Exhaust system for a motorcycle, motorcycle, and methods for controlling the exhaust system of a motorcycle

Abstract

The invention relates to an exhaust system (14) for a motorcycle (10), comprising an inlet opening (16) through which exhaust gas (18) from an internal combustion engine of the motorcycle (18) can flow into the exhaust system (14), a left outlet channel (24) which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle (10) on the left side of the motorcycle (10), and a right outlet channel (26) which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle (10) on the right side of the motorcycle (10), and a distribution device (22) which is configured to divide the exhaust gas (18) flowing into the exhaust system (14) via the inlet opening (16) between the left outlet channel (24) and the right outlet channel (26) depending on the tilt angle of the motorcycle (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an exhaust system for a motorcycle, a motorcycle with an exhaust system and a method for controlling an exhaust system of a motorcycle.

[0002] DE 10 2017 220 421 A1 discloses a method for assisting stable cornering of a two-wheeler. In this method, a corrective intervention of at least one actuator of the two-wheeler is triggered to assist cornering when a drift of the two-wheeler from a lane is detected using position information about a current position of the two-wheeler in the lane, movement information about a current movement of the two-wheeler, and course information about a course of the lane.

[0003] Furthermore, EP 2 699 462 B1 discloses a method for controlling the driving dynamics of a single-track land vehicle. The driving dynamics of the vehicle are controlled via braking and / or engine intervention, depending on the vehicle's movement in three-dimensional space and relative to an Earth coordinate system with the Earth's center of gravity as the origin. The attitude and position of the vehicle in three-dimensional space and relative to the Earth coordinate system are determined using a satellite navigation system and an initial measurement system arranged on or in the vehicle.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a solution which enables an increase in cornering speed on a motorcycle.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

[0006] The invention relates to an exhaust system for a motorcycle, in particular a motorbike. The exhaust system comprises an inlet opening through which exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine of the motorcycle can flow into the exhaust system. The exhaust system further comprises a left outlet duct, which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle on the left side of the motorcycle. In addition, the exhaust system comprises a right outlet duct, which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle on the right side of the motorcycle. The exhaust system further comprises a distribution device, which is designed to divide the exhaust gas flowing in via the inlet opening between the left outlet duct and the right outlet duct depending on an inclined position of the motorcycle.This means that the distribution device can be used to adjust which portion of the exhaust gas flowing through the inlet opening is directed into the motorcycle's surroundings via the left outlet duct and which portion via the right outlet duct. The exhaust gas flowing out of each outlet duct can generate a pulse that can be used to influence the motorcycle's driving dynamics. This means that the distribution device divides the exhaust gas flowing in through the inlet opening between the left outlet duct and the right outlet duct in such a way that the motorcycle is particularly well stabilized when cornering, depending on its lean angle.Depending on which of the exhaust ports the exhaust gas is routed through and the respective proportions of exhaust gas flowing through each port, the exhaust generates thrust on the right or left side of the motorcycle, which influences the motorcycle's driving dynamics when cornering. This allows the motorcycle to corner with exceptional stability.

[0007] In a possible development of the invention, it is provided that the exhaust system comprises an inclination sensor which is designed to determine a direction of the inclination of the motorcycle and a degree of the inclination of the motorcycle. The direction of the inclination of the motorcycle is to be understood as whether the motorcycle is tilted to the right or to the left about the vehicle's longitudinal axis, starting from its neutral position. The degree of the inclination is to be understood as the angle by which the motorcycle is pivoted about the vehicle's longitudinal axis in this inclined position compared to the neutral position. The greater the angle by which the motorcycle is pivoted about the vehicle's longitudinal direction, starting from the neutral position, the greater the degree of the inclination.Furthermore, it is provided that the exhaust system comprises a control device which is designed to actuate the distribution device in such a way that the exhaust gas is divided between the left outlet channel and the right outlet channel by means of the distribution device depending on the determined direction and strength of the inclination. In this case, the distribution device can in particular divide the exhaust gas in such a way that the exhaust gas flowing in via the inlet opening is guided entirely via the left outlet channel or entirely via the right outlet channel into the surroundings of the motorcycle. The inclination of the motorcycle can be determined particularly precisely by means of the inclination sensor. Because the inclination of the motorcycle is determined particularly precisely, the distribution of the exhaust gas can be adapted particularly well to the determined inclination by means of the distribution device.As a result, the motorcycle can be particularly well supported, and in particular stabilized, in its current cornering with regard to its lean angle by the exhaust gas flowing out of the left exit channel and / or the right exit channel.

