Throttle Actuator Dual-Force Sensing for Safe Position Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles operating in harsh environments, such as snowmobiles, ATVs, and watercraft, face issues with throttle components sticking due to environmental interactions, leading to unintended throttle operation and potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A throttle articulation verification system integrated with a throttle lever, including sensors and a processor, sends verification signals to the engine control unit (ECU) to confirm the operator's intended throttle movement, and includes a rider presence verification system to ensure the operator is in the correct position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a throttle verification system with multiple sensors is implemented, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (throttle position detection, operator presence detection, and verification logic) into an integrated verification system that operates through a unified architecture. The ECU consolidates signals from the TPS and operator presence sensor, processing them through a single verification logic unit to determine whether to enable throttle operation. This merging approach improves reliability through redundant verification while avoiding the complexity of completely separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The ECU serves multiple functions: it acts as the central processing unit for throttle control, the verification system controller, and the safety management unit. By making the ECU multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated controllers for each function, thereby improving reliability through comprehensive monitoring while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
2Reliability
If operator presence verification is required, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of operator presence through the operator presence sensor before allowing throttle operation to proceed. This preliminary action ensures safety by confirming the operator is in position before enabling the throttle, while the automated nature of the verification process prevents it from becoming a manual burden that would reduce ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification system operates automatically without requiring manual intervention from the operator. The ECU continuously monitors the operator presence sensor and automatically determines whether throttle operation is permitted, eliminating the need for the operator to manually confirm presence or perform additional steps, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring safety.
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 prevents unintended throttle operation by switching to a safe mode if components stick, ensuring the engine operates as intended and maintaining safety by requiring the operator to be present, thereby reducing accidents.
Implementation Method 1
The circuit board has first force sensor and a second force sensor. A spring plate is disposed between the carrier and the circuit board. The spring plate is adjacent to and extends between the first force sensor and the second force sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A throttle actuator includes a base, a carrier and a circuit board coupled between the base and the carrier. The circuit board has a first force sensor and a second force sensor. A spring plate is disposed between the carrier and the circuit board. The spring plate is adjacent to and extends between the first force sensor and the second force sensor. A cover is coupled to the base enclosing the carrier, the spring plate and the circuit board between the cover and the base.