Throttle Body Adapter Assembly with Integrated Locking Tab

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and high manufacturing costs of electronic throttle bodies are exacerbated when certain parts are manufactured separately, affecting the functionality of the throttle body if not assembled correctly.

Innovation Solution

A throttle body adapter assembly with a threaded section and locking tab/anti-rotation feature that allows single-side molding and independent positioning, eliminating the need for precise screw stop orientation, and preventing leaks by forming both the throttle body housing and adapter assembly as single components without joints or weld seams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If certain parts of the throttle body are manufactured separately and connected during assembly, then manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced, but the functionality and performance of the throttle body are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing cost and complexityVSAvoidthrottle body functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle body is divided into separate components: a throttle body housing and a separate adapter assembly. The adapter assembly includes a first portion that connects to the throttle body housing and a second portion that receives the conduit. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using optimized processes while maintaining overall system functionality through precise connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component between the throttle body housing and the conduit. It includes threaded sections for secure attachment, sealing surfaces for leak prevention, and geometric features for proper alignment. This intermediary structure enables separate manufacturing of components while ensuring reliable connection and maintaining throttle body performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the throttle body is made as a single component, then functionality and performance are maintained, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrottle body performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parts are assembled separately, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly precision and orientation control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidassembly orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly includes asymmetric geometric features such as a locking tab with a specific orientation relative to the threaded section. The locking tab extends radially from the adapter assembly and includes a locking surface that engages with a corresponding surface on the throttle body housing. This asymmetric design provides automatic orientation control during assembly, ensuring the conduit is properly aligned with the throttle body opening without requiring precise control of the screw stop angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter assembly is pre-formed as a single molded component with integrated threaded sections, sealing surfaces, and locking features. This preliminary formation of all connection features in a single manufacturing step eliminates the need for subsequent assembly operations to achieve proper orientation, and maintains manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If threaded connections are used to connect separate parts, then assembly flexibility is improved, but leak prevention becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidleakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: threaded sections for secure attachment, sealing surfaces for leak prevention, and locking features for orientation control. The first tapered portion and second tapered portion are formed as integral parts of the adapter assembly, creating continuous sealing surfaces that work together with the threaded connection to prevent leaks while maintaining assembly flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10202907B2Screw on throttle body adapter

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES USA LLC

AI summary

An adapter assembly connected to a throttle body housing of an electronic throttle control assembly with a connecting feature. The adapter assembly of the present invention provides significantly lower cost assembly, and permits single side molding of the adapter assembly. The adapter assembly also includes alternative features for a captured seal or a void to contain excess thread sealer, and also permits a an anti-rotation feature, or locking tab, that is indexed to the receiving element, where the screw stop angle of the adapter assembly does not have to be controlled to provide a desired tab orientation.