Throttle control device

Abstract

To provide a throttle operation device which can make a detection sensor waterproof easily, enables the detection sensor to be fixed at a proper position where the detection sensor can detect a rotational operation angle of a throttle lever accurately, and enables reduction of the number of components.SOLUTION: A throttle operation device includes: a fixed member 1 fixed to a position near a holding grip formed at a handle bar tip of a vehicle; a throttle lever 2 which is attached extending from the fixed member 1 and can be rotationally operated while the holding grip is held; and a detection sensor 11 which can detect a rotational operation angle of the throttle lever 2. The throttle operation device can control a driving source of the vehicle based on the rotational operation angle of the throttle lever 2 detected by the detection sensor 11. The throttle operation device is provided with a cover member 3 which covers an opening of the fixed member 1, and the cover member 3 is formed with a housing recessed part 3a which can house the detection sensor 11 in a predetermined position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a throttle operation device capable of controlling a drive source of a vehicle based on a rotation operation angle of a throttle lever detected by a detection sensor. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional throttle operating device for operating the throttle opening in a vehicle such as an ATV or a four-wheeled buggy includes a throttle lever (thumb throttle lever) attached near a grip, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such a conventional throttle operating device is configured so that when a driver holding the grip extends his or her fingers to the throttle lever and rotates it, a detection sensor detects the rotation angle to control the vehicle's engine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-53836 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above conventional technology, a separate component (storage box) is required to waterproof the angle sensor (detection sensor) and the board on which the angle sensor is formed and fix them in an appropriate position, which may increase the number of parts. Therefore, the applicant focused on a lid member (cover member) that is fixed to the handlebar and covers the opening of the fixed member, and considered reducing the number of parts by using the lid member (cover member).

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a throttle operating device which can easily waterproof the detection sensor, can fix the detection sensor in an appropriate position where it can accurately detect the rotational operating angle of the throttle lever, and can reduce the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 relates to a throttle operating device comprising: a fixed member fixed near a grip formed at the tip of a handlebar of a vehicle; a throttle lever attached to and extending from the fixed member so as to be rotatable while gripping the grip; a detection sensor capable of detecting a rotational angle of the throttle lever; a shaft member connected to the throttle lever and rotating about an axis in response to rotation of the throttle lever; a magnet rotatable together with the shaft member in response to rotation of the throttle lever; and a rotating member to which the magnet is attached and rotatable in response to rotation of the throttle lever, the throttle operating device being capable of controlling a drive source of a vehicle based on the rotational angle of the throttle lever detected by the detection sensor, the throttle operating device being provided with a cover member for covering an opening of the fixed member, the cover member being formed with an accommodation portion capable of accommodating the detection sensor at a predetermined position, and the throttle lever, the shaft member, the magnet and the rotating member constituting an integral component and being attached to the fixed member The rotating member is provided with a resistance applying means that applies resistance by generating friction when the throttle lever is rotated. It is characterized by:

[0008] Claim 2 The invention described is as follows: 1 In the described throttle operating device, a sliding surface is formed on the cover member, and the resistance force applying means is capable of applying resistance force by generating friction by sliding on the sliding surface when the throttle lever is rotated.

[0009] Claim 3 The invention described is as follows: 2In the throttle operating device described above, the sliding surface formed on the cover member is comprised of a surface of a sliding member formed along the movement trajectory of the resistance force applying means.

[0010] Claim 4 The invention described is as follows: 3 In the throttle operating device described, the resistance force applying means is made of a resin member urged toward the sliding surface by a urging means attached to the rotating member, and the sliding member is made of a metal member insert molded into the cover member.

[0011] Claim 5 The invention described herein is as follows: 4 In the throttle operating device described in any one of the above, a sealing member is provided to seal the inside of the fixed member, and the cover member is capable of sealing by pressing the sealing member while attached to the fixed member.

[0012] Claim 6 The invention described herein is as follows: 5 In the throttle operating device described in any one of the above, the accommodating portion is formed of an accommodating recess that opens toward the side of the cover member, and the accommodating recess is filled with a predetermined resin. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the invention of claim 1, a cover member is provided which covers the opening of the fixing member, and the cover member is formed with an accommodating portion capable of accommodating the detection sensor in a predetermined position. This makes it possible to easily waterproof the detection sensor, and also makes it possible to fix the detection sensor in an appropriate position where it can accurately detect the rotational operating angle of the throttle lever, while reducing the number of parts.

