Acceleration position sensor for vehicles

Abstract

The present subject matter generally relates to an accelerator position sensor (APS) unit (204) mounted on a head tube (215) attached to the frame of a two-wheeled vehicle. The installation of the APS unit (204) shortens the length of the throttle cable (202). The APS unit (204) is placed in the offset area of ​​the head tube (215). This placement of the APS unit (204) makes the APS unit (204) more efficient. The shortened length of the throttle cable (202) reduces hysteresis, losses and friction, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the two-wheeled vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present subject matter relates to positioning of an acceleration position sensor (APS) unit in a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Typically, in internal combustion engine driven vehicles, the engine is supplied with the required fuel via a throttle control unit. The throttle control body includes a valve that opens and allows the required fuel to flow based on the acceleration or throttle input applied by the rider of the vehicle. In electric vehicles, traction is supplied by a battery to an electric motor that drives the rear wheels. The battery supplies power based on input received from an electronic control unit (ECU). The control unit receives a signal from an acceleration position sensor, which senses the position of the accelerator and sends the position of the accelerator to the control unit. Based on this information, the torque or power requested by the driver can be immediately provided. Drive-by-wire two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles can be configured with a carburetor or throttle body EFI system, with the acceleration position sensor also performing similar functions: sensing the user's needs and providing signal input to the ECU to perform necessary downstream functions.

[0003] The acceleration position sensor is an important and relatively large component in size and its positioning becomes a major challenge in packaging a two-wheeled vehicle due to space constraints. Typically, in a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, the acceleration position sensor (APS) unit is mounted close to the control unit or close to the handlebar area.

[0004] In one scenario, an acceleration position sensor (APS) unit mounted near the handlebar area is positioned near the gripping area of ​​the handlebar. At this location, the cover of the vehicle also covers the handlebar, thereby covering the acceleration position sensor (APS), resulting in a large area packaging for the handlebar area. For two-wheeled vehicles, a large area of ​​the handlebar area is not preferred as it may cause discomfort to the customer. Additionally, if the vehicle falls over due to misoperation or some accident, the handlebar area receives the maximum impact, which results in damage to the acceleration sensor unit, causing the vehicle to be immobile and potentially causing high repair costs to the user. Additionally, the higher mass placement on the handlebar unit may disturb the balance of the handlebar unit, resulting in operational issues such as pulling on one side of the vehicle or constant stress on the rider to balance the imbalance while riding.

[0005] In another scenario, an acceleration position sensor (APS) unit is mounted close to a control unit, which is typically placed in the longitudinal mid-region of the vehicle. This positioning of the APS results in the requirement for a long cable extending from the handlebar to the APS placed close to the control unit. With a long distance between the accelerator lever on the handlebar and the APS, the output from the APS will be inaccurate and may be delayed, which can affect the traction performance of the vehicle. Additionally, with a long cable length, the use wear and tear of the cable increases, which also increases the maintenance cost for the customer. There are also challenges in achieving ease of assembly of the APS unit and ease of access for maintenance.

[0006] Furthermore, packaging a two or three wheel vehicle is challenging due to the high requirements on functional components and the limited space available for mounting said functional components under high customer specifications. Hence, a fixed and suitable location for mounting the acceleration position sensor becomes a challenge when packaging a two or three wheel vehicle, especially one having a handlebar configuration, wherein the rider is arranged axisymmetrically along the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention provides a vehicle, which is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, and the vehicle includes: a frame, the frame includes a front part and a rear part, the front part includes a head pipe; a handle assembly; and an acceleration position sensor, wherein the acceleration position sensor is configured to detect a throttle position, and the acceleration position sensor is operably connected to a handle throttle input via a throttle cable; wherein the acceleration position sensor is arranged on the head pipe of the frame and is placed between a first panel and a second panel, the first panel covers the head pipe from the front side of the vehicle, the second panel covers the head pipe from the rear side of the vehicle, and wherein the acceleration position sensor is arranged so that when viewed from the side of the vehicle, at least a portion of the acceleration position sensor overlaps with a joining area of ​​the first panel and the second panel, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 A two-wheeled vehicle is shown as an example.