[0008] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the distribution device comprises a rotating roller with two channels, which can be adjusted between a first position connecting the inlet opening to the left-hand outlet channel via a first of the channels, and a second position connecting the inlet opening to the right-hand outlet channel via the second channel. This means that the distribution device can be rotated about an axis of rotation for adjustment between the first position and the second position. The rotating roller is adjusted from the first position to the second position by rotating the rotating roller around the axis of rotation by a predetermined angle in a predetermined first direction of rotation.If the rotating roller is rotated back by this predetermined angle about the axis of rotation in a second direction of rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation, the rotating roller is thereby moved back from the second position to the first position. If the rotating roller is arranged in the first position, the first channel fluidically connects the inlet opening to the left output channel, whereby there is no fluidic connection between the inlet opening and the right output channel. If the rotating roller is arranged in the second position, the second channel fluidically connects the inlet opening to the right output channel, whereby there is no connection between the inlet opening and the left output channel. The rotating roller is thus designed to fluidically connect either the left output channel or the right output channel to the inlet opening.As a result, the distribution device designed as a rotating roller allows the entire exhaust gas flowing in through the inlet opening to be guided particularly reliably into the surroundings of the motorcycle either via the right-hand outlet channel or via the left-hand outlet channel.

[0009] In an alternative possible embodiment of the invention, the distribution device comprises a valve that can be adjusted between a first position connecting the inlet opening with the left outlet channel and a second position connecting the inlet opening with the right outlet channel. The valve makes it possible for the exhaust gas flowing in through the inlet opening to be proportionally distributed between the left outlet channel and the right outlet channel. This allows the motorcycle's driving dynamics to be adjusted particularly precisely when cornering.

[0010] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the exhaust system comprises the control device which is designed to control the distribution device in such a way that, when cornering to the right, the exhaust gas is guided to the left outlet channel by means of the distribution device, and when cornering to the left, the exhaust gas is guided to the right outlet channel by means of the distribution device. Thus, the exhaust system generates thrust which counteracts the negative centrifugal force when the motorcycle is leaning. In other words, the thrust acts in the direction of the centrifugal force. By virtue of the thrust acting against the negative centrifugal force, the exhaust system can reduce the centrifugal forces acting on the motorcycle when cornering. By reducing the negative centrifugal forces, higher cornering speeds can be achieved at the same lean angle.

[0011] The centrifugal force is an inertial force directed away from the center of a circle—in this case, the center of a circle whose circular path the curve follows—and specifically radially outward. The centripetal force is a real, inward-directed force acting on bodies in rotational motion and thus acting radially inward on the body toward the center of the circle.

[0012] In a further possible embodiment of the invention, the exhaust system has an inlet duct, by means of which the exhaust gas can be guided to the inlet opening, and which has a bypass opening, via which a portion of the exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine can be guided into the environment of the motorcycle, bypassing the distribution device and the outlet ducts. In other words, the inlet duct is arranged upstream of the inlet opening and is designed to guide the exhaust gas produced when fuel is burned in the internal combustion engine away from the internal combustion engine. By means of the inlet duct, the exhaust gas produced during combustion can be divided between the inlet opening and the bypass opening. The exhaust gas in the inlet duct can be divided between the inlet opening and the bypass opening depending on the strength of the thrust to be generated.The greater the thrust to be generated by the exhaust gas, the greater the proportion of exhaust gas directed through the intake port. This makes it possible for only a portion of the exhaust gas produced during fuel combustion in the internal combustion engine to be used to generate thrust, while the remainder of the exhaust gas is directed into the surroundings of the motorcycle via the bypass port, bypassing the exhaust ports.

[0013] The invention further relates to a motorcycle, in particular a motorbike, with an exhaust system as already described in connection with the exhaust system according to the invention. Because the motorcycle has the described exhaust system, the motorcycle can negotiate a curve at a particularly high cornering speed, given a given lean angle of the motorcycle.

[0014] The invention further relates to a method for controlling the exhaust gas routing of a motorcycle, in which an inclination of the motorcycle is determined by means of an inclination sensor and, depending on the determined inclination, the distribution device of an exhaust system of the motorcycle, as already described in connection with the exhaust system according to the invention, is controlled by means of a control device, whereby exhaust gas is distributed between the left outlet channel and the right outlet channel by means of the distribution device depending on the determined inclination. The left outlet channel opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle on the left side of the motorcycle, whereas the right outlet channel opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle on the right side of the motorcycle.In other words, the method determines the angular position of the motorcycle's lean angle and the direction in which the motorcycle is leaning when the motorcycle is cornering. Depending on the determined angular position of the motorcycle's lean angle and the direction of the lean angle, the exhaust gas is guided to the right-hand outlet duct or to the left-hand outlet duct or split between the right-hand and left-hand outlet ducts by means of the distribution device. The exhaust gas flowing out of the respective outlet duct into the environment generates thrust which influences the motorcycle's driving dynamics when cornering. This makes it possible to achieve particularly high driving stability of the motorcycle when cornering.

