Seat cover for motorcycle equipped with multifunctional electronic computing device

Abstract

The device comprises a seat cover (1) which can be fastened to the seat of a motorcycle (13), the upper surface of the seat cover being divided into a plurality of parts, each of the plurality of parts being positioned on the right side or the left side of the seat cover (1), each of the plurality of parts being associated with a corresponding vibration motor, the vibration motor being configured to generate vibrations that can be felt by a motorcycle rider when the motorcycle rider sits on the seat of the motorcycle (13); an electronic computing device (7) which is configured to control the vibration motor and is provided with a connection device connected to an onboard electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13), characterized in that the electronic computing device (7) is configured to receive a signal related to the activation state of a direction indicator (19) of the motorcycle (13) from the onboard electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13) and to control the vibration motor according to the signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices suitable for maximizing the comfort and safety of motorcycle riders. More specifically, the present invention relates to a motorcycle seat cover provided with a multifunctional electronic computing device configured to provide the motorcycle rider with feedback related to the motorcycle's conditions, in particular related to the activation of a direction indicator. Background Art

[0002] The present invention therefore aims to develop a multifunctional system which contributes to a higher road safety for a motorcycle rider, while at the same time the invention aims to increase the driving and sitting comfort for this rider.

[0003] The technical problem is that for a motorcyclist the most important aspect is road safety and high speed is not always the only cause of a crash.

[0004] In fact, there are many parameters to consider: carelessness, impact mode, presence of other people on the road, motorcycle electronics, comfort and driving ability level are also important factors.

[0005] Among the risk factors, the often involuntary incorrect use of direction indicators by motorcyclists, which are usually flashing lights, is particularly important.

[0006] The motorcycle is provided with four direction indicators to preventively signal changes in driving direction to others.

[0007] The signal for starting the indicator is given by a flashing light.

[0008] In any case, a motorcyclist who drives attentively and constantly looks at the road in order not to be disturbed can easily forget to deactivate the turn indicators after using them and not realize that the flashing light is still on.

[0009] Furthermore, unlike other motor vehicles, motorcycles are not provided with an automatic deactivation mechanism for the direction indicators.

[0010] Forgetting to deactivate the direction indicator while driving on the road is extremely dangerous, as drivers of other vehicles passing on the same road are unaware of the real direction the motorcyclist is driving, risking a collision.

[0011] Currently, this technical problem is solved by adding an acoustic signal to the optical signal, i.e. when the indicator lights up, the classic intermittent bit interleaved parity check (BIP) is activated; however, this signal is also difficult for motorcycle riders to hear in the case of strong engine roar and sound insulation caused by helmets.

[0012] Alternative direction signaling systems for motorcycles are also known and commonly used in the prior art, as well as other systems that aim to improve comfort during driving.

[0013] One example is patent application numbered JP4083402B2, which relates to a motorcycle lamp structure and describes a motorcycle rear lamp structure capable of ensuring a more extended light emission area and greater visibility, in particular visibility of a brake indicator.

[0014] Another example is patent application numbered US10478372, which describes a massage system for a motorcycle seat. The seat is intended to improve the sitting comfort of a motorcycle rider by providing a massage system, the massage system comprising a frame having a seat and a seat back disposed in the frame configuration. The massage unit comprises a motor coupled to a transmission unit to transmit massage laterally and rearwardly, and the massage unit further comprises a front massage head having a plurality of spherical massagers. A rotating head is coupled to the motor, and a flexible seat coating is mounted on the frame and the massage unit. A controller communicates with the massage unit to activate, deactivate or adjust the massage unit.

[0015] Another example is described in JP2009179242 and relates to a rear lighting and direction indicator device arranged in a housing integrated with the rear fender.

[0016] Another example is described in DE 20218933, describing a motorcycle seat, inside which two vibration motors are introduced, one on each side, which are activated depending on the direction of activation.

[0017] Disadvantageously, the systems provided by the prior art attempt to solve the technical problems related to the visibility of the light indicators and the riding comfort of the motorcycle rider separately. No multifunctional system can solve these two technical problems in one combined device.

