JP2026000714A - Throttle grip device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a throttle grip device that can lock the current-carrying wiring extending from the current-carrying means of the throttle grip at a predetermined position and that does not require a separate dedicated member for locking the current-carrying wiring.
[Solution] In a throttle grip device comprising a fixed member C fixed to the handlebar H of a vehicle, a throttle grip 1 attached near the fixed member C and capable of being rotated by the driver, and a heating means 2 attached to the throttle grip 1 and connected to an electrical wiring h extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle, the fixed member C has a cover member 7 that covers a predetermined portion, and a locking portion 7a that locks the electrical wiring h is integrally formed with the cover member 7.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a throttle grip device that is attached to the handlebars of a vehicle and can be rotated by the driver.

Vehicles equipped with handlebars, such as motorcycles, have handlebar grips attached to the left and right ends of the handlebars. These handlebar grips are formed with gripping portions that are grasped by the rider, and a heating device has been proposed for heating these gripping portions. This heating device has a heating element that can generate heat when electricity is applied from a battery installed in the vehicle, and the heating element is attached inside the handlebar grip to enable heating.

Such heating devices require the wiring extending to the vehicle's battery to be fixed at a desired position on the vehicle body. However, when applied to a throttle grip device that heats the throttle grip, the wiring from the heating device to its fixed position on the vehicle moves in response to the rotation of the throttle grip, making it necessary to check the durability of the wiring against repeated movement.

In response to this, a throttle grip device has been proposed in the past, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. This device attaches a metal stay to a switch case (fixed member) fixed to the tip of the handlebar, and secures the current-carrying wiring to the stay with a cable tie. This allows the current-carrying wiring of the heating device to be fixed at any position on the switch case, preventing the current-carrying wiring from moving when the throttle grip is rotated, thereby improving durability.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-39459

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, the current-carrying wiring of the heating device formed on the throttle grip is fixed to a fixed member, which prevents the current-carrying wiring from moving when the throttle grip is rotated. However, since a separate dedicated member such as a stay is required to secure the wiring, a new issue of preventing an increase in the number of parts is anticipated. Note that this issue is not limited to heating devices, but is common to throttle grip devices in which various current-carrying means that require current-carrying wiring for current flow are attached to the throttle grip.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a throttle grip device that can lock the current-carrying wiring extending from the current-carrying means of the throttle grip in a predetermined position and eliminates the need for a separate dedicated member for locking the current-carrying wiring.

The invention described in claim 1 is a throttle grip device comprising a fixed member fixed to the handlebars of a vehicle, a throttle grip attached near the fixed member and rotatable by the driver, and an energizing means attached to the throttle grip and connected to an energizing wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle, wherein the fixed member has a cover member that covers a predetermined portion, and a locking portion that locks the energizing wire is integrally formed with the cover member.

The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the throttle grip device of claim 1, the current-carrying means comprises a heating means attached to the grip portion of the throttle grip and capable of generating heat when current is applied to heat the grip portion.

The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the throttle grip device of claim 1, the fixing member comprises a switch case having an operating section capable of operating various electrical components mounted on the vehicle and an intermediate connector connectable to a vehicle connector of vehicle wiring extending from the vehicle, the intermediate connector being formed separately from the switch case at a predetermined location on the switch case, and the connection portion between the intermediate connector and the vehicle wiring being covered by the cover member.

The invention described in claim 4 is the throttle grip device described in claim 1, characterized in that the cover member is detachably attached to a predetermined portion of the fixed member, and at least a portion of its surface is attached flush with the surface of the fixed member.

The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in the throttle grip device of claim 1, the fixed member houses an interlocking member that rotates together with the rotation of the throttle grip and a rotation angle detection means that detects the rotation angle of the throttle grip by detecting the rotation angle of the interlocking member, the throttle grip is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions, and when the throttle grip is rotated in the forward direction from its initial position, the vehicle's drive source can be controlled in accordance with the rotation angle of the throttle grip detected by the rotation angle detection means, and when the throttle grip is rotated in the reverse direction from its initial position, predetermined electrical equipment of the vehicle can be operated.

