JPH11343878A - Throttle valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce number of part items and simplify structure by providing a valve stem rotational mechanism and a rotational angle sensor on one of the ends of the valve stem. SOLUTION: Bearing housing parts 3, 4 of a throttle body 1 are provided with a valve stem 10 in a rotationally movable manner by using a seal attached roller bearing 12 and a ball bearing 13 and the valve stem 10 positioned inside a throttle chamber 2 is provided with a valve plate 11. One end side 10A of the valve stem 10 is protruded into a housing space 8 of the throttle body 1 and the housing space 8 accommodates in its interior a reduction gear mechanism 16 for transmitting torque of an electric motor 15 to the valve stem 10 and a rotational movement sensor 18 for detecting the rotational movement of the valve stem 10. The other end side 10B of the valve stem 10 is closed up inside the bearing housing part 4 by a retainer cap 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a throttle valve device suitably used for adjusting an intake air amount of, for example, an automobile engine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an automobile engine or the like is provided with a throttle valve device for adjusting an intake air amount of the engine in accordance with an operation amount of an accelerator pedal. And, this kind of conventional throttle valve device,
A throttle body having a throttle chamber forming an intake passage of the engine, and bearing housings provided on both sides in a radial direction opposed to each other across the throttle chamber; and a bearing housing in each bearing housing of the throttle body via a bearing. A valve shaft rotatably provided and extending in a radial direction of the throttle chamber; and a valve shaft located in the throttle chamber and provided on the valve shaft, and rotating together with the valve shaft to open and close the intake passage. And the like.

The throttle body has an electric motor for driving the valve shaft, a reduction gear mechanism as a valve shaft rotating means for transmitting the rotational force of the electric motor to the valve shaft, and a rotation angle of the valve shaft. And a rotation angle sensor that detects the opening degree of the valve body. The valve shaft has both axial ends projecting outward from the bearing housings of the throttle body.For example, a reduction gear mechanism is connected to one end of the valve shaft and a rotating shaft is connected to the other end of the valve shaft. A moving angle sensor is connected.

Further, a retainer for fixing a bearing in each bearing accommodating portion of the throttle body and a seal member for sealing between the valve shaft and the bearing are provided on both ends of the valve shaft. The seal member prevents foreign substances such as dust and moisture from entering the throttle chamber from outside through the bearing accommodating portion.

When the driver operates the accelerator pedal during driving of the vehicle, the operation amount is detected by an accelerator operation amount detecting device or the like, and a detection signal is output to a control unit or the like for controlling the engine. Then, the control unit outputs a drive signal corresponding to the detection signal from the accelerator operation amount detection device to the electric motor, thereby rotating the valve shaft via the reduction gear mechanism, and moving the valve body in the throttle chamber to the accelerator position. Open according to the manipulated variable,
The valve is closed and the opening is detected by a rotation angle sensor to perform feedback control of the valve opening.

[0006]

In the prior art described above, both ends of the valve shaft are projected outward from each bearing accommodating portion of the throttle body. For example, a reduction gear mechanism is connected to one end of the valve shaft. The rotation angle sensor is connected to the other end of the valve shaft.

For this reason, it is necessary to provide a structure such as a gear case and a sensor case at both ends of the valve shaft in the throttle body, which not only complicates the shape of the throttle body, but also increases the shape of the throttle body. There is a problem that the number of parts of the entire apparatus increases due to attachment parts such as mounting screws and covers which are attached to and detached from each structure.

Further, since both end sides of the valve shaft protrude outward from the respective bearing accommodating portions of the throttle body, seal members for preventing foreign matter from entering from outside are provided in the respective bearing accommodating portions together with the bearing and the retainer. In addition, the number of parts must be increased, and the structure of the bearing accommodating part becomes complicated, which causes a problem that the assembling work is troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the present invention can simplify the structure of a valve shaft turning means, a mounting portion of a turning angle sensor and a bearing accommodating portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a throttle valve device capable of reliably reducing the number of components and efficiently performing an assembling operation.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a throttle chamber forming an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and bearings are accommodated on both sides in a radial direction opposed to each other with the throttle chamber interposed therebetween. A throttle body provided with a portion, a bearing provided in each bearing accommodating portion of the throttle body, and a rotatably provided on the throttle body via each bearing, extending in a radial direction of the throttle chamber. A valve shaft, a valve body provided in the valve shaft located in the throttle chamber, and rotating with the valve shaft to open and close the intake passage; and a valve shaft according to an accelerator operation amount of the vehicle. The present invention is applied to a throttle valve device including a valve shaft rotating means for rotating the valve shaft and a rotation angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the valve shaft.

