Low-Cost Throttle-by-Wire-System Architecture for Two-Wheeler Vehicles

This article investigates the performance of a low-cost throttle-by-wire-system (TbWS) for two-wheeler applications. Mopeds/scooters are still restricted as environmentally harmful. TbWSs can contribute to environmental protection by replacing conventional restrictors. Its consisting of an anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) throttle position sensor and a position-controlled stepper motor-driven throttle valve actuator. The decentralized throttle position sensor is operating contactless and acquires redundant data. Throttle valve actuation is realized through a position-controlled stepper motor, sensing its position feedback by Hall effect. Using a PI controller, the stepper motor position is precisely set. Both units transmit and receive data by a CAN bus. Furthermore, fail-safe functions, plausibility checks, calibration algorithms, and energy-saving modes have been implemented. Both modules have been evaluated through hardware-in-the-loop testing in terms of reliability and measuring/positioning performance before the system was integrated into a Peugeot Kisbee 50 4T (Euro 5/injected). Finally, the sensor unit comes with a measurement deviation of less than 0.16%, whereas the actuator unit can approach throttle valve positions with a deviation of less than 0.37%. The actuators’ settling time does not exceed 0.13 s in the case of stable, step loss free, and noiseless operation.