According to the invention of claim 1, the fixing member has a cover member that covers a predetermined portion, and a locking portion that locks the current-carrying wiring is integrally formed with the cover member. This allows the cover member that covers the predetermined portion to have the function of fixing the current-carrying wiring, allowing the current-carrying wiring extending from the current-carrying means of the throttle grip to be locked in a predetermined position, and eliminating the need for a separate dedicated member for fixing the current-carrying wiring.

According to the invention of claim 2, the current-carrying means is attached to the grip portion of the throttle grip and comprises a heating means that generates heat when current is passed through it, thereby heating the grip portion. This allows the current-carrying wiring extending from the heating means to be fixed in a predetermined position, and eliminates the need for a separate dedicated member for fastening the current-carrying wiring.

According to the invention of claim 3, the relay connector is formed separately from the switch case at a predetermined location on the switch case, and the connection portion between the relay connector and the vehicle wiring is covered with a cover member. This allows the cover member to provide waterproofing and dustproofing for the connection portion between the relay connector and the vehicle wiring, as well as to retain the current-carrying wiring.

According to the invention of claim 4, the cover member is detachably attached to a predetermined portion of the fixed member, and at least a portion of its surface is attached flush with the surface of the fixed member, thereby preventing the design of the fixed member from being impaired by the attachment of the cover member.

According to the invention of claim 5, the throttle grip can be rotated in both the forward and reverse directions. This allows for a larger rotation angle compared to throttle grips that can only be rotated in the forward direction. Even if the current wiring moves over a wider range in response to the rotation of the throttle grip, by fixing the current wiring extending from the throttle grip's current-carrying means in a predetermined position, it is possible to eliminate the need to check the durability of the current wiring for each vehicle model.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a front appearance of a throttle grip device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the rear side appearance of a throttle grip device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are front and bottom views showing the appearance of the throttle grip device; 1A and 1B are side and rear views showing the appearance of the throttle grip device; Cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the throttle grip device with the cover member removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a throttle grip of the throttle grip device. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a heating means is attached to the throttle grip. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of a switch case in the throttle grip device. 3A and 3B are three-view diagrams showing a cover member of the throttle grip device; XI-XI line cross section in FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing the cover member of the throttle grip device before the current-carrying wire is locked, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the cover member of the throttle grip device after the current-carrying wire is locked. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a current-carrying wire that moves in response to a rotational operation of the throttle grip in the throttle grip device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The throttle grip device of this embodiment is capable of heating the grip portion of a throttle grip attached to a vehicle such as a motorcycle, and as shown in Figures 1 to 9, is configured to include a throttle grip 1 attached to the handlebar H (handle pipe) of the motorcycle, heating means 2 (see Figure 8) as an electrical current supply means, a fixing member C, an interlocking member 3, a rotation angle detection means 5 for detecting the rotation angle of the throttle grip 1, electrical wiring h extended from the heating means 2, and a cover member 7.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the throttle grip 1 is attached near a fixed member C fixed to the handlebar H and can be rotated around an axis while being gripped by the driver. In this embodiment, it can be rotated in a forward direction α and a reverse direction β. When the throttle grip 1 is rotated in the forward direction α from its initial position, the vehicle's drive source (engine, drive motor, etc.) can be controlled in accordance with the rotation angle of the throttle grip 1 detected by the rotation angle detection means 5. When the throttle grip 1 is rotated in the reverse direction β from its initial position, it can operate specified electrical equipment on the vehicle (for example, the cruise control system can be turned off).

As shown in FIG. 5, the throttle grip 1 according to this embodiment comprises an outer member 1a made of a specific resin material (e.g., soft resin such as elastomer or rubber), an inner member 1b made of a cylindrically molded hard resin (e.g., hard resin such as glass fiber-reinforced nylon 6), and a heating means 2 interposed between the outer member 1a and the inner member 1b. Furthermore, a locking projection 1ba capable of engaging with the interlocking member 3 is formed on the base end of the inner member of the throttle grip 1.