[0009] 2(a) and 2(b) exemplarily show enlarged views of an APS unit placed between a first panel member and a second panel member.

[0010] 3(a) and 3(b) exemplarily show an APS unit mounted on a head pipe of a frame.

[0011] Figure 4An exploded view of an acceleration position sensor (APS) mounted on a head tube of a vehicle frame is shown by way of example.

[0012] FIG. 5( a ) exemplarily shows a partial enlarged view of an APS unit.

[0013] FIG. 5( b ) exemplarily shows the engagement area between the front brake and the APS unit.

[0014] Figure 6 The mounting surface of the APS mounting bracket is shown as an example.

[0015] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The positioning of the APS unit relative to the cable guide and the head pipe of the vehicle is illustrated.

[0016] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The routing of the throttle cable from the handlebar assembly to the APS unit is illustrated.

[0017] Fig.11 An APS unit is shown schematically in a front view of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The main purpose of the present subject matter is to provide a fixed, stable and effective mounting position for an acceleration position sensor (APS) unit to achieve a compact layout of a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle. For the present subject matter, a two-wheeled vehicle is described with an electric two-wheeled scooter type vehicle as an embodiment. However, the present invention can be applied to any two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, typically including motorcycles, scooters, tricycles, etc. The electric two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame having a front and a rear. The front portion includes a head tube and a down tube. An acceleration position sensor (hereinafter referred to as an APS) is mounted on the head tube attached to the frame of the vehicle. The acceleration position sensor is mounted by a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is arranged on the head tube of the frame. The installation of the APS can be done in different configurations.

[0019] Another object of the present subject matter is to provide a positioning of an APS unit that is easily accessible from either side of a two-wheeled vehicle. Placing the APS in a forwardly offset arrangement relative to the head tube makes the APS unit easily accessible during assembly and thus contributes to ease of assembly.

[0020] Another purpose of the present subject matter is to provide customers with maintenance convenience. The APS unit is placed so that more than half of the area of ​​the APS unit is covered by the second panel, and the remaining part of the APS unit is covered by the first panel. The second panel covers the head pipe of the two-wheeled vehicle from the rear side of the two-wheeled vehicle. The first panel covers the head pipe from the front side of the two-wheeled vehicle. The first panel also accommodates the headlight unit, the license plate, a pair of turn signal lights, the battery (if placed in the front of the vehicle), and other related components. Compared with the first panel, the second panel covering the rear side of the head pipe is easily removed for maintenance purposes. In this embodiment, the user of the two-wheeled vehicle does not need to remove the first panel and remove multiple components to approach the APS unit, but can easily approach the APS unit from the second panel, making it easy to maintain. In a motorcycle-type two-wheeled vehicle, the headlight assembly or its component parts can be easily disassembled to approach the APS unit.

[0021] Another object of the present subject matter is to arrange the APS unit on the head pipe of the frame so that the APS unit and the headlight unit overlap each other to ensure fixed positioning of the APS unit. In the event of vehicle imbalance or misoperation resulting in vehicle overturning or frontal collision, the headlight unit will bear the impact load and transfer it to the vehicle frame, thereby keeping the APS unit stable and safe. Therefore, the durability of the APS unit is maintained.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, a mounting bracket for mounting an APS unit has four surfaces: a side surface, a top surface, a first rear surface, and a second rear surface. The APS unit is seated on the side surface. The second rear surface and the top surface form an obtuse angle with the side surface. The first rear surface is formed by tangentially joining the second rear surface and the top surface. With this configuration, when the brake cable (which is typically routed through the front area of ​​the head pipe) is in a maximum extended state, the brake cable or hose rests on the first rear surface of the APS mounting bracket, so that the durability of the brake cable is not affected.

