Method and control system for tilting the front frame of a tricycle vehicle.

Abstract

- Method and control system for tilting the front frame of a tricycle vehicle.- The control system includes at least one processing unit (7) configured to collect a signal (S1) representing the presence or absence of a driver seated on the seat (8) of the tricycle vehicle, emitted by a presence sensor (C1); to collect a signal (S2) representing the current speed of the tricycle vehicle (1), emitted by a speed sensor (C2); to transmit to the locking device (56) a signal (S3) representing a command to lock the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) in a current position; and to the braking system (20) a signal (S4) representing a braking command to lock forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1), at least if the signal (S1) represents the absence of a driver and if the signal (S2) represents a current speed strictly lower than a predetermined speed. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method and control system for tilting a front frame of a tricycle vehicle. technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and control system for tilting the front frame of a tricycle vehicle, particularly one designed to support heavy loads. Specifically, the tricycle vehicle can be used by a postal worker to transport all or part of the mail and / or parcels to be delivered on a route. However, it can be used in many other fields, such as delivery services. It can also be used simply as a means of transport, with or without additional cargo. Prior art

[0002] In the field of cycling, two-wheeled cycles of the so-called "scooter" type are already known and appreciated for the riding comfort they provide due to the rider's positioning. However, when it comes to transporting heavy loads, they can prove unsuitable, particularly due to a lack of stability, whether in motion or at a standstill.

[0003] To improve the stability of a cycle, it is known to use a three-wheeled cycle or tricycle. However, these present maneuverability problems, particularly regarding turning radius. Tricycles equipped with a pair of wheels at the front have been proposed and are now commonly used thanks to their good maneuverability. Their stability, however, is less than that of a conventional tricycle with a pair of wheels at the rear.

[0004] Document FR 3020335 describes a tricycle vehicle comprising a rear frame and a front frame configured to allow the installation of a driver on said vehicle. The front frame is rotationally articulated about a pivot axis relative to the rear frame so as to allow the front frame to tilt relative to the rear frame towards the roadway on either side of a vertical position. This results in a tricycle vehicle with good stability due to its tricycle design and good maneuverability due to the tilting of the front frame relative to the rear frame. Furthermore, this tricycle vehicle includes a parking brake which, when activated by the operation of a lever, simultaneously blocks forward and / or backward movement of the tricycle vehicle and prevents tilting in order to maintain the stability of the tricycle vehicle when parked.However, this need to operate a lever makes the tricycle vehicle not fully ergonomic. Indeed, in the context of certain applications such as that of a... When using a delivery tricycle, the driver may make many stops and is therefore required to block the tipping mechanism very regularly.

[0005] There is therefore a need to find a solution to improve the ergonomics of such a tricycle. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a tilting control system and method to overcome this drawback.

[0007] For this purpose, it relates to a method of controlling the tilting of a front frame of a tricycle vehicle likely to be on a roadway (R) relative to a rear frame of the tricycle vehicle, the rear frame being equipped with a powertrain and a pair of wheels driven by the powertrain, the front frame being configured to allow the installation of a driver of the tricycle vehicle on a saddle, the front frame being articulated in rotation about an articulation axis relative to the rear frame so as to allow the tilting of the front frame relative to the rear frame in the direction of the roadway on either side of a vertical position, the tricycle vehicle having a braking system configured alternately to block or allow free forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle and a locking device to block in a current position or allow free tilting of the front frame.

[0008] According to the invention, the control method comprises the following steps implemented iteratively: - a first data collection stage, implemented by a computing unit, to collect an initial signal representing the presence or absence of a rider seated on the saddle, emitted by a presence sensor, - a second data collection step, implemented by the computing unit, to collect a second signal representing the current speed of the tricycle vehicle, emitted by a speed sensor, - a set of subsequent steps implemented by the computing unit at least if the first signal represents an absence of the driver and if the second signal represents a current speed strictly lower than a predetermined speed: o a first transmission step to transmit to the locking device a third signal representing a command to block the tilting of the front frame to block the tilting of the front frame in a current position, o a second transmission step to transmit to the braking system a fourth signal representing a braking command to block a forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle.

