Automatic speed control system for motorcycles
Contents
1. a valve seat 74 that has a radially extend ing passage 75 formed at its base that communicates the passageway 73 with the vacuum conduit 68 at all times The atmospheric vent 67 is formed in a plunger 76 that is slidably supported within a solenoid winding 77 which is in turn contained within the housing 72 A coil compression spring 78 normally urges the plunger 76 to the left as viewed in FIG 4 so as to maintain the atmospheric vent passage 67 spaced from the valve seat 74 so as to bleed atmospheric air into the passage 73 and effectively disable the diaphragm 53 The vacuum pump 69 includes an electric driving motor 79 which operates a vacuum pumping element 81 that draws air from the conduit 68 through a check valve 82 and discharges it to the atmosphere through an atmospheric conduit 83 and check valve 84 In this way operation of the pumping element 81 will effectively evacuate the line 68 In order to modulate the amount of vacuum gener ated by the pump 69 an atmospheric bleed valve 85 is provided in a conduit 86 that tees into the vacuum line 68 As the valve 85 is opened it will bleed atmospheric 4 966 247 5 air into the line 68 and decrease the amount of vacuum generated by the pump 69 so as to modulate the position of the diaphragm 53 The valve 85 may be of the electri cally controlled type and includes a solenoid winding 86 When the operator decides to control the motorcycle 11 in an automatic speed control mod2. circuit Thus the operator may deactivate the automatic speed control either by turning the speed control switch 19 off or by opening the kill switch 21 When the speed control switch 19 is closed so as to initiate the speed control a holding relay switch 97 will also be activated so as to close the circuit to the control box 71 There are provided in the circuit for the auto matic control of the speed control a series of disabling switches so as to deactivate the speed control under a number of additional operator controls independent of the main speed control switch 19 or the kill switch 21 For example if the operator wishes to completely deactivate the automatic speed control he need merely rotate the accelerator grip 17 to the idle position wherein the cam 22 will engage a contact 98 of a disable switch 99 of the speed control FIG 3 Then the con trol unit 71 will be automatically deactivated This switch 99 is contained within the control box 18 and is sealed within it Alternatively the disable switch may be mounted on the carburetor 13 so as to be engaged by the lever 41 when it is moved to its idle position In addition to the disabling of the automatic speed control by moving of the manual throttle to its idle position it is also possible to disable it by operating the front hand brake control 101 which opens a switch 102 the rear brake control 103 which opens a switch 104 or the clutch control 105 which opens a switch 1
3. is a side elevational view with portions shown in section of the power device of the automatic speed control FIG 5 is a perspective view showing the dashboard of the motorcycle FIG 6 is a schematic view showing the wiring dia gram of the automatic speed control DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the drawings the reference numeral 11 indicates generally a motorcycle having a speed control mecha nism constructed in accordance with the invention The motorcycle 11 includes an engine indicated generally by the reference numeral 12 which has an engine speed control device In the illustrated embodiment the en gine 12 is of the type that includes one or more carbure tors indicated generally by the reference numeral 13 and which includes a throttle valve 14 that is rotatably journaled on a throttle valve shaft 15 for controlling the speed of the associated engine 12 in a known manner The motorcycle 11 is equipped with a handbar assem bly 16 that carries at one of its ends a rotatable accelera tor grip 17 The accelerator grip 17 is juxtaposed to a control box 18 that contains a speed control switch 19 and a kill switch 21 The kill switch 21 is provided for 4 966 247 3 selectively disabling or stopping the engine 12 The speed control switch 19 as will become apparent is operative to control an automatic speed control for controlling the speed of the engine 12 in a manner to be described Within th
4. motorcy cle Such an automatic speed control includes throttle means for controlling the vehicle speed operator con trol means for selectively positioning the throttle means and automatic speed control means for operating the throttle means to operate the vehicle at a preset speed under selective control of the operator In accordance with this feature of the invention there is provided an indicator of actual vehicle speed and an indicator of the preselected speed Yet another feature of the invention is also adapted to be embodied in an automatic speed control for a motor cycle that includes throttle means for controlling the vehicle speed operator control means for selectively positioning the throttle means and automatic speed control means for selectively operating the throttle means to operate the vehicle at a preset speed In accor dance with this feature of the invention indicator means are provided for giving an indication of when the auto matic speed control means is selectively operable BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG 1 is a side elevational view of a motorcycle having an automatic speed control mechanism con structed in accordance with an embodiment of the in vention FIG 2 is a partially schematic view showing the automatic speed control mechanism and its various controls FIG 3 is a partially schematic perspective view showing the construction of the throttle actuating mechanism of the embodiment FIG 4
