Handle bar throttle controller

• US 6,276,230 B1
• Filed: 05/11/1999
• Issued: 08/21/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Original Assignee: CTS Corporation
• Inventors: Crum, R. Clayton, Kurtz, Kevin D., Zdanys, John Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bucci, David A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Joyce, William C
• Application Number:
  US09/309,355
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 744/88, 744/91, 745/04, 745/10, 745/11.R, 745/23, 745/25, 745/511, 745/512, 745/518, 745/58, 745/519, 180/167, 180/170, 180/174, 180/178, 180/335
• US Class Current: 74/551.9
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/04 Twist grips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20474 Rotatable rod, shaft, or post
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20822 Attachments and accessories
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20828 Handholds and grips

Abstract

A throttle controller includes an electrical position sensor having a movable element and being mounted on a steering mechanism, such as a handlebar, and a mechanical interface from the position sensor to a throttle handle. The movement of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, alters the position of the movable element in the position sensor. The changeable position of the movable element thus provides an electrical indication of the position of the throttle handle suitable for controlling the internal combustion engine or electric motor. The position sensor may be a rotary position sensor having a rotor as the movable element, wherein rotating the throttle handle rotates the rotor. The throttle controller is particularly useful on a personal water craft, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, etc. Potentiometers or Hall effect devices are both suitable for use as the position sensor.

Claims

1. A throttle controller comprising:

a) an electrical position sensor suitable for mounting inside a steering member of a powered vehicle, the position sensor having a movable element;

b) a mechanical interface from the position sensor to a throttle handle, said position sensor having a peripheral surface, with at least one alignment member extending radially outward from said peripheral surface, wherein movement of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, alters the position of the movable element in the position sensor, providing an electrical indication of the position of the throttle handle suitable for controlling the powered vehicle; and

c) receiving means on said steering member for receiving said at least one alignment member of said position sensor.

2. The throttle controller of claim 1, wherein the position sensor comprises a rotary position sensor, the movable element comprises a rotor, and rotation of the throttle handle actuates the mechanical interface which, in turn, rotates the rotor of the position sensor.

3. The throttle controller of claim 2, wherein the steering member comprises a handle bar.

4. The throttle controller of claim 3, wherein the position sensor comprises a potentiometer.

5. The throttle controller of claim 3, wherein the throttle handle comprises a twist-grip mechanism.

6. The throttle controller of claim 3, wherein the position sensor comprises:

a housing sized to be inserted into a sleeve formed by one end of the handlebar;

a spring-loaded rotor riding on a surface inside the housing; and

a socket in the rotor, wherein the spring provides a return force upon rotation of the rotor.

7. The throttle controller of claim 6, wherein the throttle handle comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical grip having an open end, a closed end, and a prong extending from an internal face of the closed end, wherein the open end of the grip is sized to receive the one end of the handlebar so the prong may be inserted into the rotor socket, thus establishing a mechanical interface.

8. The throttle controller of claim 3, wherein the position sensor comprises:

a housing suitable for mounting to the handlebar; and

a spring-loaded rotor inside the housing.

9. A throttle controller, for mounting on a throttle handle of a tubular steering member of a vehicle that is powered by an internal combustion engine, said throttle controller comprising:

a) a position sensor, having a substantial portion mounted inside the tubular steering member for determining the position of the throttle handle to thereby control the engine;

b) a mechanical interface between the position sensor and the throttle handle;

c) an alignment device extending from said position sensor to operationally engage said steering member; and

d) a receiving device in said steering member to receive said alignment device.

10. The throttle controller of claim 9, wherein the steering member comprises a handle bar.

11. The throttle controller of claim 9, wherein the throttle handle comprises a cylindrical grip.

12. The throttle controller of claim 9, wherein the position sensor comprises a potentiometer.

13. The throttle controller of claim 10, wherein the position sensor comprises:

a housing sized to be inserted into a sleeve formed by one end of the handlebar;

a spring-loaded rotor riding on a surface inside the housing; and

a socket in the rotor, wherein the spring provides a return force upon rotation of the rotor;

and wherein the throttle handle comprises;

a substantially hollow cylindrical grip having an open end, a closed end, and a prong extending from an internal face of the closed end, wherein the open end of the grip is sized to receive the one end of the handlebar so the prong may be inserted into the rotor socket, thus establishing a mechanical interface.