Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.

Kenji Abe

Toshihiro Yamaki

Minoru Nakamura

Hidetaka Ozawa

Norihito Watanabe

Kenichi Ohmori

Yasuyuki Miyahara

Masao Komine

Yoshitomo Kouno

Yasuo Shimizu

Tetsuo Endo

Tadashi Sato

Takashi Haga

Hisao Sakai

Kouichi Ikoma

Atsushi Umemoto

Yusuke Saitoh

Akinori Maezuru

Koichi Ikoma

Masahiro Sato

Yuichi Shimasaki

Eitetsu Akiyama

Hideyuki Ikeda

Koji Nagai

Chihaya Sugimoto

Shunichi Tsuzuki

Yoshinori Onohara

Ken-ichi Suzuki

Koichi Eto

Isao Takahashi

Koichi Tanaka

Shigenobu Kadota

Harumitsu Imai

Yutaka Ikeda

Shigeru Miyazaki

Masanori Imaki

Masonori Imaki

A stroke characteristic variable engine comprising a primary link connected to a piston which is slidably fitted in a cylinder, a secondary link connecting the primary link with a crankshaft and a tertiary link connected to the primary link or the secondary link at one end and to an engine main body via a control shaft at the other end thereof. An oil level position of engine oil stored in an oil pan is set such that at least part of the control shaft is submerged in the engine oil, whereby since oil stored within the oil pan can be used as it is, the lubrication around the control shaft can be ensured in a simplified configuration.

Stroke characteristic variable engine

Provided is a variable stroke property engine that can prevent an increase in the resistance to the engine owing to the contact between the variable stroke piston mechanism and lubricating oil. In a variable stroke property engine equipped with a variable piston stroke mechanism consisting of a plurality of linksand, a baffle plateis provided between the links and the oil surface of the lubricating oil received in an oil pan so that the links may be separated from the oil surface by the baffle plate and the lubricating oil is prevented from contacting the links. Thereby, an increase to the resistance to the movement of the links can be avoided.

Variable stroke property engine

A controller for an electromagnetic actuator comprises a pair of springs acting on opposite directions, and an armature connected to the springs. The armature is held in a neutral position given by the springs when the armature is not activated. The actuator also comprises a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. In response to a release of the armature held in one of the end positions, the controller applies brake to the armature according to a load condition of the armature. In high-load conditions, the valve can surely be opened without additional electric power. In low-load conditions, the armature is prevented from colliding with a yoke of the electromagnet. The application of brake includes over-excitation operation, flywheel operation and suspension of power supply. In the over-excitation operation, voltage is applied to the electromagnet corresponding to one of the end positions from which the armature is released for a first period. The first period may be determined according to a load condition of the armature. After the first period elapses, flywheel current is supplied to the electromagnet for a second period. After the second period elapses, power supply to the electromagnet is suspended. Appropriate combination of over-excitation operation, flywheel operation and suspension of power supply allows the braking force to be adjusted according to a load condition of the armature.

Controller for controlling an electromagnetic actuator

A humidity sensor is disposed near an HC adsorbent in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. After the internal combustion engine is shut off, it is detected whether or not the humidity sensor has failed based on the value of the humidity detected by the humidity sensor when the detected value of the humidity is substantially constant, by determining whether or not the detected value of the humidity falls in a range between upper and lower limit thresholds that are set depending on the temperature near the HC adsorbent. It is stably and easily detected whether or not the humidity sensor disposed near the HC adsorbent in the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine has failed.

Method of detecting failure of humidity sensor

An exhaust gas valve device in an internal combustion engine, including a first bearing member mounted between a valve shaft and a valve body with one end of the valve shaft turnably fitted into the first bearing member, a second bearing member mounted between the valve shaft and the valve body with the other end of the valve shaft turnably passed through the second bearing member, and an actuator connected to the other end of the valve shaft protruding from the second bearing member. The valve body, the valve shaft and the first and second bearing members are formed of metal materials having equivalent thermal expansion coefficients; the first and second bearing members are press-fitted into said valve body; and a skin of a graphite-based solid lubricant is formed on a surface of the valve shaft in regions corresponding to the first and second bearing members. The concentricity accuracy of the pair of bearing members supporting the opposite ends of the valve shaft is enhanced, while avoiding an increase in the number of parts, thereby preventing the generation of noise and reducing the friction.

