FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an electronic throttle position detecting apparatus for
detecting a throttle position by detecting a rotation angle of a throttle grip of a vehicle having
handlebars such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle or an all-terrain vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters and scooties or three wheeled
vehicles such as auto-rickshaw or all-terrain vehicles have handlebars and are equipped with
a throttle grip at the tip of the handlebar and is also equipped with a throttle position detecting
apparatus for allowing the vehicle to run at an arbitrary speed by detecting a throttle position
on the basis of an angle of rotation, effected by the driver, of the throttle grip. Throttle
position detecting apparatus having mechanical configurations and electronic configurations
have been proposed conventionally.
By way of example, JP-A-4-254278 discloses a throttle position detecting apparatus
composed of a drive pulley that rotates in conjunction with a throttle grip, a detection gear
that is in mesh with a gear that is part of the drive pulley, and a throttle position sensor that is
a potentiometer and detects a rotation angle of the detection gear. When the throttle grip is
rotated, the indication value of the potentiometer is varied via the drive pulley and a throttle
position is thereby detected.
By way of another example, U.S. Patent No. 7,010,955 discloses a throttle position detecting
apparatus comprising: an interlocking member being rotatable in conjunction with a throttle
grip attached to a tip of a handlebar of a vehicle; a detecting unit for detecting a rotation angle
of the interlocking member; and a case integrally including a first accommodation and a
second accommodation, the interlocking member being rotatably and completely
accommodated in the first accommodation and the detecting unit being accommodated in the
second accommodation, wherein the throttle position detecting apparatus detects a throttle
position on the basis of the rotation angle of the interlocking member detected by the
detecting unit and wherein the interlocking member is a ring gear.
By way of a further example, U.S. Patent No. 7,287,512 discloses a
throttle position sensor comprising: a rotor having a first end and a second end, the rotor
adapted to be positioned within the handlebar and rotated relative to the handlebar, the
second end being closer than the first end to the end of the handlebar; a sensor operable to
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detect rotation of the rotor relative to the handlebar and generate a signal corresponding to the
rotation of the rotor relative to the handlebar; and at least one electrical conduit passing into
the rotor from the first end, the at least one electrical conduit routed through the rotor and
accessible from the second end of the rotor.
By way of a further example, U.S. Patent No. 8,051,939 discloses a throttle position sensor
comprising: a throttle control sleeve which is rotatably mounted onto a handlebar of a
vehicle; a throttle control housing operatively attached to the handlebar, and rotatably
engaged with an outer periphery of the throttle control sleeve; and a throttle sensor unit
housed in the throttle control housing, said throttle sensor unit being operable to detect a
rotational angle of the throttle control sleeve; wherein: a spline is formed on an outer
peripheral surface of one end portion of the throttle control sleeve in an axial direction
thereof, the spline comprising a plurality of spaced-apart keys; the throttle sensor unit is
formed in an annular shape having a spline hole formed therein at a substantially central
portion thereof, the spine hole having a plurality of grooves formed therein; and the throttle
control sleeve and the throttle sensor unit are engaged with each other by spline fitting, with
the keys of the spline fitting into the grooves of the spline hole.
By way of a further example, U.S. Patent No. 6,840,096 discloses a throttle position sensor
comprising: a case mounted on a handle bar of a vehicle; a throttle grip mounted on a leading
end side of the handle bar from the case so as to be rotatable with respect to the handle bar; a
throttle-opening-sensor incorporated in the case for detecting a rotation angle of the throttle
grip; a friction plate applying a frictional force in an opposite direction with respect to the
rotation of the throttle grip to the throttle grip while the throttle grip is rotated; and a gear
mechanism including a plurality of gears working with the throttle grip, the gear mechanism
being interposed between the throttle grip and the throttle-opening sensor.
