Seasonal adjustment device

Abstract

This invention relates to throttle devices. It addresses situations where the outer peripheral support portion supporting the outer peripheral side of the coil spring fails to function effectively due to an incorrectly positioned coil spring on a rotating member. One embodiment is a throttle device comprising a rotating member coupled to a throttle shaft and rotated by a drive source, and a coil spring inserted and installed between the throttle body and the rotating member to apply force to the throttle valve toward its default position. The coil spring has a first spring portion, a second spring portion, and an intermediate hook connecting them. The rotating member has an inner peripheral support portion supporting the inner peripheral side of the first spring portion, an outer peripheral support portion supporting the outer peripheral side of the first spring portion, and an obstruction structure preventing the first spring portion from being embedded outside the outer peripheral support portion during coil spring assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to a gas-saving device. Background Technology

[0002] For throttle mechanisms in automobiles that regulate the amount of air supplied to the engine, an electric motor is typically used to rotate a shaft fixed to the throttle valve (disc), thereby opening and closing the intake passage formed in the throttle gas. In most cases, such throttle mechanisms are equipped with a mechanism that allows the throttle valve to move towards a predetermined default position even when the power to the motor is disconnected, in order to ensure a certain amount of air intake. For example, in the throttle mechanism disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-033942, a coil spring (torsion spring) is used to apply force to the throttle valve towards the default position. Specifically, this coil spring is installed between the final gear of the gear train that transmits the rotation of the electric motor to the shaft and the throttle gas of the throttle mechanism.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-033942 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] As described above, for a coil spring that applies force to the throttle valve towards its default position, depending on the mounting method, sometimes a portion of its winding portion is significantly eccentric. Therefore, support members are sometimes provided on the inner and outer sides of the coil spring to suppress eccentricity. In the aforementioned publication, an outer peripheral support portion is provided on the gear for pressing the eccentrically eccentric winding portion from the outside of the coil spring. However, if such an outer peripheral support portion exists, it is possible that the coil spring may be incorrectly mounted on the outside of the outer peripheral support portion during assembly with the gear. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress this problem.

[0008] Solution for solving the problem

[0009] One technical solution of this technology is a throttle device, which includes: a throttle gas valve forming an intake passage; a throttle valve for opening and closing the intake passage; a throttle shaft connected to the throttle valve; a rotating member connected to the throttle shaft, which is rotated by a drive source; and a helical spring inserted between the throttle gas valve and the rotating member to apply force to the throttle valve toward a default position. The helical spring has a first spring portion including a first end, a second spring portion including a second end, and an intermediate hook connecting the first spring portion and the second spring portion. The first end is engaged with a first spring locking portion provided on the rotating member, the second end is engaged with a second spring locking portion provided on the throttle gas valve, and the intermediate hook is engaged with at least one of a first stop member provided on the rotating member and a second stop member provided on the throttle gas valve. The throttle device further includes: an inner peripheral support portion provided on the rotating member or the throttle shaft, supporting the inner peripheral side of the first spring portion; and an outer peripheral support portion provided on the rotating member, supporting the outer peripheral side of the first spring portion. The rotating member has an obstruction structure that prevents the first spring portion from being embedded outside the outer peripheral support portion during the assembly of the helical spring. This prevents the helical spring from being installed in an incorrect position on the rotating member, thus hindering the function of the outer peripheral support portion.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the obstruction structure is located between the outer peripheral support portion and the first spring locking portion of the rotating member. Thus, with the first end of the helical spring locked to the first spring locking portion of the rotating member, the first spring portion is prevented from being inserted into an incorrect position relative to the outer peripheral support portion.

[0011] According to the embodiment, the obstruction structure is configured such that, when the first end of the helical spring is engaged with the first spring locking portion of the rotating member, and the intermediate hook is to be engaged with the first stop, the initial surrounding portion of the first end of the first spring portion is prevented from fully traveling to the outside of the outer peripheral support portion. Therefore, when the helical spring is installed on the rotating member, even if a portion of the first spring portion is significantly eccentric due to the force applied to the intermediate hook, the first spring portion is prevented from being installed in an incorrect position.