[0009] Thus, the method makes it possible to automatically block the tilting of the front frame and to automatically activate the braking system. The driver can therefore make stops, for example for deliveries, without having to activate the parking brake.

[0010] Advantageously, the locking control command is designed so that the locking device is in a locking position in which the locking device blocks the tilting of the front frame in the current position, the braking control command being designed so that the braking system is in a braking position in which the braking system blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle.

[0011] Furthermore, the first transmission step and the second transmission step are followed: - a third data collection stage, implemented by the computing unit, to collect the first signal emitted by the presence sensor, - a fourth data collection stage, implemented by the computing unit, to collect a fifth signal representative of the tricycle vehicle's start-up parameters, - a third transmission step, implemented by the computing unit, to transmit a sixth signal representing the unlocking command order to the locking device, at least if the first signal is representative of a driver's presence and if the start-up parameters represented by the fifth signal meet the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle, the unlocking command order being developed so that the locking device is in an unlocking position in which the locking device allows the front frame to tilt freely.

[0012] Furthermore, the tricycle vehicle includes an ignition lock configured to receive an ignition key and a driving mode selector for the tricycle vehicle, the fourth collection step comprising: - a first sub-step of data collection, implemented by the computing unit, to collect a seventh signal representative of a first parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle, corresponding to the presence of an ignition key in a driving position in the ignition lock of the tricycle vehicle, - a second data collection sub-step, implemented by the computing unit, to collect an eighth signal representing a second starting parameter of the tricycle vehicle corresponding to a position of the tricycle vehicle's driving mode selector, the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle being met to implement the third transmission stage if an ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock of the tricycle vehicle and whether the driving mode selector of the tricycle vehicle is in a reverse or forward position.

[0013] In addition, the control method includes a collection step, implemented by the computing unit, to collect a ninth signal representative of a position of the braking system, the first transmission step and the second transmission step being implemented further if the braking system is not in a braking position in which the braking system blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle.

[0014] The invention also relates to a control system for tilting a front frame of a tricycle vehicle that may be located on a roadway relative to a rear frame of the tricycle vehicle, the rear frame being equipped with a motor-propulsion unit of the tricycle vehicle and a pair of wheels driven by the motor-propulsion unit, the front frame being configured to allow the installation of a driver of the tricycle vehicle on a saddle, the front frame being articulated in rotation about an articulation axis relative to the rear frame so as to allow the front frame to tilt relative to the rear frame towards the roadway on either side of a vertical position, the tricycle vehicle having a braking system and a locking device.

[0015] According to the invention, the control system comprises at least one computing unit configured to: - to collect an initial signal indicating the presence or absence of a rider seated on the saddle, emitted by a presence sensor, - collect a second signal representing the current speed of the tricycle vehicle emitted by a speed sensor, at least if the first signal represents the absence of the driver and if the second signal represents a current speed strictly lower than a predetermined speed, the processing unit is configured to: - transmit to the locking device a third signal representing a command to lock the tilting of the front frame in order to lock the tilting of the front frame in a current position, and - transmit to the braking system a fourth signal representing a braking command order to block forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle.

[0016] Advantageously, the locking command sequence is designed so that the locking device is in a locked position in which the locking device prevents the front frame from tilting, the braking command order being designed so that the braking system is in a braking position in which the braking system blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle.

[0017] Furthermore, the computing unit is configured, after transmitting the third signal representing the locking command and the fourth signal representing the braking command, to: - collect the first signal indicating the presence or absence of a rider on the seat, emitted by the presence sensor. - collect a fifth signal representative of the tricycle vehicle's start-up parameters, - transmit a sixth signal representing the unlocking command order to the locking device at least if the first signal is representative of the presence of the driver and if the start-up parameters of the sixth signal meet the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle, the unlocking command order being developed so that the locking device (56) is in an unlocking position in which the locking device (56) allows the front frame to tilt freely.

