Storage container for saddle riding vehicles

Abstract

A storage container (100) for a saddle riding vehicle (1), The container (100) includes an electrical device (110) that requires a power supply for operation; The electrical device (110) comprises: a wireless power receiver (101) that receives power from an electromagnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter (201); The system includes a wireless power receiver (101) and a power supply circuit (102) operably connected to the electrical device (101) to supply power obtained from an electromagnetic field to the electrical device (110).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of saddle riding vehicles, and in particular to a storage container for a saddle riding vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known to apply storage containers to some types of saddle-riding vehicles, such as motorcycles, and particularly, but not exclusively, scooters having two or more wheels. For example, it is known to apply a storage container to the rear of a saddle-riding vehicle, so that, for example, one or more helmets can be stored in the storage container.

[0003] A storage container, which is typically secured to the rear end of a motorcycle, typically includes a storage body defining a storage compartment, which includes a base and a cover hinged to the base, thereby allowing an open configuration, which allows access to the storage compartment, and a closed configuration, in which the cover closes the base at the top, preventing access to the storage compartment. The base of the storage container is typically a rigid body having a closed bottom adapted to be closed at the top by the cover, as described above.

[0004] Storage containers are typically used to carry one or more objects, such as helmets, although storage containers with more specific purposes are also known, such as heated or cooled thermal containers for carrying food.

[0005] Some storage containers have at least one electrical, electromechanical, electronic component or device that requires an electrical power supply for its operation (hereinafter referred to as electrical load device or generally as electrical device for short). For example, some storage containers have one or more of the following electrical load devices: an internal lighting source, an electronic key, a means for enabling control of the temperature within the container, an object holding device (e.g., an inflatable member and associated inflation device).

[0006] Storage containers for motorcycles, or for saddle-riding vehicles generally known in the art, require electrical cables or generally a wired power supply system having electrical conductors or at least connectors, which allow the supply of power required to operate the electrical load devices to supply the storage container. These electrical cables generally allow the storage container to be electrically connected to the electrical system of the motorcycle.

[0007] The aforementioned cabled power supply systems of storage bins of the known art are generally expensive and unreliable, taking into account the need to quickly remove the storage bin from the motorcycle when a user wishes to remove the storage bin after parking the motorcycle, in order to prevent theft or tampering of the storage bin by malicious persons. It should be remembered that when connectors are included that allow the storage bin to be connected to the vehicle's electrical system by an electrical cable, such connectors are exposed to weather conditions and therefore need to be conveniently protected, for example to prevent short circuits and to ensure good electrical contact over time. Summary of the Invention

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is to provide a storage container for a saddle-ride vehicle that is able to completely or at least partially overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0009] This object is achieved by a storage container for saddle-riding vehicles as generally defined in claim 1. Preferred and advantageous embodiments of said storage container are defined by the attached dependent claims.

[0010] The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of particular embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described in the following paragraphs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 shows a side view of a motorcycle including an example of a non-limiting embodiment of a storage container.

[0012] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the tail of the motorcycle of FIG. 1 with a storage container operatively connected thereto, some portions of the storage container being shown in phantom.

[0013] [Figure 3] The circuit block diagram of the container of Figures 1 and 2 is shown in Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Identical or similar features are shown in the accompanying figures using the same reference numbers.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a saddle-ride vehicle 1, which in the particular example shown comprises, but is not limited to, a two-wheeled motorcycle, in particular a two-wheeled scooter, having a front wheel 6 and a rear wheel 7.

[0016] Hereinafter, in this description, without limitation, reference will be made to a typical motorcycle 1, and the following description generally refers to various types of saddle-riding vehicles 1, including: Main body 2, 3, 4 At least two wheels 6, 7 constrained to the body 2, 3, 4 a motor 8, e.g., a thermal or electric or hybrid traction motor, constrained to the body 2, 3, 4 and operatively connected directly or indirectly to at least one of the two wheels 6, 7;

[0017] The motorcycle 1 has a body 2, 3, 4 having a front portion 2, a tail portion 4, and a central portion 3 interposed between the front portion 2 and the tail portion 4. The central portion 3 is provided with, for example, a footboard 5.

[0018] In this example, the front part 2 includes a windshield 21 , a steering handlebar 9 and a front wheel 6 .

[0019] According to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the tail section 4 comprises a luggage platform 10 .

[0020] Preferably, the body 2 , 3 , 4 of the motorcycle 1 includes at least one battery 11 .

