting centers on the upstream ends of the intake paths 46 on the side of the front and rear portion banks BF, BR.

[0048] The first fuel injection valves 70 ... are disposed in the air chamber 29 for high-speed rotation of the engine. In addition to the first fuel injection valves 70 ..., second fuel injection valves 77 ... for injecting fuel at all times during operation of the engine are mounted in the intake path forming portions 47 ... so as to directly inject fuel in the intake paths 46 .... According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second fuel injection valves 77 ... are mounted on the throttle bodies 49 ... of the intake path forming portions 47 ....

[0049] Of the intake paths 46 of the throttle body 49, the path portions 46b ... at the downstream ends are formed into an ellipse in a transverse cross section thereof. Fitting recessed portions 78 ... are disposed in the throttle bodies 49 ... downstream from the throttle valves 52 .... The fitting recessed portion 78 has an axis running along a plane including a minor axis of the intake path 46 located downstream from the throttle valve 52. Leading end portions of the second fuel injection valves 77 ... are fitted into the fitting recessed portions 78 ... such that fuel is injected from the path portions 46b ... toward the side of the intake ports 43 .... Rear portions of the second fuel injection valves 77 ... are commonly fitted in, and connected to, a second delivery pipe 79.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 7, fuel delivered from a fuel pump 81 for pumping fuel up from the fuel tank 30 is supplied to the first delivery pipe 75 via a first fuel hose 82. The fuel is further supplied from the first delivery pipe 75 to the second delivery pipe 79 via a second fuel hose 83. That is, the first delivery pipe 75 and the second delivery pipe 79 are connected in series to the fuel pump 81.

[0051] The operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. The intake path forming portions 47 ... form the intake paths 46 ... having downstream ends in communication with the intake ports 43 ... disposed in each of the cylinder heads 28F, 28R of the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR included in the engine main body 17. The intake path forming portions 47 ... are connected to the air chamber 29 such that upstream ends of the intake paths 46 ... are open to the air chamber 29 commonly provided for the front and rear portion heads 28F, 28R. The first fuel injection valves 70 ... for high-speed operations injecting fuel toward upstream end opening portions of the intake paths 46 ... in the air chamber 29 are disposed in the air chamber 29. The air funnels 50 ... constituting at least part of the intake path forming portions 47 ... by forming upstream ends of the intake paths 46 ... are connected to the first wall portion 29a of the air chamber 29. The first fuel injection valves 70 ... are mounted in the second wall portion 29b opposing the first wall portion 29a of the air chamber 29 from the outside such that leading end portions thereof face the inside of the air chamber 29.

[0052] This allows the volume the first fuel injection valves 70 ... take up in the air chamber 29 to be made smaller. A substantial volume of the air chamber 29 can therefore be largely secured. An intake noise can be reduced and engine acceleration performance can be enhanced. The degree of freedom in the shape and design of the air chamber 29 can also be increased.

[0053] At least part of the air chamber 29 is disposed between the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR. The upstream ends of the intake paths 46 ... on the side of the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR are disposed close to each other in the air chamber 29 as viewed from a side with the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR arranged in the fore-aft direction. The first fuel injection valves 70 ... on the side of the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR disposed in the second wall portion 29b can therefore be disposed close to each other. This enables a compact disposition of the first fuel injection valves 70

[0054] In the aforementioned side view with the front portion bank BF and the rear portion bank BR arranged in the fore-aft direction, the center axis of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... is disposed inside the triangle T formed with the extension lines toward the upstream side of the axes CF, CR of the intake paths 46 on the side of the front and rear portion banks BF, BR and the straight line L connecting the centers on the upstream ends of the intake paths 46 on the side of the front and rear portion banks BF, BR. This allows the first fuel injection valves 70 ... to be disposed even closer to each other, thus enabling even more compact disposition of the first fuel injection valves 70 ....