[0018] Furthermore, the tricycle vehicle includes an ignition lock configured to receive an ignition key and a driving mode selector for the tricycle vehicle, the computing unit being configured to: - collect a seventh signal representative of a first parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle, corresponding to the presence of an ignition key in a driving position in the ignition lock of the tricycle vehicle, - collect an eighth signal representative of a second parameter of starting the tricycle vehicle corresponding to a position of the driving mode selector of the tricycle vehicle, the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle being met if an ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock of the tricycle vehicle and if the driving mode selector of the tricycle vehicle is in a reverse position or a forward position.

[0019] Furthermore, the computing unit is configured to collect a ninth signal representative of a position of the braking system, the computing unit being configured, furthermore, if the braking system is not in a braking position in which the locking device blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle, to: - transmit to the locking device the third signal representing the command to lock the tilting of the front frame in order to lock the tilting of the front frame in a current position, - transmit to the braking system the fourth signal representing the braking command order to block forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle.

[0020] The invention also relates to a tricycle vehicle which includes a control system for tilting a front frame of a tricycle vehicle, as described above. Brief description of the figures

[0021] The accompanying figures will clearly illustrate how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical reference numerals designate similar elements.

[0022] Fig. 1 schematically represents the control system.

[0023] Fig. 2 schematically represents the control method.

[0024] Fig. 3 represents a side view of the tricycle vehicle.

[0025] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a detail of an example vehicle tricycle including a locking device.

[0026] Fig. 5 represents a rear view of an example of the tricycle vehicle schematically illustrating the tilting of the front frame relative to the rear frame of the tricycle vehicle. Detailed description

[0027] The control system S is shown schematically in [Fig.1].

[0028] The control system allows a tilting 41 of a front frame 4 of a tricycle vehicle 1 that may be on a roadway R relative to a rear frame 2 of the tricycle vehicle 1 ([Fig.3]).

[0029] The tricycle vehicle 1 comprises the front frame 4 and the rear frame 2. The tricycle vehicle 1 further comprises a braking system 20 configured to block forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1 when said braking system 20 is activated. The braking system 2 corresponds to the parking brake. For example, the braking system 20 is in a braking position (in other words, the braking system 20 is activated) when it blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1. The braking system 20 is not in a braking position (in other words, the braking system 20 is deactivated) when it allows the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1 to move freely.

[0030] The rear frame 2 is equipped with a powertrain 38 of the tricycle vehicle 1 and a pair of wheels 40 driven by the powertrain 38. Preferably, the powertrain 38 is electric. The front frame 4 is configured to allow the installation of a driver (not shown) of the tricycle vehicle 1 on a seat 8. The front frame 4 includes, for example, a frame 6 to which a seat 8 and a guide device 10 are attached.

[0031] The guidance device 10 may include a steering fork 12, a handlebar 14, and a front wheel 16. The steering fork 12 may be rotationally articulated on the front frame 4 to allow the front wheel 16 to be steered to the left or right. The handlebar 14 may be connected to the steering fork 12 to allow its orientation by the driver. The front wheel 16 can be free to rotate relative to an axle 18 connected to the fork 12. In one embodiment, the front wheel 16 can be equipped with the braking system 20, for example a disc brake, actuated by means of a lever 141 from the handlebar 14. In another embodiment, the pair of wheels 40 can be equipped with the braking system 20. The guiding device 10 can further include a suspension system 22 for damping the transmission to the handlebar 14 and the frame 6 from shocks absorbed by the front wheel 16.These include, for example, pneumatic cylinders mounted between the arms 24 of the steering fork 12 and the axle 18 of the front wheel 16.

[0032] The front frame 4 is rotationally articulated about a pivot axis 42 relative to the rear frame 2 so as to allow the front frame 4 to tilt relative to the rear frame 2 in the direction of the roadway R on either side of a vertical position (of the front frame 4 relative to the roadway R). The tricycle vehicle 1 may include a pivot 62 allowing the tilting. The front frame 4 thus forms a pendulum system relative to the rear frame 2.

