Intake control device

Abstract

Provided is an intake control device (1) that inexpensively achieves a pull-out prevention function for a tube (7). The intake control device (1) comprises: a throttle body (4) having a round body part (3) in which an intake passage (2) is formed; a throttle valve (5) for opening and closing the intake passage (2); and a throttle shaft (6) for holding the throttle valve (5) and rotatably supported by the throttle body (4). The tube (7) is connected to the round body part (3). The throttle body (4) is provided with a band fixing part (14) to which a band (13) for fastening the outer periphery of the tube (7) connected to the round body part (3) is fixed.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to an intake control device including a throttle body.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an intake control device including a throttle body having a cylindrical portion with an intake passage formed therein and a tube connected to an air cleaner connected to an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the intake control device of Patent Document 1, in order to prevent the tube connected to the throttle body from coming off, a protrusion that projects in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the intake passage extends and protrudes inside the tube is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0003] This protrusion is formed during molding of the throttle body. However, this protrusion cannot be formed only by a main mold that moves in the direction in which the intake passage extends and molds a portion of the cylindrical portion. Therefore, in order to form this protrusion, a slide mold that moves in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the intake passage extends is used.

[0004] Further, in order for this protrusion to perform a retaining function, it needs to have a certain length along the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion. For this reason, two slide molds are used to form the protrusion. On the other hand, a technique is also known in which an annular groove is additionally processed and formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion, and the tube is retained by this annular groove (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the problems of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an intake control device that can inexpensively implement a tube retention function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The intake control device of the present invention comprises a throttle body having a cylindrical portion with an intake passage formed inside, a throttle valve for opening and closing the intake passage, and a throttle shaft that holds the throttle valve and is rotatably supported by the throttle body. A tube is connected to the cylindrical portion. The throttle body includes a band fixing portion to which a band is fixed that tightens the outer circumference of the tube connected to the cylindrical portion against the cylindrical portion.

[0009] According to the present invention, the tube can be reliably prevented from coming out of the cylindrical portion by a band fixed to the band fixing portion. Therefore, it is possible to provide an intake control device that achieves the tube retention function at a low cost by eliminating the need to form protrusions or add annular grooves to the cylindrical portion of the throttle body, which were conventionally required to prevent the tube from coming out. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing the main parts of an intake control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the intake control device with a tube connected to the throttle body. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view showing the intake control device as seen from the side where the tube is connected, along the direction in which the intake passage extends. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the throttle body and the mold when molding the throttle body of the intake control device shown in Figure 1, when the body is cut along the plane corresponding to line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the VV line. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the throttle body portion of an intake control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the main parts of an intake control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the intake control device 1 comprises a throttle body 4 having a cylindrical portion 3 in which an intake passage 2 is formed inside, a throttle valve 5 for opening and closing the intake passage 2, and a throttle shaft 6 that holds the throttle valve 5 and is rotatably supported by the throttle body 4.

[0012] A tube 7 (see Figure 2), such as an air duct connected to an air cleaner, is connected to the cylindrical section 3. The throttle body 4 comprises a motor case 9 that houses the motor 8, and a gear chamber 11 that houses a gear mechanism 10 (see Figure 5) that transmits the rotation of the drive shaft of the motor 8 to the throttle shaft 6. In other words, the motor 8 supplies the power to open and close the throttle valve 5 via the gear mechanism 10. The gear chamber 11 is closed by a gear chamber cover 12.

[0013] Furthermore, the throttle body 4 includes a band fixing portion 14 to which a metal band 13 (see Figure 2) is fixed, which tightens the outer circumference of the tube 7 connected to the cylindrical portion 3 against the cylindrical portion 3. The band fixing portion 14 is fixed to the surface of the motor case 9 so as to extend from the surface of the motor case 9. More specifically, the band fixing portion 14 is provided so as to protrude from the side wall of the motor case 9 along the passage direction D, which is the direction in which the intake passage 2 (central axis) extends.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a state where the tube 7 is attached to the throttle body 4. However, in FIG. 2, only the end portion of the tube 7 on the side connected to the cylindrical portion 3 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the band fixing portion 14 is provided with an insertion hole 16 through which a coupling member 15 for coupling the end portions of the band 13 is passed.

[0015] Here, a bolt 17 and a nut 18 are used as the coupling member 15. The tip of the bolt 17 is passed through the insertion hole 16, and an internal thread 19 (see FIG. 1) for screwing the tip is provided. The band fixing portion 14 has a seating surface 20 where the insertion hole 16 opens and the bolt 17 of the coupling member 15 can contact. The seating surface 20 is along the passage direction D.