A feature of the structure adopted by the first aspect of the present invention is that the throttle body is located at one of the left and right ends of the valve shaft, And a common accommodation space for accommodating the rotation angle sensor.

With this configuration, for example, one end of the valve shaft is projected from the bearing housing into the housing space, and the valve shaft turning means and the turning angle sensor are connected to this end. At the same time, the mounting portion for the valve shaft turning means provided on the throttle body and the mounting portion for the turning angle sensor can be shared. Further, it is not necessary to protrude the other end of the valve shaft from the bearing accommodating portion, and the structure in the bearing accommodating portion can be simplified.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, the valve shaft rotating means comprises a reduction gear mechanism for reducing the rotational force of an electric motor provided on the throttle body and transmitting the rotation force to the valve shaft. Has a drive gear provided on the output side of the electric motor, and a driven gear provided on one end of the valve shaft and driven to rotate by the drive gear.

Thus, the torque of the electric motor can be transmitted to the valve shaft via the reduction gear mechanism, and the valve can be opened and closed by the electric motor. At this time, a large rotational torque can be generated on the valve shaft by using a driving gear, a driven gear, or the like of the reduction gear mechanism.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the throttle body is provided with a lid for covering the housing space, and the rotation angle sensor is provided on the lid so as to face a driven gear of a reduction gear mechanism. And a resistor provided on the driven gear at one end side of the valve shaft, and the resistance value of the resistor according to the rotation angle of the valve shaft by sliding with the resistor. And a brush that changes.

Thus, on one end side of the valve shaft, the driven gear of the reduction gear mechanism and the brush of the rotation angle sensor can be integrally rotated, and the brush is slid on the resistor on the throttle body side. Can be in contact. When the valve shaft is rotated by the reduction gear mechanism or the like, the rotation angle can be detected by the rotation angle sensor as a change in the resistance value of the resistor.

Further, in the invention of claim 4, the bearing that supports one end of the valve shaft among the bearings is constituted by a roller bearing with a seal.

Thus, one end of the valve shaft can be rotatably supported by the roller bearing, and the roller bearing can seal between the bearing housing and the valve shaft. Further, for example, by using a needle roller bearing, the radial dimension of the bearing housing portion disposed near the valve shaft rotating means or the like can be reduced.

Further, in the invention of claim 5, the bearing that supports the other end side of the valve shaft among the bearings is a ball bearing, and the ball bearing is an inner ring fixed to the outer periphery of the valve shaft. And an outer ring held in the bearing housing by a retainer cap for closing the other bearing housing from the outside of the throttle body, and a ball provided therebetween.

Thus, the other end of the valve shaft can be rotatably supported by the ball bearing. Further, the valve shaft can be axially positioned in the throttle body by using the ball bearing and the retainer cap, and at this time, the bearing housing can be closed from the outside by the retainer cap.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a throttle valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, taking an electric throttle valve device used for an automobile engine or the like as an example.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a throttle body formed by, for example, aluminum die-casting. The throttle body 1 is connected to an intake passage (not shown) of an engine as shown in FIGS. 2 and
Bearing housings 3, 4 provided on both sides in the radial direction opposed to each other with the throttle chamber 2 interposed therebetween; a bottomed cylindrical motor case 5 provided outside the throttle chamber 2; The gear case 6 and the like provided so as to surround the opening side and the bearing housing 3 are integrally formed.

Here, one of the bearing housings 3 and 4 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the other bearing housing 4, and has a return spring 1 described later on its outer peripheral side.
An annular mounting groove 7 for mounting 9 is provided.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a housing space formed in the gear case 6. The housing space 8 houses a later-described reduction gear mechanism 16, a rotation angle sensor 18, and the like. In addition, accommodation space 8
Is covered by a lid 9 detachably attached to the opening side of the gear case 6, and the lid 9 is provided with a sensor mounting portion 9 </ b> A facing the accommodation space 8.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a valve shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body 1 by using a later-described sealed roller bearing 12 and a ball bearing 13. , Extending radially to the right, one end 10A
Project from the bearing housing 3 into the housing space 8, and the other end 10 </ b> B is disposed in the bearing housing 4.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a valve plate serving as a valve body which is located in the throttle chamber 2 and fixed to the valve shaft 10.
Is formed of a circular metal plate or the like corresponding to the inner diameter of the throttle chamber 2, and opens and closes the intake passage of the engine by being rotated together with the valve shaft 10.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a roller bearing with a seal provided in the bearing accommodating portion 3. As shown in FIG.
It has an outer diameter smaller than that of a ball bearing 13 described later. And the roller bearing 12 with a seal is provided in the bearing housing 3.
A substantially cylindrical outer ring 12A fitted therein, a plurality of rollers 12B rotatably supported by the outer ring 12A, and an outer ring 12A
And two seal rings 12C and the like which are positioned at both ends in the axial direction and are fixed to the inner peripheral side.

