Integrated VDA housing with anti-rotation device

Abstract

Device comprising: a throttle valve control arrangement (10), comprising: a case (12); an adapter (20) which is integrally formed with the housing (12); an anti-rotation device (38) which is integrally formed with the housing (12) and the adapter (20); a recess (40) wherein the recess (40) substantially surrounds the anti-rotation device (38); wherein the anti-rotation device (38) and the recess (40) are formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20) during a forming process, a first groove (32) which is integrally formed as part of the adapter (20); a second groove (36) which is integrally formed as part of the housing (12); a rib section (34) which is arranged between the first groove (32) and the second groove (36), wherein the rib section (34) is formed as part of the adapter (20); a lower wall section (62) which is integrally formed as part of the housing (12) such that the lower wall section (62) is adjacent to the recess (40); wherein the first groove (32) and the rib section (34) substantially enclose the adapter (20), wherein the second groove (36) partially encloses the housing (12), and wherein the second groove (36) opens into the lower wall section (62).

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application US 62 / 638,648, filed on March 5, 2018. The disclosure of the above-referenced application is incorporated herein by reference. Field of the invention

[0002] The invention generally relates to an electronic throttle body having an integrally formed anti-rotation device, wherein the anti-rotation device is formed during a molding or casting process and without the use of additional machining processes. Background of the invention

[0003] Electronic throttle bodies are well known, with a duct or conduit typically connected to and in fluid communication with the throttle body for directing air into the throttle body, which controls airflow into an internal combustion engine. The conduit is typically connected to the throttle body through the use of a connector, and the conduit is prevented from rotating relative to the throttle body by some type of anti-rotation device engaged with the conduit.

[0004] Typical throttle bodies have parts manufactured as a single component, with certain parts formed as part of the throttle body being more complex and expensive to manufacture. Some of the throttle body parts are formed in a casting process, with others being formed during various machining processes. Additional machining processes increase cost and require additional steps during manufacturing. Some throttle bodies have an anti-rotation device formed during subsequent manufacturing processes, such as machining, or the anti-rotation device is formed as part of one of several separate, assembled components of the throttle body assembly. The use of subsequent manufacturing processes, or the manufacture of multiple components, increases cost, manufacturing time, and increases the overall complexity of manufacturing the throttle body assembly.In addition, throttle body assemblies composed of multiple components are generally unable to meet high installation space requirements.

[0005] The documents DE 10 2018 217 241 A1, US 5 341 773 A, DE 198 03 356 A1 and DE 698 16 410 T2 concern throttle valve devices.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a throttle body that is easier to manufacture and includes an anti-rotation device formed without the use of additional machining processes. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a throttle control assembly that is easier to manufacture and includes an anti-rotation device that can be formed without the use of additional machining processes. This object is achieved with the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. In one embodiment, the present invention is a throttle control assembly that includes a housing, an adapter formed integrally with the housing, an anti-rotation device formed integrally with the housing and the adapter, and a recess. The recess substantially encloses the anti-rotation device, wherein the anti-rotation device and the recess are formed integrally with the housing and the adapter during a molding process.

[0008] In one embodiment, a housing portion is part of the adapter, and the throttle control assembly includes a central port or opening. A portion of the central opening extends through the housing portion of the adapter, and a portion of the central opening extends through the housing.

[0009] A first groove is integrally formed as part of the adapter, a second groove is integrally formed as part of the housing, and a rib portion is disposed between the first groove and the second groove. The rib portion is formed as part of the adapter, the first groove and the rib portion substantially circumscribe the adapter, and the second groove partially encloses the housing.

[0010] In one embodiment, a lower wall portion is formed integrally as part of the housing, such that the lower wall portion is adjacent to the recess and the second groove opens into the lower wall portion.

[0011] A first end of the first groove is adjacent to a portion of the recess, and a second end of the first groove is adjacent to a portion of the recess.

[0012] In one embodiment, a portion of the recess is integrally formed as part of the housing, and a portion of the recess is integrally formed as part of the adapter.

[0013] The anti-rotation device can be formed by one of several methods. In one embodiment, the recess is formed integrally with the housing and the adapter during a casting process. In another embodiment, the recess is formed integrally with the housing and the adapter during a metal injection molding process.