[0021] The motorcycle 1 includes a storage container 100, preferably, but not exclusively, mounted to the tail section 4 of the motorcycle 1, and more preferably, to the luggage rack 10 of the motorcycle 1. For example, the storage container 100 includes a container body 130, 131 that defines the storage container, and includes a base 130 and a cover or door 131 (hereinafter "cover") hinged to the base 130, such that the container can have an open configuration that allows access to the storage compartment and a closed configuration in which the cover closes the base 130, thereby preventing access to the storage container. For example, the container body 130, 131 is shaped like a container, and the cover 131 closes the base 130 at the top.

[0022] According to a first embodiment, the storage container 100 comprises a mounting base 200, such as a mounting plate, adapted and configured to mount, preferably removably, the storage container 100 to the carrier 10 of the motorcycle 1. In a known manner, said mounting base 200 can be mechanically coupled to the carrier 10 of the motorcycle 1 by means of a tamper-resistant mounting system, such as screws or bolts, which cannot be loosened, removed or released when mounting the storage container 100 to the mounting base 200. The storage container 100, in particular its base 130, can then be mechanically coupled to the mounting base 200 via detachable coupling means known per se to the person skilled in the art.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the storage container 100 is attached directly to the carrier 10 of the motorcycle 1 via removable coupling means known to those skilled in the art, i.e., without the mounting base 200. These coupling means allow the base 130 of the storage container 100 to be attached directly to the carrier of the motorcycle 1, for example.

[0024] The enclosure 100 includes an electrical device 110 that requires a power supply for its operation. For convenience, as shown in the examples described below, the electrical device 110 forms part of the enclosure 100. In particular, as shown in the examples described below, the electrical device 110 is fixed to or integrated into the enclosure 100.

[0025] In the non-limiting embodiment shown in the drawings, the storage container 100 includes a lock assembly 120 operable to assume a deactivated configuration to allow the storage container 100 to be opened and an activated locked configuration to prevent the storage container 100 from being opened. The electrical device 110 is or includes a controllable actuator that enables the lock assembly 120 to be moved from the activated locked configuration to the deactivated configuration. For example, the controllable actuator is an electromagnetic actuator. For example, the lock assembly 120 includes a latch 121, and the controllable actuator enables the latch 121 to be moved, e.g., rotated. In the particular example shown, the actuator is controllable to slide the piston 111 along a sliding direction to rotate the latch 121. Conveniently, the lock assembly 120 can also be activated by a key 122.

[0026] In alternative or additional embodiments to those described above, the electrical device 110 comprises one or more of the following electrical devices: an internal lighting source; a means for heating / cooling the storage container 100; an active object holding device; an electrical socket, preferably USB.

[0027] The housing 100 comprises a wireless power receiver 101 integrated therein and configured to obtain power from an electromagnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter 201. As will be described below, the wireless power transmitter 201 is located outside the housing 100, preferably near or adjacent to the housing 100, and in particular outside the housing body 130, 131. The housing 100 further comprises a power supply circuit 102 operably connected to the wireless power receiver 101 and the electrical device 110 for supplying the electrical device 110 with power obtained from the electromagnetic field.

[0028] According to an advantageous embodiment, the power obtained by the wireless power receiver 101 from the electromagnetic field is of the inductive type. For example, the wireless power receiver 101 is a resonant or non-resonant inductive coupling receiver. For example, the wireless power receiver 101 comprises at least one electric coil that provides an induced current when exposed to a varying magnetic field. Preferably, the electric coil is a planar coil, such as a helical planar coil. According to a possible embodiment, the wireless power receiver 101 is based on the Q-series power supply developed by the Wireless Power Consortium. i It is standard compliant and follows either the first version of the standard or a later version.

[0029] When the storage container 100 includes a mounting base 200 that allows the storage container 100 to be mounted on the motorcycle 1, the mounting base 200 advantageously includes a transmitter 201, i.e., a wireless power transmitter 201, configured to generate electromagnetic waves that, when they reach the wireless power receiver, can extract useful power to supply the electric device 110. For example, the wireless power transmitter 201 is integrated into the mounting base 200. It will be understood that the wireless power transmitter 201 is therefore functionally complementary to the wireless power receiver 101. For example, the wireless power transmitter 201 also includes at least one or more electric coils, preferably planar, adapted to generate a variable magnetic field that impinges on the wireless power receiver 101 when the storage container 100 is coupled to the mounting base 200. For example, the wireless power transmitter 201 complies with the Qi standard developed by the Wireless Power Consortium, either the first version or any subsequent version of the standard.

