Accelerator position sensor unit and throttle grip device

Abstract

To enable easy positioning of an accelerator position sensor unit relative to a handle bar and fix the accelerator position sensor unit to the handle bar stably.SOLUTION: An accelerator position sensor unit 1 includes: an accelerator position sensor body 3 which detects a rotation angle of a throttle pipe 12 supported by a cylindrical handle bar 11 in a state that the throttle pipe 12 may rotate around a center axis O11 of the handle bar 11 along an outer peripheral surface 111 of the handle bar 11; and a sensor case 4 which houses the accelerator position sensor body 3. The sensor case 4 has an extension part 53 extending along a center axis O11 direction. The extension part 53 is sandwiched between the handle bar 11 and a cover 7 which covers the accelerator position sensor unit 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an accelerator position sensor unit and a throttle grip device. [Background technology]

[0002] A throttle pipe is generally supported on the outer periphery of a vehicle's handlebar so as to be rotatable relative to the handlebar. The rotation angle of the throttle pipe is detected by a detection sensor (accelerator position sensor unit) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the invention described in Patent Document 1, an opening sensor serving as a detection sensor is fixed to the handlebar via a set plate that holds the handlebar. In the invention described in Patent Document 2, a throttle operation amount sensor serving as a detection sensor is fixed to the handlebar via an attachment member that covers the throttle operation amount sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6329573 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 4414389 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In both of the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the detection sensor is not fixed directly to the handlebar, but is fixed to the handlebar via another specified member. However, with such a fixing configuration, the need for another specified member makes it difficult to accurately position the detection sensor relative to the handlebar. In addition, the detection sensor is prone to wobbling when the throttle pipe is operated. As a result, it is difficult to accurately detect the rotation angle of the throttle pipe.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure that allows easy positioning of an accelerator position sensor unit relative to a handlebar and enables the accelerator position sensor unit to be stably fixed to the handlebar. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the accelerator position sensor unit of the present invention comprises an accelerator position sensor main body that detects a rotation angle of a throttle pipe that is supported on a cylindrical handlebar in a state that the throttle pipe is rotatable around the central axis of the handlebar along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar, and a sensor case that houses the accelerator position sensor main body, the sensor case having an extension portion that extends along the central axis direction, The curvature of the inner peripheral surface of the extension portion is smaller than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface of the handlebar, The extension part is connected to the handlebar and the accelerator position sensor. Main unit The cover is sandwiched between the cover and the sensor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the accelerator position sensor unit can be easily positioned relative to the handlebar with a simple configuration, and the accelerator position sensor unit can be stably fixed to the handlebar. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a throttle grip device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the throttle grip device shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is an exploded perspective view of an accelerator position sensor unit included in the throttle grip device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view (longitudinal cross-sectional view) taken along line AA in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view (transverse cross-sectional view) taken along line BB in FIG. 4. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the throttle grip device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view showing a third embodiment of the throttle grip device. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view (transverse cross-sectional view) taken along line CC in FIG. 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in each of the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in each of the embodiments.

[0010] First Embodiment The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The throttle grip device 10 shown in FIG. 1 can be applied to various vehicle bodies, such as motorcycles equipped with handlebars. The throttle grip device 10 is not limited to motorcycles, but can also be applied to saddle-ride vehicles including vehicles other than motorcycles. A "saddle-ride vehicle" refers to any vehicle on which a rider straddles the body, including not only motorcycles (including motorized bicycles), but also three-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles classified as ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), and other vehicles including snowmobiles. The throttle grip device 10 can also be applied to watercraft such as jet skis. In this embodiment, a right-side throttle grip device is illustrated as an example of the throttle grip device 10. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the left side is the center side of the vehicle body (-X side), and the right side is the outer side of the vehicle body (+X side). 2, the throttle grip device 10 has a handlebar 11, an accelerator position sensor unit (hereinafter referred to as "APS unit") 1 fixed to the handlebar 11, and a cover 7 that covers the APS unit 1. The throttle grip device 10 also has a throttle pipe 12 connected to the +X side of the APS unit 1, and a grip member 13 that covers the throttle pipe 12.

