Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
  • F02D9/00—Controlling engines by throttling air or fuel-and-air induction conduits or exhaust conduits
  • F02D9/02—Controlling engines by throttling air or fuel-and-air induction conduits or exhaust conduits concerning induction conduits
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
  • F02D11/00—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated
  • F02D11/06—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by non-mechanical control linkages, e.g. fluid control linkages or by control linkages with power drive or assistance
  • F02D11/10—Arrangements for, or adaptations to, non-automatic engine control initiation means, e.g. operator initiated characterised by non-mechanical control linkages, e.g. fluid control linkages or by control linkages with power drive or assistance of the electric type
  • F02D11/106—Detection of demand or actuation
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
  • F02D35/00—Controlling engines, dependent on conditions exterior or interior to engines, not otherwise provided for
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F02—COMBUSTION ENGINES; HOT-GAS OR COMBUSTION-PRODUCT ENGINE PLANTS
  • F02D—CONTROLLING COMBUSTION ENGINES
  • F02D9/00—Controlling engines by throttling air or fuel-and-air induction conduits or exhaust conduits
  • F02D9/08—Throttle valves specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of such valves in conduits
  • F02D9/10—Throttle valves specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of such valves in conduits having pivotally-mounted flaps
  • F02D9/1035—Details of the valve housing
  • F02D9/105—Details of the valve housing having a throttle position sensor
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
  • G01D5/12—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means
  • G01D5/14—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage
  • G01D5/20—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using electric or magnetic means influencing the magnitude of a current or voltage by varying inductance, e.g. by a movable armature