[0055] The rear portions of the first fuel injection valves 70 ... are fitted in, and connected to, the first delivery pipe 75 disposed on the outside of the air chamber 29. The coupler portions 70a ... included in the first fuel injection valves 70 ..., to which electrical wires are connected, are disposed on the outside of the air chamber 29. This specifically means that fuel piping and electrical wiring connected to the first fuel injection valves 70 ... are disposed on the outside of the air chamber 29. This facilitates jobs of assembling the first fuel injection valves 70 ... in the air chamber 29 and of service and inspection, thus leading to an enhanced workability. Moreover, placement of the fuel piping and the electrical wiring requires no penetration through the wall portion of the air chamber 29. This eliminates the need for extra parts and the like for achieving good sealing performance.

[0056]  The second fuel injection valves 77 ... for injecting fuel at all times during operation of the engine are mounted in the throttle bodies 49 ... of the intake path forming portions 47 ... so as to directly inject fuel in the intake paths 46 .... This allows fuel to be directly injected in the intake paths 46 ... from the second fuel injection valves 77 ... disposed closer to the cylinder heads 28F, 28R. Response in fuel supply amount control can therefore be enhanced.

[0057] In particular, the second fuel injection valves 77 ... are mounted in the throttle bodies 49 ... downstream from the throttle valves 52 ... such that the axes thereof run along the planes including the minor axes of the path portions 46b ... at the downstream end of the intake paths 46 ... inside the throttle bodies 49 ... The path portion 46b has the elliptic transverse cross section. The second fuel injection valves 77 ... are therefore brought near to the most ideal center axis of the intake paths 46 ..., thereby achieving the improved response. Moreover, it is possible to set the distance between the throttle valves 52 ... and the intake valves 44 ... to a relatively short value. The second fuel injection valves 77 ... and the throttle valves 52 ... can therefore be brought near to the intake valves 44 ... for achieving the improved response.

[0058] The air chamber 29 serves also as the cleaner case for the air cleaner 55 including the filter element 54. This not only eliminates the need for securing a space for disposing the cleaner case in addition to the air chamber 29, but also reduces the number of parts required.

[0059] Further, the air chamber 29 is divided into the purified chamber 62 and the unpurified chamber 63 with the filter element 54 as the partition. The throttle bodies 49 ... as part of the intake path forming portions 47 ... are accommodated in the unpurified chamber 63. An even greater volume can be provided for the air chamber 29 as compared with a type, in which the upstream end of the intake path forming portion is connected to the wall portion of the air chamber.

[0060] It is appropriate that another fuel piping arrangement be employed as a first modified example of fuel piping as shown in FIG. 8. Specifically, fuel from a fuel pump 81 is supplied from a fuel hose 84 to a second delivery pipe 79 and further supplied therefrom to a first delivery pipe 75 via a fuel hose 85. It is also appropriate that still another fuel piping arrangement be employed as a second modified example of fuel piping as shown in FIG. 9. Specifically, fuel from a fuel pump 81 is supplied in parallel from a fuel hose 86 to first and second delivery pipes 75, 79.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments.

[0062] 

