Integrated throttle control and idle validation sensor

An integrated throttle control sensor and idle validation sensor for an apparatus having an accelerator control device and electronic fuel control system, the accelerator control device being manually positionable to indicate throttle control by way of said sensor to said electronic fuel control system, said sensor comprising:

• housing means adapted for mounting to the accelerator control device and sealable to substantially isolate the interior of said housing against environmental conditions surrounding said sensor;
• mechanical input means to said sensor wherein said mechanical input to said sensor corresponds to manual throttle control positioning of said control device;
• sensor means within said housing and responsive to said mechanical input to generate an electrical throttle control signal corresponding to control device position and a bi-state electrical idle validation signal having a first state corresponding to an idle condition of said control device and a second state corresponding to a non-idle condition of said control device;
• and
• electrical output means making available said throttle control signal and said idle validation signal external of said housing for coupling to said electronic fuel control system.

An integrated throttle control signal and idle validation sensor comprising:

• sensor housing means adapted for mounting to an accelerator control device and sealable to substantially isolate the interior of said housing against environmental conditions surrounding said sensor;
• mechanical input to the interior of said housing and adapted for movement corresponding to accelerator control device movement;
• first conductive element interior of said housing;
• second conductive element interior of said housing;
• first wiper interior of said housing and adapted for selective electrical contact with said first and second conductive elements;
• a resistive element interior of said housing;
• second wiper element interior of said housing and adapted for electrical contact along the length of said resistive element;
• and
• mechanical coupling means interior of said housing and responsive to said mechanical input for relative coordinated movement of said first and second wipers relative to said first and second conductive elements and said resistive element, respectively, whereby movement of the accelerator control device from an idle position through a full throttle position corresponds to said first wiper contact with said first conductive element and subsequent contact with said second conductive element and continuous contact of said second wiper element with said resistive element.