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to a throttle position sensor of the type used in automotive vehicles.
• the previously known throttle position sensor assemblies include a rotatable body which attaches to the throttle plate shaft so that the body and the throttle plate shaft rotate in unison with each other.
• the rotatable body in the sensor assembly includes a cavity having a noncircular cross-sectional shape, typically square, and which is the same noncircular cross-sectional shape as the throttle plate shaft. Consequently, with the end of the shaft positioned within the body cavity, the rotational angle of the body relative to the throttle shaft is fixed. Likewise, the throttle shaft and body thereafter rotate in unison with each other.
• a primary disadvantage of these previously known throttle position sensor assemblies is that it is somewhat time consuming to properly align the throttle plate shaft with the cavity in the rotatable body when attaching the throttle position sensor to the main throttle body. Furthermore, the end of the throttle shaft cannot slide into the cavity until the throttle plate shaft and body cavity were precisely aligned with each other. [0006] The necessity to precisely align the throttle plate shaft with the body cavity resulted in increased assembly time for the overall throttle assembly including the sensor. This increased time thus increased the overall manufacturing cost for the automotive vehicle.
• the present invention provides a throttle position sensor assembly which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previously known throttle position sensor assemblies.
• the present invention comprises a housing having a cylindrical cavity closed at one end by a plate. A cylindrical body is then rotatably mounted within the housing cavity.
• An alignment clip is attached to the body so that the alignment clip is aligned with the body axis and rotates in unison with the body.
• This alignment clip furthermore, is dimensioned to receive an end of a throttle plate shaft so that, upon receipt, the throttle plate shaft and body are automatically aligned to a preset rotational position relative to each other.
• a sensor is mounted to the housing in alignment with the axis of the cylindrical body. This sensor generates an output signal representative of the rotational position of the body relative to the housing. Consequently, the output from the sensor is representative of the angular position of the throttle plate shaft.
• the alignment clip comprises a spring metal clip having two opposing side portions which form a narrow slot therebetween. This narrow slot is dimensioned to receive a flattened end of the throttle plate shaft. Furthermore, since the alignment clip may deflect somewhat upon the insertion of the throttle plate shaft, the alignment clip will tolerate misalignment of the throttle plate shaft with the body during the assembly process. This, in turn, facilitates and speeds up the assembly process for the overall throttle and throttle sensor assembly.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded bottom perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the invention
• FIG.2 is a bottom view thereof
• FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side sectional view thereof;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating one component of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention.
• FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrammatic axial views illustrating the operation of the present invention.
• a preferred embodiment of a throttle position sensor assembly 10 is shown mounted to a throttle main body 12 (FIG. 3).
• the throttle position sensor 10 generates an electrical output signal on its output terminal 17 (FIG. 5) representative of the position of the throttle plate.
• the throttle position sensor assembly 10 includes a housing 16 preferably made of a plastic material.
• a cylindrical cavity 18 (FIG. 1) is formed within the housing 16 so that the axis of the cavity 18 is aligned with the axis of a throttle plate shaft 15 (FIG. 3) extending outwardly from the throttle main body 12.
• a plate 20 which is preferably of a one-piece construction with the housing 16.
• a cylindrical body 22 having a diameter the same or slightly less than the diameter of the cavity 18 is rotatably disposed within the cavity 18. Consequently, the body 22 is coaxial with the throttle shaft 15.
• a noncircular and preferably rectangular recess 24 is formed in the axial end of the body 22 facing the throttle shaft 15.
• An alignment clip 28 having a cross-sectional shape complementary to the shape of the recess 24 is then positioned within the recess 24 so that the alignment clip 28 rotates in unison with the body 22.
• the alignment clip 28 is constructed of a resilient material, preferably spring steel, that includes two side portions 30 and 32 which, together, form an elongated slot 34 therebetween. Any conventional means may be used to secure the alignment clip 28 to the body 22.
• the alignment clip 28 is dimensioned to receive a flattened end 38 of the throttle shaft 15 in the slot 34 formed between the side portions 30 and 32 of the alignment clip 28. Consequently, upon insertion of the flattened portion 38 of the throttle shaft 15 through the slot 34, the alignment clip side portions 30 and 32 will deflect outwardly to accommodate the throttle shaft flattened portion 38 and automatically align the alignment clip 28, and thus the body 22, with the throttle shaft 15.
• this automatic alignment of the alignment clip 28 with the throttle shaft 15 occurs despite misalignment of the shaft 15 and alignment clip 28 during assembly of the sensor onto the throttle main body 12.
• the shaft 15 is slightly misaligned relative to the clip 28.
• the clip 28 automatically aligns the shaft 15 and clip 28 together. Instead, any such misalignment would merely cause the side portions 30 and 32 of the alignment clip 28 to deflect and automatically rotate the alignment clip 28 with the attached cylindrical body 22 until the outer edge portions 31 and 32 of the alignment clip side portions 30 and 32 flatly abut against the shaft portion 38.
• the alignment clip 28 automatically aligns the body 22 with the throttle plate shaft 15 upon connection of the throttle position sensor assembly 10 to the throttle assembly 12.
• a rotor 40 is mounted to the axial end 42 of the body 22 facing away from the throttle plate shaft 15. Any conventional means, such as screws, may be used to secure the rotor 40 to the body 22.
• the rotor 40 flatly abuts against an inner side of the plate 20.
• a wave spring 44 is preferably compressed in between a retainer 46 and the end 26 of the body 22.
• the retainer 46 is secured to the housing 16 so that the wave spring 44 urges the body 22 axially towards the plate 20.
• the housing 16 includes a compartment 50 which surrounds the cavity 18 formed in the housing. This compartment 50 is preferably of a one- piece plastic construction with the housing 16.
• An inductive sensor 52 is positioned within the compartment so that a portion 54 of the sensor 52 is aligned with the plate 20 and thus aligned with the rotor 40 mounted to the body 22.
• the magnetic coaction between the rotor 40 and the sensor 52 provides an electrical output signal which varies and is representative of the rotational position of the throttle plate shaft 15.
• This output signal from terminal 17 is typically electrically connected to an engine management unit.
• a cover 60 is preferably disposed over and sealingly connected to the compartment 50 by a seal 62. In doing so, the sensor 52 is completely isolated from contaminants and external elements.
• a seal 64 (FIG. 1) is preferably disposed between the housing 16 and the throttle assembly 12. This seal 64 thus protects the rotatable body 22 and its associated components from contaminants and other debris. ⁇ 008/000864
• one or more electric terminals 68 are mounted to the sensor housing 16. These terminals 68 are electrically accessible externally of the housing 16 and provide an electrical connection point to the servo motor or other mechanism used to electrically actuate the throttle plate shaft 15.
• the present invention provides a simple and yet highly effectively throttle position sensor assembly which facilitates the rapid and automatic alignment of the rotatable sensor element or body and the throttle plate shaft even despite initial misalignment. This reduction in assembly time of the throttle position sensor assembly to the throttle assembly thus provides appreciable cost savings for the assembly of the automotive vehicle.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Control Of Throttle Valves Provided In The Intake System Or In The Exhaust System (AREA)
• Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=39825785

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (6)

Family Cites Families (17)

• 2008
  • 2008-04-09 BR BRPI0809813-1A2A patent/BRPI0809813A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-04-09 US US12/099,987 patent/US7823442B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-04-09 DE DE112008000964T patent/DE112008000964T5/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-04-09 CN CN2008800194118A patent/CN101680776B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-04-09 KR KR1020097023253A patent/KR20100016309A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2008-04-09 WO PCT/IB2008/000864 patent/WO2008122880A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2008-04-09 JP JP2010502602A patent/JP5185365B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related

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