Throttle device

Abstract

To decrease difficulty of assembly work of a throttle device equipped with a return spring.SOLUTION: A throttle device of the invention includes: a return spring 11 which biases rotational force to a throttle pipe installed so as to be rotatable along an outer peripheral surface of a handle bar; a sub case 12 to which one end of the return spring 11 is fixed; a rotor 13 to which the other end of the return spring 11 is fixed and which is engaged with the sub case 12; and a case 20 which is disposed within the handle bar and into which, the return spring 11, the sub case 12, and the rotor 13 are inserted in an assembled state. The sub case 12, the rotor 13, and the return spring 11 are assembled in a state that the return spring 11 is twisted. The sub case 12 and the rotor 13 include engagement parts 12a, 13a which engage with each other while restricted from rotating relative to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a throttle device mounted on a handlebar. [Background technology]

[0002] A vehicle with handlebars, such as a motorcycle, is equipped with a throttle device on the handlebar. The driver operates the throttle by rotating the throttle pipe of the throttle device to adjust the throttle opening.

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1, the throttle device is equipped with a return spring inside to apply a rotational force that returns the throttle pipe, which has been rotated, to its initial position. The return spring is made of a torsion spring, and is installed in a twisted state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-66194 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when assembling the return spring, a torque is generated by twisting the return spring, which can make the assembly process difficult. For example, the return spring must be kept twisted during assembly, which complicates the assembly process. Furthermore, if the return spring cannot be kept twisted during assembly, the return spring's rebound may damage other components.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem that the assembly work of a throttle device equipped with a return spring becomes difficult. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A throttle device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a return spring that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe that is rotatably mounted along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; a sub-case to which one end of the return spring is fixed; a rotor to which the other end of the return spring is fixed and which is engaged with the sub-case; a case that is disposed inside the handlebar and into which the return spring, the sub-case, and the rotor are inserted in an assembled state, the sub-case, the rotor, and the return spring are assembled in a state in which the return spring is twisted, The sub-case and the rotor have an engagement portion that engages with each other in a state where their rotation is restricted relative to each other. The structure is as follows.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for assembling a throttle device according to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: a return spring that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe that is rotatably mounted along the outer circumferential surface of a handlebar, a sub-case to which one end of the return spring is fixed, and a rotor to which the other end of the return spring is fixed, the return spring being assembled in a twisted state, and the sub-case and the rotor are restricted from rotating relative to each other by engagement portions provided on the sub-case and the rotor, a spring unit in which the return spring in a twisted state, the sub-case, and the rotor are assembled is inserted into a case disposed inside the handlebar; The structure is as follows. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention, configured as described above, facilitates the assembly work of a throttle device equipped with a return spring. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a throttle device according to a first embodiment of the present invention before assembly. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the throttle device disclosed in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the throttle device disclosed in FIG. 1 is assembled. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the throttle device disclosed in FIG. 1 is assembled. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the throttle device disclosed in FIG. 1 is assembled. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the throttle device disclosed in FIG. 1 is assembled. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. Figures 1 and 2 show the configuration of a throttle device before assembly, and Figures 3 to 6 show the throttle device when assembled.

[0012] The throttle device in this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle with handlebars, such as a motorcycle, etc. The throttle device includes a throttle pipe (not shown) that is rotatably mounted along the outer periphery of the handlebars, and the driver rotates the throttle pipe to adjust the throttle opening and operate the accelerator.

[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the configuration of a portion of a throttle device before assembly. As shown in FIG. 1, the throttle device includes a return spring 11 that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe (not shown), a sub-case 12 to which one end of the return spring 11 is fixed, a rotor 13 to which the other end of the return spring 11 is fixed and which engages with the sub-case 12, and a case 20 into which these components are inserted in an assembled state. The case 20 is inserted into the handlebar, and a throttle pipe that rotates together with the rotor 13 is provided to form the throttle device. Each component will be described in detail below with reference to the respective figures. Note that FIG. 2 shows a top view of FIG. 1. The axis indicated by the dashed dotted line in each figure indicates the axis of the handlebar, and the above-mentioned components 11, 12, 13, and 20 are also formed in a substantially cylindrical or annular shape centered on the axis.

