Back to results
US 11,738,642 B2Granted
Electronic speed control system
AssigneeThe Toro Company
InventorsJeremy A. Fohrenkamm, Rebecca A. Springman, Kelly S. Meemken, Jamie Larson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims16
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.
7 more elements
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 more elements
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.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.