[0014] Alsoa shaft member connected to the throttle lever and rotating about its axis in response to the rotation of the throttle lever; and a magnet rotatable together with the shaft member in response to the rotation of the throttle lever; a rotating member to which a magnet is attached and which is rotatable in response to a rotation operation of a throttle lever; Equipped with Tano Therefore, the housing portion for housing the detection sensor can be formed at a position where the magnetic change of the magnet can be detected satisfactorily, and the rotational operating angle of the throttle lever can be detected with high accuracy.

[0015] Claim 2 According to the invention, a sliding surface is formed on the cover member, and the resistance force applying means can apply resistance force by generating friction by sliding on the sliding surface when the throttle lever is rotated. Therefore, in addition to the function of the cover member covering the opening of the fixed member and the function of attaching the detection sensor, the cover member can also have the function of forming a sliding surface for the resistance force applying means.

[0016] Claim 3 According to the invention, the sliding surface formed on the cover member is made of the surface of the sliding member formed along the movement trajectory of the resistance force applying means, so that the resistance force applying means can be reliably slid along the sliding surface.

[0017] Claim 4 According to the invention, the resistance force applying means comprises a resin member urged toward the sliding surface by a biasing means attached to the rotating member, and the sliding member comprises a metal member insert-molded into the cover member, so that frictional force can be stably generated by the resistance force applying means.

[0018] Claim 5 According to the invention, the fixing member is provided with a sealing member that seals the inside of the fixing member, and the cover member is capable of sealing by pressing the sealing member while attached to the fixing member. Therefore, in addition to having the function of covering the opening of the fixing member and the function of attaching the detection sensor, the cover member can also have the function of maintaining the seal provided by the sealing member.

[0019] Claim 6According to the invention, the accommodating portion comprises an accommodating recess that opens toward the side of the cover member, and the accommodating recess is filled with a predetermined resin, so that waterproofing measures for the detection sensor can be more easily and reliably achieved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing a throttle operating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] A three-dimensional view showing the throttle operating device [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of line III-III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view showing a fixing member of the throttle operating device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a four-sided view showing a cover member of the throttle operating device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a throttle lever of the throttle operating device and an integral component that rotates together with the throttle lever; [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a three-view diagram showing the throttle lever of the throttle operating device and an integral component that rotates together with the throttle lever. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an assembly state of the integral components of the throttle operating device. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view showing a rotating member of the throttle operating device. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view showing the mounting member of the throttle operating device. [Figure 11] A three-view diagram showing the magnet of the throttle operating device [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a four-sided view showing a resistance force applying means of the throttle operating device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the sliding of the resistance force applying means of the throttle operating device against a sliding member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The throttle operating device of this embodiment is fixed to a handlebar of a vehicle such as an ATV or a buggy so as to be able to control the engine (power source) of the vehicle, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, is composed of a fixed member 1, a throttle lever 2, also known as a thumb lever, a cover member 3, a rotating member 5, a resistance force applying means 7, a detection sensor 11, a return spring S, and a sliding member K.

[0022] The fixed member 1 is fixed to the handlebar H to rotatably support the throttle lever 2, and is adapted to be fixed near a grip formed at the tip of the handlebar H of a vehicle. As shown in Fig. 4, the fixed member 1 is open at the top and has an accommodating recess formed therein, and has a clamping member 4 attached thereto, so that the handlebar H can be clamped and fixed by the clamping member 4.

[0023] The fixed member 1 has a pair of regulating portions 1a-1a formed at a predetermined position on its outside, spaced a predetermined distance from each other, and an accommodating recess formed inside has a bottom surface which is provided with a mounting groove 1b for fitting and positioning a sealing member 9 (see Figure 3), a through hole 1c for inserting the shaft member L to allow rotational operation of the throttle lever 1, and a locking portion 1d for locking the other end Sb of the return spring S (see Figures 6 to 8).

[0024] The throttle lever 2 is attached by extending from the lower part of the fixed member 1, and can be turned by the driver while holding the grip of the vehicle, and is connected to the shaft member L as shown in FIG. 3. The shaft member L rotates about its axis in response to the rotation of the throttle lever 2, and a rotating member 5 is fixed to its tip by a mounting screw Nb and a washer W. As shown in FIG. 7, the throttle lever 2 is formed with a protruding portion 2a that protrudes to the side, and is configured so that the protruding portion 2a is located between a pair of regulating portions 1a-1a when assembled to the fixed member 1. This restricts the rotation angle of the throttle lever L and the shaft member L to a predetermined range.

