THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20200132000A1
• Filed: 10/17/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: K & N Engineering Incorporated (Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: K & N Engineering Incorporated (Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Williams, Steve, Fiello, Jonathan Richard
• Application Number:
  US16/656,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20200132000A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0207 Wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/106 Detection of demand or actuation
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/281 between sensors and control unit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/606 Driving style, e.g. sporty or economic driving
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/045 Detection of accelerating or decelerating state detection thereof in general G01P
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/28 Interface circuits

Abstract

A throttle control system and methods are disclosed that provide a driver of a vehicle with greater control over engine functions and vehicle performance. The throttle control system processes input signals from a throttle pedal of the vehicle and sends modified throttle position signals to a throttle body of the vehicle so as to increase throttle responsiveness of the vehicle. The throttle control system includes a control module, a wiring harness, and a signal adjuster. The wiring harness electrically couples the control module with the throttle pedal and the throttle body. The control module sends signals directly to the throttle body of the engine, bypassing an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The signal adjuster includes a rheostat that enables manual adjustment of the throttle responsiveness of the vehicle. A control dial coupled with the rheostat facilitates hand operation of the rheostat.

Claims

1. A throttle control system for providing a driver of a vehicle with greater control over engine performance, the system comprising:

a control module for sending signals directly to a throttle body of the engine;

a wiring harness for electrically coupling the control module with a throttle pedal and the throttle body; and

a signal adjuster for enabling manual adjustment of throttle responsiveness of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to create an increase in throttle responsiveness of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is configured to bypass signals sent to the throttle body by an electronic control unit of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module is comprised of one or more microprocessors that can process input signals received from the throttle pedal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises an internal lookup table whereby throttle pedal positions may be evaluated against throttle position sensor readings received by way of the wiring harness.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control module includes a rigid enclosure and an input socket.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the input socket is configured to receive a signal connector comprising the wiring harness so as to couple the control module with the throttle pedal and the throttle body.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the rigid enclosure is configured to withstand an environment encountered within an engine compartment of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the wiring harness includes a cable, a pedal connector, a throttle position sensor connector, a signal connector, and a controller socket.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the pedal connector is configured to be coupled directly with the throttle pedal, and wherein the throttle position sensor connector is configured to be coupled with a wiring harness that was originally coupled with the throttle pedal.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the signal connector is configured to be plugged into an input socket of the control module.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the controller socket is configured to be coupled with the signal adjuster.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal adjuster comprises a cable that extends from a controller connector to a rheostat.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the controller connector is configured to be plugged into a controller socket comprising the wiring harness.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the rheostat is configured to enable manual adjustment of a throttle signal being communicated to the throttle body.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the signal adjuster includes a control dial configured to be coupled with the rheostat to facilitate hand operation of the rheostat.

17. A method for a throttle control system to provide greater control over engine performance of a vehicle, the method comprising:

configuring a control module to interpret signals received from a throttle pedal and send corresponding signals to a throttle body of the engine;

fabricating a wiring harness for electrically coupling the control module with the throttle pedal and the throttle body; and

coupling a signal adjuster with a controller socket comprising the wiring harness for enabling manual adjustment of engine performance.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein configuring includes incorporating one or more microprocessors that can process input signals received from the throttle pedal.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein configuring includes providing an internal lookup table whereby throttle pedal positions may be evaluated against throttle position sensor readings.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein fabricating includes configuring the wiring harness to be coupled directly with the throttle pedal and a throttle position sensor that was originally coupled with the throttle pedal.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the signal adjuster includes coupling a control dial whereby throttle signals communicated to the throttle body may be manipulated by hand.