초록 ▼

An engine includes an improved sensor arrangement that can decrease the possibility of damage to sensors relating to fuel injection control. The engine includes a cylinder block defining first and second banks of cylinder bores extending separately from each other. Pistons reciprocate within the res

An engine includes an improved sensor arrangement that can decrease the possibility of damage to sensors relating to fuel injection control. The engine includes a cylinder block defining first and second banks of cylinder bores extending separately from each other. Pistons reciprocate within the respective cylinder bores. Cylinder head members are arranged to close respective ends of the first and second banks of the cylinder bores. The cylinder head members define combustion chambers together with the cylinder bores and the pistons. An air induction system is arranged to introduce air to the combustion chambers. The induction system includes first and second intake units with the first intake unit allotted to the first cylinder bank and with the second intake unit allotted to the second cylinder bank. The first and second intake units define first and second intake passages, respectively, through which the air flows. Fuel injectors are arranged to spray fuel for combustion in the combustion chambers. First and second sensors are arranged to sense a condition of the intake air. A control device is configured to control the fuel injectors based upon signals of the first and second sensors. The first sensor is disposed at the first intake unit. The second sensor is disposed at the second intake unit.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block defining first and second banks of cylinder bores extending separately from each other, pistons reciprocating within the respective cylinder bores, cylinder head members arranged to close respective ends of the first and second banks of th

1. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block defining first and second banks of cylinder bores extending separately from each other, pistons reciprocating within the respective cylinder bores, cylinder head members arranged to close respective ends of the first and second banks of the cylinder bores, the cylinder head members defining combustion chambers together with the cylinder bores and the pistons, an air induction system arranged to introduce air to the combustion chambers, the induction system including first and second intake units with the first intake unit allotted to the first cylinder bank and with the second intake unit allotted to the second cylinder bank, the first and second intake units defining first and second intake passages, respectively, through which the air flows, fuel injectors arranged to spray fuel for combustion in the combustion chambers, first and second sensors arranged to sense a condition of the air flowing in the induction system, and a control device configured to control the fuel injectors based upon signals of the first and second sensors, the first sensor being disposed at the first intake unit, and the second sensor being disposed at the second intake unit such that only the first sensor is used to sense a condition of the air flow in the first intake passage and only the second sensor is used to sense a condition of the air flow in the second intake passage, the first sensor being of a different type than the second sensor so as to sense a different air flow condition through the induction system than the air flow condition sensed by the second sensor and different from any other air flow sensor in the second intake passage.2. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of the first and second sensors is configured to sense intake air pressure in the intake passage associated with the sensor.3. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein each one of the first and second intake units includes a throttle valve arranged to regulate an amount of the air flowing through the associated intake passage, and one of the first and second sensors is configured to sense an opening degree of the associated throttle valve.4. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first cylinder bank includes at least two cylinder bores, the first intake unit comprises at least two intake conduits corresponding to the two cylinder bores, and the first sensor is disposed along one of the intake conduits.5. The engine as set forth in claim 4, wherein the second cylinder bank includes at least two cylinder bores, the second intake unit comprises at least two second intake conduits corresponding to the two cylinder bores of the second cylinder bank, and the second sensor is disposed along one of the intake conduits of the second intake unit.6. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second cylinder banks of the cylinder bores together form a V-configuration.7. The engine as set forth in claim 6, wherein the first sensor is connected to the control device with a first electrical line extending generally on a first side of the cylinder block, the second sensor is connected to the control device with a second electrical line extending generally on a second side of the cylinder block, and the second side is located generally opposite to the first side relative to the cylinder block.8. The engine as set forth in claim 7, wherein the control device is positioned generally opposite to the cylinder head members.9. The engine as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first intake unit at least in part extends along the first surface of the cylinder block and the second intake unit at least in part extends along the second surface of the cylinder block.10. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second cylinder banks are disposed along a pair of generally vertical planes, and the first and second sensors are positioned atop the first and second intake units, respectively.11. The engine as set forth in claim 10, wherein each one of the first and second cylinder banks includes at least two cylinder bores spaced generally vertically from each other, the first and second intake units extends generally horizontally, each one of the first and second intake units comprising at least two intake conduits spaced generally vertically from each other, and the first and second sensors are coupled with the respective uppermost intake conduits.12. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engine operates on a four-cycle combustion principle.13. The engine as set forth in claim 1, wherein the engine powers a marine propulsion device.14. An outboard motor comprising an internal combustion engine, a support member arranged to support the engine, the engine including an engine body, at least two moveable members moveable relative to the engine body, the engine body and the moveable members together defining at least two combustion chambers, an air induction system arranged to introduce air to the combustion chambers, the induction system including first and second intake units delivering the air to the respective combustion chambers, at least one electrical device relating to the operation of the engine, first and second sensors arranged to sense a condition of the intake air, and a control device configured to control the electrical device based upon signals of the first and second sensors, the first sensor being disposed at the first intake unit and configured to sense a first condition of the air flow through the first intake unit, and the second sensor being disposed at the second intake and configured to sense a second condition of the air flow through the second intake unit, the first and second conditions being different from each other, and wherein only the first sensor is used to sense an air flow condition of the air flow through the first intake units, and only the second sensor is used to sense an air flow condition of the air flow in the second intake unit.15. The outboard motor as set forth in claim 14, wherein the engine body and the moveable members together define at least three combustion chambers with two of the combustion chambers communicating with the first intake unit, the first intake unit comprises at least two intake conduits extending generally horizontally and spaced apart generally vertically from each other, and the first sensor is disposed atop the uppermost intake conduit.16. The outboard motor as set forth in claim 15, wherein the engine body and the moveable members together define at least one more combustion chamber so that two of the combustion chambers communicating with the second intake unit, the second intake unit comprises at least two intake conduits extending generally horizontally and spaced apart generally vertically from each other, and the second sensor is disposed atop the uppermost intake conduit of the second intake unit.17. The outboard motor as set forth in claim 14 additionally comprising an air temperature sensor communicating with the control device.18. The engine as set forth in claim 1 additionally comprising an air temperature sensor communicating with the control device.19. An internal combustion engine comprising an engine body that has first and second banks, the first bank defining a first combustion chamber, the second bank defining a second combustion chamber, a first intake passage arranged to deliver air to the first combustion chamber, a second intake passage arranged to deliver air to the second combustion chamber, a single air pressure sensor, a single air flow sensor, and a controller configured to receive outputs of the sensors, the pressure air sensor being arranged to detect an intake pressure within the first intake passage, and the air flow sensor being arranged to detect an amount of air flow through the second intake passage, wherein no other sensors are used to sense air flow conditions in the first and second passages.20. The engine as set forth in claim 19, wherein the control device is configured to use both the outputs of the pressure sensor and air flow sensor to control an operation of the engine under a normal operational condition of the engine.21. The engine as set forth in claim 20, wherein the control device is configured to use either the output of the pressure sensor or the output of the air flow sensor, whichever is functional, under an abnormal operational condition of the engine.22. The engine as set forth in claim 19, wherein at least the second intake passage having an air flow regulating device that regulates an amount of air flowing through the second intake passage, and the second sensor senses a position of the regulating device.23. The engine as set forth in claim 19, wherein the first and second intake passages are disposed on generally opposite sides of the engine.