[0014] 1 and 2, the return spring 11 is formed of a torsion spring extending along an axis, and applies a rotational force to return the throttle pipe, which rotates together with the rotor 13 fixed to the end thereof as described below, to its initial position. In this embodiment, the return spring 11 is configured so that when the rotor 13 fixed to the end thereof located on the right side of the drawing is rotated toward the front of the drawing, i.e., in the direction of arrow Y1 in FIG. 3, it generates a rotational force in the opposite direction to return the rotor 13 from the rotated state to its original state.

[0015] The subcase 12 is formed as a generally cylindrical body extending along the axis and is formed long enough to accommodate most of the return spring 11 therein. One end of the return spring 11 inserted inside is fixed to one end of the subcase 12, i.e., the end located on the left side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The other end of the inserted return spring 11 protrudes from the other end of the subcase 12, i.e., the end located on the right side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the rotor 13 is engaged at the other end of the subcase 12, as described below, and a subcase-side engaging portion 12a that engages with the rotor 13 is formed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the subcase-side engaging portion 12a formed at the other end of the subcase 12 is formed as a claw portion that protrudes in the outer circumferential direction. In other words, the generally cylindrical subcase 12 has a portion of the side wall cut out at the other end, and a claw portion that protrudes in the outer circumferential direction is formed at the cut-out portion. As a result, at the other end of the sub-case 12, a hook-shaped sub-case side engaging portion 12a is formed in which concave and convex portions are formed sequentially along the axial direction toward the other end side.

[0016] 2, subcase 12 has a substantially cylindrical sidewall that is open from one end to the other in the axial direction. Therefore, opening frames 12A and 12B (restricted portions) are formed on the sidewall of subcase 12, located on the periphery of the opening and facing each other so as to sandwich the opening in the circumferential direction. In other words, opening frames 12A and 12B are positioned at a predetermined distance in the circumferential direction and are formed by the end surfaces of the linear sidewalls that extend in the axial direction.

[0017] The rotor 13 is formed as a generally cylindrical body extending along the axis and is formed long enough to accommodate only the end of the return spring 11 therein. Therefore, the rotor 13 is formed with a shorter axial length than the subcase 12 described above and may be formed in a generally annular shape. The other end of the return spring 11 inserted inside is fixed to the other end of the subcase 12, i.e., the end located on the right side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . One end of the rotor 13, i.e., the end located on the left side as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , is formed with a rotor-side engaging portion 13a that engages with the subcase 12, as will be described later. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2 , the rotor-side engaging portion 13a formed at one end of the rotor 13 is formed with a claw portion protruding in the outer circumferential direction. That is, the generally cylindrical rotor 13 has a portion of the side wall cut out at one end, and a claw portion protruding in the outer circumferential direction is formed at the cutout portion. As a result, a hook-shaped rotor-side engaging portion 13a having concave and convex portions formed sequentially along the axial direction toward one end is formed at one end of the rotor 13. The claw portions that form the rotor-side engaging portion 13a of the rotor 13 are paired with the claw portions that form the sub-case-side engaging portion 12a of the sub-case 13 described above, and as will be described later, the paired claw portions mesh with each other.

[0018] The return spring 11, sub-case 12, and rotor 13 are then assembled to form the spring unit 10. At this time, the return spring 11 is housed in the sub-case 12 and the rotor 13 in a twisted state, and the assembly is achieved by engaging the sub-case side engaging portion 12a of the sub-case 12 with the rotor side engaging portion 13a of the rotor 13.

[0019] Specifically, a method for assembling the spring unit 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. First, one end of the return spring 11 is inserted into and fixed to the sub-case 12, and the other end of the return spring 11 is inserted into and fixed to the rotor 13. Then, as indicated by arrow Y1 in Figure 3, with the sub-case 12 fixed, the rotor 13 is rotated toward the front of the drawing to twist the return spring 11. This causes the return spring 11 to generate a rotational force in the reverse direction, returning it from its twisted rotation state to its original state. At this time, the rotor 13 is rotated so that the tip positions of the claws of the rotor-side engagement portion 13a of the rotor 13 are positioned further in the torsional rotation direction than the tip positions of the claws of the sub-case-side engagement portion 12a of the sub-case 12.

