Electronic throttle return mechanism with default and gear...

Details Electronic throttle return mechanism with default and gear... Electronic throttle return mechanism with default and gear...

1999-11-11

2001-07-31

Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)

Valves and valve actuation

Electrically actuated valve

Rotary electric actuator

C251S250500, C251S305000, C251S129020, C251S313000, C123S339150

Reexamination Certificate

active

06267352

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to electronic valve control systems and more particularly to an electronic throttle control system for an internal combustion engine.
BACKGROUND
Valve assemblies for engines and related systems typically utilize rotatable valve members in fluid flow passageways to assist in regulating fluid flow through them. For example, throttle valve members are positioned in the air induction passageways into internal combustion engines. The valve assemblies are controlled either mechanically or electronically and utilize a mechanism which directly operates the valve member.
For electronic throttle control systems, it is desirable to have a failsafe mechanism or system which activates the throttle valve in the event that the electronic control or electronic system of the vehicle fails. There are known electronic throttle control systems which have failsafe mechanisms for closing the throttle valve or moving it to a slightly open position in the event of an electronic failure in the vehicle. Some of these mechanisms utilize one, two or more spring members in order to activate the failsafe system.
It would be desirable to have an electronic valve control system with an improved failsafe or limp-home mechanism and which provides an improved assembly and system with reduced cost and improved reliability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an electronic throttle control assembly having a housing with a motor, a gear train and throttle valve. A throttle plate is positioned on a throttle shaft and the plate and shaft are positioned in the engine or air induction passageway, such that the throttle plate regulates airflow into the engine.
The operation of the throttle valve is accomplished by a gear train assembly driven by a reversible DC motor. The motor is regulated by the electronic control unit of the vehicle which in turn is responsive to the input of the vehicle operator or driver. A throttle position sensor is included in a housing cover and feeds back the position of the throttle plate to the electronic control unit.
In the operation of the throttle valve, a gear connected to the motor operates an intermediate gear, which in turn operates a two-piece sector gear which is connected to the throttle body shaft. The two portions of the sector gear are biased by sector gear spring members such that the gear teeth on the two portions are biased to non-mating or mating positions. A main helical spring member biases the sector gear and attached throttle shaft and valve toward the throttle closed position. In the event of an electronic failure during operation of the vehicle with the throttle valve open, the main spring member will return the throttle valve to the closed position.
If the throttle valve is in its closed position when an electronic failure occurs, the sector gear spring members act on the two sector gear portions to rotate one portion slightly relative to the other and in turn cause the throttle valve slightly to a failsafe position. The forces of the sector gear spring members in the sector gear are greater than that of the main spring member. At the failsafe position, the vehicle can still be operated, although at a reduced capacity. This allows the driver to “limp-home.”
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, particularly when viewed in accordance with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.


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