Here, the rollers 12B are arranged in the outer race 12A at intervals in the circumferential direction, and are in rolling contact with the outer peripheral side of the valve shaft 10. Further, each seal ring 12C is formed using an elastic material such as a resin material, and the inner peripheral side is in elastic sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the valve shaft 10. The roller bearing with seal 12 seals the space between the bearing accommodating portion 3 and the valve shaft 10 with each seal ring 12C while rotatably supporting one end 10A of the valve shaft 10 with each roller 12B. The chamber 2 and the accommodation space 8 are shut off.

Numeral 13 denotes a ball bearing provided in the bearing accommodating portion 4. The ball bearing is, as shown in FIG.
An inner ring 13A press-fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the outer ring 13B, an outer ring 13B held (fixed) in the bearing accommodating portion 4 by a pressing portion 14A of a retainer cap 14 described below, and Ball 13C provided
And so on. The ball bearing 13 axially positions the valve shaft 10 together with the retainer cap 14 in the throttle body 1 while rotatably supporting the other end 10B of the valve shaft 10.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a retainer cap for closing the bearing accommodating portion 4 from the outside. A pressing portion 14A having a U-shaped cross section is provided on the outer peripheral side of the retainer cap 14, and the pressing portion 14A is provided.
A is fitted into the bearing housing 4 and presses the outer ring 13B of the ball bearing 13 into the bearing housing 4. And
The retainer cap 14 seals the inside of the bearing housing 4,
This prevents foreign substances from entering the throttle chamber 2 via the bearing housing 4.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an electric motor housed in the motor case 5 of the throttle body 1. The electric motor 15
As shown in FIG. 3, it has a rotor 15A, a stator 15B, and an output shaft 15C arranged substantially in parallel with the valve shaft 10 to support the rotor 15A, and together with the reduction gear mechanism 16 according to the accelerator operation amount of the vehicle. The valve shaft 10 is rotated.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a reduction gear mechanism serving as a valve shaft rotating means accommodated in the accommodation space 8 of the throttle body 1. The reduction gear mechanism 16 is a small-diameter drive fixed to the output shaft 15C of the electric motor 15. A gear 16A, a large-diameter driven gear 16B fixed to one end 10A of the valve shaft 10, and a rotatably provided on the throttle body 1 using an attachment pin 17, meshed with the drive gear 16A and the driven gear 16B. The transmission gear 16 </ b> C and the like reduce the rotational force of the electric motor 15 and transmit a large rotational torque to the valve shaft 10.

Numeral 18 denotes an accommodation space 8 together with the reduction gear mechanism 16.
The rotation angle sensor 18 accommodated in the
Is a driven gear 16 of the reduction gear mechanism 16 as shown in FIG.
B, a substrate 18A provided on the sensor mounting portion 9A of the lid 9 facing the cover B, substantially arc-shaped resistors 18B, 18B fixed on the substrate 18A and extending around the valve shaft 10; Brushes 18D, 18D, etc., which are fixed to one side surface of the gear 16B via an insulating holder 18C or the like, and slidably contact with each resistor 18B at a position corresponding to the rotation angle of the valve shaft 10.
It constitutes a potentiometer.

The rotation angle sensor 18 is connected to the resistor 18
The resistance value of B is changed according to the rotation angle of the valve shaft 10 by the brush 18D, and the change in the resistance value is detected as the rotation angle of the valve shaft 10 and a detection signal corresponding to the opening of the valve plate 11 is generated. Control unit for engine control (not shown)
And so on.

A return spring 19 is provided between the mounting groove 7 of the throttle body 1 and the driven gear 16B of the reduction gear mechanism 16. The return spring 19 is, as shown in FIG.
0 is urged in the valve closing direction of the valve plate 11.

The electric throttle valve device according to the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, and its operation will now be described.

First, during operation of the vehicle, when the driver operates the accelerator pedal, the operation amount is detected by an accelerator operation amount detecting device (not shown) or the like, and the control unit is operated by the accelerator operation amount detecting device. A drive signal is output to the electric motor 15 using the output detection signal and the like.

