Lever-type operating apparatus

A lever-type operating apparatus is provided with a lever provided in a vicinity of a handgrip on a handlebar and a case fixed to the handlebar. A rotational shaft is provided in the case. The lever is rotatably supported by the rotational shafts. A return spring is provided in the case. The lever is normally urged to an initial state by the return spring. A detector is provided in the case. The detector is configured to detect a rotational operation angle of the lever. A driving source of a vehicle is controlled based on the rotational operation angle detected by the detector. The detector and the return spring are mounted on to the rotational shaft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lever-type operating apparatus to be used, for example, for controlling an engine of a vehicle based on a rotational operation angle of a lever.

2. Related Art

In so-called riding type vehicles such as watercraft or snowmobiles, they normally have a steering handlebar, and a lever-type throttle operating apparatus for controlling an engine may be provided on the handlebar. This lever-type throttle operating apparatus includes a lever and a case. The lever is installed in a vicinity of a handgrip mounted at a distal end of the handlebar so that a rider can rotationally operate the lever while gripping the handgrip. The case is fixed to the handlebar and rotatably supports the lever.

A lever-type throttle operating apparatus according to related art (which does not correspond to prior art) includes, for example, a lever which can rotate about a rotational shaft formed within the case, a link mechanism which extends from a proximal end portion of the lever and is operated in association with a rotational operation of the lever within the case, and a detection sensor for detecting an operation amount of the link mechanism. An operation amount of the link mechanism is detected by the detection sensor so as to detect a rotational operation angle of the lever to thereby control an engine of a vehicle based on the rotational operation amount of the lever so detected.

In the above related lever-type throttle operating apparatus, however, since there is provided the link mechanism which is operated in association with the lever, there may be a drawback that the apparatus is made large in whole. Namely, in the related apparatus, the link mechanism is provided so as to extend from the proximal end portion of the lever and the detection sensor is provided at a distal end portion of the link mechanism. Therefore, a large case is needed, so that a size of a whole of the apparatus becomes large.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention provide a lever-type operating apparatus which can downsizing the apparatus.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a lever-type operating apparatus is provided with: a lever1provided in a vicinity of a handgrip G on a handlebar H; a case2fixed to the handlebar H; a rotational shaft L, L1provided in the case2; a return spring6,7provided in the case2; and a detector3,4provided in the case2. The lever1is rotatably supported by the rotational shafts L, L1. The lever1is normally urged to an initial state by the return spring6,7. The detector3,4is configured to detect a rotational operation angle of the lever1. A driving source of a vehicle is controlled based on the rotational operation angle detected by the detector3,4. The detector3,4and the return spring6,7are mounted on to the rotational shaft L, L1of the lever1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, specific exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described by reference to drawings.

A lever-type operating apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment is to be fixed to a steering handlebar provided on a so-called riding-type vehicle such as a watercraft or a snowmobile and used for controlling an engine of the vehicle. (The engine of the vehicle may be an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, and so on.) As is shown inFIGS. 1 to 5, the lever-type operating apparatus includes mainly a lever1, a case2, a magnet3and an angle sensor4which make up a detection device, return springs (6,7), and a fixed friction plate8and a movable friction plate9which make up a resistance production device. In the drawings, reference character H denotes a steering handlebar provided on the vehicle, and reference character G denotes a handgrip which is mounted at a distal end of the handlebar H and to be gripped by a rider.

The lever1is installed in the case2which is installed in proximity to the handgrip G mounted at the distal end of the handlebar H so as to project from the case2, so that the rider can rotationally operate the lever1while gripping the handgrip G. For example, the lever1can be rotationally operated by the rider who extends his index finger or middle finger with which he or she grips on the handgrip G so as to pull the lever1towards him. When the lever1according to the embodiment is pulled towards the rider, the lever1rotates against urging forces of the return springs (6,7), which will be described later into a state shown inFIG. 3. A pair of connecting portions1awhich are connected to a rotational shaft L are formed at a proximal end portion of the lever1.

The case2is fixed to the handlebar H. In the case2, the rotational shaft L for rotatably supporting the lever1is provided. The rotational shaft L according to the first exemplary embodiment is made up of a shaft which is connected to the connecting portions1ato thereby be able to rotate in association with the rotation of the lever1. The rotational shaft L is mounted in the case2in a both-ends-supported construction in which the rotational shaft L is rotatably supported in the case2at both ends thereof. By this construction, since the rotational shaft L is mounted in the case2in the both-ends-supported construction in which the rotational shaft L is rotatably supported in the case2at both the ends thereof, a whole of the apparatus can be downsized while realizing a stable rotation of the lever1.

The detection device is installed within the case2. The detection device includes a sensor for detecting a rotational operation angle of the lever1. In the first exemplary embodiment, as is shown inFIGS. 4,5, the detection device is structured by a magnet3which is assembled on to the rotational shaft L so as to rotate together with the rotational shaft L and an angle sensor4which detects a change in magnetism from the magnet3so as to detect the rotational operation angle of the lever1.

