The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 02, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 07, 2000
James R. Rauch, Grass Lake, MI (US);
Takashi Yokozuka, Novi, MI (US);
Shinichi Hagiwara, Isesaki, JP;
Visteon Global Technologies, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a throttle return spring assembly for use in an electronic throttle unit having a throat and a valve rotatably fixed within the throat to close and open the throat. The throttle return spring assembly includes a shaft extending along a rotation axis and connected to the valve for opening and closing the throat of the throttle. A return spring has a first leg connected to the shaft and a second leg extending axially into an opening of a guide. The guide allows rotation of the return spring about the rotation axis and restricts lateral translation of the return spring. The guide has an arcuate inner radial wall defining a catch projecting radially inward. The return spring is wound by rotating the second leg to follow the arcuate surface and engage the catch. A special winding tool having a radial slot which engages the second leg can be piloted about the end of the shaft to wind the return spring. A dust cap covers the return spring and has an integral stop member to prevent the return spring from disengaging the catch and uncoiling.