Throttle device

Abstract

To compactly install a wire base member in a throttle device in which respective motors of two throttle bodies are arranged opposite to each other.SOLUTION: A throttle device 1 comprises first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3. The first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 each comprise a gear case 10 housing a speed reduction mechanism 9 for transmitting a turning force of a motor 8 to a throttle shaft 6. A wire base member 7 having a power supply coupler 14 is fixed between the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 while being sandwiched between the bear cases 10. A wire 32 connecting motor terminals 25 of the respective motors 8 protruding inside the respective gear cases 10 and the power supply coupler 14 is embedded in the wire base member 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a throttle device including first and second throttle bodies fixed to each other.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a throttle device is known in which a throttle shaft, a motor, and a speed reduction mechanism for reducing the rotation of the motor and transmitting it to the throttle shaft are provided in a first throttle body and a second throttle body, respectively, and the opening degree of a valve body supported by the throttle shaft is independently controlled for each throttle body (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the throttle device of Patent Document 1, in a region between the intake passage of the adjacent first throttle body and the intake passage of the second throttle body, the speed reduction mechanisms and the motors of the respective throttle bodies are arranged to face each other, and the respective throttle bodies are coupled on the speed reduction mechanism side.

[0004] Although Patent Document 1 does not disclose wiring to the motor, usually, a wiring base member for wiring to the motor is configured such that a lead frame connecting between the terminals of the motor and the power supply coupler is embedded in a resin molded product, as described in Patent Document 2. The wiring base member is fixed to the throttle body with bolts in a state where the lead frame is connected to the terminals of the motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, if the wiring base member described in Patent Document 2 is applied to a throttle device described in Patent Document 1, in which a motor is placed in each of the two throttle bodies, then the wiring base member corresponding to each motor will have to be bolted to each throttle body. In this case, space for the wiring base member and bolts will be required for each throttle body, which will increase the size of the device.

[0007] In view of the problems of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a compact wiring base member for a throttle device in which the motors of two throttle bodies are arranged facing each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) The throttle device of the present invention is It comprises first and second throttle bodies that are fixed to each other, Each throttle body comprises an intake passage, a valve body for opening and closing each intake passage, a throttle shaft that holds the valve body and is rotatably supported by the throttle body, a motor having a drive shaft substantially parallel to the throttle shaft, a reduction mechanism that reduces and transmits the rotational force at the end of the drive shaft to the throttle shaft, and a gear case housing the reduction mechanism. In a throttle device in which the shaft end side of each gear case in the direction along the drive shaft is open and the shaft ends face each other, A wiring base member is provided, which has cover surfaces on both sides that cover the open side of each gear case, and an outer peripheral portion that forms the outer edge of both cover surfaces, is sandwiched between the two gear cases and fixed between the first and second throttle bodies, and has a power coupler on its outer peripheral portion. The motor is equipped with motor terminals that protrude into the gear case, The wiring base member is characterized in that wiring connecting the motor terminals of each motor to the power coupler is embedded within it.

[0009] In this invention, the wiring base member is fixed between the first and second throttle bodies while being sandwiched between the gear cases of the first and second throttle bodies which are fixed to each other, and the wiring base portion The power coupler of the material and the motor terminals of each motor are connected by wiring embedded in the wiring base component.

[0010] This makes it possible to reduce or eliminate the need for dedicated fixing members, such as bolts, that are originally used solely to separately fix the two wiring base members to the first and second throttle bodies.

[0011] Therefore, according to the present invention, in a throttle device in which the motors of two throttle bodies are arranged facing each other, the wiring base member can be installed compactly. This makes it possible to miniaturize the throttle device and reduce its weight and cost.

[0012] (2) In the present invention, each gear case is provided with fastening holes through which bolts for fastening the gear cases together are inserted. The wiring base member is provided with an insertion hole through which the bolt is inserted. The wiring base member may be fixed between the first and second throttle bodies by fastening the two gear cases together with bolts passed through the fastening holes and insertion holes.

[0013] According to this design, the wiring base member sandwiched between the two gear cases can be fixed between the two gear cases using the bolts and fastening holes used for fastening the gear cases together. Therefore, it becomes unnecessary to provide screw holes in the gear cases for fastening bolts that are used solely for fixing the wiring base member to the gear cases. This further helps to suppress the increase in size of the throttle device.

[0014] (3) In this case, the through hole may be made of a cylindrical metal collar that is embedded in or press-fitted into the wiring base member and whose ends abut against the gear cases on both sides.

[0015] According to this design, the pressing force applied to the gear cases by the bolts fastening them together can be absorbed by the metal collar. This prevents cracking of the resin wiring base component.

