Motorcycle Throttle Control With Contactless Angular Position Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing throttle control systems for motorcycles face challenges in accurately and reliably detecting the angular position of the throttle control, particularly under high vibrations and adverse environmental conditions, and require a solution that is cost-effective and versatile for various motorcycle models.

Innovation Solution

A throttle control system integrating an angular position sensor with a rotor and contactless reader, utilizing three electronic querying devices to provide redundant measurements, which are not affected by mechanical vibrations and are structurally simple and cost-effective for installation on motorcycles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical transmission device with Bowden wires is used to connect the throttle control to the movable element, then the system is mechanically strong and reliable, but the system volume increases and mechanical wear occurs under high vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidsystem volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical Bowden wire transmission system with a magnetic field-based sensing system. The angular position sensor uses a rotor with permanent magnets and electronic querying devices to detect throttle position without mechanical contact, eliminating mechanical wear and reducing system volume while maintaining reliability under high vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If a potentiometer is used to detect the angular position of the throttle control, then the system is simple to manufacture, but the measurement precision deteriorates under high vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidangular position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical potentiometer with a magnetic field-based angular position sensor. The sensor uses a rotor with permanent magnets and electronic querying devices that detect position through magnetic field interactions without mechanical contact, eliminating vibration-induced measurement errors while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a contactless angular position sensor with three electronic querying devices is used, then the measurement precision and reliability improve under high vibrations, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular position accuracyVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a compact sensor assembly: the rotor with permanent magnets serves both as the moving element and the sensing target, while the three electronic querying devices provide redundant measurements for enhanced reliability. The single integrated structure reduces overall device complexity despite the advanced sensing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If the throttle control is mechanically connected to the engine control, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the response speed deteriorates due to mechanical transmission delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection between throttle control and engine control with an electronic sensing and actuation system. The angular position sensor provides real-time position data to the control unit, which immediately actuates the throttle valve, eliminating mechanical transmission delays and achieving rapid response while maintaining system simplicity through electronic integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides accurate, reliable, and redundant measurements of the throttle control's angular position, ensuring high safety and flexibility across different motorcycle models, while resisting the impact of high vibrations and reducing mechanical wear, thus enhancing driver safety and system reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a rotor (17), which is supported by the grip (11) in order to rotate along with the grip (11) about the longitudinal rotation axis (12) and is capable of affecting an electric and/or magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field interaction: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2192037B1Throttle control integrating an angular position sensor

Publication Date: 2012.08.08 FAB ITAL MAGNETI MARELLI SPA

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AI summary

A throttle control (1) provided with: a twist grip (11), which has a tubular shape and is centrally perforated to be fitted about a tubular handlebar (2) so as to rotate with respect to the tubular handlebar (2) ; and an angular position sensor (16), which is adapted to read the angular position of the twist grip (11) and has at least one rotor (17), which is supported by the twist grip (11) to rotate along with the twist grip (11) and is adapted to affect an electric and/or magnetic field, and at least a reader (18), which is adapted to be mounted in a fixed position inside the tubular handlebar (2) so as to be arranged close to the rotor (17), and is adapted to remotely and contactlessly read the orientation of the rotor (17) .