Exhaust gas valve device in internal combustion engine

An adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus can accurately determine a deterioration of an adsorbent in a relatively simple configuration. The adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus determines a deterioration of an adsorbent arranged in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine for purifying exhaust gases. The adsorbent is capable of adsorbing hydrocarbons and moisture in exhaust gases. The adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus comprises a humidity sensor arranged at a location downstream of the adsorbent in the exhaust system for detecting the humidity of exhaust gases, and an ECU for determining a deterioration of the adsorbent in accordance with a detected output of the humidity sensor at the time a predetermined time has elapsed from a start of the internal combustion engine.

Adsorbent deterioration determining apparatus

An exhaust gas purification system of internal combustion engine having a branch pipe coupled to the exhaust pipe through a flange and having a first cylindrical case constituting a bypass exhaust gas passage and a second cylindrical case constituting a main exhaust gas passage, whose flow are switched by a switch-over valve by selectively connecting the exhaust pipe to the main exhaust gas passage or the bypass exhaust gas passage, and an adsorbent installed in the bypass exhaust gas passage for adsorbing unburned components of the exhaust gas. The unburned exhaust gas components are recirculated to the air intake system through an EGR pipe. In the system, an inlet of the EGR pipe is formed integrally with the branch pipe flange, thereby enabling to prevent increase in fabrication step and cost and further to facilitate maintenance. Moreover, the first cylindrical case is made displace relative to the second cylindrical case. This can prevent the deformation due to the thermal stress which could occur when they are different in temperature.

Exhaust gas purification system of internal combustion engines

In an alternate energization process for alternately energizing a valve closing electromagnet and a valve opening electromagnet periodically, one of the valve opening electromagnet and the valve closing electromagnet is de-energized and thereafter the other electromagnet is de-energized at a time delayed by a predetermined time Toff. The alternate energization process is finished when the displaced position of a valve head which is detected by a displacement sensor has reached a predetermined position Vinit while the valve opening electromagnet is being energized. Thereafter, the valve opening electromagnet is continuously energized to seat the valve head in a closed position (initial position) from the time when the displaced position of the valve head has reached a predetermined position Vstart.

Apparatus for and method of controlling solenoid-operated valve device, and recording medium storing control program for solenoid-operated valve device

A valve timing control system for an internal combustion engine is provided which is capable of ensuring reliable holding of a valve by an actuator, and attaining energy saving by efficient operation of the actuator. The valve timing control system controls valve-closing timing of a valve opened by a cam provided on a camshaft, by temporarily holding the valve. A response delay of the actuator is predicted as a response delay prediction value. Output timing is set in which a drive signal for driving the actuator is output, according to the predicted response delay prediction value. Holding timing is controlled in which the valve is held by the actuator, by outputting the drive signal to the actuator, based on the set output timing.

Valve timing control system for internal combustion engine

A controller for an electromagnetic actuator comprises a pair of spring acting in opposite directions, and an armature coupled to a mechanical element. The armature is connected to the springs and held in a neutral position given by the springs when the actuator is not activated. The actuator includes a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. The controller includes voltage application means for applying voltage to an electromagnet providing one end position for a first predetermined period so as to attract the armature to the end position. The controller also includes a peak current detector for detecting the peak of current flowing through the electromagnet in the first predetermined period. In accordance with the peak value, a decision means decides the application period of voltage that is to be applied to the electromagnet after the first application period has elapsed. Thus, the armature can make a stable seating at a controlled speed without generating substantial noise.

Electromagnetic actuator controller

A controller for an electromagnetic actuator is provided that enables detection of a minute movement of the armature leaving the seating position and carries out pullback operation responsive to such detection. The electromagnetic actuator has a pair of springs acting on opposite directions, and an armature coupled to a mechanical element such as a exhaust/intake valve of an automobile engine. The armature is held in a neutral position given by the springs when the actuator is not activated. The actuator includes a pair of electromagnets for driving the armature between two end positions. The controller having current supplying means for supplying holding current to the electromagnet corresponding to one of the end positions when holding the armature in said one of the end positions. The controller includes determining that the armature is leaving (falling or lifting) the seated position when the holding current increases more than a predetermined value while the holding current is supplied to the electromagnet corresponding to said end position. Leaving armature is detected based on the variation of the holding current, which allows earlier detection of the leaving armature.

