Throttle actuator position verification

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10655545-B2
Application number	US-201816018513-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2018
Priority date	Jun 30, 2017
Publication date	May 19, 2020
Grant date	May 19, 2020

Abstract

Disclosed is a verification system including a throttle actuation verification system. The verification system may include one or more sensors positioned at a location that will receive a force applied by an operator when a throttle lever is engaged or loaded for the intention to be actuated by the operator. A signal from the sensor is compared to a throttle position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A throttle verification system, comprising:
a throttle actuator rotatable about a first pivot point the throttle actuator having a first portion and a second portion with a living hinge region between the first portion and the second portion such that the second portion can move relative to the first portion at a second pivot point at the living hinge region;
a verification system (VS) sensor positioned to sense at least movement of the first portion relative to the second portion at the second pivot point based upon a contact of an operator applied to the throttle actuator; and
a module to receive a verification signal from the VS sensor and a second signal;
wherein the module can verify a desired operation of a vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the throttle actuator includes a an overmold portion with the VS sensor between the throttle actuator and the overmold portion.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the VS sensor includes at least one of a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a Hall Effect sensor, or capacitive touch sensor.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the VS sensor is configured to sense contact of a digit.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the VS sensor is imbedded into the throttle actuator.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein a force applied to the throttle actuator is sensed with the VS sensor.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the module includes an engine control unit.

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a throttle position sensor;
wherein the verification signal and a throttle position sensor signal are evaluated by the module to confirm the desired operation of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the throttle actuator includes a throttle lever having the first portion and the second portion;
wherein the VS sensor senses movement of the throttle lever.

10. A throttle verification system, comprising:
a throttle actuator;
a throttle lever position sensor that senses a position of the throttle actuator;
a verification system (VS) sensor assembly connected to the throttle actuator positioned to sense at least a presence of an operator contacting the throttle actuator;
a transmitter to transmit a verification signal from the VS sensor assembly; and
a module to receive the verification signal from the VS sensor assembly and a throttle position signal from the throttle lever position sensor;
wherein the module can verify a desired operation of a vehicle.

11. The system claim of claim 10 , wherein the module further receives a third signal.

12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the throttle actuator is formed as a single member;
wherein the VS sensor assembly is connected to a first side of the single member and the operator contacts a second side of the single member.

13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the VS sensor assembly includes a capacitive sensor operable to sense the operator contact.

14. The system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a heating element operable to generate a local temperature of about 90° C. to about 110° C.

15. The system of claim 10 , further comprising:
a throttle position sensor;
wherein the verification signal and a throttle position sensor signal are evaluated by the module.

16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the VS sensor assembly is imbedded into the throttle actuator.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a processor system operable to process a sensor signal from a sensor of the VS sensor assembly and generate the verification signal.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the VS sensor assembly includes the processor system.

19. A method to verify a throttle activation of a vehicle, comprising:
sensing with a verification system (VS) sensor assembly at least a presence of operator contact on a throttle actuator;
transmitting a verification signal from the VS sensor assembly when at least the presence of the operator is sensed on the throttle actuator; and
receiving the verification signal at a module to verify a desired operation of a throttle of the vehicle.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
generating a throttle position signal with a throttle position sensor; and
evaluating together both the verification signal and the throttle position sensor signal to operate a throttle body of the vehicle.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the VS sensor assembly includes a capacitive sensor operable to sense the operator contact.

22. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:
heating at least a portion of the throttle actuator with a heating element to a temperature of about 90° C. to about 110° C.

23. The method of claim 19 , further comprising sensing with a throttle lever position sensor a position of the throttle actuator; and
receiving a throttle position signal from the throttle lever position sensor at the module to verify the desired operation of the throttle of the vehicle.

Assignees

• Polaris Inc

Inventors

• Hedlund Michael A
• Tharaldson Joseph D

Classifications

• F02D2400/08

  Redundant elements, e.g. two sensors for measuring the same parameter · CPC title

• F02D2200/0404

  Throttle position · CPC title

• F02D11/106 Primary

  Detection of demand or actuation · CPC title

• F02D2009/0294

  Throttle control device with provisions for actuating electric or electronic sensors · CPC title

• F02D41/0002

  Controlling intake air · CPC title