The angle sensor4is made up of a chip-like element which can detect the change in magnetism from the magnet3so as to be able to detect the rotational angle. The angle sensor4is installed on a circuit board5on which a predetermined circuit is formed through printing and is fixed to a position lying close to the magnet3(a position close to the magnet3within the case2) so as to detect rotational angles of the magnet3and the rotational shaft L. Namely, the rotational shaft L rotates in association with the rotation of the lever1, and the magnet3rotates together with the rotational shaft L. Then, an output signal from the angle sensor4is increased or decreased as a magnetic field produced from the magnet3changes. Thus, the angle sensor4can detect the rotational operation angle of the lever1based on the output signal from the angle sensor4.

The signal is sent to an ECU provided on the riding-type vehicle via a wiring cord installed to extend from the circuit board5, where a controlling of the engine (an output control based on the rotational angle of the lever1) is effected based on the signal. According to this lever-type operating apparatus, since the rotational operation angle of the lever1can be detected in a non-contact fashion, compared with one having a mechanical mechanism such as a potentiometer, the durability of the apparatus can be increased, and the accuracy thereof can also be enhanced. The angle sensor4and the circuit board5are molded of predetermined resins, and hence, even in case a seal function between the case2and the rotational shaft L is damaged to call for an intrusion of water thereinto, the angle sensor4and the circuit board5can be prevented from being be subjected to intruding water.

The return springs (6,7) are installed within the case2and normally urge the lever1towards an initial state (a state before a rotational operation of the lever1occurs) thereof. Namely, the return springs (6,7) are each made up of a restoration spring which is fixed to the case2side at one end and is fixed to the rotational shaft L at the other end thereof, and when the rotational shaft L is rotated, the return springs are made to urge the rotational shaft L to its original state by their restoring forces.

The lever1is designed to naturally return to its initial position (a position before the lever1is rotationally operated) by the urging forces of the return springs (6,7) as the rider releases the operation force exerted on the lever1. In the first exemplary embodiment, a pair of return springs (6,7) are installed, and a return spring6is installed at one end portion (an upper end portion inFIG. 5) of the rotational shaft L and a return spring7is installed at the other end portion (a lower end portion in the same figure) of the rotational shaft L.

The fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9, which make up the resistance production device, produce a predetermined resistance when the lever1is rotationally operated. The fixed friction plate8is fixed to the case side2while allowing the rotational shaft L to pass through a substantially center thereof and is installed so as to be brought into abutment with a surface of the friction plate9on a surface thereof. The movable friction plate9is pressed against the surface of the fixed friction plate8on the surface thereof by a coil spring10while being fixed to the rotational shaft L.

Thus, the fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9are pressed against each other on the surfaces thereof by the coil spring10. Since the movable friction plate9rotates as the rotational shaft L rotates in association with the rotational operation of the lever1, a friction force is designed to be produced between the surfaces of the fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9. This friction force makes a resistance when the lever1is rotationally operated, whereby the rider can feel a predetermined operating sensation. In the first exemplary embodiment, while the resistance is produced by the fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9when the lever is rotationally operated, another resistance production means (a resistance produced is not limited to the friction force) may be adopted in place of the friction plates.

Here, in this embodiment, the magnet3making up the detection device, the return springs (6,7), the fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9(including the coil spring10) are all assembled on to the rotational shaft L of the lever1. Namely, the magnet3and the movable friction plate9are fixed to predetermined positions on the rotational shaft L, and the return springs (6,7), the fixed friction plate8and the coil spring10are fitted on the rotational shaft L. In a condition where these constituent elements are concentrically assembled, the rotational shaft L is connected to the connecting portions1aof the lever1.

According to the first exemplary embodiment, when the lever1is rotationally operated, the rotational shaft L rotates in association therewith. Therefore, a rotational operation angle of the lever1can be detected by detecting a rotational angle of the magnet3by the detection sensor4, and the engine is controlled in accordance with the rotational operation angle of the lever1(an engine output control is executed based on the rotational angle of the lever1). In addition, when the rotational shaft L is rotated, in addition to a force resisting the urging forces of the return springs (6,7), a force resisting the resistance (the friction resistance) by the resistance production device made up of the fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9is required, so that a predetermined operating feeling can be obtained.

In the first exemplary embodiment, while there is provided the resistance production device made up of the fixed friction plate8and the movable friction plate9, a configuration may be adopted in which the resistance production device is not provided and instead, the detection device (the magnet3and the angle sensor4) and the return springs (6,7) are assembled on to the rotational shaft L of the lever1. In addition, in the first exemplary embodiment, while there is provided the pair of return springs (6,7), a configuration may be adopted in which only either of the return springs (6,7) is assembled on to the rotational shaft L.