[0012] According to the embodiment, the obstruction structure is configured such that, with the first end of the helical spring engaged with the first spring locking portion of the rotating member and the initial surrounding portion of the first end side of the first spring portion abutting against the inner surface of the obstruction structure, the initial surrounding portion of the first end side of the first spring portion will not be embedded in a position passing outside the outer periphery support portion. Therefore, when the helical spring is installed on the rotating member, even if a portion of the first spring portion is significantly eccentric due to the force applied to the intermediate hook, the installation of the first spring portion in an incorrect position is prevented.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the obstructing structure protrudes axially from the base of the rotating member and has an inner inclined surface that slopes inward from the top toward the base of the rotating member. When the first spring portion is to be inserted into the outer side of the outer peripheral support portion, the inner inclined surface of the obstructing structure prevents the first spring portion from being inserted into that position. Furthermore, since the inner inclined surface slopes outward toward the top of the obstructing structure, it is possible to suppress at least the middle hook side of the first spring portion from sliding on the obstructing structure.

[0014] According to the embodiment, the first spring portion is an opening spring portion that functions when the throttle valve is closed compared to the default position, and the second spring portion is a return spring portion that functions when the throttle valve is open compared to the default position. This prevents the opening spring portion from being installed in an incorrect position. In particular, when the number of turns of the opening spring portion is less than the number of turns of the return spring portion, the reaction force from the spring retainer is difficult to distribute to each of the surrounding portions of the opening spring portion, and the eccentricity of each surrounding portion often increases during installation and use. Furthermore, the side that is closed compared to the default position tends to be used more frequently and have more operations; therefore, the importance of the aforementioned peripheral support portion and obstruction structure can be considered to increase. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a throttling device as one implementation method.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a cross-sectional view taken by cutting through the motor and throttle shaft of the throttle device.

[0017] Figure 3 This is an exploded diagram of the throttling device.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional diagram representing the throttle gear separately.

[0019] Figure 5 This diagram shows the state in which the opening spring part of the coil spring is installed on the throttle gear, and the coil spring is cut out at the middle hook.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a diagram of the throttle housing with the cover open, indicating that the throttle valve is in its default position.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a diagram of the throttle housing when the cover is open, indicating that the throttle valve is in the fully closed position.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a diagram of the throttle housing when the cover is open, indicating that the throttle valve is in the fully open position.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the eccentric opening spring section and the outer peripheral support section acting on it, viewed from the axial direction.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a side view of the eccentric opening spring and the outer peripheral support that acts on it.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a diagram of the eccentric opening spring section viewed from the axial direction without the outer peripheral support.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a side view of the eccentric opening spring section without an outer peripheral support.

[0027] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of a helical spring that is intended to be correctly embedded inside the outer peripheral support part during its installation on the throttle gear.

[0028] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of a coil spring that is being installed on a throttle gear without obstruction, but is mistakenly embedded on the outside of the outer peripheral support.

[0029] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing a large eccentric helical spring installed in the middle of the throttle gear, viewed from the axial direction, and the obstruction structure that prevents its eccentricity.

[0030] Figure 16 This is a side view showing the opening spring portion that cannot be inserted due to being blocked by the inner slope of the obstructing structure and the outer slope of the outer peripheral support portion.

[0031] Figure 17 This is a cross-sectional view showing a helical spring embedded inside the obstruction structure.

[0032] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0033] 10. Throttle device; 12. Throttle gas; 13. Intake passage; 14. Housing; 15. Throttle valve; 17. Throttle shaft; 18. 19. Bearing; 20. Throttle gear; 21. Mounting hole; 22. Motor; 23. Output shaft; 24. Drive gear; 26. Intermediate gear; 26a. Large diameter tooth of intermediate gear; 26b. Small diameter tooth of intermediate gear; 27. Intermediate shaft; 28. Tooth of throttle gear; 29. ​​Cover of housing; 30. Coil spring; 31. Throttle side end of coil spring; 32. Coil spring 33. Gear-side end; 34. Intermediate hook of helical spring; 35. Return spring part; 36. Opening spring part; 37a. Encircling part on the end side of the opening spring part; 37b. Encircling part on the intermediate hook side of the opening spring part; 40. Gas-throttle side spring locking part; 42. Gear-side spring locking part; 44. Gear-side stop; 45. Bearing retaining part; 46. Gas-throttle side stop; 47. Inner peripheral support part; 48. Base of throttle gear; 50. Outer peripheral support part; 52. Outer inclined surface; 60. Obstruction structure; 62. Inner inclined surface. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] [Fuel-saving device]

