Electronic speed control system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11738642-B2
Application number	US-202117646456-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 29, 2021
Priority date	Feb 16, 2018
Publication date	Aug 29, 2023
Grant date	Aug 29, 2023

Abstract

A smart governor system that intercepts and adjusts throttle commands when certain criteria are met based on vehicle operations and a user-selected transmission mode. The governor, when engaged, reduces a throttle command in order limit engine and/or ground speed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An electronic speed control system for a vehicle, comprising:
a calibration selector;
a mechanical stop;
a throttle assembly including a throttle actuator having a throttle position;
the throttle assembly having a first component positioned to selectively contact the mechanical stop based on the throttle position of the throttle actuator;
an electronic control unit programmed to run an (Revolutions Per Minute) RPM calibration algorithm based on the calibration selector, comprising:
moving the first component of the throttle assembly against the mechanical stop;
determining an initial zero throttle position with the electronic control unit based on the throttle position of the throttle actuator;
increasing the throttle position of the throttle actuator and thereby increasing a corresponding RPM of an engine to a predetermined RPM value; and
determining a calculated zero throttle position based on the throttle position and the predetermined RPM value.

2. The electronic speed control system of claim 1 , wherein the first component of the throttle assembly is a lever.

3. The electronic speed control system of claim 2 , wherein the lever is a bell crank.

4. The electronic speed control system of claim 3 , wherein the bell crank includes a first edge that is configured to contact the mechanical stop.

5. The electronic speed control system of claim 4 , wherein the throttle actuator is connected to and configured to move the bell crank.

6. The electronic speed control system of claim 5 , wherein the determining the calculated zero throttle position is preceded by monitoring the throttle position of the actuator and the RPM of the engine with the electronic control unit.

7. The electronic speed control system of claim 6 , wherein the predetermined RPM value is configured to reduce a dead band in throttle response.

8. A vehicle with an electronic speed control system, comprising:
a chassis;
a ground engaging mechanism configured to support the chassis;
an engine supported by the chassis;
a mechanical stop;
a throttle assembly including a throttle actuator having a throttle position;
the throttle assembly having a first component positioned to selectively contact the mechanical stop based on the throttle position of the throttle actuator;
an electronic control unit configured to execute an (Revolutions Per Minute) RPM calibration algorithm, comprising:
actuating the throttle actuator to move the first component against the mechanical stop;
determining a physical zero throttle position based on the throttle position of the throttle actuator;
increasing the throttle position of the throttle actuator and thereby increasing a corresponding RPM of the engine to a predetermined RPM value; and
determining a calculated zero throttle position based on the throttle position and the predetermined RPM value.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the first component of the throttle assembly is a lever.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the lever is a bell crank.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the bell crank includes a first edge that is configured to contact the mechanical stop.

12. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the throttle actuator is connected to and configured to move the bell crank.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the determining the calculated zero throttle position is preceded by monitoring the throttle position of the actuator and the RPM of the engine with the electronic control unit.

14. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined RPM value is configured to reduce a dead band in throttle response.

15. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein determining the calculated zero throttle position further comprises maintaining the throttle position at the predetermined RPM value.

16. A method of calibrating an electrical zero throttle position of an electronic speed control system of a vehicle to a desired engine (Revolutions Per Minute) RPM comprising:
moving a first component of a throttle assembly against a mechanical stop;
determining an initial zero throttle position with an electronic control unit based on the throttle position of a throttle actuator with an electronic control unit;
increasing the throttle position of the throttle actuator and thereby increasing a corresponding RPM of an engine to a predetermined RPM value;
determining a calculated zero throttle position based on the throttle position and the predetermined RPM value with the electronic control unit.

Assignees

• The Toro Co

Inventors

• Fohrenkamm Jeremy A
• Springman Rebecca A
• Meemken Kelly S
• Larson Jamie

Classifications

• B60K28/10

  responsive to conditions relating to the vehicle · CPC title

• B60K31/0058 Primary

  responsive to externally generated signalling · CPC title

• B60K28/08

  responsive to conditions relating to the cargo, e.g. overload · CPC title

• F02D41/0225

  in relation with the gear ratio or shift lever position · CPC title

• B60K26/04 Primary

  of means connecting initiating means or elements to propulsion unit · CPC title