Straddle type vehicle having an electronic throttle valve system

• US 7,311,082 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2006
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Yokoi, Masato
• Primary Examiner(s): Argenbright, T. M.
• Application Number:
  US11/408,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20060243246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 123/361, 123/396, 123/399, 123/400, 180/219
• US Class Current: 123/399
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/02 for driving cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/02 characterised by hand, foot, or like operator controlled initiation means
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/04 characterised by mechanical control linkages F02D11/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/10 of the electric type
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/105 having a throttle position sensor detection of actuation F02D11/106
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 9/109 having two or more flaps

Abstract

An electronic throttle valve system more suitable for use in straddle type vehicles. A straddle type vehicle has an electronic throttle valve system for adjusting the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine. The electronic throttle valve system includes a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine, an electric motor for actuating the throttle valve, and a control unit for controlling the electric motor. The throttle valve is fixed to a valve shaft. The electric motor is connected to the valve shaft. The valve shaft is provided with a throttle opening sensor on the right end, and a mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism on the left end. A throttle cable is engaged with the mechanism, while being coupled to a throttle grip (acceleration controller) provided on a right one of a pair of handlebars.

Claims

1. A straddle type vehicle having an electronic throttle valve system for adjusting the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine, the electronic throttle valve system comprising:

a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine;

an electric motor for actuating the throttle valve; and

a control unit for controlling the electric motor, wherein

the throttle valve is fixed to a valve shaft;

the electric motor, connected to the valve shaft, is located for actuating the throttle valve through the valve shaft;

the valve shaft is provided with, on a right end thereof, a throttle opening sensor for detecting the opening of the throttle valve; and

the valve shaft is provided with, on a left end thereof, a mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism with which a throttle cable is engaged, the throttle cable being coupled to an acceleration controller provided on a right one of a pair of handlebars of the straddle type vehicle,

the mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism has a structure for actuating the throttle valve in conjunction with the operation of the throttle grip, in the event that the electric motor stops actuating the throttle valve,

the mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism is provided with an accelerator-opening sensor for detecting the displacement of the acceleration controller;

the accelerator-opening sensor is in electrical connection with the control unit; and

the control unit controls the electrical motor based on the opening of the acceleration controller detected by the accelerator-opening sensor, and

wherein the electric motor is connected via a drive gear to a midsection between the right end and the left end of the valve shaft.

2. The straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the valve shaft is placed so as to extend in the lateral direction of the straddle type vehicle;

and the accelerator-opening sensor and the electric motor are located either forward or rearward of the valve shaft.

3. A straddle type vehicle having an electronic throttle valve system for adjusting the amount of intake air to an internal combustion engine, the electronic throttle valve system comprising:

a throttle valve for adjusting the amount of intake air to the internal combustion engine;

an electric motor for actuating the throttle valve; and

a control unit for controlling the electric motor, wherein

the throttle valve is fixed to a valve shaft;

the electric motor, connected to the valve shaft, is located for actuating the throttle valve through the valve shaft;

the valve shaft is provided with, on a right end thereof, a throttle opening sensor for detecting the opening of the throttle valve; and

the valve shaft is provided with, on a left end thereof, a mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism with which a throttle cable is engaged, the throttle cable being coupled to an acceleration controller provided on a right one of a pair of handlebars of the straddle type vehicle,

the mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism has a structure for actuating the throttle valve in conjunction with the operation of the throttle grip, in the event that the electric motor stops actuating the throttle valve,

the mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism is provided with an accelerator-opening sensor for detecting the displacement of the acceleration controller;

the accelerator-opening sensor is in electrical connection with the control unit; and

the control unit controls the electrical motor based on the opening of the acceleration controller detected by the accelerator-opening sensor,

the valve shaft is placed so as to extend in the lateral direction of the straddle type vehicle; and

the accelerator-opening sensor and the electric motor are located either forward or rearward of the valve shaft, and

wherein the throttle cable extends from the throttle grip to the left end of the valve shaft with a greater curvature of the cable, compared to the case where the cable extends to the right end of the valve shaft or the midsection between the right end and the left end thereof.

4. The straddle type vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the straddle type vehicle is a two-wheeled motor vehicle with the electronic throttle valve system and the mechanical, throttle valve actuating mechanism both installed inside a body frame.