Displacement of a mechanical element is accurately detected by a simple and inexpensive structure. To provide displacement detecting device including: a mechanical element capable of being displaced; a magnet connected to the mechanical element and magnetized in displacement direction of the mechanical element; and a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic flux generated by the magnet and outputting a sensor output corresponding to a detected magnetic-flux value, so as to detect displacement of the mechanical element in accordance with the sensor output. In one embodiment, a Hall element is used as the magnetic sensor and the magnet longer than distance of movement of the mechanical element is used. Thus, an output having a linear relation with displacement of the mechanical element is obtained, and detection of the displacement is easily implemented. The displacement detecting device can be applied to an actuator of intake/exhaust valves of an engine. In another embodiment, a magnetic material provided between the Hall element and a spring to reduce the disturbance caused by the spring. Moreover, a transfer shaft connected to the intake/exhaust valve is made of a non-magnetic material or a material having characteristics close to the non-magnetic material to reduce the effect of leakage flux.

Displacement detecting device

The invention provides an electromagnetic driving valve of an internal combustion engine provided with a significantly compact shock absorbing means which can reduce an impact sound and a vibration in a contact portion between a first transmission shaft and a second transmission shaft and reduce an impact sound and a vibration generated at a time when a valve portion sits on an intake and exhaust port at a time of closing a valve. A shock absorbing means ( ) is provided between a first transmission shaft ( ) extended upward from a valve portion ( ) and a second transmission shaft ( ) extended on the same axis thereof and supporting a movable plate ( ) between a pair of electromagnets ( ). The shock absorbing means ( ) is provided with a contact connecting means ( ) connected to an upper end of the first transmission shaft ( ) and freely extending and compressing while maintaining a contact with a lower end of the second transmission shaft ( ), and an oil receiving portion ( ) slidably inserting the contact connecting means ( ) thereto and gradually discharging a fluid charged in an inner portion thereof together with an upward movement of the contact connecting means ( ) at a time of a valve closing operation of the valve portion ( ), thereby reducing a valve closing speed of the valve portion ( ) via the first transmission shaft ( ).

Electromagnetic driving valve of internal combustion engine

A core of a solenoid actuator is provided which is improved in durability, and at the same time ensures high energy efficiency of the solenoid actuator. The core of the solenoid actuator attracts an armature during operation of the solenoid actuator. A plurality of core plates are formed of a magnetically soft material and laminated in a predetermined direction orthogonal to a direction of attracting the armature to form a laminated stack. The core plates form magnetic circuits between the armature and the core plates themselves during the operation of the solenoid actuator. Two core holders formed of a non-magnetic material sandwiches the laminated stack of the plurality of core plates from opposite sides along the predetermined direction. The plurality of core plates are each coated with insulating film, which insulate adjacent two core plates from each other. Further, a rod formed of a non-magnetic material rigidly secures the plurality of core plates and the two core holders to each other to form a unitary assembly. The plurality of core plates are each formed with at least one projection projecting outward from a surface thereof and at least one recess formed in a reverse side of the at least one projection. The at least one projection of one of the each adjacent two core plates is fitted in the at least one recess of another of the each adjacent two core plates such that the each adjacent two core plates are inhibited from relative movement with respect to each other in the direction of attracting the armature.

Core of solenoid actuator

A two-cycle action cam having two protruding parts,and,and a four-cycle action cam,having one protruding part,are selectively used by a cam change mechanism,. The two-cycle action cam,effects opening of the inlet and exhaust valves once per revolution of the crankshaft and the four-cycle action cam,effects opening of the inlet and exhaust valves once per two revolutions of the crankshaft. The four-cycle action is selected when the engine is in the low revolving speed and running at a low load and the two-cycle action is otherwise selected.

Growing community of inventors

Wako, Japan

Kenji Abe