Description: Complete Specification:
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] The present invention relates to a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) for a vehicle and method thereof.

Background of the invention:
[0002] Some of the premium motorcycles sold currently have the convenience feature of cruise control. The cruise control allows the user to set the desired vehicle speed via buttons that are available on the handle bar of the vehicle. Once the desired vehicle speed is set, the electronic control unit opens the throttle to set the desired airflow to maintain the speed. This feature is available only for vehicles with electronic throttle control. With mechanical throttle body systems, cruise control cannot be achieved, because the rider has the control over how much throttle flap is open. The cost associated with the electronic throttle system makes it difficult to be offered to the low cost motorcycles.

[0003] A patent literature US4643038 discloses an electric motor servo for cruise control. A pair of coupling elements connected between an electric stepper motor and an engine throttle are selectively engaged and disengaged by a lever mechanism which effects a relative movement between the coupling elements in response to a. mechanical input from a solenoid actuator. The lever mechanism includes integral elements for calibrating the relative movement between the coupling elements for a given mechanical input from the solenoid actuator so as to compensate for manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the various components.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for operating the MTB of the vehicle, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) for a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The MTB 102 comprises an intake bore 106 comprising a throttle valve 114. A throttle shaft 104 on which the throttle valve 114 is positioned. The throttle shaft 104 extends through and outside of the intake bore 106. The throttle shaft 104 is biased through a return spring 116. The MTB 102 also comprises a throttle plate 108 connected to an end of the throttle shaft 104 outside the intake bore 106, characterized in that, an electromagnetic actuator 110 mounted in proximity to the throttle plate 108. The electromagnetic actuator 110 is operatively controllable to hold the throttle plate 108 in one of a desired positions. The electromagnetic actuator 110 is a sliding type where a movable member reciprocates in and out of a sleeve on energization and de-energization. The throttle plate 108 is held at one of the desired positions to effect cruise control functionality. The throttle plate 108 comprises holes or indents to receive the movable member of the electromagnetic actuator 110.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electromagnetic actuator 110 is operated by a controller 120. The controller 120 is an Engine Control Unit (ECU) of the vehicle 100 or a supplementary control unit interfaced with the ECU either directly or over Controller Area Network (CAN). The controller 120 configured to detect values of trigger parameter comprising vehicle speed, clutch status, throttle position and gear position before operating the electromagnetic actuator 110. The controller 120 comprises but not limited to a memory element 122 such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element 122 is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules and threshold values, reference values and conditions which is/are accessed by the processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 120 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 120 may also comprise communication units to communicate with the cloud server through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like.

[0009] According to the present invention, the controller 120 is implementable for vehicle 100 comprising two-wheelers, three-wheelers such as auto-rickshaws, a four wheeler such as cars, and multi-wheel vehicles 100.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 120 is provided for the MTB 102 in the vehicle 100. The controller 120 configured to detect and compare values of trigger parameters against respective threshold, operatively control the electromagnetic actuator 110 based on the values of the trigger parameters. The electromagnetic actuator 110 positioned to operate on the throttle plate 108 of the MTB 102, and hold the throttle plate 108 of the MTB 102 to a desired position. The trigger parameters comprises vehicle speed, gear position, throttle position and clutch status. The values of trigger parameters are obtained from respective sensors such as vehicle speed sensor 118, throttle position sensor 124, gear position sensor 126, a clutch switch and other sensors known in the art. The controller 120 enables the cruise control functionality by holding the throttle plate 108 at the desired position.

[0011] According to the present invention, a working of the MTB 102 and the controller 120 is explained. When a rider twists the accelerator/throttle grip, a cable 112 and spring 116 mechanism opens the throttle valve 114. The cable 112 is wound or coiled around the throttle plate 108. The throttle cable 112 is connected to the throttle plate 108 which is fixed to the throttle shaft 104. When the throttle cable 112 is pulled, the throttle plate 108 rotates which opens the throttle valve 114. The spring 116 helps in the return movement of the throttle plate 108. The controller 120 operates the electromagnetic actuator 110 to enable cruise control function on request by the rider by press of a switch/button in a handlebar of the vehicle 100. The throttle plate 108 comprises multiple slots on its surface. The electromagnetic actuator 110 when activated, extends inside the slot, and holds the throttle plate 108 at that position.