[0014] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Short description of the drawings

[0015] The present invention will be better understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic throttle with an anti-rotation device according to embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of an electronic throttle with an anti-rotation device according to embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of an electronic throttle with an anti-rotation device according to embodiments of the present invention; and Fig. 4 is an enlarged front view of a portion of an electronic throttle with an anti-rotation device according to embodiments of the present invention. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

[0016] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0017] Referring now to the figures, an electronic throttle control assembly with an integrally formed anti-rotation device according to the present invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The assembly 10 includes a throttle body housing 12, wherein a central opening, generally indicated by reference numeral 14, is formed as part of the housing 12 through which air flows during operation of the assembly 10. There is a shaft (not shown) extending through a portion of the central opening 14 in which the shaft is rotatable, and a valve plate (also not shown) is mounted to the shaft.

[0018] The shaft is mounted in a bore 16 formed as part of the housing 12. The housing 12 also includes a cavity, generally designated by reference numeral 18, within which an actuator (not shown) is disposed. The actuator serves to control a gear assembly, which is then connected to the shaft, thereby controlling the position of the valve plate in the central opening 14. Changing the position of the valve plate controls the airflow through the central opening 14.

[0019] The assembly 10 also includes an adapter, generally designated by reference numeral 20, which adapter 20 is suitable for connection to a conduit. The adapter 20 includes a housing portion 22, wherein an opening 24 is formed as part of the housing portion 22, which forms part of the central opening 14 and has a substantially constant inner diameter. The remaining portion of the central opening 14 is formed as part of the housing 12 and extends through the housing 12. The housing portion 22 also includes a portion 26 having a first diameter adjacent to a first conical portion 28. The housing portion 22 also has a second conical portion 30 adjacent to the first diameter portion 26. Each of the conical portions 28, 30 facilitates the connection between a conduit and the throttle control assembly 10.

[0020] Adjacent to the second conical portion 30 is a first groove 32, adjacent to the first groove 32 is a rib portion 34, and adjacent to the rib portion 34 is a second groove 36. Formed integrally with the housing 12 and the adapter 20 is an anti-rotation device 38 which projects from the housing 12 and adjoins the housing portion 22.

[0021] During assembly, the housing portion 22 is inserted into an end portion of the conduit, with the tapered portions 28, 30 and the anti-rotation device 38 ensuring proper alignment between the housing portion 22 and the conduit during the assembly process in the factory where the throttle control assembly 10 is manufactured.

[0022] Formed integrally with the housing 12 and the adapter 20 is a recess, generally designated by reference numeral 40. A portion of the recess 40 is adjacent to a first end 42A of the first groove 32 and a first end 44A of the rib portion 34. A portion of the recess also is adjacent to a second end 42B of the first groove 32 and a second end 44B of the rib portion 34. An end portion 46 of the second groove 36 also terminates in a bottom wall 62 adjacent to a portion of the recess 40. The grooves 32, 36 and the rib portion 34 are also used for connecting the conduit to the assembly 10. The grooves 32, 36 are capable of receiving a snap ring, clamp, or other type of connecting device for securing the conduit to the assembly 10.

[0023] The throttle control assembly 10 is formed using different manufacturing processes. The housing 12, the second groove 36, the anti-rotation device 38, and the recess 40 are formed during a casting process.

[0024] After the casting process is complete, various parts of the throttle control assembly 10 still need to be formed. A machining process is then used to form the housing portion 22, the first groove 32, and the rib portion 34. The recess 40 provides sufficient space so that various tools can be used as part of the machining process to form the housing portion 22, the first groove 32, and the rib portion 34. The second groove 36 partially encloses the housing 12, with the first groove 32 and the rib portion 34 almost completely enclosing the housing portion 22, except for the areas occupied by the anti-rotation device 38 and the recess 40.

[0025] The second groove 36 (formed during the casting process) does not completely enclose the housing 12. An outer portion 48 partially encloses the housing 12 in an area along the outside of the housing 12 (where the second groove 36 was not formed during the casting process), such that the outer portion 48, similar to the second groove 36, adjoins a portion of the rib portion 34. The outer portion 48 is formed during the machining process along with the housing portion 22, the first groove 32, and the rib portion 34. A portion of the outer portion 48 extends along the outside of the housing 12 in an area where the portion having the cavity 18 is integrally formed with the housing 12. Another portion of the outer portion 48 also extends along the outside of the housing 12 along an area where a gear housing 50 is integrally formed with the housing 12.