[0016] (4) In this case, the metal collar and each gear case may be provided with positioning protrusions and positioning recesses on one and the other of the contact surfaces that abut each other, and the position of the wiring base member relative to each gear case in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the throttle shaft may be determined by the fitting of the positioning protrusions and positioning recesses.

[0017] This allows for highly accurate positioning and assembly of the wiring base component relative to the gear case. Furthermore, the metal collar that prevents cracking of the wiring base component also serves a positioning function, reducing the number of positioning components other than the metal collar. This further contributes to miniaturization of the throttle device and reductions in weight and cost.

[0018] (5) In the present invention, each reduction mechanism comprises a valve gear fixed to the throttle shaft, a pinion gear provided at the shaft end of the motor, and a reduction gear having a large gear that meshes with the pinion gear and a small gear with fewer teeth that meshes with the valve gear directly or via another gear. In each throttle body, if the outer side in the direction along the throttle shaft is defined as the outer side and the inner side as the inner side, the outer end faces of the pinion gear and the large gear may be located on the inner side of the outer end face of the valve gear.

[0019] According to this, the large gear and pinion gear of the reduction gear of each throttle body do not protrude further than the valve gear toward the other throttle body that is fixed to that throttle body.

[0020] Therefore, the valve gears of both sides can be arranged closer to each other by the amount of the protrusion. As a result, even when the respective reduction mechanisms are arranged between the adjacent intake passages in the throttle bodies of both sides, it is possible to suppress an increase in the distance between the intake passages.

[0021] Furthermore, even when the valve gears of both sides are arranged closer to each other, it is possible to easily secure a space for arranging the wiring base member between the pinion gears and the large gears of the reduction gears.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a throttle device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view showing a state in which the first and second throttle bodies and the wiring base member of the throttle device of FIG. 1 are separated from each other. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing the wiring base member of the throttle device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing one of the metal collars in the wiring base member of FIG. 3 and a portion of each gear case in contact with the metal collar. [Figure 5] It is a front view showing the reduction mechanism of the throttle device of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] It is a perspective view showing the reduction mechanism of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view showing wiring embedded in the wiring base member of FIG. 3 and connecting between the motor terminals of each motor and the power coupler. [Figure 8] It is a front view showing the positional relationship between the reduction mechanism of FIG. 6 and the wiring base member of FIG. 3.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a throttle device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the throttle device 1 comprises first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 fixed to each other.

[0024] The first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 each include a plurality of intake passages 4, a valve body 5 for opening and closing each intake passage 4, and a throttle shaft 6 that holds the valve body 5 and is rotatably supported by the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3. A wiring base member 7 is fixed between the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 and the wiring base member 7 of the throttle device 1 separated from each other. As shown in Figure 2, the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 each include a motor 8 (see Figure 5) having a drive shaft 8a parallel to the throttle shaft 6, a reduction mechanism 9 that reduces and transmits the rotational force of the shaft end 8b of the drive shaft 8a to the throttle shaft 6, and a gear case 10 that houses the reduction mechanism 9 and is open on the side of the shaft end 8b in the direction along the drive shaft 8a.

[0026] The wiring base member 7 is sandwiched between the two gear cases 10 and fixed between the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3. The wiring base member 7 has two cover surfaces 11 that cover the open sides of each gear case 10, and an outer peripheral portion 12 that forms the outer edge of both cover surfaces 11. The outer peripheral portion 12 forms the side walls 13 that rise from the bottom of both cover surfaces 11. A power coupler 14 connected to a power supply that supplies power to each motor 8 is provided on the outer peripheral portion 12.

[0027] Each gear case 10 sandwiches the end face 17 of the outer circumference 12 of the wiring base member 7 between the open end faces 16 of its side wall 15. The space between the end face 16 of each gear case 10 and the end face 17 of the wiring base member 7 is sealed by interposing a sealing member 18.

[0028] Each gear case 10 has fastening holes 20 at four appropriate locations on the outside of the side wall 15 of the gear case 10, through which bolts 19 that fasten the gear cases 10 together and secure the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 to each other are inserted. The fastening holes 20 of the second throttle body 3 are provided with female threads into which the bolts 19 are screwed.

[0029] The wiring base member 7 is provided with through holes 21 at various positions on the outer circumference 12 corresponding to each fastening hole 20, through which bolts 19 are inserted. The wiring base member 7 is fixed between the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 by bolts 19 that are inserted through each fastening hole 20 and through holes 21 to fasten both gear cases 10 together.

[0030] Figure 3 shows the wiring base member 7. As shown in Figure 3, the insertion hole 21 is made up of three cylindrical metal collars 22 and one metal collar 22a that are embedded in or press-fitted into the wiring base member 7 and whose ends abut against the gear cases 10 on both sides.

