Description:The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention is related to a rotatary solenoid valve to actuate a thottle valve.

Background of the invention
[0002] In recent years, there have been proposed and developed various variable valve actuation systems capable of variably adjusting an engine valve timing depending on operating conditions of an internal combustion engine.

[0003] A patent application US8095298 discloses in a variable valve actuation system of an internal combustion engine employing a variable valve actuator capable of variably adjusting at least intake valve closure timing depending on engine operating conditions, a processor of a control unit is programmed to phase-advance the intake valve closure timing to a predetermined timing value after a piston top dead center position and before a piston bottom dead center position on intake stroke during at least one of an engine starting period and an engine stopping period. The variable valve actuator includes a biasing device by which the intake valve closure timing is permanently biased toward the predetermined timing value.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a rotatory solenoid valve in an internal combustion engine in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0005] Figure 1 illustrates a throttle control apparatus in a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The throttle control apparatus 10 comprises a throttle valve 12 for regulating a flow of air to an intake passage of an internal combustion engine and a shaft 14 secured to the throttle valve 12. The shaft 14 is adapted to control a rotation of the throttle valve 12. The throttle control apparatus 10 comprises a rotatory solenoid valve 15 connected to the shaft 14 in such a way that, at least one solenoid coil 16 of the rotatory solenoid valve 15 rotates the shaft 14 upon being actuated by an electric means 18.

[0006]Further the construction and the working of the different components of the throttle control apparatus is explained in detail. According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotatory solenoid valve 15 is a three-ball solenoid valve which comprises three rotary solenoid coils 16. The rotatory solenoid valve 15 works as an ON/OFF actuator. The rotary movement in the three-ball rotary solenoids 16 is converted from a linear motion by the mechanical design of an inclined plane. There are three uniform spiral grooves (not shown) that are stamped into, both the case and the armature, are called "ball races". The ball races provide the conversion of linear to rotary motion as well as the bearing system for the rotary movement of the shaft 14. The solenoid valve 15 comprises plurality of magnets 20 positioned in proximity to the three solenoids 16 as shown in the figure 1. The plurality of magnets 20 and the three solenoid coils 16 together constitute the rotatory solenoid valve 15.

[0007]The rotatory solenoid valve 15 is connected directly to the shaft 14, which in turn is connected to the throttle valve 12. The shaft 14 acts as a bridge connecting the rotatory solenoid valve 15 and the throttle valve 12. A control unit 18 provides a voltage to actuate the rotary solenoid coils 16 which in turn rotates the shaft 14. According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 18 is an electronic control unit (ECU) of the engine. However, it is to be understood that any other control unit 18 that is positioned in the vehicle, and which is controlling at least one component in the vehicle, can be used for providing voltage to the solenoid valve 15.

[0008] The control unit 18 is chosen from a group of control units comprising a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital circuit, an integrated chip and the like. The control unit 18 provides voltage to the rotatory solenoid valve 15 through a battery of the vehicle. The required angle of opening of the throttle valve 12 is based on the voltage provided to the rotatory solenoid valve 15. The rotatory solenoid valve 15 is made of a temperature resistant material and can withstand an ambient temperature of up to 150 degrees Celsius.

[0009]A method of working of the rotatory solenoid valve 15 is explained in detail. As mentioned above, the rotatory solenoid valve 15 is a three-ball solenoid valve comprising three solenoids 16 , that can be actuated by the electric means 18. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electric means 18 is the control unit 18 that provides voltage via the battery(not shown) of the vehicle. The rotatory solenoid valve 15 is directly connected to the shaft 14 of the throttle body apparatus 10, which in turn connected to the throttle valve 12.

[0010]The control unit 18 provides the voltage to the solenoids 16 of the rotatory solenoid valve 15, such that, the solenoids are actuated thus rotating the shaft 14 connected to the rotatory solenoid valve 15. The rotation of the shaft 14 opens a desired angle of the throttle valve 12. Depending on the requirement of the opening of the throttle valve 12 and for a better control of the flow of air into the intake passage of the internal combustion engine, the voltage is provided to the solenoid valve 12 for actuating the solenoids16 in the three-ball rotatory solenoid valve 15. Thus, the control of the opening of the throttle valve 12 helps in a better control of the fuel injection into the internal combustion engine.

[0011]With the above-mentioned rotatory solenoid valve 15 , the response time has been reduced below a minimum value, wherein the minimum value is less than 5 milli seconds. With the solenoid valve 15 actuation of the throttle valve 12, a better control is achieved and reduction in number of components, less wear & transmission losses can also be accomplished .

[0012] Embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims , Claims:We Claim:
1. A throttle control apparatus (10) in a vehicle , said throttle control apparatus (10) comprising :
- a throttle valve (12) for regulating a flow of air to an intake passage of an internal combustion engine;
- a shaft (14) secured to said throttle valve (12), said shaft (14) adapted to control a rotation of said throttle valve (12) ;
characterized in that :
- a rotatory solenoid valve (15) connected to said shaft (14) such that at least one solenoid coil (16) of said rotatory solenoid valve (15) is adapted to rotate said shaft(14) on being actuated by an electric means (18).

2. The throttle control apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatory solenoid valve (15) is a three-ball solenoid valve and said rotatory solenoid valve (15) comprises three rotary solenoid coils (16).

3. The throttle control apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatory solenoid valve (15) is connected directly to said shaft (14) via coupling means.

4. The throttle control apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said electric means (18) is a control unit (18) adapted to provide a voltage to excite said rotary solenoid coils (16) which in turn rotates said shaft (14) about its longitudinal axis.

5. The throttle control apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rotation of said shaft (14) opens a desired angle of the throttle valve (12).

6. The throttle control apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rotatory solenoid valve (15) is made of a temperature resistant material.