[0023] According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, a mounting bracket for mounting the APS unit is arranged adjacent to the cable guide at a predetermined distance D. According to one embodiment, this distance D between the APS unit and the cable guide is in the range of 15 mm to 55 mm, depending on the stiffness of the brake cable. The cable guide provides a limit to the movement of the brake cable and the throttle cable so that the cables do not interfere with the APS unit in the rotation state of the handlebar.

[0024] According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, an acceleration position sensor (APS) unit is connected to a throttle cable that is routed such that the throttle cable forms an acute angle with the vertical axis of the head pipe when viewed from the side of the vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, the throttle cable may be routed parallel to the vertical axis of the head pipe.

[0025] According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, a throttle cable coming out of the handlebar is routed from the rear of the head pipe and moves to the front to terminate at the APS unit when viewed from the front side of the vehicle.

[0026] According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, when the handlebar of the two-wheeled vehicle is rotated toward one side (e.g., the right direction), the brake cable routed in the opposite area (i.e., the left-hand (LH) area of ​​the head tube) is in a maximum extension state. In this case, the brake cable passing along the head tube in a downward direction rests and is guided on the surface of the APS mounting bracket. This configuration results in the brake cable having sufficient operable clearance with the APS unit. The brake cable engages with the APS mounting bracket. Therefore, undesirable interference does not occur between the brake cable and the APS unit.

[0027] According to yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, a two-wheeled vehicle is operated by a battery as a power source unit, and an APS unit controlling acceleration is packaged close to a column tube of a handle assembly.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the acceleration position sensor for a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle is placed so that the axis of the acceleration position sensor arranged in the lateral direction is parallel to the ground. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the embodiments of a two-wheeled electric vehicle of a scooter type and the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0029] Figure 1A schematic side view of a two-wheeled vehicle 100 is shown, with the body panels omitted for clarity. The frame structure of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) depicts a frame assembly having a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R). The front portion includes a head tube (215) in the front portion of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). A front suspension (113) is connected to the head tube (215) at one end and to the front wheel (112) at the other end. A handlebar assembly (102) is placed at the upper end of the head tube (215) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). A cover handlebar assembly (101) (schematically shown) is provided to cover the handlebars (102) of the two-wheeled vehicle. A front brake cable or hose assembly (116) is connected to the handlebar assembly (102) and extends downward along the front suspension (113), where the front brake cable or hose assembly (116) terminates at and is connected to the front wheel (112). The front portion (F) of the frame assembly is covered by a first panel (201) on its front side and by a second panel (103) on its rear side. The frame assembly extends downward and extends toward the rear of the two-wheeled vehicle (100). A seat assembly (106) is mounted at the rear side of the frame assembly. A rear wheel (109) is connected to one or more rear shock absorbers (108). The other end of the rear shock absorber (108) is connected to the rear portion (R) of the frame assembly. The rear portion (R) of the vehicle (100) is covered by a rear panel (107). A swing arm (110) is connected to the rear wheel (109) at one end. The other end of the swing arm (110) is connected to the frame assembly in a forward longitudinal direction of the two-wheeled vehicle (100).

[0030] FIG. 2( a) and FIG. 2( b) exemplarily show partial enlarged views of an APS unit (204) placed between the first panel and the second panel (201 and 103), respectively. The front portion (F) of the frame assembly of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) below the handle assembly (102) is covered by the first panel 201. The rear side of the front portion (F) of the frame assembly is covered by the second panel (103). According to an additional embodiment, the APS unit (204) is arranged so that when viewed in a side view of the vehicle, at least a portion of the APS unit overlaps with the bonding area (121) of the first panel and the second panel (201, 103), respectively. The APS unit (204) is arranged on the head tube (215), wherein at least a portion of the APS unit overlaps with the bonding area (121). The APS unit (204) is positioned on the head tube (215) so that more than half of the area of ​​the APS unit (204) is overlapped by the second panel (103), and the remaining portion is covered by the first panel (201). This configuration allows for easy access to the APS mounting fasteners (209) when servicing the APS unit (204).