[0033] The tricycle vehicle 1 can be configured so that the articulation axis 42 is inclined at a strictly positive angle α relative to the road surface R. In other words, the articulation axis 42 is not horizontal and rises from the rear to the front of the tricycle vehicle 1. Advantageously, the angle α is less than 14°, in particular between 5° and 10°. It can be fixed, for example, at approximately 7°. Such characteristics enhance the vehicle's handling, both in terms of stability and maneuverability.

[0034] In [Fig. 5], the tilting mechanism 41 is represented by the arrow labeled 4L. In other words, the front frame 4 can tilt around the pivot axis 42 ([Fig. 1]) located in a plane containing the vertical and passing through a midpoint of the wheel pair 40. Put another way, while the rear frame 2 remains horizontal, i.e., the two rear wheels of the wheel pair 40 remain in contact with the road surface R, the front frame 4 can tilt, under the effect of an impulse given by the driver, to the right or to the left. Such pivoting gives good maneuverability to the tricycle vehicle 1, in particular by allowing the driver to turn without having to turn the handlebar 14 or at least with minimal turning.

[0035] In [Fig. 5], on the left, a tilting of the front frame 4 to the left allows turning to the left, and on the right, a tilting of the front frame 4 to the right allows turning to the right. Although a vehicle is present In this way, the tricycle 1 allows the rider to experience sensations similar to riding a two-wheeler. The tilt angle can be limited, for example, to 30°.

[0036] For example, the lever 141 allows manually both the forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1 and the tilting 41 to be blocked.

[0037] By way of non-limiting example, the articulation 62 enabling the tilting 41 comprises, for example, a first part or shaft 100, connected to the rear frame and a second part or bearing 102, connected to the front frame 4, the bearing 102 being rotationally articulated about the shaft. The shaft 100 and / or the bearing 102 are thus oriented along the articulation axis 42. As shown in [Fig. 4], the bearing 102 here has a portion 112 of a disk extending angularly around the shaft. A part such as a jaw 111 is linked to the rear frame 2 and is configured to come into contact with said portion 112 of disc so as to block the tilting of the front frame 4 relative to the rear frame 2 in the event of actuation of the locking device 56 by the manual actuation of the braking system 20. The braking system 20 is, for example, manually actuationable from pneumatic control means, activated by the lever 141.

[0038] The tricycle vehicle 1 may include at least one presence sensor Cl, a speed sensor C2 and a locking device 56.

[0039] The presence sensor Cl is configured to detect the presence or absence of a driver sitting on the saddle 8.

[0040] For example, the presence sensor Cl may correspond to a sensor that measures a pressure applied to the seat 8. If the presence sensor Cl measures a pressure applied to the seat 8 that is less than a predetermined pressure, the presence sensor Cl may emit a signal representing the absence of a rider on the seat 8. On the other hand, if the presence sensor Cl measures a pressure applied to the seat 8 that is greater than or equal to the predetermined pressure (for example, when the rider sits on the seat 8), the presence sensor Cl may emit a signal representing the presence of the rider on the seat 8.

[0041] The speed sensor C2, meanwhile, is configured to measure a current speed of the tricycle vehicle 1.

[0042] The locking device 56 is capable of alternately locking or unlocking the tilting 41 of the front frame 4. The locking device 56 is in a locked position when it blocks the tilting 4L. The locking device 56 is in an unlocked position when it allows the tilting 4L to move freely.

[0043] The control system S comprises at least one computing unit 7. According to one embodiment, the computing unit 7 may be an electronic module added to an electronic management system embedded on the tricycle vehicle 1 (such as a on-board computer). According to another embodiment, the computing unit 7 can be a software module programmed into the on-board electronic management system.

[0044] The computing unit 7 is configured to collect a signal SI representative of the presence or absence of a rider sitting on the saddle 8 emitted by the presence sensor Cl. The signals are symbolically illustrated on [Fig.1] by arrows indicating their direction of transmission.

[0045] The computing unit 7 is also configured to collect a signal S2 representative of a current speed of the tricycle vehicle 1 emitted by the speed sensor C2.