[0015] In this context, it can be provided that the distribution device is controlled by the control device in such a way that, during a right-hand bend, the exhaust gas is guided to the left outlet channel by means of the distribution device, and that, during a left-hand bend, the exhaust gas is guided to the right outlet channel by means of the distribution device. In other words, the distribution device is controlled by the control device in such a way that, during a right-hand bend, the distribution device fluidically connects the inlet opening to the left outlet channel, whereas, during a left-hand bend, the distribution device fluidically connects the inlet opening to the right outlet channel. The result of this is that, during each cornering, thrust is generated by the exhaust gas flowing out of the exhaust system via the respective outlet channel, which counteracts the negative centrifugal force.This allows the motorcycle to negotiate the respective curve at a particularly high cornering speed with a particularly low lean angle.

[0016] Further features of the invention may emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and / or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0017] The drawing shows in the only figure ( Fig. 1) a schematic sectional view of a portion of a motorcycle during cornering.

[0018] In Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a portion of a motorcycle 10, in this case a motorcycle. Here, the motorcycle 10 is sectioned in a plane spanned by the vehicle's vertical direction z and the vehicle's transverse direction y. In this example, the motorcycle 10 is shown in a right-hand bend on a roadway 12. When negotiating this right-hand bend, the motorcycle 10 is arranged in an inclined position, in this case tilted to the right. In order to increase the cornering speed achievable by the motorcycle 10 at a given inclined position, the motorcycle 10 is provided with an exhaust system 14, as described below.

[0019] The exhaust system 14 comprises an inlet opening 16, through which exhaust gas 18 from an internal combustion engine of the motorcycle 10 can flow in. In the present case, the exhaust system 14 further comprises an inlet channel 20, which is arranged upstream of the inlet opening 16 and through which the exhaust gas 18 from the internal combustion engine can flow into the exhaust system 14. The inlet channel 20 is designed to guide the exhaust gas 18 between the inlet opening 16 and a Fig. 1 bypass opening not shown.

[0020] The exhaust system 14 further comprises a distribution device 22, which in this case is designed as a rotating roller, a left outlet channel 24 and a right outlet channel 26. The left outlet channel 24 opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle 10 on the left side of the motorcycle 10. The right outlet channel 26 opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle 10 on the right side of the motorcycle 10. The distribution device 22 is designed to divide the exhaust gas 18 flowing via the inlet opening 16 between the left outlet channel 24 and the right outlet channel 26. In this case, the distribution device 22 is designed to fluidically connect the inlet opening 16 either to the left outlet channel 24 or to the right outlet channel 26. For this purpose, the distribution device 22 in this case has a first channel 28 and a second channel 30, which are fluidically completely separate from one another.The distribution device 22 can be moved between a first position, which is shown in . Fig. 1, and a second position by rotating the distribution device 22 about a rotation axis 32. In the first position of the distribution device 22, the first channel 28 fluidically connects the inlet opening 16 with the left outlet channel 24. In the second position, the second channel 30 fluidically connects the inlet opening 16 with the right outlet channel 26. As an alternative to the configuration of the distribution device 22 as shown in Fig. 1, the distribution device 22 can be designed as a valve, for example corresponding to a so-called wastegate.

[0021] The exhaust system 14 comprises a Fig. 1 schematically shows a control device 34, which is designated by a box and is configured to control the distribution device 22. This means that the control device 34 can be used to trigger the adjustment of the distribution device 22 between the first position and the second position.

[0022] The exhaust system 14 further comprises a Fig.1 schematically marked with a box lean angle sensor 36. The lean angle sensor 36 is configured to determine a direction and an intensity of the lean angle of the motorcycle 10. The control device 34, in turn, is configured to control the distribution device 22 depending on the direction and intensity of the lean angle of the motorcycle 10 determined by means of the lean angle sensor 36, in particular in such a way that the exhaust gas 18 is divided by means of the distribution device 22 depending on the determined direction and intensity of the lean angle between the left outlet channel 24 and the right outlet channel 26, in particular is guided either through the left outlet channel 24 or through the right outlet channel 26.

[0023] The control device 34 is configured to control the distribution device 22 such that, during a right-hand bend, the exhaust gas 18 is guided to the left outlet channel 24 by means of the distribution device 22, and that, during a left-hand bend, the exhaust gas 18 is guided to the right outlet channel 26 by means of the distribution device 22. This means that, during a left-hand bend, the exhaust gas 18 flowing through the inlet opening 16 is guided via the right outlet channel 26 into the vicinity of the motorcycle 10. During a right-hand bend, the exhaust gas 18 flowing through the inlet opening 16 is guided via the left outlet channel 24 into the vicinity of the motorcycle 10. Thus, the exhaust gas 18 flowing through the respective outlet channel 24, 26 into the vicinity of the motorcycle 10 generates thrust counter to the negative centrifugal force and thus in the direction of the centrifugal force.