As shown in Figure 8, the heating means 2 is attached to the grip portion of the throttle grip 1 and is connected to an electrical wiring h extending from the vehicle's battery (not shown). When energized, the heating means 2 generates heat to heat the grip portion. Specifically, the heating means 2 in this embodiment is made of a flexible substrate on which a heating wire pattern is formed. As shown in Figure 8, the heating means 2 is wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the inner member 1b and connected to the electrical wiring h via the connection portion a.

Then, the inner member 1b wrapped around the heating means 2 is placed in a specified mold, and the outer member 1a made of a specified resin material is insert-molded onto its outer periphery, thereby obtaining a throttle grip 1 with the heating means 2 embedded inside.

The current-carrying wiring h electrically connects the heating means 2 to the vehicle's battery, and consists of a wiring cord that allows current to flow through the heating means 2. When current is passed through the heating means 2, the area where the heating wire pattern is formed generates heat, thereby heating the grip portion of the throttle grip 1.

As shown in Figures 1-3, the fixed member C consists of a switch case fixed to the tip end of the handlebar H of the motorcycle (vehicle) (the base end of the throttle grip 1), and is constructed by mating two half-split members. This fixed member C is formed with operating sections t1-t3 for operating various electrical components equipped on the vehicle, and, as shown in Figure 5, is also equipped with a unit case Y that houses an interlocking member 3, a rotating member 4, and a rotation angle detection means 5.

The interlocking member 3 engages with a locking protrusion 1ba (see Figure 7) formed at the base end of the throttle grip 1 and can rotate together with the rotation of the throttle grip 1. A gear portion is formed in part of the interlocking member 3, and it is biased to its initial position by a forward return spring S1 and a reverse return spring S2. The rotating member 4 is made of a disc-shaped member with a gear portion formed on its outer periphery that can mate with the gear portion of the interlocking member 3, and is rotatable together with the rotation of the interlocking member 3. A magnet M is also attached to the rotating member 4, and the rotating member 4 and magnet M can rotate together with the rotation of the interlocking member 3.

The rotation angle detection means 5 detects the rotation angle of the interlocking member 3, thereby detecting the rotation angle of the throttle grip 1, and transmits the detection signal to an electronic control device such as an ECU mounted on the motorcycle via vehicle-side wiring w1. It is configured with a magnetic sensor capable of detecting magnetic changes in the magnet M. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the rotation angle detection means 5 consists of a magnetic sensor attached to a substrate 6, and by detecting changes in the magnetism generated by the magnet M, it is possible to detect the rotation angle of the interlocking member 3 and, therefore, the rotation angle of the throttle grip 1.

A connector 10 is integrally formed with the unit case Y that houses the rotation angle detection means 5. A vehicle-side connector D1 formed at the tip of the vehicle-side wiring w1 is connected to this connector 10, allowing the detection signal from the rotation angle detection means 5 to be transmitted to the vehicle side via the vehicle-side wiring w1. The symbols k1 and k2 in the figure indicate cable ties that secure the vehicle-side wiring w1 and w2.

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the fixing member C according to this embodiment comprises a switch case having operating sections t1-t3 capable of operating various electrical components mounted on the vehicle, and a relay connector 11 that can be connected to a vehicle-side connector D2 of the vehicle-side wiring w2 extending from the vehicle side. The relay connector 11 is formed separately from the fixing member C (switch case) and in a predetermined location inside the switch case.

Specifically, the wiring extending from the operating units t1 to t3 is combined into one and connected to the relay connector 11. As shown in Figure 6, the relay connector 11 is a connector separate from the fixed member C (switch case) and is connectable to the vehicle-side connector D2 formed at the end of the vehicle-side wiring w2 extending from the vehicle side. Electrical signals generated in response to the operation of each operating unit t1 to t3 can be transmitted to the vehicle side via the vehicle-side wiring w2.

The fixing member C according to this embodiment has a cover member 7 that covers a predetermined portion, and a locking portion 7a that locks the current-carrying wiring h is integrally formed with the cover member 7. As shown in Figure 6, the cover member 7 is detachably attached to a predetermined portion of the fixing member C with an attachment screw n, and is configured so that at least a portion of its surface is attached flush with the surface of the fixing member C, as shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5.