[0036] Figures 1-3 This diagram illustrates a throttle device 10, as one embodiment, installed in a vehicle such as an automobile to regulate the amount of air intake into the engine. The throttle device 10 includes a throttle gas 12 forming an intake passage 13. The throttle gas 12 can be made of metal or resin with a metal core. Furthermore, the throttle device 10 includes a rotatable circular throttle valve (disc) 15 that regulates the flow rate through the intake passage 13. The throttle valve 15 is fixed to a throttle shaft 17, which is supported for rotation by bearings 18, 19 mounted on both sides of the intake passage 13 to the throttle gas 12. The throttle valve 15 can be in a fully closed position (approximately orthogonal to the intake passage 13). Figure 7 ) to the fully open position, roughly parallel to the intake passage 13 ( Figure 8 The throttle body 17 rotates between the two sides. If the throttle shaft 17 rotates, the throttle valve 15 opens and closes. Both the throttle valve 15 and the throttle shaft 17 can be made of metal.

[0037] [Motor and transmission mechanism]

[0038] The throttle device 10 includes a motor 22 as a drive source for driving the throttle valve 15. The rotation output by the motor 22 is transmitted to the throttle shaft 17 via a transmission mechanism. The motor 22 and the transmission mechanism are housed in a housing portion formed in the throttle valve 12, which has a cover 29 that closes the housing portion. In one embodiment, the transmission mechanism includes: a drive gear 24 fixed to the output shaft 23 of the motor 22; an intermediate gear 26 rotatably supported on the throttle valve 12 via an intermediate shaft 27; and a throttle gear 20, which is a driven gear coaxially fixed to the throttle shaft 17. The intermediate gear 26 has a large-diameter tooth portion 26a and a small-diameter tooth portion 26b coaxially fixed to the intermediate shaft 27. The drive gear 24 meshes with the large-diameter tooth portion 26a, and the tooth portion 28 of the throttle gear 20 meshes with the small-diameter tooth portion 26b. The throttle gear 20 may be made of resin. The throttle shaft 17 is inserted into the mounting hole 21 provided in the throttle gear 20 and is fixed by riveting at the end. The motor 22 is controlled by an external electronic control unit (ECU). The opening of the throttle valve 15 is adjusted by controlling the rotation direction and amount of the motor 22.

[0039] [coil spring]

[0040] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the throttle device 10 has a fully closed position ( Figure 7 Oriented towards a slightly open position, which is the default position ( Figure 6 A coil spring 30 applies force to the throttle valve 15. This coil spring 30 functions as a torsion spring. When the motor 22 is energized (i.e., when the output shaft 23 can be controlled), it can resist the force of the coil spring 30 to bring the throttle valve 15 to the fully closed position. Figure 7 ) and fully open position ( Figure 8 It can rotate to any position between ) . When the power to the motor 22 is disconnected, the force of the coil spring 30 can cause the throttle valve 15 to automatically rotate to the default position, supplying a small amount of air to the engine through the intake passage 13.

[0041] Specifically, the helical spring 30 is configured to connect a return spring portion 35 (for example, approximately 6 turns) and an opening spring portion 37 (for example, approximately 2 turns) that are wound in opposite directions, and is inserted and installed between the throttle 12 and the throttle gear 20. The two ends 31 and 32 of the helical spring 30 are bent in a radially outward manner. One end 31 is engaged with a throttle-side spring locking portion 40 provided on the throttle 12, and the other end 32 is engaged with a gear-side spring locking portion 42 provided on the throttle gear 20. The end 31 engaged with the throttle 12 is the end of the return spring portion 35, and the end 32 engaged with the throttle gear 20 is the end of the opening spring portion 37.

[0042] like Figure 3 , Figure 5 As shown, the connection between the reset spring portion 35 and the opening spring portion 37 is a U-shaped fold-back portion, which bends outward in a radially outward manner. This bent fold-back portion acts as an intermediate hook 33, engaging with at least one of the gear-side stop 44 provided on the throttle gear 20 and the throttle-side stop 46 provided on the throttle gas 12. When the throttle gear 20 is in the default position ( Figure 6 When the throttle is engaged, the intermediate hook 33 engages with both the gear-side stop 44 provided on the throttle gear 20 and the throttle-side stop 46 provided on the throttle gas 12. At this time, both the return spring 35 and the opening spring 37 are in a state of being preloaded (a state of accumulating elastic energy) by being twisted from their natural state in the direction of diameter reduction.

