Honda's variable distribution system VTEC

OBJECTIVE OF THE VTEC SYSTEM.

The combustion environment is one of the most important factors

that determine the engine performance. The combustion environment
inside an engine is greatly influenced by the configuration of
the valves - when they open (time) and how much they open
(uprising)-.

In high-performance engines, the valves open more and for

more time. This allows for the use of a rich mix of
fuel/air that flows into the combustion chamber,
generating high power at high revolutions. However, at
low revolutions, the combustion cycle is slower, so
the air/fuel mixture leaves the combustion chamber without
being completely burned. The result is poor performance
in lows:

On the other hand, classic engines are capable of producing more

at low revolutions due to the scarce air load and
flammable, but they can only produce a limited amount of
power
The VTEC system (Variable valve Timing and lift Electronic Control)
Honda solves the problem of combining power at high speeds.
revolutions and for low RPMs. Honda VTEC engines
they have a dual personality, being manageable at low revs
and adopting the characteristics of a high-performance engine in
high revolutions. They also save fuel:

It is the first mechanism in the world that allows modification

simultaneously the values of the opening and closing angle of the
valves and lift values.
How Honda VTEC variable distribution works:

Honda's VTEC system is more sophisticated than the earlier ones.

variable systems of valve opening times of others
manufacturers, who could only change the time that the valves of
admission/escape were open at the same time (in crossing), in the
transition between the escape and intake times. The configuration
VTEC alters both the timing of valve opening and its
lifting. In its classic form used in DOHC engines
(drawing from above), there are two different types of cams: one used under
low-speed conditions and another that only acts at high RPM
(usually above 4900 rpm). The low cams
regimens have a smooth profile for a good response at low levels,
reduced emissions and low consumption. On the contrary, the cam of
high regime is like racing camshafts, with an aggressive profile and
with an open duration of 290º in the case of the B18C5 engine
Integra.

The system was first mounted on the high DOHC engines.

performance. It consisted of three levers (two low-speed ones - no. 2 in
the figure on page 5- and one of high regime among the previous ones -
No. 3-) and three rockers for each pair of intake and exhaust valves.
escape. At low and medium pressure, the end rocker arms,
that are aligned with the low rpm cams (nos. 4 and 6), act.
directly to open and close the valves. The extra rocker
high rpm (no. 5) moves up and down on the axis of
rockers, acting on a false valve spring (no. 10).A
high rpm the extra rocker at high rpm (no. 5) moves
solidarily with the rocker axis (and consequently with the
low cams) and the set is directly operated by the cam of
high rpm (no. 3).

The connection and disconnection of the high-performance rocker to the axle

The balancing is achieved through a pin system.
hydraulic located on the rocking axle (no. 7, 8 and 9). To a
determined engine regime, that activated pin
it slides hydraulically inside the three rockers
blocking them together. This gives control of the entire set of
rockers to the extra cam. With its higher profile, the extra cam opens
the valves even more and for longer, allowing to enter
greater flow of fuel and air in the combustion chamber.
With a larger load of fuel/air and at greater
revolutions, the engine generates more power.

Once the engine slows down, the pin that blocks the
the set of rockers is released, allowing the lower cams
profile and its rockers resume their operation.

La siguiente figura es un esquema del funcionamiento a bajo

regimen:

It can be observed how the low rockers (E and F) are not present.
anchored to the high (G). Then, the external cams (A and B)
the low rocker arms act directly, and through those
rockers, the valves. The middle rocker (high RPM) is
driven by the high-performance lever, but because it is not
connected to nothing produces no effect.
High regime operating scheme:

In the diagram, it is shown that to a predetermined number of

revolutions per minute (typically between 5000 and 6000
rpm), the control unit sends a signal to a hydraulic distributor that
release the oil from the pump to the pin (D) through a
electro-valve in the direction of the arrow. This connects the rockers.
externals with that of the medium, causing the three rockers to
move together as one.

Electronic control.
The moment of change is managed by an Electronic Unit of
Control (ECU), which changes the oil pressure to activate the
hydraulic pin. The hydraulic pin slides into place
quickly and smoothly, producing high performance in the engine almost
instantly. In the case of the B16A engine of the CRX and Civic the
The ECU PGM-F1 is responsible for constantly monitoring the
modifications that occur in the engine such as the load, the
regimen, the temperature and the speed of the vehicle. These
information is sent to the injection computer that,
after an interpretation, decide the mode of operation
of the engine.
The necessary conditions for switching to high mode
The schedules in the B16A engine are as follows:

Engine regime above 5300 rpm

Vehicle speed above 30 km/h
Cooling liquid temperature above 60º C
Engine load, detected by measuring the depression in the
intake collector through the MAP sensor

Schematic of the electronic control of the solenoid valve:

Moreover, depending on the load and the engine regime, the ECU
you can modify the switching point:
Consequences in the distribution diagram:

In the distribution diagram above, it can be observed how,

in high regime mode, the valve opening times
are higher than in low mode, allowing for better
filling of the cylinders; the intake valve opens before and is
closes later and the same happens with the escape one, having
also among them a longer crossing time.

Every Honda model that features a DOHC VTEC engine offers,

per liter, the highest pair and the highest power among the engines
atmospheric of its kind and with a fairly low consumption.
Types of VTEC engines.