[0026] An axis 52 extends through the central opening 14, and the anti-rotation device 38 may be formed at many possible locations along the outer surface of the housing 12 during the casting process.

[0027] The anti-rotation device 38 formed during the casting process and the entire throttle control assembly 10 formed as a single component reduce the number of steps in the manufacturing process of the throttle control assembly 10, thereby lowering manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the anti-rotation device 38 can be formed along the draw line within the casting tool during the casting process, so that the shape of the anti-rotation device 38 does not affect the removal of any tool inserts, tool slides, or the separation of the mold components after the casting process is complete.

[0028] In addition, the dimensions of the anti-rotation device 38 can be varied to suit different space and design requirements, as well as for different types of cables with different connecting devices.

[0029] Although it has been described above that the housing 12, the second groove 36, the anti-rotation device 38 and the recess 40 are formed during a casting process, it is within the scope of the invention that these components can also be formed in other types of processes, such as metal injection molding and 3D printing.

[0030] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature, so that variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be considered a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

[1] Device comprising: a throttle control arrangement (10) comprising: a housing (12); an adapter (20) formed integrally with the housing (12); an anti-rotation device (38) formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20); a recess (40), the recess (40) substantially surrounding the anti-rotation device (38); wherein the anti-rotation device (38) and the recess (40) are formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20) during a molding process, a first groove (32) formed integrally as part of the adapter (20); a second groove (36) formed integrally as part of the housing (12); a rib portion (34) disposed between the first groove (32) and the second groove (36), the rib portion (34) being formed as part of the adapter (20); a lower wall portion (62) formed integrally as part of the housing (12) such that the lower wall portion (62) is adjacent to the recess (40); wherein the first groove (32) and the rib portion (34) substantially enclose the adapter (20), wherein the second groove (36) partially encloses the housing (12), and wherein the second groove (36) opens into the lower wall portion (62). [2] The device of claim 1, further comprising: a housing portion (22) which is part of the adapter (20); and a central opening (14); wherein a portion of the central opening (14) extends through the housing portion (22) of the adapter (20), and wherein a portion of the central opening (14) extends through the housing (12). [3] A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a first end (42A) of the first groove (32) is adjacent to a portion of the recess (40). [4] The device of claim 3, wherein a second end (42B) of the first groove (32) is adjacent to a portion of the recess (40). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a portion of the recess (40) is formed integrally as part of the housing (12), and wherein a portion of the recess (40) is formed integrally as part of the adapter (20). [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recess (40) is formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20) during a casting process. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the recess (40) is formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20) during a metal injection molding process. [8] Throttle control arrangement (10) comprising: a housing (12); an adapter (20) formed integrally with the housing (12); an anti-rotation device (38) formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20); a recess (40), wherein a portion of the recess (40) is integrally formed as part of the housing (12) and a portion of the recess (40) is integrally formed as part of the adapter (20), such that the recess (40) substantially surrounds the anti-rotation device (38); a first groove (32) formed integrally as part of the adapter (20) such that the first groove (32) substantially encloses the adapter (20); a second groove (36) formed integrally as part of the housing (12) such that the second groove (36) partially encloses the housing (12); a rib portion (34) disposed between the first groove (32) and the second groove (36), wherein the rib portion (34) is formed as part of the adapter (20) such that the rib portion (34) substantially encloses the adapter (20); and a lower wall portion (62) formed integrally as part of the housing (12) such that the lower wall portion (62) is adjacent to the recess (40) and the second groove (36) opens into the lower wall portion (62); wherein the anti-rotation device (38) and the recess (40) are formed integrally with the housing (12) during a molding process. [9] Throttle control arrangement according to claim 8, further comprising: a housing portion (22) which is part of the adapter (20); and a central opening (14); wherein a portion of the central opening (14) extends through the housing portion (22) of the adapter (20), and wherein a portion of the central opening (14) extends through the housing (12). [10] Throttle control assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a first end (42A) of the first groove (32) is adjacent to a portion of the recess (40). [11] The throttle control assembly of claim 10, wherein a second end (42B) of the first groove (32) is adjacent to a portion of the recess (40). [12] Throttle control assembly according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the recess (40) is formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20) during a casting process. [13] Throttle control assembly according to one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the recess (40) is formed integrally with the housing (12) and the adapter (20) during a metal injection molding process.

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