[0046] At least if the signal SI is representative of an absence of the driver and if the signal S2 is representative of a current speed strictly less than a predetermined speed, the calculation unit 7 is configured, on the one hand, to transmit to the locking device 56 a signal S3 representing a command to lock the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 to lock the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 in a current position, and, on the other hand, to transmit to the braking system 20 a signal S4 representing a command to brake to block a forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1.

[0047] Without limitation, the predetermined speed may be less than or equal to 5 km / h. For example, the predetermined speed may be equal to 0.5 km / h.

[0048] Furthermore, the computing unit 7 can be configured to collect a signal S7 representative of a position of the braking system 20.

[0049] Thus, if in addition the signal S7 is representative of information indicating that the braking system 20 is not in a braking position in which the braking system 20 blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1, the calculation unit 7 can be configured thus, to transmit to the locking device 56 the signal S3 representing the command to block the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 to block the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 in a current position, and to transmit to the braking system 20 the signal S4 representing the command to brake to block a forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1.

[0050] The transmission of signals S3 and S4 is immediate (without delay) for a blocking of the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1 by the braking system 20 and a blocking in a current position of the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 by the blocking device 56.

[0051] The blocking command order represented by the signal S3 is developed so that the blocking device 56 is in a blocking position in which the blocking device 56 blocks the tilting 41 of the front frame 4.

[0052] The braking command command represented by the signal S4 is developed so that the braking system 20 is in a braking position in which the braking system 20 blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1.

[0053] According to one embodiment, after transmitting the signal S3 representing the locking command and the signal S4 representing the braking command, the calculation unit 7 can be configured to: - collect the SI signal representing the presence or absence of a rider on the seat 8 emitted by the presence sensor Cl, - collect a signal S5 representative of the start-up parameters of the tricycle vehicle 1.

[0054] The computing unit 7 can then be configured to transmit a signal S6 representing the unlocking command order to the locking device 56 at least if the signal SI is representative of a driver's presence and if the activation parameters of the signal S6 fulfill the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle 1. The unlocking command order is developed so that the locking device 56 is in an unlocking position in which the locking device 56 allows the front frame 4 to tilt freely.

[0055] The signal S5 representing the start-up parameters of the tricycle vehicle 1 may include at least one signal representing a start-up parameter of the tricycle vehicle 1.

[0056] For example, the tricycle vehicle 1 may include an ignition lock 104 (also called an ignition contact lock) configured to receive an ignition key (not shown) and a drive mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1.

[0057] The conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle 1 can be met to bring the locking device 56 into the unlocked position (by transmission of the signal S6) if an ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock 104 of the tricycle vehicle 1 and if the driving mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1 is in a reverse (position R) or forward (position D) position. Simultaneously, the braking system 20 can be manually deactivated by the driver.

[0058] For example, the ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock 104 of the tricycle vehicle 1 at least when the powertrain 38 is on and possibly when the anti-theft system is deactivated.

[0059] For example, the driving mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1 is in a reverse or forward position. The forward position allows the driver to move the tricycle vehicle 1 forward when he uses the accelerator. The reverse gear position allows the driver to move the tricycle vehicle 1 backwards when using the accelerator.

[0060] Thus, the calculation unit 7 can be configured to: - collect a signal S51 representative of a first starting parameter of the tricycle vehicle 1 corresponding to the presence of an ignition key in a driving position in the ignition lock 104 of the tricycle vehicle 1, - collect a signal S52 representative of a second start-up parameter of the tricycle vehicle 1 corresponding to a position of the driving mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1.

[0061] Thus, the signal S5 representing the start-up parameters of the tricycle vehicle 1 can include the signal S51 and the signal S52.

[0062] The conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle 1 are met if the signal S51 is representative of information indicating that the ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock 104 of the tricycle vehicle 1 and if the signal S52 is representative of information indicating that the driving mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1 is in a reverse or forward position.

[0063] The invention also relates to a method for controlling the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 of the tricycle vehicle. The steps of the control method are shown schematically in [Fig.2].

