Patent Application
20100038166
Embodiments are generally related to Hall-effect components. Embodiments are also related to Hall-effect magnetic sensors. Embodiments are also related to contactless throttle control devices.
A throttle controls the flow of air, or air and fuel, which is inducted into an internal combustion engine and thereby controls the power produced by the engine. Engine power defines the speed of the engine or vehicle to which it is attached, under a given load condition, and thus, reliable control of the throttle setting is important. Vehicles are known for utilizing throttle controls that are mechanical and electrical in nature. For example, an off-road vehicle, such as an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) and/or a snowmobile, typically operates with a small gasoline powered engine. To operate such an engine, the operator activates a thumb lever or twist grip mounted on a handlebar that controls the engine throttle.
The thumb lever or throttle is usually mounted to the right handlebar in order to control engine throttle. As the rider grips this handlebar, the rider's thumb operates the throttle by pushing the throttle against the handle bar and holding it there. The throttle is designed to provide a range of speeds as the throttle is depressed. If the throttle is held fully open, the highest speeds can be attained. However, holding the throttle in between “off” and “full” produces an intermediate level of speed. To keep the throttle from sticking in the open position, a spring is typically used to force the throttle back to the off position if the throttle is released.
One prior art example of an ATV is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,420, which issued to Sherrod et al on May 6, 2008 and is entitled “All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Having a Rider Interface for Electronic or Mechanical Shifting”. U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,420, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes an ATV and a rider interface thereof. Another prior art example of an ATV is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,379, which issued to Miguchi et al on Apr. 6, 2004 and is entitled “Power Transmission Device of All Terrain Vehicle and All Terrain Vehicle”. U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,379 is also incorporated herein by reference.
In the majority of prior art systems, a direct mechanical linkage controls the throttle, typically in the form of a cable running from the thumb lever or twist grip to a throttle mechanism associated with the engine. Such throttle actuation is mechanical and hence the cable is subject to a great deal of wear and tear. Although mechanical linkages are simple and intuitive, such components cannot be readily adapted to electronically control an engine with sophisticated emissions reduction systems or for other features such as, for example, automatic vehicle speed control. The cable also tends to get stuck in adverse weather conditions such as, for example, snow, ice accumulation, driving on a dirt road, etc. Further, frequent servicing and monitoring of the throttle mechanism is required to maintain proper working condition.
Hence, it is believed that a solution to these problems involves the implementation of an improved drive by wire, contactless throttle control apparatus associated with a Hall-effect magnetic sensor, which is described in greater detail herein.
The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the embodiments disclosed and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved drive by wire, contactless throttle control apparatus.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved contactless throttle control apparatus associated with a Hall-effect magnetic sensor.
The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A drive by wire contactless throttle control apparatus is disclosed, which includes a contactless Hall-effect magnetic sensor. The Hall-effect magnetic sensor can be placed in a mounting bracket in contactless association with a thumb lever on a handle bar. A magnet can be placed in a slot inside the thumb lever with a bonder and filled with an epoxy. The Hall-effect magnetic sensor detects the magnetic field produced by the magnet as the thumb lever rotates and determines the position of the thumb lever and thereafter generates a signal based on the sensed position. The signal can be electrically transmitted to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) utilizing electrical wires in the form of a varying voltage, which in turn controls the throttle of a vehicle.
The magnet rotates when the thumb lever rotates, which in turn senses the position of the throttle utilizing a varying voltage from the Hall-effect magnetic sensor. A locking member can be configured for locking the Hall-effect magnetic sensor and the magnet in a predetermined position. The position sensing magnet is in magnetic communication with the Hall-effect magnetic sensor. Such drive by wire technology eliminates the need for a throttle cable such as in ATV's and snowmobiles. The contactless Hall-effect magnetic sensor can be utilized as throttle control in off road vehicles, thereby eliminating the need for cables and other mechanical parts. Such a contactless sensing technology is not subject to wear and tear and the life cycle of the throttle control apparatus can be increased tremendously, which does not require regular maintenance.
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
The magnet 300 can be placed in a slot inside the thumb lever 345 with a bond and filled with an epoxy. The extended portion of the handle 350 terminates at the mounting bracket 310. The mounting bracket 310 is preferably operably designed and configured to mount the thumb lever 345 to the handle bar 350. The thumb lever 345 is preferably received within the mounting bracket 310 and preferably coaxial therewith, although the thumb lever 345 can be received in other positions and/or orientations. The preferred thumb lever 345 generally constitutes a twist throttle, which receives the handle bar 350 for rotation thereabout.
The contactless Hall-effect magnetic sensor 100 comprises the Hall-effect magnet 330 which can be attached to the mounting bracket 310 through a seal 365 and a washer 375. The Hall-effect magnet 330 is in turn attached to the handle 350. The positioning of position sensing magnet 330 is such that magnetic flux lines radiate parallel to the axis of rotation of the thumb lever 345. The rotation of the thumb lever 345 effectuates the angular motion of position sensing magnet 330 about the throttle valve axis. The Hall-effect magnet 330 thus turns when the thumb lever 345 rotates which in turn senses the position of the throttle using the varying voltage from the Hall-effect chip 130 associated with the PCB housing 200. The Hall-effect position sensor 100 is a magnetic sensor that is responsive to variations in the magnetic field generated by the angular motion of position sensing magnet 330.
The varying magnetic field sensed by the Hall-effect position sensor 100 is sent to an ECU 390 utilizing electrical wires through a wire harness 385, which is converted to a voltage value that is used to control the throttle of a vehicle (e.g., an ATV, snowmobile, etc). The ECU 390 determines the required throttle position by calculations from data measured by other sensors such as an accelerator pedal position sensor, engine speed sensor, vehicle speed sensor, etc. The drive by wire technology eliminates the need for a throttle cable in applications, such as, for example, ATV's and snowmobiles. When implemented, such a form of contactless sensing technology prevents wear and tear and reduces the life cycle of the throttle control apparatus 300, which in turn can increase the operability and lifetime of the apparatus 300, while not requiring regular maintenance. The contactless Hall-effect magnetic sensor 100 can be utilized as a throttle control means in off road vehicles, thereby eliminating the need for cables and other mechanical parts utilized in prior art applications.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