When the torque of the electric motor 15 is transmitted to the valve shaft 10 via the reduction gear mechanism 16, the valve shaft 10 rotates together with the valve plate 11 against the return spring 19, 11 is opened and closed according to the accelerator operation amount. Also,
At this time, the rotation angle of the valve shaft 10 is detected by the rotation angle sensor 18 as the opening of the valve plate 11, and the control unit performs feedback control of the valve opening using the detection signal from the rotation angle sensor 18. Do.

Thus, in this embodiment, the housing space 8 is provided at one end 10A of the valve shaft 10 protruding from the bearing housing portion 3, and the reduction gear mechanism 16 and the rotation angle sensor are provided in the housing space 8. 18, the sensor case and the like described in the related art can be shared with the gear case 6 of the throttle body 1, the shape of the throttle body 1 can be simplified, and the sensor case of the rotation angle sensor 18 can be used. The number of parts can be reduced by omitting the like, and the assembly work of the throttle valve device can be performed efficiently.

Further, since the other end 10 B of the valve shaft 10 does not need to be protruded from the bearing housing 4 to the outside, the inside of the bearing housing 4 can be closed by the retainer cap 14. In this case, the inner ring 13A of the ball bearing 13 is fixed to the outer peripheral side of the valve shaft 10 by press-fitting.
3B is fixed in the bearing accommodating portion 4 by the retainer cap 14, so that the bearing accommodating portion 4 is sealed from the outside by using the retainer cap 14, and the valve shaft is used by using the retainer cap 14 and the ball bearing 13. 10 can be positioned axially within the throttle body 1.

As a result, for example, it is not necessary to specially provide a sealing member in the bearing housing 4 and a positioning mechanism for the valve shaft 10, and the number of parts can be further reduced, and the structure of the bearing housing 4 is reliably simplified. can do.

Since the roller bearings 12 with seals are provided on the bearing housing 3 side, the outer diameter of the bearing housing 3 can be made smaller than that of the bearing housing 4, and the capacity of the housing space 8 can be increased. Can be. Thereby, for example, the return spring 19 and the like can be easily arranged on the outer peripheral side of the bearing housing portion 3, and the degree of freedom of layout of the reduction gear mechanism 16, the rotation angle sensor 18, and the like can be improved.

Furthermore, by using the roller bearings 12 with seals, the space between the bearing housing 3 and the valve shaft 10 can be reliably sealed, and the throttle chamber 2 and the housing space 8 can be shut off. Thereby, the roller bearing with seal 1
It is not necessary to provide a seal member or the like separate from the inside of the bearing accommodating portion 3, and the workability at the time of assembly can be reliably improved.

The brush 18D of the rotation angle sensor 18 is provided on the driven gear 16B of the reduction gear mechanism 16, and the resistor 18
Since B is provided on the lid 9 on the throttle body 1 side, the reduction gear mechanism 16 and the rotation angle sensor 18 can be made compact, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced. And
The valve shaft 10 can be driven with a large rotational force by the electric motor 15 and the reduction gear mechanism 16, the valve plate 11 can be opened and closed stably, and the rotation angle of the valve shaft 10 is reliably detected by the rotation angle sensor 18. can do.

In the above-described embodiment, the brush 18D of the rotation angle sensor 18 is provided on the driven gear 16B of the reduction gear mechanism 16 together with the holder 18C. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The brush or the like may be provided on one end side 10A of the valve shaft 10 so as to rotate integrally with the driven gear 16B.

In the above embodiment, the reduction gear mechanism 1 driven by the electric motor 15 as the valve shaft rotating means is provided.
6, the present invention is not limited to this, and a wire drum is provided at one end of a valve shaft as a valve shaft rotating means, and the wire drum and a vehicle The present invention may be applied to a throttle valve device configured to mechanically connect an accelerator pedal with a wire or the like and directly rotate a valve shaft by operating force of the accelerator pedal.

[0047]