The above table outlines some types of

VTEC engines:

The DOHC VTEC engine acts on the intake valves and

escape, generating high power at high revolutions. It is the type of
motor used in higher power models such as, for example,
the F20C engine of the S2000, capable of developing 125 hp/l (250
CV and 1998 cm3Other spectacular engines include the B16B of
Civic Type R (185 hp and 1598 cm)3) and the B18C from the Integra Type R
(200 hp and 1797 cm)3).

The VTEC engine is of the SOHC type, meaning it has a single camshaft.
of levers in head. This system is simpler: the game of three
you have three rockers only for the intake valves; the
the escape valves act like those without VTEC. Their purpose is smooth
pair and power gains for a more pleasant and practical use.

The VTEC-E engine was developed to break barriers.

de eficacia del combustible y atender a una reducción de las
CO emissions2without causing a decrease in power. A
low and mid-range regimes, the VTEC-E engine achieves its objectives
keeping an intake valve delayed (almost closed). This
causes an increase in the air rate entering the chamber of
combustion and produces a "whirlpool" that leads to a
stabilization of combustion with leaner mixtures.
The VTEC-E engine works in combination with a detector of the
linear air/fuel ratio (LAF – Linear Air/Fuel), one piece
what is normally found in the world of F1. This controls
the air/fuel ratio and directs the amount of fuel
injected by the PGM-F1 unit. These technical requirements
they work together to achieve a lean combustion at low speeds and
means regimes and a more stable level of combustion in the range
enter a regime; they also get a sufficient pair at low
regimen, a high fuel efficiency and maintain good
characteristics of four-valve-per-cylinder engines
medium and low regimes.
There is also a type of VTEC type D engines that mounted
some Civics that expanded the power band simply
advancing or delaying the opening of valves under different
conditions.

The 3stage VTEC system appeared in 1995 and was designed

then for an optimal balance of fuel super-economy
and high power and utilization margin. It is a combination of the
VTEC-E and VTEC SOHC systems:

In phase 1 it operates like the VTEC-E system: a valve barely opens.

opens. In phase 2 (from 2500 rpm), through the pressure
the oil blocks the two low rockers and the valves are
open simultaneously with the low-profile cams (this also
it does the VTEC-E). In phase 3 (above 4500 rpm), it acts as a
VTEC SOHC, with the rockers being controlled by the high cam
profile in the manner previously described.

The i-VTEC engine.

In the year 2000, another evolution of the VTEC engines appeared:

the i-VTEC DOHC. The i stands for "intelligent" (intelligent VTEC).
Honda introduced many novelties in this engine, but the most
significant is the VTC (Variable Timing Control), named as such by
to be a variable mechanism for opening and crossing valves. It works
in the intake camshaft and allows for overlap
the intake and exhaust valves be continuously varied
depending on the engine load. This allows for greater
refinement in power delivery, especially at mid-range.
But the most important thing is the reduction of [Link] the
opening of the intake valves without harming the
smooth operation of the engine. The opening of the valves of
admission is progressing gradually as the revolutions
they rise.
Its operation, above all, consists of a mechanism located
between the pulley of the camshaft and the camshaft itself. The
mecanismo tiene un enlace helicoidal a la polea y puede ser movido
in relation to the pulley through a hydraulic medium. When you
move, the helical device, rotates the shaft with respect to the
pulley.
The drawing on the previous page serves to illustrate the basic principle.
operating of the VTC and other generic systems (such as
BMW's VANOS, Toyota's VVT-i, Renault Sport Clio...). A is the
pulley driven by the timing belt. Normally the camshaft of
you have C connected directly to that pulley, but in the VTC system
it joins the intermediate device B, with helical tracks due to its
an exterior and a ribbing inside to rotate in unison with the tree and
sliding at the same time on it. In the drawing, you can see that if
we move that device B forward or backward
we will move the camshaft on its axis, regardless of
the pulley, producing an advancement or a delay in the opening or the
closing of the intake valves.
The VTEC system is capable of varying the timing of the openings of the
valves, but it does so in two or three phases (or profiles). Adding the
VTC allows the valve crossover to be continuously varied,
that does not replace the VTEC system, but rather complements it.
effectiveness, especially noticeable in medium regimes.

The i-VTEC I engine

This engine appeared in 2004 and is a refinement of the i-VTEC. It is...

direct injection and can work with 65 parts of air for each
a gasoline one, It has the VTC system and was developed for
achieve high fuel efficiency, low emissions and high
power.
In low regimes (Fuel Economy mode), only one valve opens.
of admission, the VTC optimizes the crossing and the injection is carried out in the
compression phase. If it accelerates harder, the VTC advances the
opening of the intake valve and the injection is performed at that
time.
With high load on the engine (High Output mode) both operate.
intake valves, the VTC optimizes the valve overlap and the
injection occurs in the intake.
This engine achieves 15 km/l in the 156 hp version and has a
special catalyst and an EGR that makes it comply with
very demanding environmental regulations.

In summary, VTEC engines have exceptional performance and

very good consumption thanks to its intelligent variable distribution
and they also enjoy exceptional reliability: in the last thirteen
for years, Honda has built 15 million VTEC systems and not one
it has only had one breakdown.
 Bibliography:

-Video “Honda Type R Special” de Best Motoring Int.

-Program November 02, 2003 'Top Gear' from the BBC

-Various internet pages:

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© Rafael Nicolás Río de Vega 2004