[0064] The control method comprises the following steps implemented iteratively: - a collection step El, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect a signal SI representative of the presence or absence of a rider seated on the saddle 8 emitted by the presence sensor Cl, - a data collection step E2, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect a signal S2 representative of the current speed of the tricycle vehicle 1 emitted by a speed sensor C2, - a set E3 of subsequent steps implemented by the calculation unit 7 at least if the signal SI is representative of an absence of the driver and if the signal S2 is representative of a current speed strictly lower than the predetermined speed.

[0065] The set of steps comprises at least: - a transmission step E31 to transmit to the locking device 56 a signal S3 representing a command to lock the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 in order to lock the tilting 41 of the front frame 4 in a current position, - a transmission step E32 to transmit to the braking system 20 a signal S4 representing a braking command order to block a forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1.

[0066] Transmission step E31 and transmission step E32 are followed: - a data collection step E4, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect the signal SI emitted by the presence sensor Cl, - a collection step E5, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect a signal S5 representative of the start-up parameters of the tricycle vehicle 1, - a transmission step E6, implemented by the computing unit 7, to transmit a signal S6 representative of the unlocking command order to the locking device 56, at least if the signal SI is representative of the presence of the driver and if the start-up parameters represented by the signal S5 fulfill the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle 1, the unlocking command order being developed so that the locking device 56 is in an unlocking position in which the locking device 56 allows free tilting 41 of the front frame 4.

[0067] Step E5 of the collection may include: - a sub-step E51 of data collection, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect a signal S51 representative of a first starting parameter of the tricycle vehicle 1 corresponding to the presence of an ignition key in a driving position in the ignition lock 104 of the tricycle vehicle 1, - a sub-step E52 of collection, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect a signal S52 representative of a second start-up parameter of the tricycle vehicle 1 corresponding to a position of the driving mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1.

[0068] The conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle 1 are met to implement the transmission step E6 if an ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock 104 of the tricycle vehicle 1 and if the driving mode selector 105 of the tricycle vehicle 1 is in a reverse or forward position.

[0069] The control method may further include a collection step E8, implemented by the computing unit 7, to collect a signal S7 representative of a position of the braking system 20.

[0070] Transmission step E31 and transmission step E32 may also be implemented if the braking system 20 is not in a braking position in which the braking system 20 blocks forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1, i.e., if the braking system 20 is not activated. In other words, if the signal S7 represents information indicating that the braking system 20 is not in a braking position in which the braking system 20 blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle 1, transmission step E31 and transmission step E32 are implemented.

[0071] The control method does not prevent the possibility of manually bringing the braking system 20 into the braking position and the locking device 56 into the locking position, for example using the lever 141.

[0072] Similarly, the control method does not prevent the possibility of manually moving the braking system 20 out of its braking position and the locking device 56 into the unlocking position, for example using the lever 141.

[0073] For safety reasons, the tilt lock 41 is maintained, even in the event of a power outage, a broken contact or the absence of a key in the ignition lock 104.

[0074] List of references: 1: tricycle vehicle 2: rear frame 4: Front frame 6: frame 7: unit of calculation 8: saddle 10: guidance device 12: Steering fork 14: handlebars 16: front wheel 18: front wheel axle 20: Braking system 22: Suspension system 24: arm 38: Powertrain 40: pair of wheels 41: switching 42: articulation axis 56: locking device 62: joint 100: tree 102: landing 104: Ignition lock 105: Driving mode selector 111: jaw 112: portion of a disk 141: lever Cl: presence sensor C2: Speed ​​sensor R: road SI: signal representing the presence or absence of a rider seated on the saddle, emitted by the presence sensor S2: signal representing the current speed of the tricycle vehicle emitted by the speed sensor S3: signal representing a command to lock the tilting of the front frame S4: signal representing a braking command S5: signal representing the starting parameters of the tricycle vehicle S51: signal representing a first parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle S52: signal representing a second parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle S6: signal representing a release command S7: signal representing a position of the braking system El: step of collecting a signal representative of the presence or absence of a rider seated on the saddle E2: step of collecting a signal representative of the current speed of the tricycle vehicle E3: set of steps E31 and E32 E31: Step of transmitting a signal representing a command to lock the tilting of the front frame E32: step of transmitting a signal representing a braking command E4: step of collecting a signal emitted by the presence sensor E5: step of collecting a signal representative of the tricycle vehicle's start-up parameters E51: substep of collecting a signal representative of a first parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle E52: substep of collecting a signal representative of a second parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle E6: step of transmitting a signal representing the unlocking command.