[0016] The tube 7 has an annular concave groove 21 on the outer periphery of the end portion on the side connected to the cylindrical portion 3, where the band 13 is arranged when the band 13 tightens the outer periphery of the tube 7. The band 13 has tightening portions 22 at both ends thereof for tightening the outer periphery of the tube 7 by the band 13 arranged in the concave groove 21. Each tightening portion 22 includes opposing plates 24 that rise outward from the opposing edges of the band body 23, and fixing plates 25 that fix each opposing plate 24 to each edge of the band body 23.

[0017] Each pair of opposing plates 24 is fixed to the band body 23 in a posture facing each other. Each opposing plate 24 is provided with a through hole 26 through which the above-mentioned bolt 17 is passed. Two fixing plates 25 are provided for each pair of opposing plates 24. Each fixing plate 25 has a shape similar to a right triangle, and one of the two sides other than the hypotenuse is fixed to the side edge of the corresponding opposing plate 24, and the other side is fixed to the corresponding side edge of the band body 23.

[0018] In a state where the band 13 tightens the outer periphery of the tube 7, each pair of opposing plates 24 of each tightening portion 22 is fixed to the band body 23 via two fixing plates 25 so as to face each other in parallel with a tightening interval d therebetween.

[0019] The throttle body 4 includes a unit connection portion 28 that connects to a sensor unit 27 (see FIG. 1) at one end in the shaft direction F, which is the direction in which the throttle shaft 6 extends. The sensor unit 27 has at least one of an opening degree sensor that detects the opening degree of the throttle valve 5, an intake pressure sensor that detects the pressure of the intake air in the intake passage 2, and an intake air temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the intake air in the intake passage 2.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a view of the intake control device 1 as seen along the passage direction D from the side to which the tube 7 is connected. FIG. 4 shows a cross-section taken along the plane corresponding to line IV-IV in FIG. 3, showing the relationship between the throttle body 4 and the mold when the throttle body 4 is molded.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, when molding the throttle body 4, the side of the band fixing portion 14 of the motor case 9 is molded by the first main mold 29, the side opposite to the band fixing portion 14 of the motor case 9 is molded by the second main mold 30, and the side of the gear chamber 11 is molded by the slide mold 31.

[0022] At that time, the cylindrical portion 3 and the intake passage 2 inside thereof are molded by the first main mold 29 moving in the passage direction D, and the band fixing portion 14 is molded together with its seating surface 20. Also, the periphery of the cylindrical portion 3 is molded only by the first main mold 29 moving in the passage direction D and the second main mold 30 moving in the passage direction D. The slide mold 31 moves in a direction parallel to the drive shaft of the motor 8 (shaft direction F) and molds the inside of the motor case 9 together with the gear chamber 11.

[0023] [[ID=1b]]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 3, showing the state of the periphery of the cylindrical portion 3 molded by the first main mold 29 and the second main mold 30. As shown in FIG. 5, during this molding, a first recess 33 that is recessed from the end 32 on the side where the tube 7 of the unit connection portion 28 is connected to the cylindrical portion 3 toward the other end side is molded along the passage direction D between the unit connection portion 28 and the cylindrical portion 3 by the first main mold 29.

[0024] Furthermore, a second recess 35 is formed between the gear chamber 11 and the cylindrical portion 3, extending along the passage direction D, from the end 34 on which the tube 7 of the gear chamber 11 connects to the cylindrical portion 3 toward the other end. In other words, a throttle body 4 with minimal excess material is formed, having the first recess 33 and the second recess 35.

[0025] Furthermore, since it is unnecessary to form a projection on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 3 to prevent it from coming off, a sliding mold that moves in a direction perpendicular to the passage direction D is not used as the mold for forming the cylindrical portion 3.

[0026] The first recess 33 and the second recess 35 can have cross-sectional areas of various values ​​depending on the position of the cross-section in a direction perpendicular to both the passage direction D and the shaft direction F, with the cross-section parallel to both directions D and F. In Figure 5, the cross-sections of the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 in the VV line cross-section, which is one of these cross-sections, are shown as shaded portions 36 and 37, respectively.