In addition, the cover member 7 according to this embodiment is attached to the fixing member C to cover the connection between the connector 10 and the vehicle-side wiring w1, and the connection between the relay connector 11 and the vehicle-side wiring w2. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the fixing member C is configured with a cutout to expose the connector 10 and the relay connector 11 to the outside, allowing the connector 10 to be connected to the vehicle-side connector D1 of the vehicle-side wiring w1, and the relay connector 11 to be connected to the vehicle-side connector D2 of the vehicle-side wiring w2.

After connecting vehicle-side connector D1 to connector 10 and vehicle-side connector D2 to relay connector 11, cover member 7 is attached to the notch in fixing member C with mounting screws n. This causes cover member 7 to cover the connection between connector 10 and vehicle-side wiring w1 (connection between vehicle-side connector D1) and the connection between relay connector 11 and vehicle-side wiring w2 (connection between vehicle-side connector D2).

Furthermore, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, the cover member 7 according to this embodiment has a locking portion 7a integrally formed at a predetermined location, and a screw hole 7b for inserting a mounting screw n. The locking portion 7a is formed on the surface side of the cover member 7 and is configured with a pair of protrusions 7aa, a notch 7ab formed between the pair of protrusions 7aa, a groove 7ac extending to a position adjacent to the protrusions 7aa, and an opening 7ad through which a cable tie 8 can be inserted.

However, by arranging the current-carrying wiring h along the groove shape 7ac, the current-carrying wiring h is clamped and locked by the protrusion shape 7aa, and as shown in Figure 11, by fitting the cable tie 8 into the notch shape 7ab and inserting it through the opening shape 7ad, the current-carrying wiring h can be firmly fixed. Note that the reference numeral 9 in the figure denotes elastic tape with resilience that is attached to the fixing position of the current-carrying wiring h.

In this way, in this embodiment, the current-carrying wiring h is locked and fixed by the locking portion 7a of the cover member 7 of the fixing member C. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, when the throttle grip 1 is rotated in the forward direction α, the current-carrying wiring h between the throttle grip 1 and the locking portion 7a moves to the current-carrying wiring h1 shown by the imaginary line, and when the throttle grip 1 is rotated in the reverse direction β, the current-carrying wiring h between the throttle grip 1 and the locking portion 7a moves to the current-carrying wiring h2 shown by the imaginary line.

In the throttle grip device of this embodiment, the fixing member C has a cover member 7 that covers a predetermined portion, and a locking portion 7a that locks the current-carrying wiring h is integrally formed with the cover member 7. This allows the cover member 7 that covers the predetermined portion to have the function of fixing the current-carrying wiring h, allowing the current-carrying wiring h extending from the heating means 2 (current-carrying means) of the throttle grip 1 to be locked in a predetermined position, and eliminating the need for a separate dedicated member for locking the current-carrying wiring h.

In addition, the current-carrying means in this embodiment consists of a heating means 2 that is attached to the grip portion of the throttle grip 1 and generates heat when electricity is applied, thereby warming the grip portion. This allows the current-carrying wiring h extending from the heating means 2 to be fixed in a predetermined position, and eliminates the need for a separate dedicated part to fasten the current-carrying wiring h.

Furthermore, the relay connector 11 according to this embodiment is formed separately from the switch case (fixing member C) at a predetermined location on the switch case, and the connection portion between the relay connector 11 and the vehicle-side wiring w2 is covered by the cover member 7. Therefore, the cover member 7 functions to waterproof and dustproof the connection portion between the relay connector 11 and the vehicle-side wiring w2, and also has the function of locking the current-carrying wiring h.

Furthermore, the cover member 7 according to this embodiment is detachably attached to a predetermined portion of the fixed member C, and at least a portion of its surface is attached flush with the surface of the fixed member C, thereby preventing the design of the fixed member C from being impaired by the attachment of the cover member 7. Furthermore, by attaching at least the surface of the cover member 7 flush with the surface of the fixed member C, the formation of a step at the attachment location of the cover member 7 can be prevented.

