Altair
1 kW
Hello
In this post, I want to have a look at the existing throttle modes and maybe examine the need for a different one.
RPM mode:
Everyone is familiar with the Speed mode where the position of the throttle controls directly the RPM of the motor. This is done internally by Pulse Width Modulating the signal going to the motor, effectively varying the voltage applied to the phases of the motor. The motor tries to follow the speed commanded by the throttle, within its torque limits, of course.
With this mode, the throttle feels more like a switch than a throttle because tries hard to match each new position of the throttle, resulting in constant small accelerations & decelerations.
TORQUE mode:
The common Torque mode that everyone prefers works by controlling the current going to the motor, rather than the voltage. It controls in fact the strength of the motor.
The throttle commands a certain torque, and then the resulting RPM is dependent of the load that the motor has to work against. If there is a very small load as when you're on flat ground with a tail wind, the bike will gain speed more and more even if the throttle is almost closed. This is sometimes not fun because you have to close completely the throttle from time to time to try to maintain a constant speed.
In the torque mode with the throttle just cracked open, the motor will end up reaching its maximum RPM if there is no load on the rear wheel.
POWER mode:
With all our (internal-combustion-engined) cars and motorcycles, it is very easy to maintain a chosen speed, easier that with our electronic controllers, and the reason is that in addition to being primarily torque-based, the throttle also controls the RPM of the engine when there is little load on the wheels. Like for example, whth the transmission in neutral, the engine doesn't keep increasing its RPM until it reaches the max.
So the automotive throttle seems to be mostly a torque control, but at lower position, it integrates a form of RPM control. It facilitates the control of vehicle speed. This type of control feels the most natural to me, anyway.
Would it be worthwhile to try to integrate this form of control in our controllers?
It probably already exists, maybe in the Kelly controllers. From the comments I've read, the throttle mode used is not of the torque mode ("not a true torque mode but it feels good") but there is no details given in their specs.
I would be interested in knowing what you think.
Cheers
In this post, I want to have a look at the existing throttle modes and maybe examine the need for a different one.
RPM mode:
Everyone is familiar with the Speed mode where the position of the throttle controls directly the RPM of the motor. This is done internally by Pulse Width Modulating the signal going to the motor, effectively varying the voltage applied to the phases of the motor. The motor tries to follow the speed commanded by the throttle, within its torque limits, of course.
With this mode, the throttle feels more like a switch than a throttle because tries hard to match each new position of the throttle, resulting in constant small accelerations & decelerations.
TORQUE mode:
The common Torque mode that everyone prefers works by controlling the current going to the motor, rather than the voltage. It controls in fact the strength of the motor.
The throttle commands a certain torque, and then the resulting RPM is dependent of the load that the motor has to work against. If there is a very small load as when you're on flat ground with a tail wind, the bike will gain speed more and more even if the throttle is almost closed. This is sometimes not fun because you have to close completely the throttle from time to time to try to maintain a constant speed.
In the torque mode with the throttle just cracked open, the motor will end up reaching its maximum RPM if there is no load on the rear wheel.
POWER mode:
With all our (internal-combustion-engined) cars and motorcycles, it is very easy to maintain a chosen speed, easier that with our electronic controllers, and the reason is that in addition to being primarily torque-based, the throttle also controls the RPM of the engine when there is little load on the wheels. Like for example, whth the transmission in neutral, the engine doesn't keep increasing its RPM until it reaches the max.
So the automotive throttle seems to be mostly a torque control, but at lower position, it integrates a form of RPM control. It facilitates the control of vehicle speed. This type of control feels the most natural to me, anyway.
Would it be worthwhile to try to integrate this form of control in our controllers?
It probably already exists, maybe in the Kelly controllers. From the comments I've read, the throttle mode used is not of the torque mode ("not a true torque mode but it feels good") but there is no details given in their specs.
I would be interested in knowing what you think.
Cheers