By way of a further example, JP-A-4-254278 discloses a throttle position sensor comprising a
drive pulley movable together with a throttle grip and rotatable in the same direction as the
throttle grip, a drive gear formed in the lower portion of the drive pulley, a detecting gear
rotatable in meshing engagement with the drive gear, and a potentiometer for detecting the
rotation angle of the detecting gear; and, these drive pulley, drive gear, detecting gear and
potentiometer are incorporated in a case fixed to a handle bar.
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By way of a further example, U.S. Patent No. 6,978,694 discloses a throttle position sensor
comprising: a cylindrical housing adapted to be non-rotatably received within the end of the
handlebar; an elongate shaft supported within the housing for relative rotation about a
longitudinal axis; a first spring angularly biasing the shaft toward a first angular position
relative to the housing; at least one coupling selected from the group consisting of a cam and
follower arrangement, and a friction element and reaction element arrangement, wherein the
at least one coupling is supported by at least one of the housing and the shaft, and wherein the
at least one coupling generates a first torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the
shaft within the housing when the shaft is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing,
and a second torque characteristic assisting relative rotation of the shaft within the housing
when the shaft is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing; and a sensor on the
housing generating an electrical output representative of an instantaneous angular position of
the shaft relative to the housing; wherein the first torque characteristic is greater than the
second torque characteristic at a throttle grip angle that does not correspond to an idle throttle
position thereby providing a hysteresis effect.
While electronic throttle position detecting apparatus having different configurations have
been proposed, there is still a need to provide an electronic throttle position detecting
apparatus which is simple in terms of its construction, which is easy to manufacture, which
can be manufactured at a reasonable price, which occupies less space, which be
accommodated within a handle bar switch console without increasing the size of the handle
bar switch console.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are
further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither
intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention, and nor is it intended
for determining the scope of the invention.
In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention provides an electronic throttle
position detecting apparatus for detecting a throttle position by detecting a rotation angle of a
throttle grip of a vehicle having handlebars such as a two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled
vehicle or an all-terrain vehicle.
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The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus comprises a handle grip supporting
element disposed on a first end, a magnet holder adapted to be linked with the handle grip
supporting element, a magnet held within the magnet holder, a sensor holder adapted to be
linked with the magnet holder, a hall effect sensor held within the sensor holder, and spring
member disposed between the sensor holder and the magnet holder such that a first end of the
spring member is attached to the sensor holder and a second end of the spring member is
attached to the magnet holder, a combination of the handle grip supporting element and the
magnet holder being adapted to exhibit a rotation motion with respect to the sensor holder
upon actuation and the spring member adapted to apply a restoring force on the combination
of the handle grip supporting element and the magnet holder.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict
only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference
will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the
accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally
similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed
description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further
illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with
the present invention where:
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of the electronic throttle position detecting apparatus in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the handle bar comprising the electronic throttle
position detecting apparatus which is accommodated within a handle bar switch console;
Figure 3 illustrates a close-up view of the magnet holder in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a close-up view of the sensor holder in accordance with an embodiment
of the present invention; and
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Figure 5 illustrates working of the electronic throttle position detecting apparatus in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to
represent like elements in the drawings. Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements
in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn
to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be
exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the
present invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the
drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details
that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to
obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art having benefit of the description herein.
Detailed Description of the Invention:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be
restrictive thereof.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,”
“an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also,
as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
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appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device that comprises a list of steps does not include only
those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or
method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the terms "coupled to", “connected
to”, “operably connected to”, “operatively connected to” are intended to include both direct
connection / coupling (in which two elements that are coupled / connected to each other
contact each other) and indirect coupling / connection (in which at least one additional
element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms "coupled to" and "coupled
with" are used synonymously. Similarly, the terms “connected to” and “connected with” are
used synonymously.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention
belongs. The device, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with
respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention
and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language
in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to
the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not
to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed
individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found
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herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for
reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the
specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written
description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated an exploded view of an electronic throttle position
detecting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The electronic
throttle position detecting apparatus (10) comprises a handle grip supporting element (11), a
magnet holder (12) adapted to be coupled with the handle grip supporting element (11), a
magnet (15) being held within the magnet holder (12), a sensor holder (14) adapted to be
coupled with the magnet holder (12) such that a combination of the handle grip supporting
element (11) and the magnet holder (12) is adapted to exhibit a rotational motion with respect
to the sensor holder (14) upon use actuation, and a hall effect sensor (19) held within the
sensor holder (14). The hall-effect sensor (19) is adapted to sense a relative motion of the
magnet and based on the relative motion, produce an electrical signal which may be used as a
throttle position indicating signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic throttle position detection apparatus
comprises a spring member (13) which may be disposed between the sensor holder (14) and
the magnet holder (12).
