Analog controller for electronic throttle body
A throttle assembly for an engine may include a remote throttle lever, a sensor, and a terminal. The remote throttle lever may be coupled physically to a user input device and operable to be moved under control of the user input device. The sensor is configured to detect a position of the remote throttle lever and generate an output signal indicative of the position of the remote throttle lever. The terminal configured to provide the output signal to a controller of the engine.
1. A throttle control device for an engine, the throttle control device comprising:
a throttle lever configured to receive user input, wherein the throttle lever is movable within a range of positions including a first position and a second position in response to the user input;
a sensor configured to detect the position of the throttle lever in the range of positions and generate an output signal indicative of the position of the throttle lever;
a terminal configured to provide the output signal to a controller of the engine; and
a calibration input configured to reset a reference position of the sensor relative to the throttle lever to the second position when the calibration input is actuated by a user after moving the throttle lever to the second position.
2. The throttle control device of claim 1 , further comprising a cable that couples the throttle lever to a user input device.
3. The throttle control device of claim 1 , wherein a voltage of the output signal is proportional to the position of the throttle lever.
4. The throttle control device of claim 1 , wherein the terminal is located within a connector.
5. The throttle control device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor.
6. The throttle control device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a potentiometer having a variable resistance depending on the position of the throttle lever.
7. The throttle control device of claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a linear variable differential transformer.
8. The throttle control device of claim 1 , wherein the calibration input is one of a button, slider, or clip.
9. An engine comprising:
an electronic control unit;
a throttle control device comprising:
a throttle lever configured to receive user input, wherein the throttle lever is movable within a range of positions including a first position and a second position in response to the user input;
a sensor configured to detect the position of the throttle lever in the range of positions and generate an output signal indicative of the position of the throttle lever;
a terminal configured to provide the output signal to the electronic control unit of the engine; and
a calibration input configured to reset a reference position of the sensor relative to the throttle lever to the second position as a result of a user moving the throttle lever from the first position to the second position and actuating the calibration input; and
an actuator configured to operate a throttle of the engine in response to a throttle position signal from the electronic control unit.
10. The engine of claim 9 , further comprising a cable that couples the throttle lever to a user input device.
11. The engine of claim 9 , wherein a voltage of the output signal is proportional to the position of the throttle lever.
12. The engine of claim 9 , wherein the terminal is located within a connector.
13. The engine of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a magnetic sensor.
14. The engine of claim 9 , wherein the sensor comprises a potentiometer having a variable resistance depending on the position of the throttle lever.
15. The engine of claim 9 , wherein the sensor includes a linear variable differential transformer.
16. A method for operating a throttle of an engine, the method comprising:
receiving a user input at a throttle lever of a throttle control device;
detecting a position of the throttle lever via a sensor of the throttle control device;
generating an output signal indicative of the position of the throttle lever;
calibrating the throttle lever via a calibration input of the throttle control device, the calibration input configured to reset a reference position of the sensor relative to the throttle lever in response to the throttle lever being moved to a new reference position and the calibration input being actuated; and
controlling the throttle, via an actuator, according to the output signal.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein controlling the throttle according the output signal comprises generating a command to move a throttle plate.
18. The method of claim 16 , wherein detecting the position of the throttle lever comprises measuring a resistance, the resistance indicative of the position of the throttle lever.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein detecting the position of the throttle lever comprises measuring an inductance, the inductance indicative of the position of the throttle lever.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein detecting the position of the throttle lever comprises measuring the position of the throttle lever with a position sensor.
21. The throttle control device of claim 1 , further comprising a housing, wherein the calibration input is movably supported by the housing.