5. 06 These disabling switches are all of a known type and are oper ated in the control circuit with the control box 71 in a known manner It should be readily apparent that the described ar rangement permits a very effective speed control for a motorcycle and further permits the operator to manu ally override the speed control and reduce the speed of the vehicle without disabling the automatic speed con trol In addition the automatic speed control may be switched off in any of a plurality of manners When this is done the control device 71 shuts off the vacuum pump 69 and opens the valve 66 to the atmospheric vent 67 so as to disable the vacuum motor 52 In addition when the speed is manually reduced by the rider while the speed control device is still engaged the rider will be given a signal that the speed control is still operative and furthermore the operator will be provided with an indication as to the preset speed by the needle 95 Although an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described various changes and modifica 4 966 247 7 tions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims We claim 1 In an automatic speed control for a motorcycle comprising throttle means for controlling vehicle speed Operator control means for selectively positioning said throttle means and selectively operable automatic speed control means for operating said throt
6. 1 the speed ometer 89 and specifically its face is banded with a color band 94 which is preferably of the same color as the indicator light 93 which indicates the permissible range or operating range through which the automatic speed control device is operative Thus the operator can tell by the position of the needle 92 and the band 94 if he is operating at a speed which setting of the speed control by closing the switch 19 will permit the trav elled speed to be maintained In addition to the needle 92 there is provided a fur ther needle 95 which operates together with the needle 92 at such times as when the speed control is not switched on That is when the switch 19 is off the needles 92 and 95 will rotate together Through a suit able mechanism when the switch 19 is closed the nee dle 95 will be locked in position so as to indicate to the operator the actual speed which he has preset for the automatic speed control device The reason for this will also become apparent as the description proceeds If the operator desires to deactivate the automatic speed control this may be done in any of a number of ways In addition the operator can override the auto matic speed control and cause deceleration of the en gine 12 and motorcycle 11 even when still operating in the automatic mode This later operation will be de scribed first As has been previously noted the accelerator grip 17 is directly coupled to the throttle valve 14 t
7. United States Patent x Masuda 4 966 247 Oct 30 1990 111 Patent Number 451 Date of Patent 54 AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MOTORCYCLES 75 Inventor Yutaka Masuda Fukuroi Japan Yamana Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Iwata Japan 73 Assignee 21 Appl No 261 130 22 Filed Oct 24 1988 Related U S Application Data 62 Division of Ser No 930 231 Nov 13 1986 Pat No 4 796 716 which is a division of Ser No 645 494 Aug 29 1984 Pat No 4 587 937 30 Foreign Application Priority Data Aug 31 1989 JP Japan emmm 58 1600037 51 Int CLS imerso B60K 31 18 B60K 31 00 52 U S Ch NA 180 171 180 170 180 219 340 441 58 Field of Search 180 171 176 177 170 180 219 340 54 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 133 407 1 1979 Schantz o mmoninniconirisnonsonsarnness 180 177 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Buick Chassis Service Manual Buick Motor Div GMC Flint Mich 10 1980 pp Contents 8C4 and 9B1 Primary Examiner Albert W Davis Jr Attorney Agent or Firm Ernest A Beutler 57 ABSTRACT An automatic speed control mechanism for a motorcy cle that embodies a separately driven vacuum pump for controlling the throttle valve of the motorcycle inde pendently of its induction system vacuum In addition an indicator system is provided that indicates when the automatic speed control is operative and further which indicates the preset speed and th
8. e the set switch 19 is closed At this time a comparator indicated generally by the reference numeral 87 will note the actual speed of travel of the motorcycle 11 and provide a signal to the control box 71 of the preset speed The vacuum pump 69 and control valve 66 will then be operated so as to actuate the vacuum motor 52 and move the dia phragm 53 so that the wire 55 is tensioned and rotate the actuating element 58 so as to rotate the control member 28 to maintain the throttle valve 14 in the preset position necessary to maintain the desired vehicle speed It should be noted that the vacuum motor 52 exerts suffi cient force on the control member 28 and on the throttle valve 15 so as to overcome the force of the return spring Thus it is possible to maintain automatic speed control under this mode The motorcycle 11 is provided with a dashboard 88 FIGS 2 and 5 that includes among its instruments a speedometer 89 that has a calibrated gauge 91 so as to indicate speed A first relatively long needle 92 is driven by the speed sensing mechanism so as to indicate the actual speed of travel of the motorcycle 11 In addi tion when the speed control switch 19 is turned on an indicator light 93 positioned adjacent the speedometer 89 or within its face will be illuminated so as to provide the rider with an indication that the speed control has been activated The reason for this will become appar ent In addition to having the speed gauge 9
