Torsion spring assembly for electronic throttle
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsJames R. Rauch, Fred Barnes, Scott A. Sapp, Thomas R. Goodhue, Walter E. Root, II, Gene C. Price
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic throttle body uses a spring and an insert to generate a force tending to oppose the motion of opening a throttle. The insert locates and centers the coils of the spring and also acts during assembly to place the proper amount of torsion on the spring and the throttle body system. Once a throttle body motor or other force ceases to exert force against the spring, the spring causes the throttle to close.
Claims18
A torsion spring assembly for moving a throttle to a closed position, comprising:
- a helically wound spring having a first coil and a last coil, said first and last coils each having an end portion;
- an insert positioned inside and supporting the spring, one end of the insert having at least two slots and at least one tab, and another end of the insert having an aperture into which the end portion of the first coil fits;
- a housing having two sides and slots matching the tabs of the insert;
- a load element, assembled with the insert, the load having an aperture for receiving the end portion of the last coil of the spring;
- and
- a cap having tabs matching the slots of the insert, wherein the assembly is assembled with a winding tool to torsion the spring and to assemble the spring and the insert and the load element on a first side of the housing, and the cap on the other side.
An electronic throttle, comprising:
- a throttle;
- a throttle shaft connected to the throttle;
- a throttle body housing connected to the shaft and having two sides and at least one slot;
- a motor mounted to the housing;
- a gear train connecting the motor to the shaft;
- a helically wound spring having a first coil and a last coil, said first and last coils each having a bent portion;
- an insert positioned inside and supporting the spring, one end of the insert having at least two slots and at least one tab matching the slots of the throttle body housing, and another end of the insert having an aperture into which the bent portion of the first coil fits, and wherein the insert and the coil are assembled with an element of the gear train, in which the element has an aperture for receiving the bent portion of the last coil of the spring;
- and
- a cap having tabs matching the slots of the insert, wherein the throttle is assembled by using a tool to wind the spring, and to assemble the spring, the insert, and the element of the gear train on a first side of the housing, and the cap on the other side.
A valve, comprising:
- a valve element on a shaft;
- a valve housing connected to the shaft and having two sides and at least one slot;
- an actuator mounted to the housing;
- means connecting the actuator to the shaft;
- a helically wound spring having a first coil and a last coil, said first and last coils each having an end portion;
- an insert positioned inside and supporting the spring, one end of the insert having at least two slots and at least one tab matching the slots of the valve housing, and another end of the insert having an aperture into which the end portion of the first coil fits, and wherein the insert and the coil are assembled with an element of the actuator, in which the element has an aperture for receiving the end portion of the last coil of the spring;
- and
- a cap having tabs matching the slots of the insert, wherein the valve is assembled by using a tool to wind the spring and to assemble the spring, the insert and the element of the gear train to a first side of the housing, and the cap on the other side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.