[0031] As exemplarily shown in Fig. 3(a) and Fig. 3(b), an acceleration position sensor (APS) unit (204) is mounted on a head tube (215) of a frame (104). The APS unit (204) is positioned below the handlebar (102). The APS unit (204) is mounted using an APS mounting bracket (206) attached to the head tube (215) of the frame (104). The APS unit (204) is arranged to deviate forward from the head tube (215). In another embodiment, the APS unit (204) is placed in a lateral left-hand (LH) or right-hand (RH) region of the head tube (215) so that the throttle cable (202) from the handlebar (102) can have a shortened length. This shortening of the throttle cable (202) length makes the APS unit (204) more efficient and effective. In addition, the positioning of the APS unit (204) at one of the lateral regions of the vehicle allows for easy access during assembly and maintenance or repair. In an alternative embodiment, the APS unit (204) may be mounted on the RH side of the head pipe, or in front of the head pipe, depending on packaging and layout requirements.

[0032] Figure 4 An exploded view of an APS unit (204) mounted on a head tube (215) is exemplarily shown. The APS unit (204) is mounted on a mounting bracket (206) attached to the head tube (215). In an additional embodiment, a plurality of APS mounting fasteners (209) are used to mount the APS unit (204) on the APS mounting bracket (206). When viewed from the side of the two-wheeled vehicle (100), the APS unit (204) is arranged in an area formed between two or more headlight mounting brackets (205). The headlight unit (203) is mounted to the headlight mounting bracket (205) using a plurality of mounting fasteners (208, 210). The APS unit is arranged behind the headlight unit (203) to provide a fixed position for the APS unit (204). In the event of any accident or any frontal impact of the vehicle (100), the headlamp unit (203) and the headlamp mounting bracket (205) bear the impact force to prevent any damage to the APS unit (204). The headlamp bracket (205) transmits the impact force to the frame (104), thereby keeping the APS unit (204) stable and fixed.

[0033] FIG5(a) exemplarily shows an enlarged view of the APS unit (204) mounted to the head tube (215) in the handlebar turning state. When the handlebar (102) is rotated toward the right, the front suspension (113) and the front brake cable or hose (116) are also rotated in the right direction. As exemplarily shown in FIG5(a), in the right rotation state, the front brake cable or hose (116) and the APS mounting bracket (206) engage with each other, creating an engagement area (117). In the right rotation state of the handlebar (102), the brake cable or hose (116) routed in the LH area of ​​the top tube (215) is in the maximum extension state as exemplarily shown in FIG5(b). Even in the extended state, due to the mounting position of the APS unit, a sufficient working gap (207) is created between the brake cable or hose (116) and the acceleration position sensor (APS) unit (204). This gap (207) ensures that the brake cables or hoses (116) do not interfere with the APS unit (204) and thus protects the brake cables or hoses from damage.

[0034] refer to Figure 6 , a mounting bracket for mounting an APS unit (204) has a side surface (211), a top surface (212), a first rear surface (214) and a second side surface (213). The APS unit (204) is placed on the side surface (211). The second rear surface (213) and the top surface (212) form an obtuse angle with the side surface (211). The first rear surface (214) is formed by tangentially joining the second rear surface (213) and the top surface (212). Therefore, the joint surface or area (117) (not shown in the figure) formed thereby helps the brake cable (116) (not shown in the figure) to rest thereon during the extreme extended steering state. With this configuration, the brake cable or hose (116) in the maximum extended state rests on the first rear surface (214), so that the durability of the brake cable is not affected. This helps to maintain the life of the brake cable under different operating conditions.