9. e actual speed of travel A manual arrangement is provided for manually over riding the automatic speed control so as to reduce vehi cle speed without disabling the automatic speed control device 2 Claims 6 Drawing Sheets US Patent Oct 30 1990 Sheet 1 of 6 4 966 247 Figure 1 U S Patent Oct 30 1990 Sheet 2of6 4 966 247 Figure 2 Falo LAS 103 96 E US Patent Oct 30 1990 Sheet 3 of 6 4 966 247 Figure 3 US Patent Oct 30 1990 Sheet 4 of 6 4 966 247 51 Figure 4 82 me EN sae AS UA LARA o a a 85 6 4 966 247 US Patent oct 30 1990 Sheet 6 of 6 4 966 247 Figure 6 4 966 247 1 AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR MOTORCYCLES This is a division of U S patent application Ser No 930 231 filed Nov 13 1986 now U S Pat No 4 796 716 granted Jan 10 1989 which application was a divisional of Ser No 645 494 filed Aug 29 1984 and has issued as U S Pat No 4 587 937 on May 13 1986 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automatic speed control system for motorcycles and more particularly to an improved power source for such automatic speed con trols and an improved indicating system for such de vices The use of automatic speed control devices com monly called cruise controls has been widely ac cepted with automobiles Although such devices have been applied primarily to automobil
10. e control box 18 the accelerator grip 17 is provided with a cam member 22 that is rotatably affixed to the accelerator grip 17 A throttle opening control wire 23 is provided that is comprised of a wire actuator 24 that has one of its ends affixed to the cam 22 as by a ferrule 25 The bulk of the length of the wire 24 is sur rounded by a protective sheath 26 The opposite end of the wire 24 passes into a coupling device indicated generally by the reference numeral 27 and which in cludes a rotatable control member 28 This end of the wire 24 is affixed to the rotatable control member 28 as by means of a ferrule 29 In this way motion may be transmitted from the accelerator grip 16 to the control member 28 in a throttle opening direction as will be described The control member 28 is rotatably jour naled in a suitable manner in a casing 31 of the coupling device 27 A throttle closing wire indicated generally by the reference numeral 32 has a wire actuator 33 which is connected at one of its ends to the cam 22 by means of a ferrule 37 Like the throttle opening wire actuator 23 the major portion of the length of the control wire 36 is encircled by a protective sheath 38 The opposite end of the throttle closing wire 36 is connected to the control member 28 by means of a ferrule 39 Rotation of the accelerator grip 16 in a counterclock wise direction as viewed in FIG 3 places a tension on the throttle opening wire 24 which will rotate
11. ening direction Clockwise rotation of the control member 28 will cause the throttle closing control wire 47 to be tensioned and rotate the lever 41 and throttle valve 14 in the closing direction As has been previously noted this rotation is also as sisted by the return spring It should be readily appar ent therefore that a positive connection is provided between the accelerator grip 17 and the carburetor 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 65 4 throttle valve 14 so that these two elements will be interdependent upon each other for their positioning In accordance with the invention the motorcycle 11 is also provided with an automatic speed control includ ing an actuator device indicated generally by the refer ence numeral 51 The actuator device 51 is comprised of a vacuum motor 52 that includes a diaphgram 53 that is connected by means of a connector 54 to one end of a control wire 55 of a automatic control wire assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 56 The major portion of the length of the control wire 55 is encircled by a protective sheath 57 The opposite end of the control wire 55 extends into the coupling device 27 and is specifically connected to an actuating element 58 that is journaled within the housing 31 for rotation relative to the control member 28 in an appropriate manner A ferrule 59 provides the connection between the actuating wire 55 and the actuating element 58 The act
12. es there are a num ber of advantages to utilizing such systems in connec tion with motorcycles Many of the automotive advan tages apply equally well to motorcycles and further more there are additional reasons why such devices are particularly useful in connection with motorcycles In spite of their utility in motorcycle applications there have been some factors which have precluded their use For example all of the typical automotive speed control devices employ a vacuum motor for automati cally positioning the throttle valve of the engine to maintain the vehicle speed at the preset value Such a power source is not particularly adaptable for motorcy cles since the motorcycle engine does not normally provide sufficient induction system vacuum to operate the throttle valve In addition the use of intake mani fold vacuum as the power source could adversely affect the running of the motorcycle It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide an improved speed control device for a motor cycle It is another object of this invention to provide a motorcycle speed control that is independent of engine induction system vacuum for its power It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved vacuum power source for a speed control system In an automotive speed control the operator nor mally removes his foot from the accelerator pedal dur ing automatic speed control operation With a motorcy cle