[0012] The handlebar 11 is made up of a cylindrical member. In this embodiment, the handlebar 11 is straight, but is not limited to this and may, for example, be curved partway along its length. Also, in this embodiment, the handlebar 11 has a constant outer diameter, but is not limited to this and may, for example, vary, i.e., expand or contract.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 4 , the throttle pipe 12 and the grip member 13 are each formed of a cylindrical member, similar to the handlebar 11, and are disposed concentrically with the handlebar 11, centered on the central axis O11 of the handlebar 11. The throttle pipe 12 is supported by the handlebar 11 in a state in which it can rotate around the central axis O11 of the handlebar 11 along the outer circumferential surface 111 of the handlebar 11. A flange portion 121 is formed at the end of the throttle pipe 12 on the -X side. The flange portion 121 engages with the cover 7 and functions to prevent the throttle pipe 12 from coming off the handlebar 11. This maintains the connection between the throttle pipe 12 and the APS unit 1. The grip member 13 is connected and fixed to the outer circumferential side of the throttle pipe 12. The grip member 13 is gripped by the driver operating the vehicle and rotated around the central axis O11, thereby rotating together with the throttle pipe 12. The rotation angle of the throttle pipe 12 is detected by the APS unit 1, which will be described later. Furthermore, a tapered portion 131 whose outer diameter gradually increases toward the -X side is formed at the end on the -X side of the grip member 13. The tapered portion 131 can reduce the step (difference in outer diameter) between the grip member 13 and the cover 7.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the APS unit 1 includes an accelerator position sensor main body (hereinafter referred to as the “APS main body”) 3 and a sensor case 4 that houses the APS main body 3. The APS main body 3 is connected to the −X side of the throttle pipe 12. When the driver rotates the throttle pipe 12 together with the grip member 13 around the central axis O11, the APS main body 3 can detect the rotation angle of the throttle pipe 12 around the central axis O11. The opening of a throttle valve (not shown) on the vehicle body is adjusted according to the magnitude of this rotation angle. The APS main body 3 can be configured, for example, with a magnetic sensor having a Hall element. As a result, the detection result of the APS main body 3, i.e., the rotation angle detected by the APS main body 3, is transmitted as an electrical signal to the vehicle body's control system.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor case 4 includes a case main body 5 and a lid 6 attached to the case main body 5. The case main body 5 includes a ring-shaped portion 51 and a side wall portion 52 formed along the edge of the ring-shaped portion 51. The handlebar 11 can be inserted through a through hole 511 formed in the center of the ring-shaped portion 51. The side wall portion 52 includes a protruding portion 521 that protrudes upward, a protruding portion 522 that protrudes downward, and a protruding portion 523 that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle body. The protruding portion 521 is formed with a through hole 524 that penetrates in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. A screw 141, which will be described later, is inserted through this through hole 524 (see FIG. 2). The protruding portion 522 is formed with a through hole 525 that penetrates in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle body. A screw 142, which will be described later, is inserted through this through hole 525 (see FIG. 2). A through hole 526 that penetrates in the direction of the central axis O11 is formed in the protruding portion 523. A screw 143, which will be described later, is inserted into this through hole 525.