Further, according to the first exemplary embodiment, since the rotational shaft L is made up of the shaft which can rotate together with the lever1and is mounted in the case2in the both-ends-supported construction in which the rotational shaft L is rotatably supported on the case2at both the ends thereof, the apparatus can be downsized while realizing a stable rotation of the lever1. Since the rotational shaft1is connected to the pair of connecting portions1aat the proximal end portion of the lever1at both the ends thereof, the lever1can rotate more stably and smoothly.

Next, a lever-type operating apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described. Similar to the lever-type operating apparatus of the first exemplary embodiment, the lever-type operating apparatus of the second exemplary embodiment is to be fixed to a steering handlebar provided on a so-called riding-type vehicle such as a watercraft or a snowmobile, and used for controlling an engine of the vehicle. As is shown inFIGS. 6 to 10, the lever-type operating apparatus includes mainly a lever1, a case2, a magnet3and angle sensors4which make up a detection device, return springs (6,7), an oil seal11as a seal device and a magnetism shut-off plate12. The same reference numerals will be given to constituent elements which are similar to those of the first exemplary embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The lever1according to the second exemplary embodiment can rotate about rotational shafts L1, L2. The rotational shaft L1is made up of a shaft which can rotate in association with the rotation of the lever1, and the rotational shaft L2is made up of a pin-like fixed shaft which is fixed to the case2. Namely, the lever1is made to rotate relatively to the rotational shaft L2, while the lever1is made to rotate together with the rotational shaft L1. A distal end of the rotational shaft L2is fitted in a recess portion formed in one lateral surface of a sub-case S so as to be supported therein, and a pin13is fitted in one end of the rotational shaft L1.

The sub-case S is fixed to the case2, holds the other end portion of the rotational shaft L1rotatably and accommodates the magnet3and the return springs (6,7) which are assembled to the rotational shaft L1. In addition, a pair of spring bearing portion14are also accommodated in the sub-case S which bear end portions of the return springs (6,7), and the magnet3is installed between the pair of spring receiving portions14.

Thus, the rotational shaft L1is supported rotatably on the sub-case which accommodates the magnet3and the return springs (6,7) by being supported rotatably on the case2at one end (a right end inFIG. 7) and fixed in place within the case2at the other end (a left end in the same figure) and is supported rotatably while being sealed with the oil seal11(the seal member) at the one end so as to prevent the intrusion of water. In the second exemplary embodiment, when the lever is rotationally operated, since the rotational shaft L1rotates while the intrusion of water is prevented by the oil seal11, a predetermined resistance can be produced. Namely, the oil seal11has the water preventing function between the rotational shaft L1and the case2and the function as the resistance producing portion.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the angle sensors4are positioned in positions in proximity to the magnet3within the case2. Similar to the angle sensor4of the first exemplary embodiment, the angle sensors4detect a change in magnetism from the magnet3to detect a rotational angle of the magnet3and are mounted on a circuit board5on which a predetermined circuit is formed through printing. Particularly, in the second embodiment, the angle sensors4are mounted on front and rear surfaces of the circuit board5, and two output signals are outputted from the angle sensors4. As this occurs, in the event that output voltages of the two output signals are made to change in opposite directions, in case one of the angle sensors or a wiring thereof fails, the output voltage from the failed angle sensor4is reduced and the sum of the output signals differs. Thus, it can be recognized that there is occurring a defect in the angle sensor4in question or the wiring thereof. Even in this case, various controls can be executed by the other angle sensor4, thereby making it possible to secure the safety.

The magnetism shut-off plate12is made up of a member which is installed so as to cover the angle sensor4(as to cover the upper angle sensor4) to thereby shut off magnetism which attempts to access to the angle sensor4from an opposite side (an upper side in the figure) to the position where the magnet3is installed (a position at a lower portion in the figure). By this configuration, noise can be suppressed which would otherwise be produced by magnetism which attempts to access to from the opposite side (the upper side in the figure), thereby making it possible to detect the rotational operation angle of the lever with better accuracy.

Here, in the second exemplary embodiment, the magnet3making up the detection device and the return springs (6,7) (including the spring receiving portions14) are all assembled on to the rotational shaft L1of the lever1. Namely, the magnet3and the spring receiving portions14are fixed to predetermined positions on the rotational shaft L1, and the return springs (6,7) are fitted on the rotational shaft L1. In a condition where these constituent elements are concentrically assembled, the rotational shaft L1is mounted in the case2via the sub-case S.

According to the second exemplary embodiment, when the lever1is rotationally operated, the rotational shaft L1rotates in association therewith. Therefore, a rotational operation angle of the lever1can be detected by detecting a rotational angle of the magnet3by the detection sensors4, and the engine is controlled in accordance with the rotational operation angle of the lever1(that is, an engine output control is executed based on the rotational angle of the lever1). In the second exemplary embodiment, while there is provided the pair of return springs (6,7), a configuration may be adopted in which only either of the return springs (6,7) is assembled on to the rotational shaft L1.