In another embodiment of the invention, a first end of the spring member (13) is attached to
the sensor holder (14) and a second end of the spring member (13) is attached to the magnet
holder (12) and the spring member (13) is adapted to exert a rotational restoring force on the
combination of the handle grip supporting element (11) and the magnet holder (12).
The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus further comprises a handle grip (16)
provided on an external periphery of the handle grip supporting element and being assembled
in a concentric fashion.
Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated an exploded view of a handle bar switch console
adapted to receive the electronic throttle electronic throttle position detecting apparatus. The
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handle bar switch console includes a lower console (17) and an upper console (18), with the
lower console (17) having an interior recess to accommodate the magnet holder (12) and the
sensor holder (14).
Now referring to Figure 3, there is illustrated an expanded view of the magnet holder in
accordance with an embodiment. The magnet holder (12) may be a cylindrical member. The
magnet holder may comprise a stub end (20) and a distal end (21). In an embodiment of the
invention, the stub end (20) may include an arc-shaped protruding member (22)
accommodating the magnet (15). In an embodiment of the invention, the arc shaped member
may be provided with a recess for accommodating the magnet.
Now referring to Figure 4, there is illustrated an expanded view of the sensor holder in
accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment of the invention, the sensor holder may
define a first cylindrical portion (23) and a second cylindrical portion (24). In an embodiment
of the invention, the first cylindrical portion (23) may have a diameter greater than the second
cylindrical portion (24). In an embodiment of the invention, a length of the first cylindrical
portion (23) may be less than a length of the second cylindrical portion (24). Thus, the second
cylindrical portion may extend more in the length-wise direction compared to the first
cylindrical portion. The second cylindrical portion may be used providing support to the
magnet holder (12).
In an embodiment of the invention, the first cylindrical portion (23) may include a pocket
(25) for receiving the hall-effect sensor (19). The first cylindrical portion (23) may further
include a guiding aperture (26). The guiding aperture may receive the arc-shaped protruding
member (22) (that accommodates the magnet (15)), forming part of the magnet holder (12).
In an embodiment of the invention, while the combination of the handle grip supporting
element (11) and the magnet holder (12) is adapted to exhibit a rotational motion with respect
to the sensor holder (14), the sensor holder (14) is coupled to the magnet holder (12) such
that lateral movement there-between is prohibited.
Now referring to Figure 5, there is illustrated the working of the invention in more detail.
Now referring to Figure 5(A), one may understand the same to represent an initial / nonactuated
state of the combination of the handle grip supporting element (11) and the magnet
holder (12). In this state, it can be seen that the arc-shaped protruding member (22)
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accommodating the magnet (15), is at one extremity within the guiding aperture (26). It may
thus be said that an angular distance between the magnet (15) and the sensor (19) (which is
accommodated within the pocket (25) is maximum. Accordingly, the sensor will produce an
electrical signal having an initial magnitude.
Now referring to Figure 5(B), one may understand the same to represent a partially actuated
state of the combination of the handle grip supporting element (11) and the magnet holder
(12). In this state, it can be seen that the arc-shaped protruding member (22) accommodating
the magnet (15), has moved within the one extremity within the guiding aperture (26). It may
thus be said that an angular distance between the magnet (15) and the sensor (19) is less than
the maximum as shown in Figure 5(A). Since the magnet is moving towards the sensor, a
magnitude of an electrical signal produced by the senor will change.