[0025] 6 and 7, the rotating member 5 is rotatable in response to the turning operation of the throttle lever 2, and, as shown in Fig. 9, is formed with an attachment portion 5a to which a resistance force applying means 7 and a coil spring 9 (see Fig. 8) can be attached, a through hole 5b into which the tip of the shaft member L can be inserted, and a locking portion 5c for locking one end Sa (see Fig. 8) of a return spring S. One end Sa of the return spring S is locked to the locking portion 5c of the rotating member 5, and the other end Sb is locked to the locking portion 1d of the fixed member 1 and assembled. Therefore, when the throttle lever 1 is turned to rotate the shaft member L and the rotating member 5, the return spring S urges the shaft member L and the rotating member 5 toward the initial position.

[0026] 6 to 8, a mounting member 6 is attached to the rotating member 5 by a pair of mounting screws n. The mounting member 6 holds a magnet M, and as shown in Fig. 10, is configured to have an accommodating recess 6a into which the magnet M can be fitted, a central protrusion 6b formed to protrude from the center of the bottom surface of the accommodating recess 6a, a pair of locking claws 6c formed opposite each other at the opening edge of the accommodating recess 6a, and a fitting hole 6d formed in the bottom surface of the accommodating recess 6a.

[0027] The magnet M is attached by fitting into the accommodating recess 6a of the mounting member 6, and is rotatable together with the shaft member L in response to the rotation of the throttle lever 2, and is configured to have a through hole Ma into which the central protrusion 6b can be inserted, a notch Mb formed in the upper surface edge, and a pair of protrusions Mc formed and protruding from the lower surface, as shown in Fig. 11. The magnet M is accommodated in the accommodating recess 6a by inserting the central protrusion 6b into the through hole Ma and fitting the protrusions Mc into the fitting holes 6d, and the magnet M is prevented from falling out by pressing the locking claws 6c against the notches Mb.

[0028] In this way, the throttle lever 2, shaft member L, rotating member 5, mounting member 6, magnet M and return spring S are assembled to form an integral component Y, as shown in Fig. 6. Therefore, by rotating the throttle lever 2, the integral component Y rotates relative to the fixed member 1, and since the integral component Y is urged toward the initial position by the return spring S, by releasing the operating force on the throttle lever 2, the throttle lever 2 returns to the initial position.

[0029] 1 to 3, the cover member 3 is fixed by a mounting screw Na in a state where it covers the opening at the top of the fixed member 1, and is made of a molded part having an accommodating recess 3a that opens to the side and a bottom surface 3b that faces the magnet M in a state where it is attached to the fixed member 1, as shown in Fig. 5. The accommodating recess 3b accommodates a substrate 10 on which a detection sensor 11 is attached, and is filled with a predetermined resin to waterproof the detection sensor 11 and the substrate 10.

[0030] Moreover, the cover member 3 according to this embodiment has a sliding member K fixed to its lower surface 3b by insert molding. The sliding member K is made of a circular metal member and is configured so that a resistance force applying means 7, which will be described later, can slide on it. The inner region of the sliding member K on the lower surface 3b of the cover member 3 forms a contact surface 3ba with which the magnet M can rotate while in contact, allowing the magnet M to rotate stably.

[0031] Furthermore, the cover member 3 can press the seal member 9 to seal when attached to the fixed member 1. That is, when the cover member 3 is attached to the fixed member 1, as shown in Fig. 3, a pressing surface 3bb formed in the peripheral region of the lower surface 3b of the cover member 3 presses the seal member 9, so that the inside of the fixed member 1 (the internal space in which the rotating member 5 and the like are located) can be sealed.

[0032] The detection sensor 11 can detect the rotational angle of the throttle lever 2, and in this embodiment, is composed of an angle sensor that detects the rotational angle by detecting magnetic changes in the magnet M. In other words, when the magnet M rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the throttle lever 2, the detection sensor 11 detects the magnetic changes in the magnet M caused by that rotation, and can detect the rotational angle of the throttle lever 2.