[0018] Furthermore, such devices have the benefit of increasing the visibility of the indicators to other drivers, but are limited in making them more perceptible to the motorcyclist.

[0019] Furthermore, the systems known from the prior art are not easily configured to be installed on existing and registered motorcycles.

[0020] Furthermore, the systems known from the prior art are in some cases bulky devices that require addition to the overall motorcycle structure and which cannot be integrated with existing systems.

[0021] Furthermore, their implementation is not always cheap. Summary of the invention

[0022] Advantageously, the device of the invention is a multifunctional device which, besides operating as an interactive signal for an activated direction indicator for the motorcycle rider, is also intended to significantly improve the seating and driving comfort.

[0023] Specifically, the device is a seat cover that signals the activated state of the direction indicator to the motorcycle rider by means of vibrations generated by a vibration motor. The seat cover can be arranged on the seat of any motorcycle without modifying the seat because the seat cover can be fixed to the motorcycle seat by adhesive fastening means (such as double-sided adhesive tape) or by a belt that wraps the seat and the cover together, and the electronic computing device can be connected to the motorcycle on-board electronic box without considering this in the steps of motorcycle construction.

[0024] The type, shape and size of the connection device are defined according to the vehicle electronic box model without changing the functional logic of the equipment.

[0025] In a non-limiting embodiment, the device includes a connector, which is provided with the same connection device for connecting to the on-board electronic box and all on-board sensors, which is completely identical to the standard connector provided on a motorcycle, and the device also includes another connection device for fastening the connector of the electronic computing device provided on the device.

[0026] The device according to the invention is also a multifunctional system which is intended at the same time to maximize riding comfort and to maximize riding safety, since it is provided with an additional massage belt which the motorcyclist can wear by wrapping it around the waist.

[0027] The signal for activating the direction indicator can be sent, in addition to via the seat covering, via a massage belt or via the motorcycle rider's handlebars, in which a vibration motor can be incorporated.

[0028] This fact does not however limit the object of the invention, the system can also be integrated in the motorcycle seat itself.

[0029] Prior art systems are designed to either improve visibility and brightness for other drivers on the road, or to improve driving comfort for the driver, but they do not allow for both issues to be addressed simultaneously in any situation.

[0030] Therefore, the problem of providing an interactive, multifunctional device which overcomes the limitations of the devices known from the prior art and which is inexpensive to implement remains unsolved.

[0031] According to this object, the invention provides a multifunctional device which aims to improve the use of a direction indicator by a motorcycle rider and at the same time to increase the riding comfort of the motorcycle rider.

[0032] According to another object, the invention relates to a device that can be integrated without modifying the motorcycle.

[0033] According to another object, the invention provides a device configured to signal that the direction indicators are lit by means of vibrations generated by means of a device integrated in the seat cover and by means of a device integrated in an additional massage belt, and possibly by means of a device integrated in the handle grip of the motorcycle itself.

[0034] However, according to another object, the present invention maximizes the riding comfort of a motorcycle rider by providing, in addition to a vibration motor arranged in a seat cover, a massage belt that can be worn by the motorcycle rider by being wrapped around the motorcycle rider's waist.

[0035] From other aspects, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic computing device that is also capable of acquiring other signals detected by the on-board motorcycle electronic devices and converting the other signals into vibration signals that can be distinguished by different pulsations and intensities that can be felt by the motorcycle rider.

[0036] According to a preferred aspect, the invention is also particularly easy to adapt to any make or model of motorcycle.