[0020] Next, with the return spring 11 still in the twisted state, the rotor 13 is moved toward the sub-case 12 as shown by arrow Y2 in Figure 3, and one end of the rotor 13 is brought into contact with the other end of the sub-case 12. As a result, the rotor-side engaging portion 13a of the rotor 13 and the sub-case-side engaging portion 12a of the sub-case 12 are positioned opposite each other in the circumferential direction.

[0021] Thereafter, by releasing the rotation of the rotor 13, the return spring 11 rotates due to the reverse rotational force generated by the twisting, and as shown by arrow Y3 in FIG. 4, the rotor 13 fixed to the other end of the return spring 11 rotates toward the back of the drawing. As a result, the rotor-side engaging portion 13a of the rotor 13 and the subcase-side engaging portion 12a of the subcase 12, which were positioned opposite each other, come into contact and engage with each other, as shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, the paired claw portions formed on the subcase-side engaging portion 12a and the rotor-side engaging portion 13a mesh with each other, i.e., the hook-shaped subcase-side engaging portion 12a and the rotor-side engaging portion 13a mesh with each other. This prevents the subcase 12 and the rotor 13 from further rotating relative to each other in the direction opposite to the torsional direction. Furthermore, return spring 11 is housed as spring unit 10, with both ends fixed by sub-case 12 and rotor 13 while a moderate rotational force is generated in the direction opposite to the twisted direction. Therefore, unless further rotational force in the twisted direction is applied to sub-case 12 or rotor 13, rotation in the twisted direction is restricted.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the case 20 into which the spring unit 10 assembled as described above is inserted, and the state when the spring unit 10 is inserted into the case 20 will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 6. Note that Figure 6 does not show the case 20, but does show the state of the spring unit 10 inserted into the case 20.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5 , the case 20 is formed as a generally cylindrical body extending along its axis and is long enough to accommodate the spring unit 10 therein. A restricting member 21 is formed on the inner surface of the case 20, extending uniformly along the longitudinal direction, i.e., from one end on the left side to the other end on the right side as shown in FIG. 5 , and protruding further inward. The restricting member 21 is formed so that its inner surface protrudes inward by a predetermined width in the circumferential direction of the case 20, and its cross-sectional shape is generally trapezoidal. Therefore, the side surfaces 21A and 21B extending along the longitudinal direction of the restricting member 21 are formed as surfaces along the radial direction. Furthermore, the circumferential width of the restricting member 21 is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the opening formed in the subcase 12 described above. In other words, the width between the side surfaces 21A and 21B of the restricting member 21 is formed to be approximately the same as the width of the opening frame portions 12A and 12B positioned opposite each other to sandwich the opening formed in the subcase 12 along the circumferential direction. However, in reality, the width between the side surfaces 21A and 21B of the regulating member 21 is formed to be the same as or smaller than the width of the opening frame portions 12A and 12B of the sub-case 12 so that the regulating member 21 can be inserted between the opening frame portions 12A and 12B.

[0024] 5, when the spring unit 10 is inserted into the case 20, the restricting member 21 is inserted between opening frames 12A and 12B formed on the outer periphery of the sub-case 12 that constitutes the spring unit 10. In other words, side surfaces 21A and 21B of the restricting member 21 of the case 20 abut against the opening frames 12A and 12B of the sub-case 12, respectively, and the restricting member 21 is housed in the opening between the opening frames 12A and 12B of the sub-case 12, and is sandwiched and engaged between the opening frames 12A and 12B. Therefore, the spring unit 10 housed in the case 20 is restricted from rotating around the axis of the handlebar.