17: ENGINE MAIN BODY

28F, 28R: CYLINDER HEAD

29: AIR CHAMBER

29a: FIRST WALL PORTION

29b: SECOND WALL PORTION

43: INTAKE PORT

46: INTAKE PATH

47: INTAKE PATH FORMING PORTION

50: AIR FUNNEL AS PATH FORMING MEMBER

54: FILTER ELEMENT

55: AIR CLEANER

62: PURIFIED CHAMBER

63: UNPURIFIED CHAMBER

70, 77: FUEL INJECTION VALVE

70a: COUPLER PORTION

75: DELIVERY PIPE

BF: FRONT PORTION BANK AS A FIRST BANK

BR: REAR PORTION BANK AS A SECOND BANK

CF, CR: INTAKE PATH AXIS

L: STRAIGHT LINE

T: TRIANGLE




Claims

1. An intake system for a V engine, the engine having an engine main body (17) formed into V-shape by having first and second banks (BF, BR), comprising:
an intake path forming section (47) forming an intake path (46) having a downstream end in communication with an intake port (43) included in each of cylinder heads (28F, 28R) included in the first and second banks (BF, BR), the intake path forming section (47) connecting to an air chamber (29) common to the cylinder heads (28F, 28R) such that an upstream end of the intake path (46) opens in the air chamber (29); and
a plurality of fuel injection valves (70) disposed in the air chamber (29), the valves (70) injecting fuel toward the upstream end opening portion of the intake path (46) in the air chamber (29);
wherein an air funnel (50) serves as a path forming member constituting at least part of the intake path forming section (47) by forming the upstream end of the intake path (46) connects to a first wall portion (29a) of the air chamber (29); and
wherein each of the plurality of fuel injection valves (70) is mounted from an outside on a second wall portion (29b) of the air chamber (29) opposing the first wall portion (29a) such that a leading end portion thereof faces an inside of the air chamber (29) and
wherein the second wall portion (29b) of the air chamber (29) includes an opening portion (71) corresponding to all of the air funnels (50),
a support plate (72) for plugging the opening portion (71) from an outside is fastened to the second wall portion (29b), and
the fuel injection valve (70) is disposed on the support plate (72).
 
2. The intake system for a V engine according to claim 1,
wherein at least part of the air chamber (29) is disposed between the first and second banks (BF, BR); and
wherein upstream ends of the intake paths (46) on a side of the first and second banks (BF, BR) are disposed close to each other as viewed from a side with the first and second banks (BF, BR) arranged in a fore-aft direction.
 
3. The intake system for a V engine according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein, in the side view with the first and second banks (BF, BR) arranged in the fore-aft direction, a center axis of each of the plurality of fuel injection valves is disposed inside a triangle (T) formed with extension lines toward an upstream side of axes (CF, CR) of the intake paths (46) on the side of the first and second banks (BF, BR) and a straight line (L) connecting centers on the upstream ends of the intake paths (46) on the side of the first and second banks (BF, BR).
 
4. The intake system for a V engine according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein each of the plurality of fuel injection valves (70), rear portion of which is fitted in, and connected to, a delivery pipe (75) disposed on an outside of the air chamber (29), is mounted in the second wall portion (29b), by having coupler portions (70a) for connecting electrical wires thereto disposed on the outside of the air chamber (29).
 
5. The intake system for a V engine according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein each of the plurality of fuel injection valves (70) is disposed in the air chamber (29) as valves intended for high-speed operation of the engine; and
wherein a fuel injection valve (77) for injecting fuel at all times during operation of the engine is mounted in the intake path forming section (47) so as to inject fuel directly into the intake path (46).
 
6. The intake system for a V engine according to any of the preceding claims,
wherein the air chamber (29) serves also as a cleaner case for an air cleaner (55) including a filter element (54).
 
7. The intake system for a V engine according to claim 6,
wherein the air chamber (29) is divided into a purified chamber (62) and an unpurified chamber (63) with the filter element (54) as a partition; and
wherein part of the intake path forming section (47) is accommodated inside the unpurified chamber (63).
 


Ansprüche

1. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor, wobei der Motor einen Motor-Hauptkörper (17) aufweist, der eine erste und eine zweite Bank (BF, BR) aufweist und dadurch in V-Form ausgebildet ist, umfassend:

einen Einlass-Weg bildenden Abschnitt (47), der einen Einlass-Weg (46) bildet, der ein stromabwärts vorhandenes Ende aufweist, das mit einer Einlass-Öffnung (43) in Verbindung steht, die in jedem der Zylinderköpfe (28F, 28R) enthalten ist, die in der ersten und der zweiten Bank (BF, BR) aufgenommen sind, wobei der Einlass-Weg bildende Abschnitt (47) mit einer den Zylinderköpfen (28F, 28R) gemeinsamen Luftkammer (29) derart verbunden ist, dass sich ein stromaufwärts vorhandenes Ende des Einlass-Wegs (46) in die Luftkammer (29) öffnet; und

eine Vielzahl von Kraftstoff-Einspritzventilen (70), die in der Luftkammer (29) angeordnet sind, wobei die Ventile (70) Kraftstoff zu dem stromaufwärts vorhandenen, geöffneten End-Abschnitt des Einlass-Wegs (46) in die Luftkammer (29) einspritzen;