Claims

1. Demands Method of controlling a tilting (41) of a front frame (4) of a tricycle vehicle (1) capable of being located on a roadway (R) relative to a rear frame (2) of the tricycle vehicle (1), the rear frame (2) being equipped with a powertrain (38) and a pair of wheels (40) driven by the powertrain (38), the front frame (4) being configured to allow the installation of a driver of the tricycle vehicle (1) on a saddle (8), the front frame (4) being articulated in rotation about an articulation axis (42) relative to the rear frame (2) so as to allow the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) relative to the rear frame (2) towards the roadway (R) on either side of a vertical position,the tricycle vehicle having a braking system (20) configured alternately to block or allow free forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1) and a locking device (56) to block in a current position or allow free tilting (41) of the front frame (4), characterized in that the control method comprises the following steps implemented iteratively:, - a first collection step (El), implemented by a computing unit (7), to collect a first signal (SI) representative of the presence or absence of a driver seated on the saddle (8) emitted by a presence sensor (Cl), - a second collection step (E2), implemented by the computing unit (7), to collect a second signal (S2) representative of a current speed of the tricycle vehicle (1) emitted by a speed sensor (C2), - a set (E3) of subsequent steps implemented by the computing unit (7) at least if the first signal (SI) represents an absence of the driver and if the second signal (S2) represents a current speed strictly lower than a predetermined speed: • a first transmission step (E31) to transmit to the blocking device (56) a third signal (S3) representing a control command to block the flipping (41) of the front frame (4) to lock the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) in a current position, • a second transmission step (E32) to transmit to the braking system (20) a fourth signal (S4) representing a braking command order to block forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1).

2. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking command order is elaborated so that the locking device (56) is in a locking position in which the locking device (56) blocks the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) in the current position, the braking command order being elaborated so that the braking system (20) is in a braking position in which the braking system (20) blocks the forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1).

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the first transmission step (E31) and the second transmission step (E32) are followed: - a third collection stage (E4), implemented by the computing unit (7), to collect the first signal (SI) emitted by the presence sensor (Cl), - a fourth collection step (E5), implemented by the computing unit (7), to collect a fifth signal (S5) representative of the start-up parameters of the tricycle vehicle (1), - a third transmission step (E6), implemented by the computing unit (7), to transmit a sixth signal (S6) representing the unlocking command to the locking device (56), at least if the first signal (S1) represents the presence of the driver and if the start-up parameters represented by the fifth signal (S5) meet the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle (1), the unlocking command being formulated so that the locking device (56) is in an unlocked position in which the locking device (56) allows the front frame (4) to tilt freely (41).

4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the tricycle vehicle (1) comprises an ignition lock (104) configured to receive an ignition key and a driving mode selector (105) of the tricycle vehicle (1), the fourth collection step (E5) comprising: - a first collection substep (E51), implemented by the computing unit (7), to collect a seventh signal (S51) representative of a first starting parameter of the tricycle vehicle (1) corresponding to the presence of an ignition key in a driving position in the ignition lock (104) of the tricycle vehicle (1), - a second collection substep (E52), implemented by the computing unit (7), to collect an eighth signal (S52) representative of a second starting parameter of the tricycle vehicle (1) corresponding to a position of the driving mode selector (105) of the tricycle vehicle (1),the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle (1) being met to implement the third transmission stage (E6) if an ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock (104) of the tricycle vehicle (1) and if the driving mode selector (105) of the tricycle vehicle (1) is in a reverse or forward position.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it further comprises a collection step (E8), implemented by the computing unit (7), to collect a ninth signal (S7) representative of a position of the braking system (20), the first transmission step (E31) and the second transmission step (E32) being further implemented if the braking system (20) is not in a braking position in which the braking system (20) blocks forward and / or rearward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1).