[0025] Here, restricting member 21 formed on case 20 can also abut against a portion of rotor 13 constituting spring unit 10. As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of rotor 13 assembled as spring unit 10 is positioned approximately in the same line as one opening frame portion 12B of subcase 12, forming rotor-side abutment portion 13B (restricted portion). Specifically, rotor-side abutment portion 13B of rotor 13 corresponds to a peripheral edge portion positioned approximately in the same line as opening frame portion 12B of subcase 12, which is positioned on the torsional side of return spring 11, of opening frames 12A, 12B of subcase 12. In this case, rotor-side abutment portion 13B of rotor 13 is configured, when assembled as spring unit 10, to be positioned so as to protrude in the opposite direction to the torsional direction of return spring 11, i.e., in the direction in which rotational force is generated, with respect to the same line as opening frame portion 12B of subcase 12, as shown in FIG. For this reason, when the restricting member 21 of the case 20 is inserted between the opening frame portions 12A and 12B of the sub-case 12 that constitutes the spring unit 10, the side surface 21B of the restricting member 21 located on the other opening frame portion 12B side comes into contact with the rotor-side contact portion 13B of the rotor 13. Then, as shown by arrow Y5 in FIG. 6, the rotor-side contact portion 13B of the rotor 13 is pressed in the torsional direction, i.e., toward the front of the drawing, by the side surface 21B of the inserted restricting member 21, causing it to rotate. At this time, because the rotor 13 is biased by a rotational force in the direction opposite to the torsional direction by the return spring 11, the rotor-side contact portion 13B presses the side surface 21B of the restricting member 21 in the direction opposite to the torsional direction.

[0026] In this way, when spring unit 10 is inserted into case 20, one side surface 21A of restricting member 21 abuts against one opening frame portion 12A of sub-case 12, and the other side surface 21B of restricting member 21 abuts against the other opening frame portion 12B of sub-case 12 and rotor-side abutment portion 13B of rotor 13. At this time, since rotor-side abutment portion 13B of rotor 13 in particular is biased by a rotational force in the direction opposite to the twisting direction, restricting member 21 of case 20 can be said to be in a state of being sandwiched between one opening frame portion 12A of sub-case 12 and rotor-side abutment portion 13B of rotor 13.

[0027] Then, as described above, case 20 with spring unit 10 inserted therein is inserted into the handlebar, and a throttle pipe is attached to rotor 13 of spring unit 10, thereby completing the manufacture of the throttle device. When rotor 13 rotates in the accelerator opening direction, rotor-side contact portion 13B moves away from regulating member 21, but return spring 11 keeps opening frame portion 12A in contact with regulating member 21. This allows the handlebar and throttle device to be positioned correctly at all times, even when the throttle device is in actual use.

[0028] By configuring the present invention as described above, the return spring 11 can be housed in a twisted state in the sub-case 12 and the rotor 13 to be assembled as the spring unit 10, and then the spring unit 10 can be inserted into the case 20 to assemble the throttle device. This facilitates the assembly of the throttle device, which requires assembling the return spring 11 in a twisted state.

[0029] <Additional Notes> A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as follows: The throttle device and the method for assembling the throttle device according to the present invention will be outlined below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following configuration. (Appendix 1) a return spring that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe that is rotatably mounted along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; a sub-case to which one end of the return spring is fixed; a rotor to which the other end of the return spring is fixed and which is engaged with the sub-case; a case that is disposed inside the handlebar and into which the return spring, the sub-case, and the rotor are inserted in an assembled state, the sub-case, the rotor, and the return spring are assembled in a state in which the return spring is twisted, The sub-case and the rotor have an engagement portion that engages with each other in a state where their rotation is restricted relative to each other. Throttle device. (Appendix 2) 2. The throttle device according to claim 1, The engaging portion is configured to restrict rotation of one of the sub-case and the rotor in a direction opposite to a direction in which the return spring is twisted. Throttle device. (Appendix 3) 10. The throttle device according to claim 2, the engaging portion is formed by a pair of claw portions formed on the sub-case and the rotor, respectively; The pair of claws are configured to mesh with each other in a direction opposite to the twisting direction of the return spring. Throttle device. (Appendix 4) 4. The throttle device according to claim 1, the case is provided with a restricting member that restricts rotation of a spring unit, which is an assembly of the return spring inserted therein, the sub-case, and the rotor, in at least one rotational direction around the axis of the handlebar. Throttle device. (Appendix 5) 5. The throttle device according to claim 4, The spring unit has a restricted portion on its outer periphery, the regulated portion engages with the regulating member of the case, The spring unit is configured to be restricted from rotating in at least one direction around the axis of the handlebar. Throttle device. (Appendix 6) 6. The throttle device according to claim 5, The regulated portion of the spring unit is configured to clamp the regulating member at its peripheral edge along the rotational direction. Throttle device. (Appendix 7) 7. The throttle device according to claim 6, the regulated portion of the spring unit that sandwiches the regulating member is formed on one side in the sub-case and on the other side in the rotor; Throttle device. (Appendix 8) 8. The throttle device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the restricted portion of the spring unit is formed along the axial direction of the handlebar and along the insertion direction of the spring unit into the case, The restricting member of the case is configured to be inserted along the restricted portion and engage with the restricted portion when the spring unit is inserted into the case. Throttle device. (Appendix 9) A throttle device according to any one of appendixes 5 to 8, a portion of the peripheral edge of the restricted portion of the spring unit, which is formed on the rotor, is configured to be pressed by the restricting member when the restricting member is engaged, and to rotate in the torsional direction of the return spring; Throttle device. (Appendix 10) a return spring that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe that is rotatably mounted along the outer circumferential surface of a handlebar, a sub-case to which one end of the return spring is fixed, and a rotor to which the other end of the return spring is fixed, the return spring being assembled in a twisted state, and the sub-case and the rotor are restricted from rotating relative to each other by engagement portions provided on the sub-case and the rotor, a spring unit in which the return spring in a twisted state, the sub-case, and the rotor are assembled is inserted into a case disposed inside the handlebar; How to assemble the throttle device.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 10 Spring unit 11 Return spring 12 subcases 12a Sub-case side engagement portion 12A, 12B Opening frame 13 rotor 13a Rotor side engagement portion 13B Rotor side contact part 20 cases 21 Regulatory components 21A, 21B Side of the restricting member

