Throttle valve system

A throttle valve system comprising at least: a throttle valve housing component (98); a throttle valve spindle component (99), on which a throttle valve component (100) is arranged and which is fitted so as to move at least in a gas mixture cavity (103) in the throttle valve housing component; a throttle valve drive unit (91) and an angle sensor unit (93), which are connected at least partially with the throttle valve spindle component (99), and an electronic control unit (7,8), which are enclosed, by the throttle valve housing component (98); a temperature sensor unit (94); and a valve unit (95). The valve unit (95), the throttle valve drive unit (91), the angle sensor unit (93) and the electronic control unit (7,8) are enclosed by the throttle valve housing component (98). The valve unit (95) is connected to the gas mixture cavity (103) via a fuel vapor recess (102) passing through the throttle valve housing component (98). A central connector unit (96) is arranged on the throttle valve housing component (98). The temperature sensor unit (95) is located in the central connector unit (96).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention concerns a throttle valve system. It comprises a 
throttle valve housing, a valve stem, a valve disk, a disk adjustment 
mechanism, a gas mixture chamber, an angle detector, electronic controls, 
a temperature sensor, and a valve unit. The valve disk is mounted on the 
stem, which can be adjusted (rotated) within the gas mixture chamber 
inside the valve housing. The disk adjustment mechanism and the angle 
detector are at least partly attached to the stem. The controls are 
accommodated in the valve housing. 
A throttle valve system of this type is known from the published 
international Application No. PCT/EP94/03825. It comprises a valve 
housing, a stem, a disk, a disk adjustment mechanism, motor controls, and 
an angle detector. The disk is mounted on the stem inside the valve 
housing. The disk adjustment mechanism and the rotating component of the 
angle detector are attached to the stem. The stationary component of the 
angle detector is accommodated in the valve housing. 
A disk adjusting mechanism is known from the published German Patent 
Application 4,403,604 A1. An uncoupled throttle valve adjustment mechanism 
as mounted on a stem. The position of the stem is varied by controls in 
accordance with specific curves. 
A throttle valve system may also include a temperature sensor mounted on 
the outside of the valve housing. 
Although these systems are in themselves successful, they entail the 
drawback that all the electrical connections have to be separate. The 
systems are more expensive to install, likelier to fail, and more 
difficult to maintain. 
The throttle valve system also includes a valve that forwards vapors from 
the fuel tank to a gas mixture chamber. This valve is of course remote 
from the valve housing and must communicate through a hose. The valve must 
be separately mounted and, like the outside temperature sensor, is 
separately connected to the controls. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of the present invention is to improve a throttle valve system 
to the extent that it will be easy to install and maintain as well as be 
more reliable. 
This object is achieved, in accordance with the present invention, by a 
throttle valve system wherein the valve, the disk adjustment mechanism, 
the angle detector and the controls are all accommodated in the valve 
housing; wherein the valve communicates with the gas mixture chamber 
through a vapor outlet extending through the valve housing; wherein a plug 
is accommodated concentrically on the valve housing, and wherein the 
temperature sensor is accommodated in the plug. 
The valve housing can accommodate a cable accommodation channel extending 
to the plug, the angle detector, the controls, and/or the disk adjustment 
mechanism. The cross-section of the channel can be round, square, or 
otherwise. It can extend through the valve housing such that it, at least 
to some extent, includes the valve housing's circumference. The channel 
can accordingly extend along a circle or part thereof. 
The plug can have a housing that accommodates the temperature sensor in a 
practical way. The temperature sensor can be a negative temperature 
coefficient thermistor (NTC pill). 
It is of advantage for the valve to be an electromagnetically controlled 
AKF component comprising an annular coil and armature. The metal armature 
travels back and forth inside the coil. The end of the armature facing the 
disk seat is sealed with elastomer. The armature and the seal 
interpenetrate. 
The controls incorporated in the valve housing can comprise throttle 
mechanism controls and/or motor controls. 
The throttle mechanism controls are accommodated to advantage in the valve 
housing and communicate with the disk adjustment mechanism and the angle 
detector through cables that extend into the disk housing through the 
cable accommodation channel. 
The motor controls are preferably accommodated in the passenger 
compartment. It is of course also possible to install some or all of them 
in the accelerator pedal housing. Where best to install them depends on 
the particular embodiment. If the components are temperature insensitive 
and cost effective, they can be accommodated in the valve housing, in 
which case the wiring can be shorter and easier to inspect. The motor 
controls are connected to the temperature sensor, the valve, an automatic 
transmission system, an ignition system, and a fuel injection system and 
the connection to the throttle mechanism controls, and an accelerator 
pedal assembly, a speed regulator, and an anti-slip (ASS)regulator are 
connected to the throttle mechanism controls by cables that extend through 
the plug. 
An embodiment of the present invention will now be specified with reference 
to the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The main section of the throttle valve system illustrated in FIG. 1 
comprises throttle mechanisms 9 and throttle mechanism controls 8. 
Throttle mechanisms 9 comprise a disk adjustment mechanism 91, a valve 
housing connection 92, an angle detector 93, a temperature sensor 94, a 
valve 95, and an intermediate plug 96. 