[0043] The throttle gear 20 is driven from its default position by the motor 22. Figure 6 ) Towards the fully closed position ( Figure 7 When rotating, the intermediate hook 33 of the helical spring 30 engages with the gas-side stop 46 provided on the gas throttle 12, thus the return spring portion 35, which is constrained by the gas throttle 12 at both ends, becomes ineffective. On the other hand, since the throttle gear 20 rotates relative to the gas throttle 12 while the intermediate hook 33 is engaged with the gas-side stop 46, the gear-side stop 44 of the throttle gear 20 separates from the intermediate hook 33. Since the throttle gear 20 rotates while holding the end 32 of the helical spring 30, the opening spring portion 37 twists further in the direction of diameter reduction. When the throttle gear 20 is in a position closer to the fully closed position than the default position, if the power supply to the motor 22 is disconnected, the throttle gear 20 returns to the default position by the force of the opening spring portion 37.

[0044] The throttle gear 20 is driven from its default position by the motor 22. Figure 6 ) Towards the fully open position ( Figure 8 When rotating, since the intermediate hook 33 is engaged with the gear-side stop 44 of the throttle gear 20, the opening spring 37, which is constrained at both ends by the throttle gear 20, is ineffective. On the other hand, since the throttle gear 20 rotates relative to the throttle gas 12 with the intermediate hook 33 engaged by the gear-side stop 44, the return spring 35 twists further in the direction of diameter reduction. When the throttle gear 20 is in a position closer to the fully open position than the default position, if the power supply to the motor 22 is disconnected, the throttle gear 20 returns to the default position by the force of the return spring 35.

[0045] When the throttle gear 20 rotates between the default position and the fully closed position, the opening spring 37 twists, but the rotation of different parts of the coil winding of the opening spring 37 is not uniform. For example, the part of the opening spring 37 that is close to the end 32 held by the throttle gear 20 rotates with the throttle gear 20, and therefore its relative rotation with respect to the throttle gear 20 is small. On the other hand, the part of the opening spring 37 that is close to the intermediate hook 33 constrained by the throttle side stop 46 has a small rotation with respect to the throttle 12, and correspondingly, its relative rotation with respect to the throttle gear 20 becomes larger.

[0046] [Inner peripheral support part]

[0047] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the throttle gear 20 has an inner peripheral support portion 47 that protrudes toward the interior of the coil spring 30 and suppresses the eccentricity of the coil spring 30. As an example, the inner peripheral support portion 47 is formed as a cylindrical portion protruding from the plate-shaped base of the throttle gear 20, which has teeth 28. The aforementioned mounting hole 21 for fixing the throttle shaft 17 can be formed in a metal plate that is engaged with the inner side of the cylindrical inner peripheral support portion 47 through an insert forming process. The inner peripheral support portion 47 is formed to at least penetrate the opening spring portion 37, and can also be formed to protrude toward the interior of the return spring portion 35 (e.g., from the center hook 33 to approximately two circumferences of the return spring portion 35).

[0048] As in Figure 9 , Figure 10 As schematically shown, the opening spring 37 is installed under a preloaded state by twisting in the direction of diameter reduction. Therefore, the surrounding portion 37a on the end 32 side of the opening spring 37 is eccentric relative to the axis of the throttle gear 20 in a direction approximately the same as the reaction force received from the spring locking portion 42 on the gear side (arrow 70). The inner circumferential support portion 47 specifically supports the inner circumferential side of the surrounding portion 37a on the end 32 side of the opening spring 37. The inner circumferential support portion 47 also suppresses the eccentricity of the coil spring 30 that may occur due to the twisting caused by the rotation of the throttle gear 20 during the operation of the throttle device 10.

[0049] As an alternative embodiment not shown, the inner circumferential support portion may be formed on the throttle shaft 17 instead of the throttle gear 20.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the throttle 12 has a bearing retaining portion 45 that holds the bearing 18 close to the throttle gear 20. This bearing retaining portion 45 is formed to protrude into the interior of the return spring portion 35, and functions as an inner circumferential support relative to the return spring portion 35. However, in the following, "inner circumferential support" refers only to the inner circumferential support portion 47 relative to the opening spring portion 37.