In addition, the throttle grip 1 according to this embodiment can be rotated in both the forward direction α and the reverse direction β. This allows for a larger rotational angle compared to a throttle grip 1 that can only be rotated in the forward direction α. Even if the current-carrying wiring h moves over a wider range in response to the rotation of the throttle grip 1, by fixing the current-carrying wiring h extending from the heating means 2 (current-carrying means) of the throttle grip 1 in a predetermined position, it is not necessary to check the durability of the current-carrying wiring h for each vehicle model.

While the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heating means 2 may be replaced with another current-carrying means to which the current-carrying wiring h is connected (for example, a light-emitting means attached to the throttle grip 1 that emits light when current is applied). Furthermore, the cover member 7 in this embodiment is designed to cover the connection between the relay connector 11 and the vehicle-side wiring w2 and the connection between the connector 10 and the vehicle-side wiring w1, but it may also cover either the connection between the relay connector 11 and the vehicle-side wiring w2 or the connection between the connector 10 and the vehicle-side wiring w1, or it may cover another portion attached to the fixing member C.

Furthermore, the fixing member C is sufficient as long as it secures the current-carrying wiring h, and may be applied to devices that do not include the interlocking member 3 and rotation angle detection means 5, etc. (i.e., devices that control the engine with an operating wire extending from the throttle grip 1). Furthermore, although the throttle grip 1 according to this embodiment is capable of rotation in the forward direction α and the reverse direction β, it may also be capable of rotation only in the forward direction α. Note that the vehicle to which this invention is applicable is not limited to two-wheeled vehicles as in this embodiment, but may also be applied to other vehicles with handlebars H (such as ATVs and snowmobiles).

As long as the purpose of this invention is the same, it can also be applied to products with different external shapes or with added functions.

1 Throttle grip 1a Outer member 1b Inner member 1ba Locking protrusion 2 Heating means (electricity supplying means)
3 Interlocking member 4 Rotating member 5 Rotation angle detection means (magnetic sensor)
6: Circuit board 7: Cover member 7a: Locking portion 7aa: Projection shape 7ab: Notch shape 7ac: Groove shape 7ad: Opening shape 7b: Screw hole 8: Binding band 9: Elastic tape 10: Connector 11: Relay connector S1: Forward return spring S2: Reverse return spring H: Handlebar C: Fixing member (switch case)
t1 to t3 Operation unit h Wiring for current h1 Wiring for current when the throttle grip is rotated in the forward direction h2 Wiring for current when the throttle grip is rotated in the reverse direction w1, w2 Vehicle side wiring M Magnet n Mounting screw Y Unit case k1, k2 Cable ties D1, D2 Vehicle side connector a Connection part

Claims (5)

a fixed member fixed to a handlebar of the vehicle;
a throttle grip attached near the fixed member and rotatable by a driver;
an energizing means attached to the throttle grip and connected to an energizing wire extending from a battery mounted on the vehicle;
A throttle grip device comprising:
The throttle grip device is characterized in that the fixing member has a cover member that covers a predetermined portion, and a locking portion that locks the current-carrying wiring is integrally formed with the cover member. The throttle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current-carrying means comprises a heating means attached to the grip portion of the throttle grip and capable of generating heat when current is applied to heat the grip portion. The throttle grip device of claim 1, characterized in that the fixing member comprises a switch case having an operating section capable of operating various electrical equipment mounted on the vehicle and an intermediate connector connectable to a vehicle connector of vehicle wiring extending from the vehicle, the intermediate connector being formed separately from the switch case at a predetermined location on the switch case, and the connection portion between the intermediate connector and the vehicle wiring being covered by the cover member. The throttle grip device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover member is detachably attached to a predetermined portion of the fixed member, and at least a portion of its surface is attached flush with the surface of the fixed member. The fixing member is
a linking member that can rotate together with the rotation operation of the throttle grip;
a rotation angle detection means for detecting a rotation angle of the interlocking member to thereby detect a rotation angle of the throttle grip;
and the throttle grip is rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and when the throttle grip is rotated in a forward direction from an initial position, a drive source of the vehicle can be controlled in accordance with the rotation angle of the throttle grip detected by the rotation angle detection means, and when the throttle grip is rotated in a reverse direction from the initial position, a predetermined electrical component of the vehicle can be operated.