Throttle mechanism controls 8 are electrically connected to motor controls 
7. Controls 7 are preferably accommodated in the passenger compartment or 
elsewhere in the vehicle. It is of course also possible to attach them to 
the main section of the system. Mounted on the throttle mechanism controls 
8 is an accelerator pedal assembly 1. The accelerator pedal assembly 1 
comprises an accelerator pedal 11 and a pedal pressure transducer 12 that 
passes signals to motor controls 7 by way of the throttle mechanism 
controls 8. Also connected to throttle mechanism controls 8 are a speed 
regulator 2 and an anti-slip (ASS) regulator 3. The speed regulator 2 
maintains constant a speed that has been maintained and stored in a 
memory. The anti-slip regulator 3 ensures that when the motor speed and 
output are high the wheel output will be transmitted to the roadway so as 
to prevent the wheels from slipping. Both the speed regulator 2 and motor 
controls 7 are provided with signals generated by speed sensors. The 
anti-slip regulator 3, on the other hand, is provided with braking signals 
B, clutch signals K, wheel-rpm signals, and tachometer signals. 
Electric connections also extend from the motor controls 7 to the 
temperature sensor 94, the valve 95, an automatic transmission system 4, 
an ignition system 5, and a fuel injection system 6. As will be evident 
from FIG. 1, the motor controls 7 release idling regulation signals LFR to 
the throttle mechanism controls 8. These signals are processed along with 
signals obtained from the angle detector 93, and the disk adjustment 
mechanism 91 is actuated, varying the rpm's of an internal combustion 
engine such as to optimize idling. There is no need for an additional 
bypass. 
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the mechanics, especially the throttle mechanisms 
9 and their integrated throttle mechanism controls 8. 
A valve housing 98 accommodates a valve stem 99. Mounted on the stem 99 is 
a disk 100 that can be adjusted (rotated) in a gas mixture chamber 103 
formed by a valve housing connection element 92. Also mounted on the stem 
99 is disk drive mechanism 91. The mechanism 91 includes a gear reduction 
unit 97 for reducing and forwarding its angular output. Throttle mechanism 
controls 8 are positioned upstream of the disk drive mechanism 91. Angle 
detector 93 is secured to the other end of the stem. The angle detector 
comprises a stationary component 93.1 and a rotating component 93.2. The 
rotating component 93.2 is attached to the stem 99 and the stationary 
component 93.1 is accommodated in the valve housing 98. As will be 
particularly evident from FIG. 3, a valve 95 is integrated into the valve 
housing 98. The valve 95 is provided with a connection 95.1 for a rubber 
hose and communicates with the gas mixture chamber through a vapors outlet 
102. The valve 95 is intended for controlling vapors that escape from the 
fuel tank or its charcoal filter. The valve 95 is an electromagnetically 
controlled AKF component comprising an annular coil and armature. The 
metal armature travels back and forth inside the coil. The end of the 
armature facing the disk seat is sealed with elastomer. The armature and 
the seal interpenetrate. A valve of this type is manufactured as an 
entirety by the firm of C. Freudenberg and is discussed in detail in 
European Patent No. 0 623 772 A2. 
A plug 96 faces the valve 95. As will be evident in particular from FIG. 4, 
the plug 96 comprises a housing 96.1 that accommodates pins 96.3. Inside 
the plug housing 96.1 is a temperature sensor 94 mounted on a holder 96.2. 
The temperature sensor 94 is a known negative temperature coefficient 
(NTC) thermistor or "pill". There is a port 96.4 in one wall of the plug 
housing 96.1 for connections etc. 
Essential to the present invention are that not only the valve housing 
connection 92 with the disk inside it but in particular disk drive 
mechanism 91, angle detector 93, temperature sensor 94, valve 95, and 
throttle mechanism controls 8 are accommodated in the valve housing 98 and 
that the plug 96 rests directly against a cable accommodation channel 101 
in the valve housing 98. This arrangement has the following advantages: 
Integrating the valve 95 into valve housing 98 shortens the route to the 
gas mixture chamber 103. The cable accommodation channel 101 replaces the 
conventional rubber hose and accordingly not only increases the stability 
of the connection but also has a positive effect on transmission 
properties. The short and stable channel generates no turbulence. 
The channel 101 makes it possible to provide the connections between the 
throttle mechanism controls 8 and the disk drive mechanism 91 on the one 
hand, and the angle detector 93 on the other, along a very short route 
that is also protected from mechanical impact. The cables extending from 
the throttle mechanism controls 8 and the valve 95 to the plug 96 also 
extend through the channel 101. 
The accordingly assembled cables extend additionally from the plug 96 to 
the motor controls 7. The cables that extend to the throttle mechanism 
controls 8 from accelerator pedal assembly 1, speed regulator 2, and 
anti-slip (ABS) regulator 3, furthermore, extend through,the plug 96. 
Finally, automatic transmission system 4, ignition system 5, and fuel 
injection system 6 can also extend through the plug 96. 
All the components that belong to the throttle mechanism 9 are protected 
mechanically and electrically. All the cables employed in this context are 
also simultaneously bundled and jointly threaded and protected. The 
overall module is simpler to assemble and install. Maintenance is also 
facilitated. If there is a malfunction in a portion of the throttle 
mechanism 9, its connections are pulled out of the plug 96, the defective 
mechanism is removed along with its attached components and replaced, 
subsequent to which normal operation is restored by re-establishing the 
connection to the plug 96. The old throttle mechanism 9 can then be 
repaired. All the components either screw onto the valve housing 98 or are 
fastened with flanges, flange 93.3 for example, which constitutes the base 
group for the angle detector 93. 
There has thus been shown and described a novel throttle valve system which 
fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, 
modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject 
invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after 
considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which 
disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, 
modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not 
depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered 
by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.