[0037] The device according to the present invention achieves the aforementioned objectives, because the device of the present invention is the following device: the device comprises: a seat cover (1) for a motorcycle (13), the upper surface of the seat cover being divided into a plurality of parts, each of the plurality of parts being positioned on the right side or the left side of the seat cover (1), each of the plurality of parts being associated with a corresponding vibration motor, the vibration motor being configured to generate vibrations that can be felt by the motorcycle rider when the motorcycle rider sits on the seat of the motorcycle (13); an electronic computing device (7), the electronic computing device being configured to control the vibration motor, and the electronic computing device being provided with a connection device connected to an on-board electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13), characterized in that the The device also includes a massage belt (9) which can be tightened around the waist of the motorcycle rider and is provided with at least two massage heads (11) which are positioned so that the right and left parts of the motorcycle rider's back are massaged, and the massage belt is provided with a plurality of electrical stimulation electrodes (12) and a connection device for connecting the electronic computing device (7) to the massage belt (9), and wherein the electronic computing device (7) is configured to receive a signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator (19) of the motorcycle (13) from the on-board electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13) and to control the vibration motor and the massage heads (11) according to the signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0039] Figure 1 A top view showing the invention and all its major elements;

[0040] Figure 2 It shows how to position the seat cover (1) on the seat (15) of the motorcycle (13);

[0041] Figure 3 A view showing the operation of the invention is shown. In the figure, the left direction indicator (19) is activated and at the same time the system activates the left front vibration motor (4) and the left rear vibration motor (5), which generate vibrations that can be felt by the motorcycle rider;

[0042] Figure 4 A view illustrating the operation of the invention showing a motorcycle rider wearing the massage belt (9) and sensing vibrations indicating activation of a left direction indicator (19);

[0043] Figure 5Another embodiment of the invention is shown showing how to introduce vibration motors, one at the right side and another at the left side, in the handlebar grip of a motorcycle (13). In this view, the left direction indicator (19) is activated and at the same time the system activates the left front vibration motor (4) and the left rear vibration motor (5) and activates the left vibration motor in the handlebar grip, said motors generating vibrations that can be felt by the motorcycle rider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] As shown in the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a seat cover (1) for a motorcycle (13), the upper surface of the seat cover being divided into four parts, each of the four parts being associated with a respective vibration motor.

[0045] Preferably, the seat cover (1) is divided into: a right front area, in which a right front vibration motor (2) is positioned; a left front area, in which a left front vibration motor (4) is positioned; a right rear area, in which a right rear vibration motor (3) is positioned; and a left rear area, in which a left rear vibration motor (5) is positioned.

[0046] Furthermore, preferably, the seat cover may be fixed to the seat of the motorcycle, or the seat cover may be positioned on the seat of the motorcycle by an adhesive type fastening means or an elastic type fastening means.

[0047] The device also comprises: an electronic computing device (7) integral with the seat cover (1), the electronic computing device being configured to control the vibration motors; and a connection device connecting the electronic computing device (7) to an onboard electronic box (14) of a motorcycle (13). For this purpose, the electronic computing device is electrically connected to the right front vibration motor (2), the right rear vibration motor (3), the left front vibration motor (4) and the left rear vibration motor (5).

[0048] The connection means preferably comprise a first connector (6) for connecting the electronic computing device (7) to an on-board electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13).

[0049] Preferably, but not restrictively, the device further comprises a massage belt (9) which can be tightened around the waist of the rider and is provided with at least one pair of rotating massage heads (11) on the left and right back of the motorcycle rider and is provided with a plurality of electrical stimulation electrodes (12). In such an embodiment, the device comprises a seat cover connection device conveniently connected to the massage belt (9), the seat cover connection device comprising a second connector (8) extending from the electronic computing device (7), to which a corresponding connector (10) of the massage belt (9) can be connected.

[0050] The device is characterized in that the electronic computing device (7) is configured to: receive a signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator (19) of the motorcycle (13) from the on-board electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13), and control the vibration motor according to the signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator. Preferably, the electronic computing device is configured to: activate the vibration motor located on the same side as the active direction indicator. For example, the electronic computing device is configured to: if the active direction indicator is a direction indicator indicating a right turn, then the right front vibration motor (2) and the right rear vibration motor (3) are activated at the same time; and if the active direction indicator is a direction indicator indicating a left turn, then the left front vibration motor (4) and the left rear vibration motor (5) are activated.

[0051] The vibration motor is configured to generate vibrations that can be felt by a motorcycle rider when the motorcycle rider sits on the seat cover (1).