6. Control system for tilting (41) a front frame (4) of a tricycle vehicle (1) that may be located on a roadway

7. (R) relative to a rear frame (2) of the tricycle vehicle (1), the rear frame (2) being equipped with a powertrain (38) of the tricycle vehicle (1) and a pair of wheels (40) driven by the powertrain (38), the front frame (4) being configured to allow the installation of a driver of the tricycle vehicle (1) on a saddle (8), the front frame (4) being rotationally articulated about a pivot axis (42) relative to the rear frame (2) so as to allow the front frame (4) to tilt (41) relative to the rear frame (2) towards the roadway (R) on either side of a vertical position, the tricycle vehicle having a braking system (20) and a locking device (56), characterized in that it comprises at least one computing unit (7) configured to: - collect a first signal (SI) representative of the presence or absence of a rider seated on the saddle (8) emitted by a presence sensor (Cl), - collect a second signal (S2) representative of a current speed of the tricycle vehicle (1) emitted by a speed sensor (C2), at least if the first signal (SI) represents the absence of the driver and if the second signal (S2) represents a current speed strictly lower than a predetermined speed, the calculation unit (7) is configured to: - transmit to the locking device (56) a third signal (S3) representing a command to block the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) in order to block the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) in a current position, and - transmit to the braking system (20) a fourth signal (S4) representing a braking command order to block forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1). System according to claim 6, characterized in that the locking command order is designed so that the locking device (56) is in a locking position in which the locking device (56) blocks the tilting (41) of the front frame (4), the braking command order being designed so that the braking system (20) is in a braking position in which the braking system (20) blocks the forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1).

8. A system according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the processing unit (7) is configured, after transmitting the third signal (S3) representing the locking command and the fourth signal (S4) representing the braking command, to: - collect the first signal (SI) representative of the presence or absence of a rider on the saddle (8) emitted by the presence sensor (Cl), - collect a fifth signal (S5) representative of the start-up parameters of the tricycle vehicle (1), - transmit a sixth signal (S6) representative of the unlocking command order to the locking device (56) at least if the first signal (SI) is representative of the presence of the driver and if the start-up parameters of the sixth signal (S6) fulfill the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle (1), the unlocking command order being developed so that the locking device (56) is in an unlocking position in which the locking device (56) allows the front frame (4) to tilt freely (41).

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the tricycle vehicle (1) comprises an ignition lock (104) configured to receive an ignition key and a drive mode selector (105) of the tricycle vehicle (1), the computing unit (7) being configured to: - collect a seventh signal (S51) representative of a first parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle (1) corresponding to the presence of an ignition key in a driving position in the ignition lock (104) of the tricycle vehicle (1), - collect an eighth signal (S52) representative of a second parameter for starting the tricycle vehicle (1) corresponding to a position of the driving mode selector (105) of the tricycle vehicle (1), the conditions for starting the tricycle vehicle (1) are met if an ignition key is in a driving position in the ignition lock (104) of the tricycle vehicle (1) and if the driving mode selector (105) of the tricycle vehicle (1) is in a reverse or forward position.

10. A system according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the processing unit (7) is configured to collect a ninth signal (S7) representative of a position of the braking system (20), the processing unit (7) being configured, furthermore, if the braking system (20) is not in a braking position in which the braking system (20) blocks forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1), to: - transmit to the locking device (56) the third signal (S3) representing the command to lock the tilting (41) of the front frame (4) in a current position, - transmit to the braking system (20) the fourth signal (S4) representative of the braking command order to block forward and / or backward movement of said tricycle vehicle (1).

11. Tricycle vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a control system for tilting a front frame of a tricycle vehicle, as specified under any one of claims 6 to 10.

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