Digital Twin Spark Ignition ( DTS-i)
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| Pic Credits : Global Bajaj |
The first innovation in the series of amazing motorcycle technologies is DTS-i. Digital Twin Spark Ignition or DTS-i is a technology patented by Bajaj Motors. It is being used on motorcycles like Pulsars and XCD 125. The DTS-i not only takes care of the slow rate of combustion but also improves it further. The DTS-i engine has two spark plugs, in place of one. These twin spark-plugs generate two sparks at opposite ends of the combustion chamber which are approximately 90° to the valve axis. Thus, the air-fuel mixture ignites in such a way that creates two fronts of the flame. It results in a reduction of flame travel to up to 40 percent. This leads to faster combustion which raises the combustion pressure rapidly. Ultimately, it helps the engine deliver more torque, better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and smooth operation. The firing of sparks is controlled digitally by Engine Control Unit ECU. Twin sparks if used in 4 valve engines can deliver amazing performance.
DTS-Si Technology
APDV Technology
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| Pic Credit : Hero MotoCorp |
The next amazing motorcycle technology is APDV. It stands for advance pro series digital variable ignition system. Basically, it is an electronically controlled ignition system used by Hero Motocorp in its 100 cc motorcycles. This technology promises better combustion, improved mileage and superior engine performance. The main components of APDV system are CDI (capacitive discharge igniter) and TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). The basic function of CDI is to store the current generated by ACG (alternating current generator) and supply it to ignition coil at the time of spark. The ignition coil is further connected to the spark plug. The TPS is fitted on carburetor. It monitors the position of throttle valve and gives signals to the CDI. The throttle valve opens or closes depending upon throttle given by the rider. Greater throttle means greater opening of valves which further implies greater speed. At higher engine speed, the combustion do not occur at right time due to the ignition lag. There is some time lag between the time of spark and the actual combustion, which is called ignition lag. At higher engine speed the actual combustion occurs after the piston starts moving down from TDC, which otherwise must have occured at the time piston reached TDC . This limits the power and mileage of the vehicle. Here the APDV technology come in to play. The CDI advances the spark time when the TPS sensor gives signals about greater opening of throttle valve. In this case the spark is generated little bit earlier than the time it was being created earlier. This is called spark advance. Spark advance provides time for ignition lag and help in initiation the combustion process at right time. This increases the mileage of the vehicle along with increasing the power and performance.
Advanced Swirl Flow Induction System (ASFS)
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| Hero Glamour With ASFS Technology Pic Credit : Hero MotoCorp |
You might have noticed ASFS word written on hero motorcycles. It is another master piece in the list of amazing motorcycle technologies. It is generally used in 125 to 150 cc motorcycles. Its basic purpose is to create conditions suitable for proper mixing of air and fuel. ASFS stands for “Advanced Swirl Flow Induction System”.
Advanced Tumble Flow Induction Technology Or ATFT
This is a little improved version of ASFS technology. It is also patented by Heromotocorp and is used in their higher cc bikes. This technology focuses on improving particle to particle contact between air and fuel by preparing a better mixture. For this, it creates a tumble flow inside the combustion chamber. The tumble flow helps in increasing turbulence inside the engine creating a better air-fuel mixture. This proper mixing helps in better combustion improving the mileage and performance.
I3S Technology
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Pic Credit : Hero MotoCorp |
Idle Start Stop System or more popularly I3S is again a patented technology of Heromotocorp. With this technology the company claims to improve the mileage of their bikes. All the lower cc motorcycles of Heromotocorp are available with an option of I3S. This system simply turns off the engine when the vehicle is idling. The reduction in idling time, improves the mileage and reduce the emissions. The I3S system consists of a mini I3S unit which monitors the throttle and gear positions, As soon as we stop idle at traffic, the I3S system turns off the engine by cutting off the supply to the spark plug. The vehicle can be started again by simply pressing the clutch. The idle condition here means that the gears are in neutral and no throttle is given.
Honda Eco Technology (HET)
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| Pic Credit : Honda Two Wheelers |
2. Reduced Friction
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Traditional and Offset Crankshaft |
3.Optimised pulley converter ratio.
Blue Core Technology
Blue Core Technology is implemented by Yamaha in its motorcycles. It works on four principals to increase efficiency and performance. Those four principals are
1.Improved Combustion Efficiency
For this they use tumble flow ignition technology in which air fuel mixture is supplied in such a way that it creates tumble flow inside combustion chamber, which helps in proper mixing of air and fuel. It also uses bigger air filters so as to improve throttle response. Yamaha has optimised the design of its inlet ports so as to achieve the proper tumble flow effect.
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| Tumble Flow |
For reducing power loss or frictional loss it uses offset cylinders i.e. engine cylinders are kept offset to crankshaft so as to reduce side thrust on cylinder walls. It is also using roller bearings on rocker arms, so as to reduce the friction during valve operation by cam shaft. These roller bearings rotate when the rotating cam lobes touch them.
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| Offset Crank Engine Pic Credit : Global Yamaha |
4.Improved Cooling Efficiency It uses aluminium cylinders so as to keep it cooler. It also uses a radiator and a fan on one side of engine so as to keep it cool.
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| Pic Credit : Global Yamaha |
Suzuki Eco Performance Or SEP
Suzuki is famous for state of the art motorcycle technologies. Suzuki Eco Performance is developed by Suzuki specially for medium and small engines. SEP promises to provide fuel efficiency along with performance. This technology is similar to HET and Blue Core . It uses a four step approach to achieve better performance and mileage. The technology works on
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| Pic Credit : Global Suzuki |
1. Improving Cooling Efficiency
Suzuki is using oil cooled engines for its motorcycles. Oil cooled engines do not need any coolant or additional cooling arrangement. It has very advanced oil cooling technology which helps in keeping the engine cool. This prevents it from thermal deformations.
2. Reduction in Friction Loss
To reduce friction between piston an cylinder walls, Suzuki is using pistons with printed surface treatment of their skirt area. They have also optimised the design of their valves, rocker arms and retainers. They are now using roller rocker arms.
3. Improvement of Combustion Efficiency
To improve the combustion Suzuki have adopted 4 valve technology in their bikes. This technology uses two valves for intake and two for exhaust. This provides more space for air intake and exhaust. Better air supply insures the proper burning of air fuel mixture.
4. Weight Reduction
Suzuki has focused on reducing the overall weight of the engine. For this it has used single overhead camshaft instead of double overhead camshafts. Suzuki has developed its technology so that it can use 4 valves on a single overhead cam shaft. This has helped in overall weight reduction.
The world of automotive research is very dynamic. A multitude of new technologies are being discovered and utilized in vehicles. Some of those become popular while other get rejected by the people. This was a small overview of some amazing motorcycle technologies. We hope you enjoyed it. Although we tried to include most of the technologies but it is quite possible that we may have missed some of them. Please do let us know in the comment section if you find some of them missing.
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