[0024] The described invention is based on the finding that negative centrifugal forces occur when cornering a motorcycle 10, which, without the described exhaust system 14, must be compensated for by a high lean angle. If these negative centrifugal forces are reduced, in this case by the thrust generated by the exhaust gas 18, higher cornering speeds can be achieved at the same lean angle. Thus, the exhaust gas 18 is used to generate thrust that counteracts the negative centrifugal forces when cornering. The respective outlet channels 24, 26 extend through a fairing of the motorcycle 10.

[0025] Overall, the invention shows how a device for using the exhaust system to reduce centrifugal forces on a motorcycle when cornering can be used. List of reference symbols 10 motorcycles 12 lane 14 Exhaust system 16 Entrance opening 18 Exhaust 20 input channels 22 Distribution device 24 left output channel 26 right output channel 28 first channel 30 second channel 32 axis of rotation 34 Control device 36 lean angle sensor x Vehicle longitudinal direction y vehicle transverse direction z Vehicle vertical direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 220 421 A1

[0002] EP 2 699 462 B1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Exhaust system (14) for a motorcycle (10), with an inlet opening (16) through which exhaust gas (18) from an internal combustion engine of the motorcycle (18) can flow into the exhaust system (14), with a left outlet channel (24) which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle (10) on the left side of the motorcycle (10), and with a right outlet channel (26) which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle (10) on the right side of the motorcycle (10), and with a distribution device (22) which is designed to divide the exhaust gas (18) flowing into the exhaust system (14) via the inlet opening (16) between the left outlet channel (24) and the right outlet channel (26) depending on an inclined position of the motorcycle (10). [2] Exhaust system (14) according to claim 1, characterized bythat an inclination sensor (36) is provided which is designed to determine a direction of the inclination of the motorcycle (10) and an intensity of the inclination of the motorcycle (10), and a control device (34) is provided which is designed to control the distribution device (22) in such a way that the exhaust gas (18) is divided between the left output channel (24) and the right output channel (26) by means of the distribution device (22) depending on the determined direction and intensity of the inclination. [3] Exhaust system (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by in that the distribution device (22) comprises a rotating roller with two channels (28, 30) which can be adjusted between a first position connecting the inlet opening (16) via a first of the channels (28) to the left outlet channel (24) and a second position connecting the inlet opening (16) via the second channel (30) to the right outlet channel (26). [4] Exhaust system (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the distribution device (22) comprises a valve which can be adjusted between a first position connecting the inlet opening (16) to the left outlet channel (24) and a second position connecting the inlet opening (16) to the right outlet channel (26). [5] Exhaust system (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a control device (34) is provided which is designed to control the distribution device (22) in such a way that, in the case of a right-hand bend, the exhaust gas (18) is guided by means of the distribution device (22) to the left-hand outlet channel (24) and that, in the case of a left-hand bend, the exhaust gas (18) is guided by means of the distribution device (22) to the right-hand outlet channel (26). [6] Exhaust system (14) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the exhaust line (14) has an inlet channel (20) by means of which the exhaust gas (18) can be guided to the inlet opening (16) and which has a bypass opening via which a part of the exhaust gas (18) of the internal combustion engine can be guided into an environment of the motorcycle (10), bypassing the distribution device (22) and the outlet channels (24, 26). [7] Motorcycle (10) with an exhaust system (14) according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Method for controlling an exhaust gas system of a motorcycle (10), in which an inclined position of the motorcycle (10) is determined by means of an inclination sensor (36) and a distribution device (22) of an exhaust system (14) of the motorcycle (10) according to one of claims 1-6 is controlled by means of a control device (34) as a function of the determined inclined position, whereby exhaust gas (18) is divided by means of the distribution device (22) between the left outlet channel (24), which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle (10) on the left side of the motorcycle (10), and the right outlet channel (26), which opens into the surroundings of the motorcycle (10) on the right side of the motorcycle (10), as a function of the determined inclined position. [9] Method according to claim 8, characterized bythat the distribution device (22) is controlled by means of the control device (34) in such a way that in the case of a right-hand bend the exhaust gas (18) is guided by means of the distribution device (22) to the left-hand outlet channel (24) and that in the case of a left-hand bend the exhaust gas (18) is guided by means of the distribution device (22) to the right-hand outlet channel (24).

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