[0052] The electronic computing device (7) is also configured to switch off the vibration motor only when the direction indicator (19) is deactivated.

[0053] Furthermore, conveniently, the electronic computing device (7) is configured to: obtain other signals related to the operation of the motorcycle from the on-board electronic box (14); and convert these signals into signals sent to the motorcycle rider through the vibration of the vibration motor, wherein the signals sent to the motorcycle rider can be distinguished by the motorcycle rider through the different frequencies and / or intensities of the signals sent to the motorcycle rider.

[0054] Furthermore, according to another embodiment, other vibration motors may be associated with the motorcycle rider's handlebars, one vibration motor being associated with the right handle grip and the other vibration motor being associated with the left handle grip (16). In this case, the electronic computing device is further configured to control the other vibration motors associated with the handlebars according to the activation state of the direction indicator.

[0055] Preferably, the additional vibration motor is introduced into the handlebars of the motorcycle (13).

Claims

1. A device comprising a seat cover (1) which can be fastened to a seat of a motorcycle (13), wherein an upper surface of the seat cover is divided into a plurality of parts, each of the plurality of parts being positioned on a right side or a left side of the seat cover (1), each of the plurality of parts being associated with a corresponding vibration motor, the vibration motor being configured to generate vibrations which can be felt by a motorcycle rider when the motorcycle rider sits on the seat of the motorcycle (13), an electronic computing device (7), the electronic computing device being configured to control the vibration motor, and the electronic computing device being provided with a first connection device connected to an onboard electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13), The device is characterized in that The electronic computing device (7) is configured to: receive a signal related to the activation state of a direction indicator (19) of the motorcycle (13) from the on-board electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13); and control the vibration motor according to the signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The device further comprises a massage belt (9) which can be fastened around the waist of the motorcycle rider and is provided with at least two massage heads (11) which are positioned so that the right and left parts of the motorcycle rider's back are massaged, and is provided with a plurality of electrical stimulation electrodes (12) and second connection means for connecting the electronic computing device (7) to the massage belt (9), And among them, The electronic computing device (7) is also configured to control the massage head (11) according to the signal related to the activation state of the direction indicator.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The electronic computing device (7) is integrated with the seat cover (1).

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The electronic computing device is configured to activate the vibration motor located on the same side as the activated direction indicator.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The electronic computing device (7) is configured to switch off the vibration motor only when the direction indicator (19) is deactivated.

6. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The electronic computing device (7) is configured to: obtain other signals related to the operation of the motorcycle from the on-board electronic box (14); and convert the other signals into signals sent to the motorcycle rider through the vibration of the vibration motor, wherein the signals sent to the motorcycle rider can be distinguished by the motorcycle rider through different frequencies and / or intensities of the signals sent to the motorcycle rider.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The device also includes: an additional vibration motor associated with the right handle grip of the motorcycle; and an additional vibration motor associated with the left handle grip (16) of the motorcycle, and wherein the electronic computing device (7) is also configured to: control the additional vibration motor associated with the handlebar according to the activation state of the direction indicator.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The additional vibration motor is introduced into the handlebar of the motorcycle (13).

9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The seat cover (1) is divided into four parts: a right front area, in which a right front vibration motor (2) is positioned; a left front area, in which a left front vibration motor (4) is positioned; a right rear area, in which a right rear vibration motor (3) is positioned; and a left rear area, in which a left rear vibration motor (5) is positioned.

10. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The seat cover (1) can be fixed on the seat of a motorcycle.

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The seat cover (1) can be positioned on the seat of a motorcycle by means of adhesive-type fastening means or elastic-type fastening means.

12. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The electronic computing device is electrically connected to the right front vibration motor (2), the right rear vibration motor (3), the left front vibration motor (4) and the left rear vibration motor (5).

13. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first connecting device comprises: a first connector (6) for connecting the electronic computing device (7) to the onboard electronic box (14) of the motorcycle (13); and a second connector (8) for connecting the electronic computing device (7) to the massage belt (9).

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