wobei ein Luftkanal (50), der als ein Weg bildendes Element dient, das wenigstens einen Teil des Einlass-Weg bildenden Abschnitts (47) durch Bilden des stromaufwärts vorhandenen Endes des Einlass-Wegs (46) bildet, mit einem ersten Wandabschnitt (29a) der Luftkammer (29) verbunden ist; und
wobei jedes der Vielzahl von Kraftstoff-Einspritzventilen (70) von außerhalb an einem zweiten Wandabschnitt (29b) der Luftkammer (29), der dem ersten Wandabschnitt (29a) gegenüberliegt, befestigt ist, derart, dass ein vorderer Endabschnitt der Kraftstoff-Einspritzventile (70) einem Inneren der Luftkammer (29) zugewandt ist, und
wobei der zweite Wandabschnitt (29b) der Luftkammer (29) einen Öffnungs-Abschnitt (71) aufweist, der mit allen Luftkanälen (50) korrespondiert,
eine Halteplatte (72) zum Verschließen des Öffnungs-Abschnitts (71) von außerhalb an dem zweiten Wandabschnitt (29b) befestigt ist, und wobei das Kraftstoff-Einspritzventil (70) an der Halteplatte (72) angeordnet ist.
 
2. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor nach Anspruch 1,
wobei wenigstens ein Teil der Luftkammer (29) zwischen der ersten und der zweiten Bank (BF, BR) angeordnet ist; und
wobei stromaufwärts vorhandene Enden des Einlass-Wegs (46) an einer Seite der ersten und der zweiten Bank (BF, BR) nahe zueinander angeordnet sind, und zwar bei Betrachtung von einer Seite, wobei die erste und die zweite Bank (BF, BR) in einer Vom-Hinten-Richtung angeordnet sind.
 
3. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
wobei in der Seitenansicht, wobei die erste und die zweite Bank (BF, BR) in der Vom-Hinten-Richtung angeordnet sind, eine zentrale Achse jedes Kraftstoff-Einspritzventils (70) der Vielzahl von Kraftstoff-Einspritzventilen (70) innerhalb eines Dreiecks (T) angeordnet ist, das mit Verlängerungs-Linien zu einer stromaufwärts vorhandenen Seite von Achsen (CF, CR) der Einlass-Wege (46) an der Seite der ersten und der zweiten Bank (BF, BR) und einer geraden Linie (L) gebildet ist, die Zentren an den stromaufwärts vorhandenen Enden der Einlass-Wege (46) auf Seiten der ersten und der zweiten Bank (BF, BR) verbindet.
 
4. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
wobei jedes der Vielzahl von Kraftstoff-Einspritzventilen (70), bei denen ein hinterer Abschnitt der Kraftstoff-Einspritzventile (70) in eine Zuführleitung (75) eingepasst und mit dieser verbunden ist, die außerhalb der Luftkammer (29) angeordnet ist, in dem zweiten Wandabschnitt (29b) befestigt ist, wobei Verbindungs-Abschnitte (70a) zum daran Anschließen von elektrischen Drähten außerhalb der Luftkammer (29) angeordnet sind.
 
5. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
wobei jedes der Vielzahl von Kraftstoff-Einspritzventilen (70) in der Luftkammer (29) als Ventile angeordnet sind, die für einen Hoch-Geschwindigkeits-Betrieb des Motors vorgesehen sind; und
wobei ein Kraftstoff-Einspritzventil (77) zum Einspritzen von Kraftstoff während der gesamten Betriebsdauer des Motors an dem Einlass-Weg bildenden Abschnitt (47) befestigt ist, um so Kraftstoff direkt in den Einlass-Weg (46) einzuspritzen.
 
6. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor nach einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche,
wobei die Luftkammer (29) auch als ein Filtergehäuse für einen Luftfilter (55) dient, der ein Filterelement (54) aufweist.
 
7. Einlass-System für einen V-Motor nach Anspruch 6,
wobei die Luftkammer (29) in eine gereinigte Kammer (62) und eine ungereinigte Kammer (63) mit dem Filterelement (54) als ein Teilbereich unterteilt ist; und
wobei ein Teil des Einlass-Weg bildenden Abschnitts (47) innerhalb der ungereinigten Kammer (63) aufgenommen ist.
 