[0031] Figure 4 shows cross-sections of the metal collar 22a and the parts of each gear case 10 that abut it. As shown in Figure 4, positioning protrusions 23 and positioning recesses 24 are provided on one and the other contact surfaces of the metal collar 22a and each gear case 10 that abut each other. The fitting of the positioning protrusions 23 and positioning recesses 24 determines the position of the wiring base member 7 relative to the gear case 10 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the throttle shaft 6.

[0032] Figures 5 and 6 are a front view and a perspective view, respectively, of the reduction mechanism 9 (see Figure 2). As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the shaft ends 8b of the drive shafts 8a of each motor 8 face each other in the direction along the drive shaft 8a. Each motor 8 is equipped with motor terminals 25. As shown in Figure 1, the motor terminals 25 protrude into the gear case 10 when the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 and the wiring base member 7 are assembled and are connected to the power coupler 14.

[0033] Each reduction mechanism 9 comprises a valve gear 26 fixed to the throttle shaft 6, a pinion gear 27 provided at the shaft end of the motor 8, and a reduction gear 31 having a large gear 28 that meshes with the pinion gear 27 and a smaller gear 30 with fewer teeth that meshes with the valve gear 26 directly or via another gear 29.

[0034] In the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3, respectively, if we define the outer side in the direction along the throttle shaft 6 as the outer side and the inner side as the inner side, then, as shown in Figure 5, the outer end faces EF1 and EF2 of the pinion gear 27 and the large gear 28 are located inward of the outer end face EF3 of the valve gear 26.

[0035] Figure 7 shows wiring 32 embedded in the wiring base member 7, connecting the motor terminals 25 of each motor 8 to the power coupler 14. At both ends of the wiring 32 are coupler-side terminals 33 that protrude into the power coupler 14 and are connected to the power supply, and motor-side terminals 34 that are fitted to and connected to the motor terminals 25 of each motor 8.

[0036] Figure 8 shows the positional relationship between the reduction gear mechanism 9 and the wiring base member 7. As shown in Figure 8, the motor terminals 25 of each motor 8 are connected to the motor-side terminals 34 (see Figures 2 and 7) of the wiring 32 embedded in the wiring base member 7, and the coupler-side terminals 33 protruding into the power coupler 14 are connected to each motor 8.

[0037] In this configuration, when fixing the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 to each other, the motor terminals 25 of each motor 8 are fitted to the corresponding motor-side terminals 34, and the end face 17 of the wiring base member 7 is sandwiched between the end faces 16 of both gear cases 10. At this time, a sealing member 18 is interposed between the end face 16 and the end face 17.

[0038] As a result, each metal collar 22, 22a of the wiring base member 7 comes into contact with the gear cases 10 on both sides, and the positioning protrusions 23 and positioning recesses 24 of one metal collar 22a and each gear case 10 engage. This engagement determines the position of the wiring base member 7 relative to the gear case 10 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the throttle shaft 6.

[0039] In parallel with this, bolts 19 are inserted into each fastening hole 20 of the gear case 10 of the first throttle body 2, passed through the corresponding insertion hole 21 of the wiring base member 7, and screwed into the female threads of the corresponding fastening holes 20 of the gear case 10 of the second throttle body 3, thereby fastening the gear case 10 of the first throttle body 2 and the gear case 10 of the second throttle body 3.

[0040] This fastening causes the wiring base member 7 to come into contact with the gear cases 10 on both sides, and a pressing force from the valve gear 26 is applied to the wiring base member 7. This pressing force is absorbed by the end faces of the metal collars 22, 22a of the wiring base member 7. This prevents the resin wiring base member 7 from cracking due to this pressing force.

[0041] Once the gear case 10 is fastened in this manner, the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 are fixed to each other with the wiring base member 7 sandwiched between the two gear cases 10, and with the electrical connection between each motor 8 and the power coupler 14 established, thus completing the assembly of the throttle device 1.

[0042] As explained above, dedicated fixing members such as bolts, which are originally used solely to fix the two wiring base members to the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 respectively, can be reduced or eliminated. Therefore, the throttle device 1 can be made smaller, lighter, and less expensive.

[0043] Furthermore, since the wiring base member 7 can be fixed between the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 by inserting bolts 19 through the fastening holes 20 of each gear case 10 and the insertion holes 21 of the wiring base member 7, it is unnecessary to provide screw holes in the gear case 10 for fastening bolts that are used solely for fixing the wiring base member 7 to the gear case 10. This helps to prevent the throttle device 1 from becoming larger.

