Torsion spring assembly for electronic throttle
AssigneeVisteon Global Technologies, Inc.
InventorsGene C. Price, James R. Rauch, Fred Barnes, Scott A. Sapp, Thomas R. Goodhue, Walter E. Root, II
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.
Claims7
A method of moving a throttle to a closed position, comprising:
- providing an electronic throttle, wherein the throttle is assembled with a single spring and an insert, the insert centering and supporting the spring, and wherein assembling the throttle winds the spring in torsion;
- opening the throttle;
- further winding the spring by said opening, wherein said opening rotates a gear, and the spring is held in torsion by the gear and by the insert;
- and
- closing the throttle by rotating the gear in the opposite direction.
A method of moving a throttle to a closed position, comprising:
- providing a throttle, wherein the throttle is opened by rotating a gear connected to a shaft and a throttle plate, said throttle having a motor cover and a pocket defining a throttle opening;
- providing an insert having a central bore, a collar at one end of the insert, and at least two slots and at least one tab at the other end of the insert;
- winding a single spring in torsion by said rotating, wherein said rotating rotates a gear to wind the spring, and the spring is held in torsion by the gear and by said insert centering and supporting the spring in relation to a contoured annular contact surface inside the pocket of the motor cover;
- and
- closing the throttle by rotating the gear in the opposite direction by the torsion of the compressed spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.