[0016] The cover 6 is ring-shaped, and the handlebar 11 can be inserted through a through-hole 61 formed in the center thereof. The cover 6 has engagement pieces 62 and 63 protruding from its edge and a boss 64 protruding from its surface facing the -X side. The engagement pieces 62, 63, and boss 64 all protrude toward the -X side. The engagement pieces 62, 63, and boss 64 are arranged at approximately equal angular intervals around the central axis O11. The engagement piece 62 engages with a protrusion 527 formed on the side wall 52 of the case body 5. The engagement piece 63 engages with a protrusion 528 formed on the side wall 52 of the case body 5. The boss 64 has a female thread 641, into which a screw 143 inserted through a through-hole 526 of the case body 5 is threaded. This engagement and threading allows the cover 6 to be attached from the +X side of the case body 5. The APS main unit 3 is housed and disposed within the space surrounded by the case main unit 5 and the lid unit 6. A coupler 65 having an electrical terminal is provided on the lid unit 6. By connecting the coupler 65 to a coupler (not shown) on the vehicle body side, the APS main unit 3 and the vehicle body's control system are electrically connected.

[0017] The APS unit 1 is covered by a cover 7, which protects the APS unit 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 7 is formed by assembling a pair of half bodies that can be separated into the front and rear of the vehicle body. Hereinafter, the half body located at the front of the vehicle body will be referred to as "half body 8," and the half body located at the rear of the vehicle body will be referred to as "half body 9." In this embodiment, the cover 7 is formed by a pair of half bodies that can be separated into the front and rear of the vehicle body, but is not limited to this. For example, the cover 7 may be formed by a pair of half bodies that can be separated into upper and lower parts.

[0018] The half body 8 is a hollow body with an internal space 80 that opens rearward, and includes a distal wall portion 81 located on the +X side, a proximal wall portion 82 located on the -X side, and a side wall portion 83 connecting the distal wall portion 81 and the proximal wall portion 82. Meanwhile, the half body 9 is a hollow body with an internal space 90 that opens forward, and includes a distal wall portion 91 located on the +X side, a proximal wall portion 92 located on the -X side, and a side wall portion 93 connecting the distal wall portion 91 and the proximal wall portion 92. As shown in FIG. 2 , the half body 8 and the half body 9 are fastened together by screws 141 and 142 that are inserted from the side wall portion 83 side of the half body 8 toward the side wall portion 93 side of the half body 9. This allows the half body 8 and the half body 9 to be assembled together and function as the cover 7 that covers the APS unit 1. At this time, the screw 141 is inserted through the through-hole 524 of the APS unit 1, and the screw 142 is inserted through the through-hole 525 of the APS unit 1. As a result, the APS unit 1 and the cover 7 are connected and fixed together.

[0019] A semicircular recess 811 is formed in the tip wall 81 of half body 8, and a semicircular recess 911 is formed in the tip wall 91 of half body 9. When half body 8 and half body 9 are assembled, the recess 811 and recess 911 face each other to form an insertion hole 71 (see FIG. 4) through which the handlebar 11 is inserted together with the throttle pipe 12. Similarly, a semicircular recess 821 is formed in the base end wall 82 of half body 8, and a semicircular recess 921 is formed in the base end wall 92 of half body 9. When assembled, the recess 821 and recess 921 face each other to form an insertion hole 72 (see FIG. 4) through which the handlebar 11 is inserted.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, a guide pin 822 is provided in a recess 821 of the half body 8. As shown in Fig. 4, the guide pin 822 is inserted into and fitted into a guide hole 112 formed through the tube wall of the handlebar 11. This restricts the cover 7 from rotating together with the APS unit 1 about the central axis O11. In this way, in the throttle grip device 10, the guide pin 822 and the guide hole 112 function as anti-rotation devices for the cover 7 and the APS unit 1.

[0021] Further, a groove 812 is formed in the tip wall portion 81 of the half body 8, with which the flange portion 121 of the throttle pipe 12 engages from the rear. On the other hand, a groove 912 is also formed in the tip wall portion 91 of the half body 9, with which the flange portion 121 of the throttle pipe 12 engages from the front.

