Creating an Arduino System for Throttle Control

Other Hardware Device Hacking
1

Hello,

I am currently working on a project to create a throttle control system for a two-stroke motorized bike using an Arduino board, a motor, and various sensors. I would greatly appreciate your expertise and guidance in achieving this goal.

Here's a brief overview of the system I aim to develop:

  1. Hardware Components:

    • Arduino board
    • Motor
    • Hall sensor
    • Potentiometer
    • Switch

  2. Desired System Behavior:

    • When the user begins pedaling, the hall sensor measures the speed of the bike's petals and sends this information to the Arduino.
    • Simultaneously, the potentiometer provides the desired speed set by the user.
    • The Arduino checks the status of the switch to determine the operating mode:
      • If the switch is on, the bike should calculate the speed by multiplying the hall sensor's reading with the potentiometer's value. The stepper motor will then adjust the throttle cable to achieve the calculated speed.
      • If the switch is off, the system should adjust the stepper motor to the value indicated by the potentiometer, effectively setting the bike's speed accordingly.

At present, I am facing some challenges in implementing this system effectively. I would be grateful if anyone could provide insights into the following:

  1. Types of parts (i.e. type of motor, type of board)
  2. How to wire and connect the components properly to ensure smooth operation.
  3. Suggestions for coding the Arduino to handle the described functionality.
  4. Any additional considerations or advice for optimizing the system's performance.

I understand that this project involves multiple elements and can be quite complex. Any guidance, or reference materials you could provide would be immensely helpful. I am open to learning and exploring new ideas to improve the design.

Thank you all in advance for your time and assistance. I look forward to your valuable suggestions and insights.

Best regards,
Evan

1 Like
2

What is your hardware and software experience level?

3

Thanks for your prompt reply.

I have experience with small motors and very little experience with Arduino. However, I have many years of advanced experience with web development programming languages.

4

I would say, try a few simpler projects first, to get the hang of it. Especially the electronics. For example you could make the speedometer part.

5

Ok, I will start with the throttle mechanism. How would I be able to create the throttle control mechanism to pull on the cable to the motor? What type of motor should I use and how should I attach the cable?

6

You will get nowhere with questions like that. There is so little information about the vehicle and its requirements that it would be a complete waste of time to attempt an answer.

I chose speedometer because it would be very similar on all kinds of different vehicles.

7

61Kg12elfkL
61Kg12elfkL1600×1600 89.9 KB

Yes, I am asking how to use a motor to wound/unwound the wire of the throttle cable in. Please let me know what more information I can provide. I am looking how to specifically wound the cable rather than the bike entirely. I've attached a photo of the throttle cable.

8

The bike.

9

What specifically? The bike is a Huffy Cruiser 26'.

10

Please read the forum introductory guide. Good luck with your project.

11

You have a problem you have not addressed and that is the dynamics of using the throttle cable. Some time you will want to slowly move the cable and sometimes you will want to move the cable as fast as possible. Consider what mechanism will allow that to happen under computer control.

12

Yes, I would like to move the cable at a relatively quick speed. It only would need to be moved by about 2 inches at most.

13

That is why MANUAL throttles are used!

14

Yes, I would like to remove the end of the throttle attachment and pull the cable directly using a motor of some sort.

15

And where will you be when the throttle is full on and the motor doesn't work?

16

The bike has an e-stop feature and clutch which will both allow me to either bring the vehicle to a safe stop, or kill the engine.

17

But will they work after your modification is complete?

18

Yes, my modification only affects the throttle cable which goes to the carburetor.

19

Hello octiwhale

You might drop the request for the development here:

20

OK, that limits the risk a bit.
Do you have a mechanism designed to do what you want. This is an Arduino forum which can help with code and components to control the mechanism, but cannot design mechanisms for you.