[0033] When the detection sensor 11 detects the rotational angle of the throttle lever 2, the detection signal is transmitted to an ECU (engine control unit) equipped in the vehicle via a wiring h connected to the substrate 10, and the vehicle's engine (power source) is controlled based on the rotational angle of the throttle lever 2.

[0034] Here, the throttle operating device according to this embodiment is equipped with resistance applying means 7 that can apply resistance by generating friction when the throttle lever 2 is rotated. As shown in Figures 6 to 8, the resistance applying means 7 is attached to the mounting portion 5a of the rotating member 5 and is made of a resin member that is biased upward by a coil spring 8, and is adapted to rotate together with the rotating member 5 when the rotating member 5 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the throttle lever 2.

[0035] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 12, the resistance force applying means 7 is integrally formed with a tip surface 7a, a boss portion 7b, and a protruding portion 7c. The tip surface 7a is a flat surface formed on the tip of the resistance force applying means 7, and is a surface that can slide on the sliding surface Ka of the sliding member K formed on the cover member 3. The boss portion 7b is a protruding shape formed on the lower surface of the resistance force applying means 7, and is capable of holding the coil spring 8. The protruding portion 7c is a pair of bulges formed on the side surface of the resistance force applying means 7, and matches with a holding groove 5aa (see Figs. 8 and 9) formed on the mounting portion 5a of the rotating member 5, thereby positioning the resistance force applying means 7 and guiding the displacement of the resistance force applying means 7.

[0036] However, the resistance force applying means 7 is biased by the coil spring 8 toward the sliding surface Ka of the sliding member K, so that the tip end surface 7a is in contact with the sliding surface Ka as shown in Fig. 3, and when the rotating member 5 rotates with the rotational operation of the throttle lever 2 and rotates together with the rotating member 5, the tip end surface 7a in contact with position A can slide to position B as shown in Fig. 13. In other words, the sliding surface Ka formed on the cover member 3 is made of the surface of the sliding member K formed along the movement trajectory of the resistance force applying means 7, so that friction is generated in the process in which the tip end surface 7a slides from position A to position B, and resistance force can be applied.

[0037] According to this embodiment, a cover member 3 is provided to cover the opening of the fixed member 1, and the cover member 3 is formed with an accommodating section (accommodating recess 3a) capable of accommodating the detection sensor 11 in a predetermined position. Therefore, the detection sensor 11 can be easily waterproofed, the detection sensor 11 can be fixed at an appropriate position where the rotational operating angle of the throttle lever 2 can be accurately detected, and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0038] In addition, according to this embodiment, the system includes an axis member L that is connected to the throttle lever 2 and rotates about an axis in response to the rotational operation of the throttle lever 2, and a magnet M that can rotate together with the axis member L in response to the rotational operation of the throttle lever 2. The detection sensor 11 is attached to a position corresponding to the magnet M in the accommodating recess 3a of the cover member 3, and can detect the rotational operating angle of the throttle lever 2 based on the magnetic change of the magnet M that rotates in response to the throttle lever 2. Therefore, the accommodating recess 3a that accommodates the detection sensor 11 can be formed in a position where the magnetic change of the magnet M can be detected well, and the rotational operating angle of the throttle lever 2 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0039] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the resistance force applying means 7 is provided which can apply resistance force by generating friction by sliding the sliding surface Ka when the throttle lever 2 is rotated, and the sliding surface Ka is formed on the cover member 3. Therefore, the cover member 3 not only has the function of covering the opening of the fixed member 1 and the function of attaching the detection sensor 11, but also has the function of forming the sliding surface Ka of the resistance force applying means 7.

[0040] Furthermore, by providing resistance applying means 7 that can apply resistance by generating friction when the throttle lever 2 is rotated, the operation feel can be made similar to that of the conventional system in which the operation of the throttle lever is transmitted to the engine side via an operating wire, and operability when rotating the throttle lever 2 can be improved.

[0041] In addition, the sliding surface Ka formed on the cover member 3 is made of the surface of the sliding member K formed along the movement trajectory of the resistance force applying means 7, so that the resistance force applying means 7 can be reliably slid along the sliding surface Ka. Furthermore, the resistance force applying means 7 according to this embodiment is made of a resin member biased toward the sliding surface Ka by a coil spring 8 (biasing means) attached to the rotating member 5, and the sliding member K is made of a metal member insert-molded into the cover member 3, so that the frictional force by the resistance force applying means 7 can be stably generated.