[0022] As described above, the APS unit 1 is fixed to the handlebar 11. The fixing structure will be described below.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, case body 5 of sensor case 4 has extension portion 53 extending in the direction of central axis O11 of arc-shaped handlebar 11. Extension portion 53 is formed at the edge of through-hole 511 of case body 5, protruding toward the -X side (one side of central axis O11). As shown in FIG. 5, extension portion 53 has an arc shape centered on central axis O11 when viewed from the direction of central axis O11. Extension portion 53 is sandwiched between outer peripheral surface 111 of handlebar 11 and semicircular arc-shaped recess 921 of half body 9 constituting cover 7. This allows APS unit 1 to be directly fixed to handlebar 11.

[0024] This fixing structure allows the APS unit 1 to be fixed more stably than when the APS unit 1 is fixed to the handlebar 11 via, for example, an APS unit fixing member. This sufficiently suppresses wobbling of the APS unit 1 when, for example, the throttle pipe 12 is operated together with the grip member 13, thereby enabling the APS unit 1 to accurately detect the rotation angle of the throttle pipe 12. Furthermore, the pressing force (clamping force) from the half body 9 acting on the extension portion 53 can be received by the handlebar 11, which has higher rigidity than the extension portion 53. This allows for more stable fixation of the APS unit 1. Furthermore, because the APS unit 1 is fixed directly to the handlebar 11, the APS unit 1 can be positioned more accurately relative to the handlebar 11 than when, for example, an APS unit fixing member is used as described above. As described above, the throttle grip device 10 allows the APS unit 1 to be stably fixed to the handlebar 11 with a simple structure in which the extension portion 53 is clamped between the handlebar 11 and the cover 7. Furthermore, the APS unit 1 can be easily positioned relative to the handlebar 11.

[0025] The central angle θ53 (see FIG. 5) of the extension portion 53 is preferably, for example, 180 degrees or less, and more preferably 90 degrees or more and 180 degrees or less. For example, if the extension portion 53 is circular about the central axis O11, a gap may be formed between the extension portion 53 and the handlebar 11 depending on the degree of error between the curvature of the extension portion 53 and the curvature of the handlebar 11, making it difficult to sufficiently clamp the extension portion 53 between the handlebar 11 and the cover 7. However, by making the extension portion 53 arc-shaped so that the central angle θ53 is within the above-mentioned numerical range, the extension portion 53 can be sufficiently clamped between the handlebar 11 and the cover 7 even if there is an error.

[0026] Furthermore, the extension portion 53 is biased toward the half body 9 (one of the half bodies) of the half body 8 and the half body 9. For example, if the extension portion 53 is disposed across both the half body 8 and the half body 9, it is necessary to form a portion for sandwiching the extension portion 53 on each of the half bodies 8 and 9. However, because the extension portion 53 is biased toward the half body 9, it is sufficient to form a portion for sandwiching the extension portion 53 only on the half body 9 side, and it is possible to omit forming such a portion on the half body 8. This simplifies the design of the cover 7. Note that, in this embodiment, one extension portion 53 is disposed on the half body 9 side, but this is not limited thereto, and multiple extension portions may be disposed, for example.

[0027] As described above, the extension portion 53 is formed to protrude toward the -X side, but does not protrude from the cover 7 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). This improves the appearance of the throttle grip device 10 and contributes to the miniaturization of the APS unit 1. Furthermore, the cover 7 protects the extension portion 53, making it possible to prevent damage to the extension portion 53. Note that, although the extension portion 53 is formed to protrude toward the -X side in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this and may also protrude toward the +X side.

[0028] In addition, the extension portion 53 may have minute irregularities formed by roughening on an inner surface 531 that abuts against the outer surface 111 of the handlebar 11 and on an outer surface 532 that abuts against the recess 921 of the half-body 9.

[0029] The cover 7 may also be provided with a switch (not shown) for operating electrical equipment (for example, direction indicators) mounted on the vehicle body.