Claims

1. a return spring that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe that is rotatably mounted along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; a sub-case to which one end of the return spring is fixed; a rotor to which the other end of the return spring is fixed and which is engaged with the sub-case; a case that is disposed inside the handlebar and into which the return spring, the sub-case, and the rotor are inserted in an assembled state, the sub-case, the rotor, and the return spring are assembled in a state in which the return spring is twisted, The sub-case and the rotor have an engagement portion that engages with each other in a state where their rotation is restricted relative to each other. Throttle device.

2. 2. The throttle device according to claim 1, The engaging portion is configured to restrict rotation of one of the sub-case and the rotor in a direction opposite to a direction in which the return spring is twisted. Throttle device.

3. 3. The throttle device according to claim 2, the engaging portion is formed by a pair of claw portions formed on the sub-case and the rotor, respectively; The pair of claws are configured to mesh with each other in a direction opposite to the twisting direction of the return spring. Throttle device.

4. 2. The throttle device according to claim 1, the case is provided with a restricting member that restricts rotation of a spring unit, which is an assembly of the return spring inserted therein, the sub-case, and the rotor, in at least one rotational direction around the axis of the handlebar. Throttle device.

5. 5. The throttle device according to claim 4, The spring unit has a restricted portion on its outer periphery, the regulated portion engages with the regulating member of the case, The spring unit is configured to be restricted from rotating in at least one direction around the axis of the handlebar. Throttle device.

6. 6. The throttle device according to claim 5, The regulated portion of the spring unit is configured to clamp the regulating member at its peripheral edge along the rotational direction. Throttle device.

7. 7. The throttle device according to claim 6, the regulated portion of the spring unit that sandwiches the regulating member is formed on one side in the sub-case and on the other side in the rotor; Throttle device.

8. 6. The throttle device according to claim 5, the restricted portion of the spring unit is formed along the axial direction of the handlebar and along the insertion direction of the spring unit into the case, The restricting member of the case is configured to be inserted along the restricted portion and engage with the restricted portion when the spring unit is inserted into the case. Throttle device.

9. 6. The throttle device according to claim 5, a portion of the peripheral edge of the restricted portion of the spring unit, which is formed on the rotor, is configured to be pressed by the restricting member when the restricting member is engaged, and to rotate in the torsional direction of the return spring; Throttle device.

10. a return spring that applies a rotational force to a throttle pipe that is rotatably mounted along the outer circumferential surface of a handlebar, a sub-case to which one end of the return spring is fixed, and a rotor to which the other end of the return spring is fixed, the return spring being assembled in a twisted state, and the sub-case and the rotor are restricted from rotating relative to each other by engagement portions provided on the sub-case and the rotor, a spring unit in which the return spring in a twisted state, the sub-case, and the rotor are assembled is inserted into a case disposed inside the handlebar; How to assemble the throttle device.

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