[0012] When the following conditions of the trigger parameters are met, the rider can enable the cruise control using the button. The current vehicle speed is taken as the cruise control set speed. The conditions comprises vehicle speed is above a threshold speed, the currently engaged gear is above a threshold gear position, no errors exist in the Engine Control Unit, the throttle valve 114 is above a threshold position (based on the gear position) and clutch is not held. When the rider presses the button the controller 120 checks if all the conditions are met and then operates the electromagnetic actuator 110 to enable cruise control.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle 100 is provided with MTB which enables the cruise control functionality.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for operating the MTB of the vehicle, according to the present invention. The method comprises plurality of steps, of which a step 202 comprises detecting and comparing values of trigger parameters against respective threshold. A step 204 comprises operatively controlling the electromagnetic actuator 110 based on the values of trigger parameters. The electromagnetic actuator 110 is positioned to operate on the throttle plate 108 of the MTB 102. A step 206 comprises holding the throttle valve 114 of the MTB 102 to the desired position. The steps 202 through 206 is performed by the controller 120 and once the button/switch is pressed by the rider. According to the method, the trigger parameter comprises vehicle speed, gear position, throttle position and clutch status. The holding of the throttle plate 108 of the MTB 102 to the desired position is performed to effect the cruise control functionality.

[0015] According to the present invention, a new MTB 102 and method for cruise control with mechanical throttle is disclosed. The low cost vehicles 100 with MTB 102 are enabled with cruise control functionality without increasing the overall cost of the vehicle 100.

[0016] It should be understood that 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 Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) (102) for a vehicle (100), said MTB (102) comprises:
an intake bore (106) comprising a throttle valve (114),
a throttle shaft (104) on which said throttle valve (114) is positioned, said throttle shaft (104) extends through and outside of said intake bore (106), said throttle shaft (104) is biased through a return spring (116); and
a throttle plate (108) connected to an end of throttle shaft (104), characterized in that
an electromagnetic actuator (110) mounted in proximity to said throttle plate (108), said electromagnetic actuator (110) operatively controllable to hold said throttle plate (108) in one of a desired positions.

2. The MTB (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said throttle plate (108) comprises holes or indents to receive a movable member of said electromagnetic actuator (110).

3. The MTB (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said throttle plate (108) is held at one of said desired positions to effect cruise control functionality.

4. The MTB (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic actuator (110) is operated by a controller (120), wherein said controller (120) is an Engine Control Unit (ECU) of said vehicle (100) or a supplementary control unit interfaced with said ECU.

5. The MTB (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said controller (120) configured to detect values of trigger parameter comprising vehicle speed, clutch status, throttle position and gear position.

6. A controller (120) for a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) (102) of a vehicle (100), the controller (120) configured to,
detect and compare values of trigger parameters against respective threshold;
operatively control an electromagnetic actuator (110) based on said values of said trigger parameters, said electromagnetic actuator (110) positioned to operate on a throttle plate (108) of said MTB (102), and
hold a throttle plate (108) of said MTB (102) to a desired position.

7. The controller (120) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said trigger parameter comprises vehicle speed, gear position, throttle position and clutch status.

8. A method for controlling a Mechanical Throttle Body (MTB) (102) of a vehicle (100), said method comprising the steps of:
detecting and comparing values of trigger parameters against respective threshold;
operatively controlling an electromagnetic actuator (110) based on said values of trigger parameters, said electromagnetic actuator (110) positioned to operate on a throttle plate (108) of said MTB (102), and
holding said throttle plate (108) of said MTB (102) to a desired position.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said trigger parameter comprises vehicle speed, gear position, throttle position and clutch status.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein holding said throttle plate (108) of said MTB (102) to a desired position is performed to effect a cruise control functionality.