[0030] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the curvature of the inner peripheral surface 531 of the extension portion 53 is smaller than the curvature of the outer peripheral surface 111 of the handlebar 11. Therefore, the center O53 of the arc of the extension portion 53 is located on the side of the half body 8 (the other half body) that is paired with the half body 9. This allows the circumferential center of the extension portion 53 to abut preferentially against the handlebar 11. Therefore, the extension portion 53 can be sandwiched between the handlebar 11 and the cover 7 without being deformed, and the APS unit 1 is fixed more stably.

[0032] Third Embodiment The third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0033] 7, in this embodiment, a switch body 15 (throttle grip device 10) is disposed adjacent to the APS unit 1 on the -X side (one side of the central axis O11). The switch body 15 has a switch (not shown) that operates electrical equipment (such as a turn signal) mounted on the vehicle body. The switch body 15 has a cover 151 on which the switch is provided.

[0034] Further, extension portion 53 protrudes from cover 7 toward cover 151, i.e., on the -X side. As shown in FIG. 8 , extension portion 53 is sandwiched between handlebar 11 and cover 151 of switch body 15. As a result, extension portion 53 is sandwiched not only between handlebar 11 and cover 7, but also between handlebar 11 and cover 151 of switch body 15. This increases the sandwiching force on extension portion 53, more firmly fixing APS unit 1, and further enabling the relative positioning of APS unit 1 and switch body 15 to be determined.

[0035] It is preferable that the cover 151 is formed by assembling a pair of half bodies, similar to the cover 7. In this case, of the pair of half bodies constituting the cover 151, the half body located at the front of the vehicle body in FIG. 8 is referred to as "half body 152," and the half body located at the rear of the vehicle body is referred to as "half body 153." The extension portion 53 is sandwiched between the half bodies 153. In this embodiment, the cover 151 is formed by a pair of half bodies that can be separated into the front and rear of the vehicle body, but is not limited to this, and may be formed by a pair of half bodies that can be separated into the top and bottom, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 Accelerator position sensor unit (APS unit) 3 Accelerator position sensor body (APS body) 4 Sensor case 7 Cover 8 half body 9 Half body 10 Throttle grip device 11 Handlebars O11 Center axis

Claims

1. an accelerator position sensor body that detects the rotation angle of a throttle pipe supported on a cylindrical handlebar in a state that the throttle pipe is rotatable around the central axis of the handlebar along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; a sensor case that houses the accelerator position sensor body, the sensor case has an extension portion extending along the central axis direction, the curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion is smaller than the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; The extension portion is an accelerator position sensor unit that is sandwiched between the handlebar and a cover that covers the accelerator position sensor body.

2. 2. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion has an arc shape when viewed from the central axis direction.

3. 3. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 2, wherein a central angle of said extension portion is 180 degrees or less.

4. The cover is formed by assembling a pair of half bodies, 2. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion is located on one of the pair of half bodies.

5. 5. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 4, wherein the center of the arc of said extension portion is located on the side of the other half body that forms a pair with said one half body.

6. 2. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion protrudes toward at least one side of the central axis.

7. 7. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 6, wherein the extension does not protrude from the cover.

8. a throttle grip device having a switch for operating an electrical component and disposed adjacent to one side of the central axis with respect to the accelerator position sensor unit; 7. The accelerator position sensor unit according to claim 6, wherein the extension protrudes from the cover and is clamped between the handlebar and the throttle grip device.

9. Cylindrical handlebars and an accelerator position sensor unit including: an accelerator position sensor main body that detects a rotation angle of a throttle pipe that is supported on the handlebar in a state that the throttle pipe is rotatable around the central axis of the handlebar along the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; and a sensor case that houses the accelerator position sensor main body; a cover for covering the accelerator position sensor unit, The cover is provided with a switch for operating electrical equipment, the sensor case has an extension portion extending along the central axis direction, the curvature of the inner circumferential surface of the extension portion is smaller than the curvature of the outer circumferential surface of the handlebar; The extension portion is a throttle grip device that is sandwiched between the handlebar and the cover.

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