Handlebar throttle controller with hysteresis
First Claim
1. A throttle controller for installation in an end of a generally-tubular handlebar of a motorcycle, the throttle controller comprising:
- a cylindrical housing adapted to be nonrotatably 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.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A handlebar throttle controller includes a cylindrical housing adapted to be rotatably mounted to an end of a handlebar, and a rotary shaft supported within the housing for relative rotation about a longitudinal axis. A first spring angularly biases the shaft toward a first angular position, while at least one of a cam and follower arrangement and a friction element and reaction element arrangement generates a first torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the shaft when the shaft is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and a second torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the shaft within the housing when the shaft is rotated in a second direction relative to the housing. A sensor on the housing generates an electrical output representative of an instantaneous angular position of the shaft relative to the housing, for use, for example, in an electronic throttle control system.
66 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A throttle controller for installation in an end of a generally-tubular handlebar of a motorcycle, the throttle controller comprising:
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a cylindrical housing adapted to be nonrotatably 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 24, 25, 26)
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7. A throttle controller for installation upon the end of a handlebar of a motorcycle, the throttle controller comprising:
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a cylindrical housing adapted to be non-rotatably mounted upon the end of a handlebar; a shaft pivotally supported relative to the housing for relative rotation about a longitudinal axis; a twist grip pivotally mounted to the end of the handlebar, affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith; a first spring biasing the shaft and the associated twist grip toward a first angle or position relative to the housing corresponding to an idle throttle position from a second angular position corresponding to a WOT (wide open throttle) position; a damper having at least two elements, one cooperating with the housing and the other cooperating with the shaft to provide hysteresis between the twist grip apply force as the twist grip is rotated in the direction toward WOT and the return force observed by the operator as the first spring urges the shaft and the twist grip toward the idle position; and a sensor affixed to the housing for generating an electrical output which varies as a function of angular position of the shaft relative to the housing as the operator rotates the twist grip between the idle and WOT positions. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A throttle controller for installation in an end of a generally-tubular handlebar of a motorcycle, the throttle controller comprising:
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a cylindrical housing adapted to be nonrotatably 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 a first coupling provides a third torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the shaft within the housing when the shaft is rotated in the second direction relative to the housing, past an idle position of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A throttle controller for installation upon the end of a handlebar of a motorcycle, the throttle controller comprising:
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a cylindrical housing adapted to be non-rotatably mounted upon the end of a handlebar; a shaft pivotally supported relative to the housing for relative rotation about a longitudinal axis; a twist grip pivotally mounted to the end of the handlebar, affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith; a first spring biasing the shaft and the associated twist grip toward a first angle or position relative to the housing corresponding to an idle throttle position from a second angular position corresponding to a WOT (wide open throttle) position; a damper having at least two elements, one cooperating with the housing and the other cooperating with the shaft to provide hysteresis between the twist grip apply force as the twist grip is rotated in the direction toward WOT and the return force observed by the operator as the first spring urges the shaft and the twist grip toward the idle position resulting in the twist grip apply force and return force which generally correspond to a conventional motorcycle cable throttle mechanism; and a sensor affixed to the housing for generating an electrical output which varies as a function of angular position of the shaft relative to the housing as the operator rotates the twist grip between the idle and WOT positions; wherein the damper permits over travel of the shaft past the idle throttle position when the shaft is rotated in the direction from the WOT position to the idle throttle position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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27. A throttle controller for installation in an end of a generally-tubular handlebar of a motorcycle, the throttle controller comprising:
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a cylindrical housing adapted to be nonrotatably 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 when the shaft is rotated in a first direction relative to the housing, and a second torque characteristic 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 a first coupling provides a third torque characteristic resisting relative rotation of the shaft within the housing when the shaft is rotated in the second direction relative to the housing, past an idle position of the shaft.
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Specification