Likewise, now referring to Figure 5(C), one may understand the same to represent yet another
partially actuated state of the combination of the handle grip supporting element (11) and the
magnet holder (12). In this state, it can be seen that the arc-shaped protruding member (22)
accommodating the magnet (15), has moved by a larger angular distance within the guiding
aperture (26) (compared to Figure 5(B)) and hence, an angular distance between the magnet
(15) and the sensor (19) has reduced (compared to Figure 5(B)). Thus, a magnitude of an
electrical signal produced by the senor will undergo further change.
Likewise, now referring to Figure 5(D), one may understand the same to represent a fully
actuated state of the combination of the handle grip supporting element (11) and the magnet
holder (12). In this state, it can be seen that the arc-shaped protruding member (22)
accommodating the magnet (15), has moved so as to be at about the other extremity within
the guiding aperture (26). Hence, an angular distance between the magnet (15) and the sensor
(19) can be said to be minimum (compared to Figures 5(A), Figures 5(B), and Figures 5(C)).
Thus, a magnitude of an electrical signal produced by the senor will undergo further change.
While not illustrated, it is possible to calibrate the device and more particularly the electrical
signal produced by the senor so that by measuring the magnitude of the electrical signal
produced by the senor, one can detect the exact position of the magnet with respect to the
sensor. For example, electrical signal produced by the sensor in Figure 5(A) may be taken as
zero-throttle condition. In another example, electrical signal produced by the sensor in Figure
5(B) may be taken as 25%-throttle condition. In still another example, electrical signal
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produced by the sensor in Figure 5(C) may be taken as 50%-throttle condition. In a further
embodiment of the invention, electrical signal produced by the sensor in Figure 5(D) may be
taken as full-throttle condition.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive
concept as taught herein.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a
single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple
functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the
manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.
Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the
other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences
in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at
least as broad as given by the following claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. An electronic throttle position detecting apparatus (10) comprising:
a handle grip supporting element (11);
a magnet holder (12) being adapted to be coupled with the handle grip
supporting element (11);
a magnet (13) being held within the magnet holder (12);
a sensor holder (14) being adapted to be coupled with the magnet holder (12),
such that a combination of the handle grip supporting element (11) and the magnet
holder (12) is adapted to exhibit a rotational motion with respect to the sensor holder
(14) upon use actuation; and
a hall effect sensor (19) being held within the sensor holder (14).
2. The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising
a spring member (13) being disposed between the sensor holder (14) and the magnet
holder (12).
3. The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a
first end of the spring member (13) is attached to the sensor holder (14) and a second
end of the spring member (13) is attached to the magnet holder (12) and the spring
member (13) is adapted to exert a rotational restoring force on the combination of the
handle grip supporting element (11) and the magnet holder (12).
4. The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising
a handle grip (16) provided on an external periphery of the handle grip supporting
element (11).
5. The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
magnet holder (12) is a cylindrical member having a stub end (20) and a distal end
(21), the stub end (20) including an arc-shaped protruding member (22)
accommodating the magnet (15).
6. The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
sensor holder (14) defines a first cylindrical portion (23) and a second cylindrical
portion (24), with the first cylindrical portion (23) having a diameter greater than the
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second cylindrical portion (24), and a length of the first cylindrical portion (23) being
less than a length of the second cylindrical portion (24).
7. The electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
first cylindrical portion (23) includes a pocket (25) for receiving the hall-effect sensor
(19) and a guiding aperture (26) for guiding the arc-shaped protruding member (22)
accommodating the magnet (15).
8. The electronic throttle position detection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
sensor holder (14) is coupled to the magnet holder (12) such that lateral movement
there-between is prohibited.
9. A handle bar switch console comprising:
an upper console (18);
a lower console (17) adapted to be coupled to the upper console (18), the lower
console (17) being provided with an interior recess; and
an electronic throttle position detecting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 being
accommodated in the interior recess.