[0051] [Peripheral support part]

[0052] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the throttle gear 20 is provided with at least one peripheral support portion 50 that abuts against the outer periphery of the opening spring portion 37 of the coil spring 30. The peripheral support portion 50 can be integrally formed with the throttle gear 20. As one embodiment, the peripheral support portion 50 is formed to extend from the base 48 of the throttle gear 20, where the teeth 28 are formed, to the same side as the inner peripheral support portion 47. For example, the peripheral support portion 50 can be configured to make point contact with the opening spring portion 37, for example, it can be configured to be cylindrical and extend parallel to the axial direction of the throttle gear 20.

[0053] As in Figure 11 , Figure 12 As schematically shown, when using a throttle gear 120 without an outer peripheral support portion 50, due to the preload applied to the opening spring portion 37, the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the intermediate hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37 is significantly eccentric relative to the axis of the throttle gear 20 in the same direction (arrow 72) as the reaction force received from the throttle-side stop member 46. In particular, since the number of turns of the opening spring portion 37 (approximately two turns) is relatively small, the reaction force received from the throttle-side stop member 46 and the gear-side spring locking portion 42 is difficult to distribute to each surrounding portion, and the eccentricity of each surrounding portion of the opening spring portion 37 often increases. As a result, the portion of the opening spring portion 37 near the intermediate hook 33 (right side in the figure) presses against the inner peripheral support portion 47, while the portion on the opposite side (left side in the figure) separates significantly from the inner peripheral support portion 47. If the throttle gear 20 rotates from the default position toward the fully closed position, the opening spring portion 37 twists further in the direction of diameter reduction, thus increasing the force with which the opening spring portion 37 presses against the inner circumferential support portion 47. When the throttle gear 20 rotates between the default and fully closed positions, the intermediate hook 33 is constrained by the throttle side stop member 46. Therefore, as described above, the relative rotation amount of the portion of the opening spring portion 37 near the intermediate hook 33 relative to the throttle gear 20 is relatively large. Consequently, if this portion of the opening spring portion 37 presses against the inner circumferential support portion 47, friction is generated between the opening spring portion 37 and the inner circumferential support portion 47 when the throttle gear 20 rotates, resulting in rotational resistance to the throttle gear 20.

[0054] In contrast, such as Figure 9 , Figure 10As shown, in the above-described embodiment where the throttle gear 20 is provided with an outer peripheral support portion 50, the outer peripheral support portion 50 abuts against the outer peripheral side of the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the intermediate hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37, suppressing its eccentricity. Consequently, the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the intermediate hook 33 separates from the inner peripheral support portion 47 of the throttle gear 20. As a result, the inner peripheral side of the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the intermediate hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37 separates from the inner peripheral support portion 47. Therefore, friction generated between the opening spring portion 37 and the inner peripheral support portion 47 when the throttle gear 20 rotates between the default position and the fully closed position can be eliminated. Thus, not only can wear on the inner peripheral support portion 47 be suppressed, but the load on the motor 22 can also be reduced. Therefore, miniaturization of the motor 22 and reduction of the reduction ratio of the transmission mechanism can be achieved, contributing to the miniaturization of the throttle device 10.

[0055] As an alternative embodiment not shown, instead of completely separating the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the intermediate hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37 from the inner peripheral support portion 47, the outer peripheral support portion 50 can also be configured to reduce the force of the opening spring portion 37 pressing against the inner peripheral support portion 47. That is, it can be configured to be eccentric to the direction desired by the opening spring portion 37 ( Figure 9 The opening spring 37 is pressed back in the opposite direction of arrow 72. This reduces the friction generated between the opening spring 37 and the inner peripheral support 47 when the throttle gear 20 rotates.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the outer peripheral support portion 50 can be configured to abut against the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the intermediate hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37 within a range of approximately 180° to 360° (e.g., approximately 270°) from the intermediate hook 33. This avoids contact at a relatively large point due to relative rotation between the opening spring portion 37 and the inner peripheral support portion 47, effectively reducing friction.

[0057] The distance from the axis of the throttle gear 20 to the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral support portion 47 may not be constant. For example, it can be set such that the portion of the surrounding portion 37a on the outer peripheral surface of the inner peripheral support portion 47 that supports the end 32 of the opening spring portion 37 is larger, and the portion of the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the middle hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37 that is closer to the outer peripheral surface due to eccentricity is smaller.