[0027] In other words, the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 have portions that extend along the passage direction D from the end 32 or 34 on the side to which the unit connection portion 28 or the tube 7 of the gear chamber 11 is connected, to the vicinity of the end 38 on the opposite side of the cylindrical portion 3 to which the tube 7 is connected. In Figure 5, the cross-sections of the portions of the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 that extend to the vicinity of the opposite end 38 are shown as shaded portions 36 and 37, respectively.

[0028] In this configuration, when connecting the end of the tube 7 to the end of the cylindrical section 3, first, the band 13 is attached to the end of the tube 7. Next, the end of the tube 7 with the band 13 attached is fitted to the outside of the end of the cylindrical section 3.

[0029] Next, the bolt 17 is passed through the through holes 26 of both tightening parts 22, and the nut 18 is screwed onto the tip of the bolt 17. Furthermore, the tip of the bolt 17 beyond the nut 18 is passed through the insertion hole 16 of the band fixing part 14 and screwed onto its female thread 19. The amount of screwing in this and the amount of screwing in the nut 18 are then adjusted so that the tightening force of the band 13 on the tube 7 to the cylindrical part 3 is appropriate, and so that both tightening parts 22 are securely fixed to the band fixing part 14.

[0030] At this time, the distance between the opposing plates 24 of both clamping portions 22 becomes approximately the clamping distance d, and the two opposing plates 24 become approximately parallel. As a result, the end of the tube 7 is securely fixed to the end of the cylindrical portion 3 by the band 13, and this band 13 is securely fixed to the throttle body 4 via the bolt 17, thus completing the connection of the tube 7 to the cylindrical portion 3.

[0031] According to this embodiment, the throttle body 4 includes a band fixing portion 14 to which a band 13 is fixed that tightens the outer circumference of the tube 7 connected to the cylindrical portion 3 against the cylindrical portion 3. This eliminates the need for protrusions or annular grooves that were required on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 3 of conventional throttle bodies 4, while reliably achieving the function of preventing the tube 7 from coming off using the band 13.

[0032] As a result, the need for a sliding mold to form the protrusion or additional processing to form the annular groove is eliminated, reducing mold costs or processing costs and improving productivity. Therefore, the tube 7 retaining function can be realized at a low cost.

[0033] Furthermore, since the band 13 is fixed to the throttle body 4, the band 13 does not separate from the cylindrical portion 3 of the throttle body 4. Therefore, compared to conventional techniques that prevent the tube 7 from coming off by pressing it against a projection or annular groove of the throttle body 4, the tube 7, which is tightened and prevented from coming off by the band 13, can be made more reliably difficult to remove.

[0034] Furthermore, the band fixing portion 14 is provided with an insertion hole 16 through which a connecting member 15, which connects the ends of the band 13, is passed. Using this insertion hole 16, the band 13 can be fixed to the throttle body 4 by the connecting member 15. Therefore, when fixing the band 13 to the throttle body 4, no additional parts other than the connecting member 15 are required.

[0035] Furthermore, machining the insertion hole 16 for the band fixing portion 14 is easier than conventional methods of forming projections around the cylindrical portion 3 using a sliding mechanism or forming annular grooves through machining. Therefore, the tube retention function can be reliably and inexpensively achieved.

[0036] Furthermore, since the band 13 is fixed to the throttle body 4 using bolts 17 and nuts 18, which have been conventionally used as connecting members 15, there is no need to prepare any special members for this fixing. Therefore, the function of preventing the tube 7 from coming off can be realized at a lower cost.

[0037] Furthermore, since the insertion hole 16 of the band fixing portion 14 is provided with a female thread 19 for screwing in a bolt 17, the screw holes that were conventionally required at the ends of the band 13 to connect the ends of the bands 13 can be eliminated. This makes it possible to construct the band 13 at a low cost.

[0038] Furthermore, the band fixing portion 14 has an opening for the insertion hole 16, and the seating surface 20 that the band 13 contacts is aligned with the passage direction D. Therefore, when molding the throttle body 4, the intake passage 2 is molded, and the seating surface 20 can be formed by the first main mold 29 that moves in the passage direction D.

[0039] In other words, a sliding mold that moves in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the intake passage 2 is not required to mold the band fixing portion 14 equipped with the seating surface 20. Therefore, mold costs can be reduced and productivity can be improved, making it possible to realize a more reliable and inexpensive mechanism for preventing the tube 7 from coming off.

[0040] Furthermore, since the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 are formed between the unit connection portion 28 and the gear chamber 11 and the cylindrical portion 3, it is possible to form a throttle body 4 with less excess material compared to conventional throttle bodies that prevent the tube 7 from coming off using protrusions or annular grooves.

