Throttle Pedal Assembly Adjustable Cable Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing throttle pedal assemblies for boats face issues with imprecise throttle control due to loose tolerances and lack of adjustable sensitivity and stiffness, which affect the precision and efficiency of engine throttle actuation.

Innovation Solution

A throttle pedal assembly with a gear box featuring a throttle wheel and multiple cable attachment locations, allowing for adjustable sensitivity and stiffness through selective attachment of the throttle cable to different terminal and mounting locations, and a pivoting mechanism for adjusting the throttle cable orientation, enabling precise control and mounting configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional throttle pedal assembly with fixed cable attachment is used, then the structure is simple, but the throttle control precision is poor due to loose tolerances and inability to adjust sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrottle control precisionVSAvoidgear box with multiple attachment locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle wheel incorporates multiple cable attachment locations arranged in concentric circles (inner and outer races) that allow dynamic adjustment of cable attachment points. This enables the system to adapt sensitivity and stiffness characteristics by selecting different attachment locations, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one that optimizes throttle control precision for different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the throttle mechanism by providing multiple cable attachment locations at different radii from the throttle wheel center. By adjusting which attachment location is used, the moment arm length changes, thereby altering the mechanical advantage, sensitivity, and stiffness of the throttle response. This parameter adjustment directly improves throttle control precision without requiring complex electronic systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the throttle cable is fixed to a single attachment location, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to different marine vessel setups is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity with multiple attachment options

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle wheel is designed with multiple cable attachment locations that can accommodate various cable orientations and mounting configurations. The same throttle wheel assembly can serve different marine vessel setups by simply changing which attachment location is used, making the component universal and adaptable without requiring custom-manufactured parts for each application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the pedal mechanism has loose tolerances, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the throttle actuation precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrottle actuation precisionVSAvoidtolerance requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable cable attachment system allows the operator to self-adjust the throttle characteristics by selecting appropriate attachment locations. This self-adjustment capability compensates for manufacturing tolerances in the pedal mechanism, as the user can optimize the mechanical advantage and sensitivity by choosing different attachment points, thereby achieving precise throttle actuation without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides precise throttle control by allowing adjustable sensitivity and stiffness, enhancing the precision and efficiency of engine throttle actuation, and enabling versatile mounting configurations to suit different marine vessel setups.

Implementation Method 1

a gear box coupled to the pedal. The gear box has a throttle wheel with a plurality of throttle cable terminal attachment locations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11364800B2Throttle pedal assembly

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 MARINE ACQUISITION US INC

AI summary

A throttle pedal assembly comprises a base, a pedal pivotably mounted on the base, and a gear box coupled to the pedal. The gear box has a throttle wheel with a plurality of throttle cable terminal attachment locations and the gear box has a plurality of throttle cable mounting locations. A throttle cable is selectively and releasably attached to one of said plurality of throttle cable terminal attachment locations, and the throttle cable is selectively and releasably attached to one of said plurality of throttle cable mounting locations.