[0042] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the fixing member 1 is provided with a sealing member 9 that seals the inside thereof, and the cover member 3 is capable of sealing by pressing the sealing member 9 while attached to the fixing member 1. Therefore, in addition to the function of covering the opening of the fixing member 1 and the function of attaching the detection sensor 11, the cover member 3 can also have the function of maintaining the seal provided by the sealing member 9.

[0043] Furthermore, the accommodating section according to this embodiment is made up of an accommodating recess 3a opening toward the side of the cover member 3, and the accommodating recess 3a is filled with a predetermined resin, so that waterproofing measures for the detection sensor 11 and the substrate 10 can be more easily and reliably achieved. Note that the accommodating section that accommodates the detection sensor 11 may be an accommodating recess that opens upward in the cover member 3, and the accommodating recess may be filled with a predetermined resin to achieve waterproofing.

[0044] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the accommodation portion for accommodating the detection sensor 11 may be an accommodation recess that opens to another position on the cover member 3. Also, the resistance force imparting means 7 may not be provided, and may be attached to a part (such as the mounting member 6) different from the rotating member 5. Note that, without providing a separate sliding member K, for example, the lower surface 3b of the cover member 3 may be processed to serve as the sliding surface for the biasing force imparting means 7. [Industrial Applicability]

[0045] The present invention can also be applied to devices with different external shapes or devices with added functions, etc., so long as they have the same gist as the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 1 Fixing member 1a Regulatory Department 1b Mounting groove 1c through hole 1d Locking part 2 Throttle lever 2a Protrusion 3 Cover material 3a Recessed portion 3b Bottom side 3ba contact surface 3bb Pressing surface 4 Holding member 5 Rotating members 5a Mounting part 5aa retaining groove 5b Through hole 5c Locking part 6 Mounting material 6a Recessed portion 6b Central protrusion 6c Locking claw 6d Fitting hole 7. Means of Resistance 7a Tip surface 7b Boss part 7c Protrusion 8 Coil spring (biasing means) 9. Sealing material 10 Substrate 11 Detection sensor H Handlebar L shaft member M magnet Ma through hole Mb Notch Mc protrusion S Return spring Sa end Sb other end K Sliding member Ka sliding surface Na mounting screw Nb mounting screw W washer n Mounting screws Y integral component

Claims

1. A fixing member fixed near a grip formed at an end of a handlebar of a vehicle; a throttle lever that is attached to the fixed member and that can be rotated while the grip is held; a detection sensor capable of detecting a rotational operation angle of the throttle lever; a shaft member connected to the throttle lever and adapted to rotate about an axis in response to a rotational operation of the throttle lever; a magnet that is rotatable together with the shaft member in response to a rotational operation of the throttle lever; a rotating member to which the magnet is attached and which is rotatable in response to a rotation operation of the throttle lever; A throttle operation device capable of controlling a drive source of a vehicle based on a rotation operation angle of the throttle lever detected by the detection sensor, A throttle operating device characterized in that a cover member is provided to cover an opening of the fixed member, the cover member has an accommodating portion capable of accommodating the detection sensor in a predetermined position, the throttle lever, shaft member, magnet and rotating member form an integral component and are attached to the fixed member, and the rotating member is fitted with a resistance force applying means capable of generating friction and applying resistance force when the throttle lever is rotated.

2. 2. The throttle operating device according to claim 1, wherein a sliding surface is formed on the cover member, and the resistance force applying means is capable of applying resistance force by generating friction by sliding on the sliding surface when the throttle lever is rotated.

3. 3. The throttle operating device according to claim 2, wherein the sliding surface formed on said cover member is made of a surface of a sliding member formed along a moving path of said resistance force applying means.

4. 4. The throttle operating device according to claim 3, wherein the resistance force applying means is made of a resin member urged toward the sliding surface by a biasing means attached to the rotating member, and the sliding member is made of a metal member insert molded into the cover member.

5. A throttle operating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is provided with a sealing member that seals the inside of the fixed member, and the cover member is capable of sealing by pressing the sealing member when attached to the fixed member.

6. A throttle operating device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the accommodating portion is an accommodating recess that opens toward the side of the cover member, and the accommodating recess is filled with a predetermined resin.

Images