[0035] Figure 7 and Figure 8 The positioning of the APS unit (204) relative to the head pipe (215) is exemplarily shown. In one embodiment of the embodiment, the axis of the throttle cable joint area on the APS unit (204) and the joint portion of the throttle cable (202) are arranged parallel to the head pipe axis (219) of the head pipe (215) with a predetermined offset (D) therebetween. In another embodiment, when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the axis of the throttle cable joint area on the APS unit (204) and the joint portion of the throttle cable (202) are arranged to form an acute angle C in the upward direction relative to the head pipe axis (219) of the head pipe (215). This configuration provides convenience in the arrangement of the throttle cable (202) and also reduces assembly time.

[0036] According to an additional embodiment, a guide (224) is provided around the head tube (215) for preventing movement of the brake cable or hose (116) and the throttle cable (202) during the handlebar rotation state, such as Figure 8 As shown. The guide (224) helps to maintain the brake cable or hose (116) and the throttle cable (202) in a stable position during movement of the handle (102) so that it does not interfere with the APS unit (204) or any other vehicle component. The APS unit (204) is arranged near the cable guide (224) at a predetermined offset (V) from the guide (224) used to retain the brake cable or hose (116) and the throttle cable (202). This distance between the APS unit (204) and the cable guide (224) is in the range of 15 mm to 55 mm, depending on the stiffness of the brake cable or hose (116) and the throttle cable (202). This positioning provides movement restriction for the brake cable or hose (116) and the throttle cable (202). Additionally, a gap (207) is created between the APS unit (204) and the brake cable or hose (116) (shown in FIG. 5( b)), where the brake cable or hose rests on the APS mounting bracket (206), the gap (207) preventing the brake cable or hose (116) from contacting the APS unit (204) during a brake activation state.

[0037] Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The routing of the throttle cable (202) from the handle grip assembly (217) to the APS unit (204) is exemplarily shown in a front view of the vehicle. The throttle cable (202) starts from the handle grip assembly (217) and terminates at the APS unit. The throttle cable (202) extends substantially all the way along the head pipe (215) in a downward direction. When viewed from the side of the vehicle (100), the throttle cable (202) from the handle grip assembly (217) is routed from the rear of the vertical axis (219) of the head pipe (215) and toward the front of the vertical axis (219) of the head pipe (215). The throttle cable (202) thus terminates at the APS unit (204).

[0038] Fig.11The APS unit (204) is shown in a front view of a vehicle (100). When viewed from the front of the vehicle (100), the APS unit (204) mounted on the head pipe (215) of the vehicle (100) has an axis (225) passing through the APS unit (204). This axis (225) is arranged in a lateral direction parallel to the axis of the ground (226) to obtain stability and facilitate installation of the APS unit (204). This configuration facilitates the articulation of the throttle cable (202), so that the throttle cable length is also reduced.

[0039] List of reference numerals:

[0040] 100: Two-wheeled vehicles

[0041] 101: Cover handle assembly

[0042] 102: Handle

[0043] 103: Second Panel

[0044] 104: Framework

[0045] 106: Seat assembly

[0046] 107: Rear panel

[0047] 108: Rear shock absorber

[0048] 109: Rear wheel

[0049] 110: Swing arm

[0050] 112: Front wheel

[0051] 113: Front suspension

[0052] 116: Front brake cable

[0053] 117: Front brake cable and APS mounting bracket junction area

[0054] 121: The joining line between the front part and the back part

[0055] 201: First Panel

[0056] 202: Throttle cable

[0057] 203: Headlamp unit

[0058] 204: APS (acceleration position sensor)

[0059] 205: Hold the headlight mounting bracket

[0060] 206: APS mounting bracket

[0061] 207: Gap

[0062] 208: Hold the headlamp top mounting fasteners

[0063] 209: APS mounting fasteners

[0064] 210: Hold the headlamp bottom mounting fasteners

[0065] 211: Front surface

[0066] 212: Top surface

[0067] 213: Side surface

[0068] 214: rear surface (formed by tangentially joining surfaces 212 and 213)

