Harley-Davidson Files Patent With VVT Engine

Harley-Davidson Files Patent

For New V-Twin Engine With VVT

Harley-Davidson has filed a patent for a new engine design that uses variable valve timing. Officially, the patent is not specifically for a VVT system but rather for a modular engine balancer that mounts on either side of a crankshaft. The patent does however describe how the VVT phase timing is incorporated into the balancer module.

The patent uses a rough drawing of a Fat Bob, but only as a general example of a motorcycle. The engine details, however, show clear differences from existing Harley-Davidson engines. The new engine design still uses overhead valves, but with pushrods running on opposite sides of each cylinder, which matches a design in a separate patent. Both patents were originally filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in early 2019, with Harley-Davidson engineer Johann Voges as the only credited inventor, making it likely they’re for the same engine.

The drawings show air-cooling fins, though the fins have uneven contours, curving in and out at different spots around the cylinder. There’s also no oil filter at the front of the engine. It’s difficult to get a sense of proportion in these patent illustrations, but it’s possible we’re looking at the replacement for the ancient Sportster engine.

The engine balancer unit (#74) transfers the rotation of the crankshaft to rotate the two camshafts. Each camshaft lifts its own pushrod, one for each cylinder. A second balancer unit on the other side of the crankshaft activates a second pair of pushrods.

The key to this patent is the engine balance module (#74 in the diagrams and shown in exploded view below). The crankshaft is connected to gear #154 which rotates cam gear #158. The cam gear is connected to a second, smaller toothed gear #170 which rotates a chain (#178). The chain in turn spins a balancer sprocket which rotates a balance weight (#86) around the crankshaft in the opposite direction of the crank’s rotation to counteract the reciprocating motion of the pistons.

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The VVT unit (#98) controls the phasing of the toothed wheel #162 which drives the crankshafts (#90).

A variable valve timing unit (#98) connected to the cam gear adjusts the timing of the cams, affecting the timing of both the intake and exhaust valves relative to the crankshaft. Generally speaking, adjusting the intake timing can optimize power and torque delivery at higher or lower revs, but the likely goal for Harley-Davidson is to reduce emissions. As it stands Harley-Davidson’s existing engines, the Sportster line-up especially, will not meet Euro 5 standards, meaning they will no longer be allowed in Europe by the end of the year. Several manufacturers have asked for the deadline to be extended due to delays caused by the pandemic, which that may give Harley some breathing room if the new engine is not yet ready.

The VVT Engine

What is a VVT system?

In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing (VVT) is the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. It is increasingly being used in combination with variable valve lift systems.

Is a VVT engine good?

The increase of power in the upper parts of the rev range is great, but the low-down torque is what makes VVT so usable. … Thanks to more precise handling of engine valves, VVT makes engines significantly more fuel economical than their non-VVT counterparts.

What is the advantage of VVT engine?

Engine valves control the intake of fresh air and fuel, and the exhaust of combustion gases. VVT and lift systems adjust the timing of the valves to match the operating conditions of the engine. This improves efficiency over a wide range of engine operating speeds.