[0044] Furthermore, since the insertion holes 21 of the wiring base member 7 are made of cylindrical metal collars 22, 22a that are embedded in or press-fitted into the wiring base member 7 and whose ends abut against the gear cases 10 on both sides, the metal collars 22, 22a can withstand the pressing force applied to the gear cases 10 by the bolts 19 that fasten the gear cases 10 together. This prevents cracking of the resin wiring base member 7.

[0045] Furthermore, the position of the wiring base member 7 relative to the gear case 10 is determined by the fitting of the positioning protrusions 23 and positioning recesses 24 of the metal collar 22a and the gear case 10, in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the throttle shaft 6. This allows for highly accurate positioning and assembly of the wiring base member 7 relative to the gear case 10.

[0046] Furthermore, since the metal collar 22a of the wiring base member 7 also serves a positioning function, the number of positioning members other than the metal collar 22a can be reduced. This allows for further miniaturization of the throttle device 1 and reduction of its weight and cost.

[0047] Furthermore, since the large gears 28 and pinion gears 27 of the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 do not protrude further than the valve gear 26 toward the other first or second throttle body 2 or 3, the valve gears 26 of both can be positioned closer together.

[0048] This prevents the gap between the intake passages 4 on the reduction mechanism 9 side of the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 from widening. Furthermore, even if the two valve gears 26 are placed close together, it is easy to secure space for the wiring base member 7 between the respective pinion gears 27 and large gears 28.

[0049] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, the number of intake passages 4 in the first and second throttle bodies 2 and 3 is not limited to two, but may be one or three or more. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0050] 1...Throttle device, 2...First throttle body, 3...Second throttle body, 4...Intake passage, 5...Valve body, 6...Throttle shaft, 7...Wiring base member, 8...Motor, 8a...Drive shaft, 8b...Shaft end, 9...Reduction mechanism, 10...Gear case, 11...Cover surface, 12...Outer circumference, 13...Side wall, 14...Power coupler, 15...Side wall, 16...End face, 17...End face, 18...Seal member, 19...Bolt, 20...Fastening hole, 21...Through hole, 22, 22a...Metal collar, 23...Positioning protrusion, 24...Positioning recess, 25...Motor terminal, 26...Valve gear, 27...Pinion gear, 28...Large gear, 29...Other gears, 30...Small gear, 31...Reduction gear, 32...Wiring, 33...Coupler side terminal, 34...Motor side terminal, EF1, EF2, EF3...End face.

Claims

1. It comprises a first and second throttle body fixed to each other, Each throttle body comprises an intake passage, a valve body for opening and closing each intake passage, a throttle shaft that holds the valve body and is rotatably supported by the throttle body, a motor having a drive shaft substantially parallel to the throttle shaft, a reduction mechanism that reduces and transmits the rotational force at the end of the drive shaft to the throttle shaft, and a gear case housing the reduction mechanism. In a throttle device in which the shaft end side of each gear case in the direction along the drive shaft is open and the shaft ends face each other, Each gear case has cover surfaces on both sides that cover the open side, and an outer peripheral portion that forms the outer edge of both cover surfaces, and is sandwiched between the two gear cases and fixed between the first and second throttle bodies, and is equipped with a wiring base member having a power coupler on its outer peripheral portion, The motor is equipped with motor terminals that protrude into the gear case, A throttle device characterized in that wiring connecting the motor terminals of each motor to the power coupler is embedded in the wiring base member.

2. Each gear case is provided with fastening holes through which bolts are inserted to fasten the gear cases together. The wiring base member is provided with an insertion hole through which the bolt is inserted. The throttle device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wiring base member is fixed between the first and second throttle bodies by fastening the two gear cases together with bolts passed through the fastening holes and insertion holes. 。

3. The throttle device according to claim 2, characterized in that the insertion hole is made of a cylindrical metal collar that is embedded in or press-fitted into the wiring base member and whose ends abut against the gear cases on both sides.

4. The throttle device according to claim 3, wherein the metal collar and each gear case are provided with a positioning projection and a positioning recess on one and the other of their mutually contacting surfaces, respectively, and the position of the wiring base member relative to each gear case in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the throttle shaft is determined by the fitting of the positioning projection and the positioning recess.

5. Each reduction mechanism comprises a valve gear fixed to the throttle shaft, a pinion gear provided at the shaft end of the motor, and a reduction gear having a large gear that meshes with the pinion gear and a smaller gear with fewer teeth that meshes with the valve gear directly or via another gear. The throttle device according to claim 1, characterized in that, in each throttle body, the outer side in the direction along the throttle shaft is defined as the outer side and the inner side as the inner side, the outer end faces of the pinion gear and the large gear are located on the inner side of the outer end face of the valve gear.

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