13. hrough the control wire arrangement previously described Thus if the operator rotates the accelerator grip 17 in a throttle closing direction even when the automatic speed con trol is engaged the throttle closing wire 36 will be tensioned and the control member 28 will be rotated in 20 25 40 45 65 6 a clockwise direction This is possible since the force exerted by the operator control is greater than the force exerted by the automatic speed control and specifically the vacuum motor 52 Therefore the operator is able to overcome the actuator 52 and effect manual throttle closing even when the automatic speed control is set Since it is possible for the rider to decrease the speed of the motorcycle 11 even when the speed control de vice is switched on the needle 95 and indicator light 93 are useful in warning the operator that the speed control is still operative even though he has changed the speed of travel and the speed which will be resumed in the event he releases his pressure on the accelerator grip 17 Thus the operator is provided with a forewarning of the conditions that will exist and an additional factor of safety is provided Referring now to the circuit schematic of FIG 6 it should be noted that the automatic speed control mech anism and specifically the control box 71 is wired in circuit with the kill switch 21 and the speed control switch 19 In addition a main ignition switch 96 is pro vided in this
14. on the other hand the rider will normally keep his hand on the accelerator handgrip even when operating in a speed control mode Furthermore even when oper ating in the speed control mode it is desirable to permit the rider to temporarily decelerate the motorcycle without completing disabling the automatic speed con trol It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide an improved indicating device for indicating to the rider when the speed control is operative It is another object of the invention to provide an indicator for the automatic speed control of a motorcy cle that will indicate the deviation of the operator con trolled speed from that for which the automatic speed has been set SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first feature of this invention is adapted to be em bodied in an automatic speed control for a motorcycle 5 10 20 25 30 35 45 50 65 2 comprising throttle means for controlling vehicle speed operator control means for selectively positioning the throttle means and automatic speed control means for operating the throttle means to operate the vehicle at a preset speed In accordance with this feature of the invention power means powered independently of the induction system vacuum are incorporated as a part of the automatic speed control means for operating the throttle valve Another feature of the invention is also adapted to be embodied in an automatic speed control for a
15. the con trol member 28 also in a clockwise direction This direc tion is indicated by the solid arrow in FIG 3 Rotation in the opposite direction will tension the throttle closing wire 36 and will rotate the control 28 in a throttle clos ing direction An actuating lever 41 is affixed to the throttle valve shaft 15 for rotatably positioning the throttle valve 14 A throttle opening control wire indicated generally by the reference numeral 42 has a control wire 43 that is affixed at one of its ends to the lever 41 by means of a ferrule 44 The opposite end of the throttle opening control wire 43 is affixed to the control member 28 by means of a ferrule 45 A throttle closing control wire assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 46 has a throttle closing control wire 47 that is affixed at one end to the lever 41 at a point spaced on the opposite side of the ferrule 44 by means of a ferrule 48 In addition a throt tle closing return spring not shown is provided that is operative on the lever 41 for biasing the throttle valve 14 to its closed or idle position The opposite end of the throttle closing control wire 47 is affixed to the control member 28 by means of a ferrule 49 Because of the aforedescribed connection rotation of the control member 28 in a counterclockwise direction causes a tension to be exerted on the throttle opening control wire 43 so as to rotate the lever 41 and throttle valve 14 in a clockwise or op
16. tle means to 10 15 20 25 30 35 45 50 55 65 8 operate the vehicle at a preset speed the improvement comprising indicator means for indicating only when the automatic speed control means is selectively ener gized to control engine speed 2 In an automatic speed control as set forth in claim 1 wherein the indicator means comprises an indicator light gt k
17. uating element 58 is provided with a pair of lugs 61 that are adapted to engage at times lugs 62 formed on the control member 28 The lugs 61 and 62 provide in effect a lost motion connection between the actuating element 58 and the control member 28 so that the con trol member 28 may freely move in a throttle opening direction without interference from the actuating ele ment 58 However rotation of the actuating element 58 in the throttle opening position will cause the lugs 61 to engage the lugs 62 and to open the throttle valve 14 in a manner to be described Referring now primarily to FIGS 2 and 4 the actuat ing device 51 and specifically the diaphgram 53 forms a chamber 63 in which a coil compression spring 64 is contained for normally urging the diaphgram 53 in a throttle closing direction The chamber 63 is connected to a conduit 65 which extends from a control valve assembly 66 The control valve assembly 66 is adapted to connect the conduit 65 to either an atmospheric vent 67 or a vacuum line 68 The vacuum line 68 is fed by an electrically operated vacuum pump 69 The vacuum pump 69 and control valve 66 are controlled by a con trol box 71 that is operative so as to control the vacuum pump 69 and valve 66 when actuated so as to maintain a preset vehicle speed The control valve assembly 66 is comprised of a main housing 72 in which a passageway 73 is formed that communicates with the conduit 65 The passageway 73 terminates at
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