[0041] In other words, in conventional throttle bodies, in order to prevent the tube 7 from coming off by providing protrusions or annular grooves on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 3, the circumference of the cylindrical portion 3 is molded using a sliding mechanism that moves in a direction perpendicular to the passage direction D for the purpose of forming these protrusions or annular grooves.

[0042] When forming the cylindrical portion 3 using this slide mold, if the unit connection portion 28 and the gear chamber 11 are formed at the same time, it is not possible to form recesses such as the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 in this embodiment between the unit connection portion 28 and the cylindrical portion 3, or between the gear chamber 11 and the cylindrical portion 3. Because such recesses are absent, the resulting throttle body inevitably has more excess material compared to the throttle body 4 of this embodiment.

[0043] In contrast, in this embodiment, since it is not necessary to form protrusions on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 3, the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 can be formed between the unit connection portion 28 and the cylindrical portion 3, and between the gear chamber 11 and the cylindrical portion 3, respectively, using only the first main mold 29 that moves in the direction in which the intake passage 2 extends. As a result, a throttle body 4 with less excess material and provided with the first recess 33 and the second recess 35 can be formed.

[0044] Furthermore, along the passage direction D, the end 32 or 34 on the side to which the unit connection part 28 or the tube 7 of the gear chamber 11 connects extends to the end of the cylindrical part 3 on the side to which the tube 7 connects.

[0045] In this case, in the conventional technology where an annular groove is machined and formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 3 to prevent the tube 7 from coming off, the space between the unit connection portion 28 and the cylindrical portion 3, or between the gear chamber 11 and the cylindrical portion 3, is widened to secure space for inserting the cutting tool for machining the annular groove. As a result, the throttle body 4 is made larger.

[0046] In contrast, in this embodiment, even if the end 32 on the side to which the tube 7 of the unit connection portion 28 is connected, or the end 34 on the side to which the tube 7 of the gear chamber 11 is connected, it is not necessary to process the annular groove in the cylindrical portion 3, thus avoiding an increase in the size of the throttle body 4.

[0047] Furthermore, since the band fixing portion 14 extends from the surface of the motor case 9, the band fixing portion 14 functions as a heat dissipation fin, increasing the amount of heat dissipated by the motor 8. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the overheating of the motor 8, maintain output, and improve durability.

[0048] Figure 6 shows a portion of the throttle body of the intake control device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This throttle body 4b is provided with a band fixing portion 14b instead of the band fixing portion 14 in the first embodiment.

[0049] The band fixing portion 14b is provided on the side of the motor 8, protruding from the side where the tube 7 of the intake passage 2 is connected, in a direction parallel to the passage direction D. In this respect, it is the same as the band fixing portion 14 of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the band fixing portion 14b is the same as the band fixing portion 14 of the first embodiment in that the band 13 that tightens the outer circumference of the tube 7 connected to the cylindrical portion 3 against the cylindrical portion 3 is fixed to it.

[0050] On the other hand, the band fixing portion 14b differs from the band fixing portion 14 of the first embodiment in that it is located further away from the gear chamber 11 than the band fixing portion 14 of the first embodiment. That is, the band fixing portion 14b is located in a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the central axis of the motor 8 and includes the central axis of the intake passage 2.

[0051] Furthermore, the band fixing portion 14b is provided with a through hole 39, which serves as an insertion hole through which a bolt 17b passes along the shaft direction F. The bolt 17b and the nut 18b screwed onto it constitute a connecting member 15b that connects the ends of the band 13. Both end faces of the band fixing portion 14b in the direction along the through hole 39 are provided with opposing surfaces 40 that face the opposing plates 24 of the tightening portions 22 at both ends of the band 13.

[0052] When the tube 7 is connected to the cylindrical portion 3, a small gap is created between the opposing plate 24 at at least one end of the band 13 and the corresponding opposing surface 40. Each opposing surface 40 is aligned with the passage direction D and functions as a seating surface that can contact the corresponding opposing plate 24 of the clamping portion 22 of the band 13. Other configurations of the throttle body 4b in this embodiment are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0053] In this configuration, when connecting the tube 7 to the cylindrical portion 3, first, the tube 7 with the band 13 attached is fitted to the outside of the cylindrical portion 3, as in the first embodiment. Next, the bolt 17b is passed through the through hole 26 of one of the fastening portions 22, the through hole 39 of the band fixing portion 14b, and the through hole 26 of the other fastening portion 22. Next, the nut 18 is screwed onto the tip of the bolt 17.