[0058] like Figure 10 As shown, the minimum interval d between the inner peripheral support portion 47 and the outer peripheral support portion 50, where the opening spring portion 37 is disposed, can be set to be less than twice the diameter of the coil winding of the opening spring portion 37. This prevents the coil windings of the opening spring portion 37 from overlapping between the inner peripheral support portion 47 and the outer peripheral support portion 50, thus stabilizing the posture of the opening spring portion 37.

[0059] [Assemble a helical spring onto the throttle gear]

[0060] like Figure 13 As shown, in order to install the helical spring 30 onto the throttle gear 20, the end 32 is locked with the gear-side spring locking part 42, and then the opening spring part 37 is twisted in the direction of diameter reduction while the intermediate hook 33 is locked with the gear-side stop 44. At this time, it is important to ensure that the opening spring part 37 is reliably embedded between the inner peripheral support part 47 and the outer peripheral support part 50.

[0061] [Obstruction Structure]

[0062] like Figure 4 , Figure 13 As shown, the throttle gear 20 is provided with a blocking structure 60 to prevent the coil spring 30 from being installed in the wrong position. The blocking structure 60 can be a block extending from the base 48 of the throttle gear 20 toward the same side as the outer peripheral support 50. Preferably, the blocking structure 60 is disposed between the outer peripheral support 50 of the throttle gear 20 and the gear-side spring locking part 42. As a specific example, the blocking structure 60 can be provided as an arc-shaped block spanning an angle range of approximately 45° when viewed from the axis of the throttle gear 20.

[0063] like Figure 14 As shown, when using the throttle gear 220 without obstructing the structure 60, during the installation of the coil spring 30, the opening spring portion 37 easily passes over the outer peripheral support portion 50 and is embedded on the outside. As mentioned above, since the number of turns of the opening spring portion 37 (approximately two turns) is relatively small, the eccentricity of each surrounding portion of the opening spring portion 37 also increases during assembly, making it easy to pass over the outer peripheral support portion 50. If the opening spring portion 37 is installed in such an incorrect position, the aforementioned outer peripheral support portion 50, which functions to separate the surrounding portion 37b on the side of the middle hook 33 of the opening spring portion 37 from the inner peripheral support portion 47, cannot function.

[0064] On the other hand, such as Figure 15 , Figure 16As shown, if the obstruction structure 60 is present, when the end 32 of the opening spring 37 is engaged with the gear-side spring locking part 42 of the throttle gear 20, and the intermediate hook 33 is to be engaged with the gear-side locking part, even if the opening spring 37 is significantly eccentric due to the force applied to the intermediate hook 33 (arrow 74), it will at least prevent the surrounding part 37a on the end 32 side of the opening spring 37 from completely traveling to the outside of the outer peripheral support part 50. Furthermore, under the condition that the end 32 of the coil spring 30 is engaged with the gear-side spring locking part 42 of the throttle gear 20, the surrounding part 37a on the end 32 side of the opening spring 37 will not be embedded in a position beyond the outside of the outer peripheral support part 50 when it is in contact with the obstruction structure 60. Therefore, even assuming that the surrounding part 37b on the intermediate hook 33 side of the opening spring 37 is significantly eccentric to the extent of traveling to the outside of the outer peripheral support part 50, it will prevent the opening spring 37 from being installed in an incorrect position.

[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, an inner slope 62 can also be provided on the obstruction structure 60, which slopes inward (towards the inner circumferential support portion 47) from the top toward the base 48 of the throttle gear 20. Figure 15 , Figure 16 As shown, even if the opening spring portion 37 is intended to be inserted into the outer side of the outer peripheral support portion 50, the inner inclined surface 62 of the obstruction structure 60 prevents the opening spring portion 37 from being inserted into that position. Furthermore, as... Figure 17 As shown, the inner inclined surface 62 slopes outward toward the top of the obstruction structure 60, thus preventing the surrounding portion 37b on the middle hook 33 side of the opening spring portion 37 from sliding on the obstruction structure 60 when the throttle gear 20 rotates. Furthermore, when the coil spring 30 is assembled to the throttle gear 20, the outer peripheral support portion 50 abuts against the outer peripheral side of the surrounding portion 37b on the middle hook 33 side of the opening spring portion 37, suppressing its eccentricity. In contrast, the obstruction structure 60 does not abut against the opening spring portion 37, which is a difference in this respect.