[0069] 215: Head tube

[0070] 217: Handle grip assembly

[0071] 219: Vertical axis of the head tube

[0072] 224: Cable guide

[0073] V: Distance between cable guide and APS

[0074] F: front

[0075] R: Rear

[0076] C: Acute angle

[0077] D: Throttle cable arranged parallel to the axis of the head pipe

[0078] 225: APS unit axis parallel to the ground

[0079] 226: Ground

Claims

1. A vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle (100) is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle (100), and the vehicle (100) comprises: A frame (104), the frame (104) comprising a front portion (F) and a rear portion (R), the front portion (F) comprising a head pipe (215); a handle assembly (102); and An acceleration position sensor (204), wherein the acceleration position sensor (204) is configured to detect a throttle position, and the acceleration position sensor (204) is operably connected to a handlebar throttle input via a throttle cable (202); wherein the acceleration position sensor (204) is arranged on the head pipe (215) of the frame (104) and is placed between a first panel (201) and a second panel (103), the first panel (201) covering the head pipe (215) from the front side of the vehicle (100), and the second panel (103) covering the head pipe (215) from the rear side of the vehicle (100), and The acceleration position sensor (204) is arranged such that when viewed from the side of the vehicle (100), at least a portion of the acceleration position sensor (204) overlaps with the bonding areas (121) of the first panel (201) and the second panel (103), respectively.

2. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the acceleration position sensor (204) is arranged offset relative to the head tube (215).

3. The vehicle (100) of claim 2, wherein when viewed from any side of the vehicle (100), more than half of the area of ​​the acceleration position sensor (204) is overlapped and covered by the second panel (103), and the remaining portion of the acceleration position sensor (204) is covered by the first panel (201).

4. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the vehicle (100) includes a headlamp unit (203) mounted on a plurality of headlamp mounting brackets (205) attached to the head pipe (215), and the acceleration position sensor (204) is arranged in a region formed between the plurality of headlamp mounting brackets (205) when viewed from either side of the vehicle (100).

5. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the acceleration position sensor (204) is mounted using one or more mounting brackets (206) disposed at the head pipe (215).

6. The vehicle (100) of claim 5, wherein the one or more mounting brackets (206) include a side surface (211), a top surface (212), a first rear surface (214), and a second rear surface (213), wherein: The top surface (212) and the second rear surface (213) form an obtuse angle with the side surface (211), and wherein the top surface (212) and the second rear surface (213) are tangentially connected to the first rear surface (214).

7. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the acceleration position sensor (204) is arranged adjacent a guide (224) attached to the head pipe (215) for guiding one or more brake cables or hoses (116) and a throttle cable (202).

8. The vehicle (100) of claim 7, wherein a distance between the acceleration position sensor (204) and the cable guide (224) is in a range of 15 mm to 55 mm.

9. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the throttle cable (202) is positioned parallel (D) to a head tube axis (219) of the head tube (215), and wherein, The throttle cable (202) is positioned at an acute angle (C) with a head tube axis (219) of the head tube (215).

10. The vehicle (100) of claim 9, wherein the throttle cable (202) from the handlebar assembly (102) is routed from the rear side of the head tube axis (219) of the head tube (215) and toward the front side of the head tube axis (219) of the head tube (215), terminating at the acceleration position sensor (204).

11. The vehicle (100) of claim 8, wherein when the handle assembly (102) is rotated toward one of the left side or the right side in a maximum steering state, a predetermined working gap (207) is formed between the acceleration position sensor (204) and the brake cable or hose (116).

12. The vehicle (100) of claim 1, wherein the acceleration position sensor (204) is packaged proximate a column tube of the handle assembly (102).

13. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, The axis of the acceleration position sensor (204) is arranged in a lateral direction parallel to the ground (225) to obtain stability and facilitate installation of the acceleration position sensor (204).

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