Further, according to the second exemplary embodiment, the rotational shaft L1is made up of a shaft which rotates in association with the rotation of the lever1. One end of the rotational shaft L1is rotatably supported on the case2and the other end of the rotational shaft L1is rotatably supported on the sub-case S that is fixed within the case2and that accommodates the magnet3which makes up the detection device and the return springs (6,7). In addition, the apparatus includes the oil seal11(the seal member) which can prevent the intrusion of water while rotatably supporting the rotational shaft L1at the one end thereof. Therefore, a seal means such as the oil seal11does not have to be provided at the other end portion of the rotational shaft L1, thereby making it possible to reduce the production cost.

According to the first and second exemplary embodiments, since the magnet3of the detection device which detects the rotational operation angle of the lever1and the return springs (6,7) which normally urge the lever1towards the initial state thereof are assembled on to the rotational shaft (L, L1) of the lever1. When the apparatus of the exemplary embodiments is compared with the related lever-type throttle operating apparatus which includes the detection sensor for detecting the rotational angle of the rotational shaft via the link mechanism, the whole of the apparatus can be downsized.

While specific exemplary embodiments have been described, the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in place of the detection device which is made up of the magnet3and the angle sensor4, a detection device having a mechanical mechanism such as a potentiometer for detecting a rotational operation angle of the lever may be provided on to a lever1. In addition, in the exemplary embodiments, while the lever-type operating apparatus is described as being applied to the watercraft or the snowmobile, the invention may be applied to a lever-type operating apparatus for a so-called riding-type vehicle of a different type (such as an ATV or a buggy) in place of the watercraft or the snowmobile.

The invention can be applied to any lever-type operating apparatus which has a different external shape or to which a different function is added, provided that it is such that a detection device and return springs are assembled on to a rotational shaft of a lever.

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, a lever-type operating apparatus is provided with: a lever1provided in a vicinity of a handgrip G on a handlebar H; a case2fixed to the handlebar H; a rotational shaft L, L1provided in the case2, wherein the lever1is rotatably supported by the rotational shafts L, L1; a return spring6,7provided in the case2, wherein the lever1is normally urged to an initial state by the return spring6,7; and a detector3,4provided in the case2, wherein the detector3,4is configured to detect a rotational operation angle of the lever1, and wherein a driving source of a vehicle is controlled based on the rotational operation angle detected by the detector3,4. The detector3,4and the return spring6,7are mounted on to the rotational shaft L, L1of the lever1.

According to this structure, since the detector for detecting the rotational operation angle of the lever and the return spring which normally urges the lever towards the initial state thereof are assembled on to the rotational shaft of the lever, the apparatus can be downsized.

In the above structure, a resistance producing portion8,9,11for producing a resistance to a rotational movement of the lever1may be mounted on to the rotational shaft L. L1.

According to this structure, since there is provided the resistance producing portion for producing the predetermined resistance to the movement of the lever and the resistance producing portion is assembled on to the rotational shaft of the lever together with the detector and the return spring, the apparatus can be downsized while increasing the operability of the lever.

In the above structure, the rotational shaft L may be integrally rotatable with the lever, and both ends of the rotational shaft L is rotatably supported on the case2.

According to this structure, the apparatus can be downsized while realizing a stable rotation of the lever.

In the above structure, a sub-case S may be provided in the case2, and the detector3,4and the return spring6,7may be accommodated in the sub-case. The rotational shaft may include a shaft member L1that is integrally rotatable with the lever1. One end of the shaft member L1may be rotatably supported on the case2. The other end of the shaft member L1may be rotatably supported on the sub-case. The one end of the shaft member L1may be rotatably supported by a seal member for providing a waterproofing function.

According to this structure, no a seal member needs to be provided at the other end portion, thereby making it possible to reduce the production cost.

In the above structure, the detector may include: a magnet3mounted on to the rotational shaft L, L1so as to integrally rotate with the rotational shaft L, L1; and an angle sensor4provided in the case2and configured to detect a change in magnetism from the magnet3so as to detect the rotational operation angle of the lever1.

According to this structure, the rotational operation angle of the lever can be detected with good accuracy.

In the above structure, a magnetism shut-off plate12that covers the angle sensor4and configured to shut off magnetism which directs to the angle sensor from an opposite side of the magnet3may be provided.

According to this structure, noise which would otherwise be produced by magnetism which attempts to access from the opposite side can be suppressed, thereby making it possible to detect the rotational operation angle of the lever with better accuracy.

While description has been made in connection with a specific exemplary embodiments and modifications thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the present invention. It is aimed, therefore, to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications falling within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS