Control device for a motorcycle and motorcycle

Abstract

Control device for a motorcycle, comprising a processing unit which is designed to detect a signal from a parking device as well as a brake actuation and a gearshift actuation, and wherein the control device is designed to activate a driveability mode of the motorcycle if a brake actuation and a simultaneous gearshift actuation are detected when the parking device is unfolded, wherein the control device for activating the driveability mode has an actuation unit which is designed to interact with a drive train of the motorcycle.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for a motorcycle and to a motorcycle.

[0002] In motor vehicles, such as motorcycles, it is often important to detect whether a rider is sitting in the driver's seat. For example, DE 10 2007 059 401 A1 discloses, in this context, a transmission control device for a motorcycle, which has a seat sensor that detects when a rider is sitting in a driver's seat. The transmission control device additionally comprises a shift mechanism for automatically shifting an automatic transmission into a neutral range when, after the engine has started, a vehicle stop state is detected based on an output signal of the vehicle speed sensor, and it is detected that the rider is not sitting in the driver's seat. However, such a solution requires an additional sensor, namely the aforementioned seat sensor, and also limits certain applications and operating freedoms.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a control device for a motorcycle and a motorcycle, wherein existing or required sensors and signals are to be used in order to optimize the operation of the vehicle.

[0004] This object is achieved by a control device according to claim 1 and by a motorcycle according to claim 6. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

[0005] According to the invention, a control device for a motorcycle comprises a processing unit which is designed to detect a signal from a parking device as well as a brake application and a gearshift operation, and wherein the control device is designed to activate a driveability of the motorcycle if a brake application and a simultaneous gearshift operation are detected when the parking device is unfolded, wherein the control device for activating the driveability has an actuating unit which is designed to interact with a drive train, in particular a transmission, of the motorcycle. The parking device is, for example, a stand, in particular a side stand of the motorcycle. According to a preferred embodiment, the parking device is a main stand of the motorcycle.Such a main stand comprises two legs and allows one wheel of the motorcycle to be in the air when the stand is unfolded. Advantageously, in this case, it can be detected whether or not the motorcycle is ready to drive without the provision of a seat sensor or the like. The control device is designed or parameterized to activate the drive readiness when the parking device is unfolded - in other words, when it is detected that the parking device is unfolded - and the simultaneous detection of a gearshift operation and a brake application. According to a preferred embodiment, activating the drive readiness comprises, for example, engaging a gear. Expediently, the actuating unit is provided for this purpose, which is designed to engage or disengage a gear in the transmission or, more generally, to control or actuate the transmission in such a way that there is or is not a power connection from the engine to the drive wheel.For this purpose, the actuating unit can also be designed to interact with a clutch or a shift drum, depending on the design of the transmission.

[0006] According to one embodiment, the control device is configured to keep the drive readiness active when the parking device is unfolded if a brake application is detected within a defined period of time.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the processing unit is configured to detect an actuation of a speed sensor, wherein the control device is configured to keep the drive readiness active when the parking device is unfolded if an actuation of the speed sensor is detected within a defined period of time.

[0008] The control system essentially offers the advantage that the standby mode can be activated or maintained with the parking device extended, even when the rider is stationary. This may be necessary, for example, if the rider wants to get off the center stand and shifts their weight backward to increase the rear wheel's ground contact.

[0009] The control device is further designed to deactivate the ready-to-drive mode if it detects that the parking device is being deployed. The control device is expediently capable of detecting that the rider intends to pull the motorcycle onto the center stand, for example, and deactivates the ready-to-drive mode. If the throttle is accidentally activated while the parking device is deployed, the vehicle will advantageously not accelerate, as the ready-to-drive mode is deactivated. This is expediently only activated when simultaneous braking and gearshift operations are detected.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the control device is configured to deactivate the drive readiness when the parking device is deployed if no brake actuation or actuation of the speed sensor is detected within a defined period of time. Thus, a type of safety circuit is expediently installed.

[0011] The control device is expediently operatively connected to a driving speed sensor, wherein the control device is configured or designed to actively maintain the driveability when the parking device is deployed if a driving speed greater than zero is detected. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, the parking device is briefly deployed or at least briefly leaves its retracted position. This can occur, for example, off-road when the main stand briefly, albeit only slightly, deploys when driving over an obstacle or when jumping and subsequently landing.

[0012] The parking device expediently comprises a sensor designed to detect whether the parking device is folded in or out. Such a sensor can be designed, for example, as a stand switch. According to one embodiment, this is configured such that it is activated when the parking device is folded in. It is deactivated accordingly, i.e., changes, for example, from folded in to unfolded, as soon as the parking device leaves this position. This makes it possible to detect when the rider intends, for example, to pull the motorcycle onto the center stand. As already mentioned, the ready-to-drive status is then expediently deactivated.

[0013] It should be noted here that deactivating the driveability function can also be achieved by switching the motorcycle's (drive) engine on or off. This switching on or off particularly applies to internal combustion engine drives. In principle, the ignition can be switched on or off, for example. A similar functionality can also be implemented with electric drives, which can also be switched on or off.

[0014] The invention also relates to a motorcycle comprising a control device according to the invention, wherein the transmission is at least partially automated. The motorcycle is preferably a scooter or a motorcycle, or more generally, a tilting vehicle, which is intended to include both single- and multi-track vehicles, such as trikes or LMW (Leaning Multi Wheel) vehicles. A partially automated transmission is, for example, a transmission in which the actual gear shifting is no longer performed by the driver's muscle power, but rather by a suitable, usually electric, actuator. The transmission can be a conventional, partially automated manual transmission, or a dual-clutch transmission, etc. The transmission is expediently automated at least in such a way that a power connection from the engine to the driven wheel can be interrupted in a suitable manner to prevent the motorcycle from moving away.

[0015] The transmission expediently comprises an actuator, in particular a shift drum or at least one clutch, wherein the actuating unit is designed to actuate the shift drum or the at least one clutch. As already explained, the aim is, in particular, to appropriately release the power transmission from the engine to the driven wheel in order to prevent the motorcycle from moving away, especially unintentionally.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the motorcycle comprises a stand switch, in particular a main stand switch, a brake pressure sensor or a brake light switch, and a gear lever sensor.

[0017] Conveniently, the motorcycle also includes a throttle position sensor and a speed sensor. According to a preferred embodiment, the speed sensor is, in particular, a front-wheel speed sensor. The throttle position sensor is conveniently designed or configured to detect the position of the throttle grip. Conveniently, the aforementioned sensors are devices that are typically already present. The major advantage is that the existing sensor technology can be used to optimize the operation of the respective vehicle.

[0018] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of a control device with reference to the attached figure.

[0019] It shows: Fig. 1: the schematic structure of an embodiment of a control device according to the invention.

[0020] Fig.Figure 1 shows a control device 10 comprising a processing unit 12, which is operatively connected to an actuating unit 14. This, in turn, is designed and parameterized, for example, to interact with a transmission 20 of a motorcycle (not shown here) or to control, operate, or actuate it. The processing unit 12 is connected to a stand switch 30, a brake pressure sensor 32, and a gearshift sensor 34 in such a way that it can detect and ultimately process corresponding signals. Similarly, the processing unit 12 is connected to a speed sensor 36 and a speed sensor 38. With such a setup, a wide variety of scenarios can be realized: Scenario 1: It is detected that the center stand is being extended while the vehicle is stationary. The control device 10 detects the rider's preparation or intention to pull the motorcycle onto the center stand and deactivates the ready-to-drive function. If the grass grip is accidentally activated, the vehicle will not accelerate. Scenario 2: The center stand extends briefly while driving, for example, off-road, or at least slightly leaves its folded position. The center stand switch 30 switches from folded to unfolded. Based on the driving speed, the function detects the driver's presence and conscious operation. The vehicle remains ready to drive. Scenario 3: The center stand is extended. This can be detected via the center stand switch 30. The driver operates the brake and gearshift lever. Gearshift lever sensor 34 and brake pressure sensor 32 report the activation. The control unit 12 then detects the driver's presence and conscious operation. The vehicle is ready to drive. Scenario 4: Following Scenario 3, the driver does not operate the brakes or the accelerator pedal for a defined period of time. The function cannot detect driver presence and deactivates the drive readiness function. Scenario 5: Following Scenario 3, the driver activates the brake or the accelerator pedal within a defined time. The function detects the driver's presence and conscious operation and keeps the drive-ready function active.

[0021] All of this can be conveniently achieved without installing additional sensors. The sensors used are components that are typically already present on modern motorcycles. List of reference symbols 10 Control device 12 processing unit 14 Actuating unit 20 gearboxes 30 (main) stand switches 32 Brake pressure sensor 34 Gearshift sensor 36 Speed sensor 38 Speed sensor 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 2007 059 401 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Control device (10) for a motorcycle, comprising a processing unit (12) which is designed to detect a signal from a parking device as well as a brake actuation and a gearshift actuation, and wherein the control device (10) is designed to activate a driving readiness of the motorcycle when a brake actuation and a simultaneous gearshift actuation are detected when the parking device is unfolded, wherein the control device (10) for activating the driving readiness has an actuating unit (14) which is designed to interact with a drive train, in particular a transmission (20), of the motorcycle. [2] Control device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (10) is configured to keep the drive readiness active when the parking device is unfolded if a brake application is detected within a defined period of time. [3] Control device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit (12) is configured to detect an actuation of a speed sensor, and wherein the control device (10) is designed to keep the driving readiness active when the parking device is folded out if an actuation of the driving value sensor is detected within a defined period of time. [4] Control device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) is configured to deactivate a drive readiness when the parking device is folded out if no brake actuation or no actuation of the driving value sensor is detected within a defined period of time. [5] Control device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (10) is operatively connected to a vehicle speed sensor, and wherein the control device (10) is configured to keep the driving readiness active when the parking device is folded out if a driving speed greater than 0 is detected. [6] Motorcycle comprising a control device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission (20) is at least partially automated. [7] Motorcycle according to claim 6, wherein the transmission (20) comprises an actuator, in particular a shift drum or at least one clutch, and wherein the actuating unit (14) is designed to actuate the shift drum or the at least one clutch. [8] Motorcycle according to claim 6 or 7, comprising a stand switch (30), a brake pressure sensor (32) and a gear lever sensor (34). [9] Motorcycle according to one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a speed sensor (36) and a speed sensor (38).

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