As described in detail above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a common housing space is provided at one end of the valve shaft for housing the valve shaft rotating means and the rotation angle sensor. Accordingly, for example, the number of parts can be reduced by omitting the sensor case of the rotation angle sensor, the shape of the throttle body can be simplified, and the assembling work of the throttle valve device can be performed efficiently. Further, since it is not necessary to project the other end of the valve shaft from the bearing housing to the outside, for example, it is possible to close this bearing housing to the outside,
The number of components can be further reduced by omitting the seal member and the like in the bearing housing portion, and the structure of the bearing housing portion can be reliably simplified.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the valve shaft rotating means is constituted by the reduction gear mechanism, a large torque can be transmitted to the valve shaft via the reduction gear mechanism by the electric motor, and the valve body can be moved. It can be opened and closed stably, and the reduction gear mechanism and the rotation angle sensor can be accommodated in the accommodation room of the throttle body.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the turning angle sensor includes a resistor provided on the lid of the throttle body,
The rotation angle of the valve shaft can be reliably detected by the rotation angle sensor because it is constituted by the brush provided on the driven gear of the reduction gear mechanism, and the reduction gear mechanism and the rotation angle sensor can be formed in a compact form. The overall size can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since one end of the valve shaft is supported by the roller bearing with the seal, the outer diameter of the bearing housing located on the housing space side can be made small. The valve shaft rotating means, the rotating angle sensor and the like can be easily arranged in the housing space. In addition, the space between the bearing housing and the valve shaft can be reliably sealed by the seal member of the roller bearing, and the throttle chamber and the housing space can be shut off. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a special seal member or the like in the bearing accommodating portion, and the number of components can be reduced, and the workability at the time of assembly can be reliably improved.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the other end of the valve shaft is supported by a ball bearing, and the ball bearing is mounted in the bearing housing by the inner ring fixed to the outer peripheral side of the valve shaft and the retainer cap. , The bearing housing can be closed in a state sealed with a retainer cap, and the seal member for the bearing housing can be omitted. Therefore, the valve shaft can be axially positioned in the throttle body by using the ball bearing and the retainer cap, so that there is no need to provide a special mechanism for positioning the valve shaft and the like, and the structure of the bearing accommodating portion is reliably simplified. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an electric throttle valve device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of FIG. 1 showing a throttle valve device.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the throttle valve device as viewed from a direction indicated by arrows III-III in FIG. 2;

4 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 3 showing a vicinity of a rotation angle sensor.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a roller bearing and the like in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a main part in FIG. 3 showing the vicinity of a ball bearing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Throttle body 2 Throttle chamber 3, 4 Bearing housing part 8 Housing space 9 Lid body 10 Valve shaft 11 Valve plate (Valve body) 12 Roller bearing with seal (Roller bearing) 12A Outer ring 12B Roller 12C Seal ring 13 Ball bearing 13A Inner ring 13B Outer ring 13C Ball 14 Retainer cap 15 Electric motor 16 Reduction gear mechanism (valve shaft rotating means) 16A Drive gear 16B Follower gear 18 Rotation angle sensor 18B Resistor 18D Brush

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI F02D 35/00 364 F02D 35/00 364G G01B 7/30 G01B 7/30 C

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A throttle body having a throttle chamber forming an intake passage of an internal combustion engine, and bearing housing portions provided on both sides in a radial direction opposed to each other across the throttle chamber, and each bearing housing of the throttle body. A bearing provided in the portion, a valve shaft rotatably provided on the throttle body through each bearing, and extending in a radial direction of the throttle chamber; and a valve shaft located in the throttle chamber and provided on the throttle shaft. A valve body provided to open and close the intake passage by rotating together with the valve shaft, valve shaft rotating means for rotating the valve shaft according to an accelerator operation amount of a vehicle, and the valve shaft A throttle valve device comprising: a rotation angle sensor for detecting a rotation angle of the valve shaft; wherein the throttle body is disposed at one of left and right ends of the valve shaft; Means and rotation A throttle valve device being characterized in that a configuration in which a common housing space for housing the sensor. 2. The valve shaft rotating means comprises a reduction gear mechanism for reducing the rotational force of an electric motor provided on the throttle body and transmitting the rotation force to the valve shaft. The reduction gear mechanism includes an output of the electric motor. 2. The throttle valve device according to claim 1, further comprising: a driving gear provided on a side of the valve shaft; and a driven gear provided on one end of the valve shaft and driven to rotate by the driving gear. 3. The throttle body is provided with a lid for covering the housing space, and the rotation angle sensor is provided with a resistor provided on the lid facing the driven gear of the reduction gear mechanism. A brush provided on the driven gear at one end side of the valve shaft, wherein a resistance value of the resistor changes according to a rotation angle of the valve shaft by sliding with the resistor. The throttle valve device according to claim 2, comprising: 4. The throttle valve device according to claim 1, wherein a bearing that supports one end of the valve shaft among the bearings is formed by a roller bearing with a seal. 5. A bearing that supports the other end of the valve shaft among the bearings is a ball bearing, and the ball bearing includes an inner ring fixed to an outer periphery of the valve shaft and an outer ring of the throttle body. 4. An outer ring held in a bearing receiving portion by a retainer cap for closing the other bearing receiving portion, and a ball provided therebetween.
Or the throttle valve device according to 4.