Bosch is claiming a worldwide first by starting production of a throttle body for petrol engines produced from composite material. The new component weighs 25 per cent less, as well as being more economical to manufacture than traditional metal throttle bodies.
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Bosch says other benefits of this innovation are more accurate control of the opening angle of the valve; easier adaptation to different engines and vehicle models as well as superior performance in a crash – composite material will shatter into multiple small parts under sudden impact.
The throttle body is the central actuator to control the airflow intake in the electronic throttle control system (ETC) thus determining the power output of the engine.
“Optimising throttle body geometry with a composite compatible design allows for even more precise control of the air volume that can have a very positive effect when the engine is running at idle or with a small load,” said Dr Elmar Huber, project manager composite throttle body, Bosch Gasoline Systems Division.
In addition, connection to the cooling system of the vehicle becomes unnecessary as the low heat conductivity of the composite material reduces the risk of icing considerably, Bosch says.
The new generation of throttle bodies, to be known as DV-E8, have the housing as well as the valve produced in a long-life stable glass reinforced thermoplastic material that is claimed to be highly temperature and wear resistant.
The flexible structure of the throttle body design makes it very adaptable to whatever the requirements of the OEM, Bosch says.