[0066] like Figure 4 , Figure 16 As shown, an outer inclined surface 52, which slopes inward from the base 48 of the throttle gear 20 toward the top of the outer peripheral support 50, can be provided on the outer peripheral support 50. Therefore, even if the opening spring 37 is to be inserted into the outer side of the outer peripheral support 50, the outer inclined surface 52 of the outer peripheral support 50 and the inner inclined surface 62 of the obstruction structure 60 prevent the opening spring 37 from being inserted into that position. Furthermore, by further torsional force, the opening spring 37 can easily slide along the outer inclined surface 52 of the outer peripheral support 50 to the inside and return to the correct position.

[0067] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0068] As an alternative embodiment not shown, depending on the rotation direction required for the opening and closing of the throttle valve 15 and the direction of the throttle shaft 17 extending from the throttle valve 15, the coil spring 30 can also be a coil spring that is a mirror image of the coil spring shown. Needless to say, even when using such a mirror image, the return spring portion and the opening spring portion still wind in opposite directions.

[0069] As another embodiment, the number of turns of the return spring portion 35 and the opening spring portion 37 of the helical spring 30 can also be set to a number different from the number of turns shown in the figure. Furthermore, as another embodiment, the relative size of the diameters of the various surrounding portions of the return spring portion 35 and the opening spring portion 37 can also be set to a size different from the size shown in the figure.

[0070] As another embodiment, the first spring portion of the two spring portions constituting the helical spring 30, which engages with the throttle gear 20, can function as a return spring portion, and the second spring portion, which engages with the throttle valve 12, can function as an opening spring portion. In this case, the rotation direction of the throttle gear 20 when opening and closing the throttle valve 15 is the same as... Figure 5 The directions shown are opposite. In this embodiment, by providing the aforementioned outer peripheral support portion, the eccentricity of the return spring portion can be suppressed; by providing the aforementioned obstruction structure, the return spring portion can be prevented from being installed in an incorrect position relative to the throttle gear 20.

[0071] The above describes specific implementation methods, but this technology is not limited to these implementation methods. If one is skilled in the art, various substitutions, improvements, and changes can be implemented without departing from the purpose of this technology.

Claims

1. A time-saving device, wherein, This time-saving device has the following features: The gas is throttled, forming the intake passage; Throttle valve, which opens and closes the intake passage; Throttle shaft, which is connected to the throttle valve; A rotating component, which is coupled to the throttle shaft, is rotated by a drive source; and A helical spring, inserted between the throttle valve and the rotating member, applies force to the throttle valve toward its default position. The helical spring has a first spring portion including a first end, a second spring portion including a second end, and an intermediate hook connecting the first spring portion and the second spring portion. The first end is engaged with a first spring locking part provided on the rotating member, the second end is engaged with a second spring locking part provided on the gas-regulating part, and the intermediate hook is engaged with at least one of a first stop member provided on the rotating member and a second stop member provided on the gas-regulating part. The throttle device includes: an inner peripheral support portion disposed on the rotating member or the throttle shaft, supporting the inner peripheral side of the first spring portion; and an outer peripheral support portion disposed on the rotating member, supporting the outer peripheral side of the first spring portion. The rotating member has a barrier structure that prevents the first spring portion from being embedded in the outer side of the outer peripheral support portion when the helical spring is assembled.

2. The gas-saving device according to claim 1, wherein, The obstruction structure is located between the outer peripheral support portion and the first spring retaining portion of the rotating member.

3. The gas-saving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The obstruction structure is configured such that, when the first end of the helical spring is locked to the first spring locking portion of the rotating member, and the intermediate hook is to be locked to the first stop, the initial circumferential portion of the first end of the first spring portion is prevented from completely traveling to the outside of the outer peripheral support portion.

4. The gas-saving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The obstruction structure is configured such that, when the first end of the helical spring is engaged with the first spring locking portion of the rotating member and the initial circumferential portion of the first end side of the first spring portion abuts against the inner surface of the obstruction structure, the initial circumferential portion of the first end side of the first spring portion will not be embedded in a position passing the outer side of the outer peripheral support portion.

5. The gas-saving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The obstruction structure protrudes axially from the base of the rotating member and has an inner slope that slopes inward from the top toward the base of the rotating member.

6. The gas-saving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first spring is an opening spring that functions when the throttle is closed compared to the default position, and the second spring is a return spring that functions when the throttle is open compared to the default position.

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