Revendications

1. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V, le moteur ayant un corps principal de moteur (17) formé selon une forme de V en ayant des première et seconde rangées (BF, BR), comprenant :

une section de formation de passage d'admission (47) formant un passage d'admission (46) ayant une extrémité aval en communication avec un orifice d'admission (43) compris dans chacune des culasses (28F, 28R) comprises dans les première et seconde rangées (BF, BR), la section de formation de passage d'admission (47) se raccordant à une chambre d'air (29) commune aux culasses (28F, 28R) de sorte qu'une extrémité amont du passage d'admission (46) s'ouvre dans la chambre d'air (29) ; et

une pluralité de soupapes d'injection de carburant (70) disposées dans la chambre d'air (29), les soupapes (70) injectant du carburant vers la partie d'ouverture d'extrémité amont du passage d'admission (46) dans la chambre d'air (29) ;

dans lequel une buse (50) sert d'élément de formation de passage constituant au moins une partie de la section de formation de passage d'admission (47) en formant l'extrémité amont du passage d'admission (46) qui se raccorde à une première partie de paroi (29a) de la chambre d'air (29) ; et
dans lequel chacune de la pluralité de soupapes d'injection de carburant (70) est montée depuis un extérieur sur une seconde partie de paroi (29b) de la chambre d'air (29) opposée à la première partie de paroi (29a) de sorte qu'une partie d'extrémité d'attaque de celle-ci fait face à un intérieur de la chambre d'air (29), et
dans lequel la seconde partie de paroi (29b) de la chambre d'air (29) comprend une partie d'ouverture (71) correspondant à toutes les buses (50),
une plaque de support (72) pour brancher la partie d'ouverture (71) depuis un extérieur, est fixée sur la seconde partie de paroi (29b), et
la soupape d'injection de carburant (70) est disposée sur la plaque de support (72).
 
2. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V selon la revendication 1,
dans lequel au moins une partie de la chambre d'air (29) est disposée entre les première et seconde rangées (BF, BR) ; et
dans lequel les extrémités amont des passages d'admission (46) sur un côté des première et seconde rangées (BF, BR) sont disposées à proximité les unes des autres lorsqu'elles sont observées depuis un côté avec les première et seconde rangées (BF, BR) agencées selon une direction avant-arrière.
 
3. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel, sur la vue latérale avec les première et seconde rangées (BF, BR) agencées dans la direction avant-arrière, un axe central de chacune de la pluralité de soupapes d'injection de carburant est disposé à l'intérieur d'un triangle (T) formé avec des lignes d'extension vers un côté amont des axes (CF, CR) des passages d'admission (46) sur le côté des première et seconde rangées (BF, BR) et une ligne droite (L) raccordant les centres sur les extrémités amont des passages d'admission (46) sur le côté des première et seconde rangées (BF, BR).
 
4. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel chacune de la pluralité des soupapes d'injection de carburant (70), dont la partie arrière est montée dans et raccordée à un tuyau d'alimentation (75) disposé sur un extérieur de la chambre d'air (29), est montée dans la seconde partie de paroi (29b), en ayant des parties de couplage (70a) pour y raccorder des fils électriques disposés sur l'extérieur de la chambre d'air (29).
 
5. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel chacune de la pluralité des soupapes d'injection de carburant (70) est disposée dans la chambre d'air (29) en tant que soupapes prévues pour le fonctionnement à grande vitesse du moteur ; et
dans lequel une soupape d'injection de carburant (77) pour injecter le carburant à tout moment pendant le fonctionnement du moteur est montée dans la section de formation de passage d'admission (47) afin d'éjecter le carburant directement dans le passage d'admission (46).
 
6. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
dans lequel la chambre d'air (29) sert également de boîtier de filtre pour un filtre à air (55) comprenant un élément de filtre (54).
 
7. Système d'admission pour un moteur en V selon la revendication 6,
dans lequel la chambre d'air (29) est divisée en une chambre purifiée (62) et une chambre non purifiée (63) avec l'élément de filtre (54) en tant que séparation ; et
dans lequel une partie de la section de formation de passage d'admission (47) est logée à l'intérieur de la chambre non purifiée (63).
 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description