[0054] Then, the amount of screwing is adjusted so that the clamping force of the band 13 on the tube 7 to the cylindrical portion 3 is appropriate. At this time, a small gap is created between the opposing plate 24 and the opposing surface 40 at at least one end of the band 13, so that the clamping force can be adjusted appropriately.

[0055] This ensures that the connecting end of the tube 7 is securely fixed to the end of the cylindrical section 3 by the band 13, and the band 13 is fixed to the throttle body 4b via the band fixing part 14b. This completes the connection of the tube 7 to the cylindrical section 3.

[0056] In this embodiment, unlike in the first embodiment, the band fixing portion 14b is located between the tightening portions 22 at both ends of the band 13, thus providing a space advantage. In other respects, it has the same advantages as in the first embodiment.

[0057] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the first embodiment, the connecting member 15 that connects the ends of the band 13 is not limited to a combination of a bolt 17 and a nut 18, but may consist of only a bolt 17.

[0058] In this case, one of the clamping portions 22 of the band 13 is configured to be supported by the seating surface 20 of the band fixing portion 14, and the clamping portion 22 is brought into contact with the seating surface 20. Then, the bolt 17 is passed from the other clamping portion 22 side to the insertion hole 16 of the band fixing portion 14 and screwed into the female thread 19 of the band fixing portion 14. This connects both ends of the band 13 and fixes the band 13 to the throttle body 4. This eliminates the need for a nut 18. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...Intake control device, 2...Intake passage, 3...Cylindrical section, 4, 4b...Throttle body, 5...Throttle valve, 6...Throttle shaft, 7...Tube, 8...Motor, 9...Motor case, 10...Gear mechanism, 11...Gear chamber, 12...Gear chamber cover, 13...Band, 14, 14b...Band fixing part, 15, 15b...Connecting member, 16...Through hole, 17, 17b...Bolt, 18, 18b...Nut 19...Female thread, 20...Seat surface, 21...Recessed groove, 22...Tightening part, 23...Band body, 24...Opposite plate, 25...Fixing plate, 26...Through hole, 27...Sensor unit, 28...Unit connection part, 29...First main type, 30...Second main type, 31...Slide type, 32...End, 33...First recess, 34...End, 35...Second recess, 36...Shaded part, 37...Shaded part, 38...End, 39...Through hole, 40...Opposite surface.

Claims

1. A throttle body having a cylindrical section with an intake passage formed inside, A throttle valve that opens and closes the aforementioned intake passage, The throttle body includes a throttle shaft that holds the throttle valve and is rotatably supported by the throttle body, In an intake control device in which a tube is connected to the cylindrical portion, The intake control device is characterized in that the throttle body includes a band fixing portion to which a band is fixed that tightens the outer circumference of the tube connected to the cylindrical portion with respect to the cylindrical portion.

2. The intake control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the band fixing portion is provided with an insertion hole through which a connecting member for connecting the ends of the band is passed.

3. The intake control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting member is configured using a bolt.

4. The intake control device according to claim 3, characterized in that the insertion hole is provided with an internal thread for screwing in the bolt.

5. The intake control device according to claim 2, wherein the band fixing portion has an opening through the insertion hole and a seating surface that the band or the connecting member contacts or can contact, and the seating surface is aligned with the direction of the passage through which the intake passage extends.

6. The throttle body is provided with a unit connection portion at one end in the direction in which the throttle shaft extends, which connects to a sensor unit having at least one of an opening degree sensor, an intake pressure sensor, and an intake air temperature sensor, or a gear chamber housing a gear mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the throttle shaft. The intake control device according to claim 5, characterized in that a first recess is formed between the unit connection portion and the cylindrical portion, extending in the direction of the passage from the end of the unit connection portion on the side where the tube connects to the cylindrical portion to the other end, or a second recess is formed between the gear chamber and the cylindrical portion, extending in the direction of the passage from the end of the gear chamber on the side where the tube connects to the cylindrical portion to the other end.

7. The intake control device according to claim 6, characterized in that, along the passage direction, the end of the unit connection portion or the end of the gear chamber to which the tube is connected extends to the end of the cylindrical portion to which the tube is connected.

8. The intake control device according to claim 1, comprising a motor that supplies power to open and close the throttle valve, wherein the throttle body comprises a motor case housing the motor, and the band fixing portion extends from the surface of the motor case.

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