[0030] The wireless power transmitter 201 is connected to a power source of the motorcycle 1, for example a battery 11 of the motorcycle 1, or generally to the electrical system of the motorcycle 1, for example by a connector 12.

[0031] If the mounting base 200 is not provided and the storage container 100 is mounted directly on the motorcycle 1, e.g., on the carrier 10, then all that has been described in the previous paragraph regarding the wireless power transmitter 201 applies, the only difference being that in this case the wireless power transmitter 201 is integrated into the motorcycle 1, e.g., on the carrier 10.

[0032] In any case, it is particularly advantageous for the wireless power receiver 101 to be integrated into the base 130 of the container body 130, 131, preferably into the bottom wall of the base 130, for example into the wall of the base 130 of the storage container 100. In order to position the wireless power receiver 101 as close as possible to the wireless power transmitter 201, the wireless power receiver 101 is positioned on the mounting base 200 or loading platform 10 so as to be positioned as close as possible to the mounting base 200 or loading platform 10.

[0033] 3 shows a circuit block diagram of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the power supply circuit 102. As mentioned above, the power supply circuit 102 forms part of the housing 100 and is inserted between the wireless power transmitter 101 and the electrical device 110.

[0034] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the power supply circuit 102 comprises a power storage device 103 for storing the power extracted from the wireless power receiver 101. For example, the power storage device 103 comprises a rechargeable battery and / or a capacitor, preferably a supercapacitor.

[0035] According to an advantageous embodiment, the power supply circuit 102 includes a conditioning circuit 104 (also referred to as a "power pick up unit") that can make power extracted from the wireless power receiver 101 available to the housing 110, for example, for storage in the power storage device 103. The conditioning circuit 104 can include a recharging circuit, for example, if the power storage device 103 includes a rechargeable battery.

[0036] Conveniently, the power supply circuit 102 may further comprise a drive circuit 105 for the electrical device 110, such as a power circuit, adapted to supply the electrical device 110 with a power source that meets parameters required for the operation of the electrical device 110, such as parameters related to voltage and / or current.

[0037] According to an advantageous embodiment, the power supply circuit 102 further comprises a control device 106 operable to selectively supply power to the electrical device 110. For example, if the electrical device 110 comprises an interior light, the control device 106 may be or comprise an open sensor for the housing 100, enabling automatic activation of the interior light upon opening of the housing.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, the control device 106 is a manual control device located outside the storage container 100, preferably on the rear outside of the storage container 100, i.e., on the side where the storage container 100 is used when it is combined with the motorcycle 1. For example, the manual control device 106 comprises a switch, preferably a push button switch. For example, the aforementioned manual control device 106 allows a user to open the storage container 100 without using the key 122 when the electrical device 110 is a controllable actuator of the lock assembly 120.

[0039] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the power supply circuit 102 activates or deactivates the power supply of the electrical device 110 based on authorization granted or denied by the authorization control system, thereby advantageously preventing unauthorized use of the storage container 100 by malicious individuals. For example, if the electrical device 110 is a controllable actuator of the lock assembly 120, it will prevent malicious individuals from opening the storage container 100.

[0040] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the authorization control system is included in the storage container 100, in particular in the power supply circuit 102. Advantageously, this allows an authorized user to use the electric device 110, for example to open the storage container 100 and when removing the storage container 100 from the motorcycle 1. This can happen both if the storage container 110 is equipped with an energy storage device 103 or not. However, in fact, the wireless power receiver 101 could also theoretically obtain power from any other wireless power transmitter that is functionally complementary to the wireless power receiver 101 and that is, for example, integrated into a charging pad or docking station that the user can keep at home, in the garage or in the office.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the authorization control system includes a wireless authorization signal receiver 107. For example, the authorization signal is a wireless signal transmitted by a key fob logically paired with the storage container 100 and / or motorcycle 1, such that the electrical device 110 can only provide power when in the possession of an authorized user. When the key fob is on-hand, the wireless receiver 107 is within the visibility range of the key fob.

[0042] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the aforementioned authentication control system is adapted and configured to activate or deactivate the power supply of the electrical device 110 based on at least one operating state of the motorcycle 1, such as, for example, the conditions listed below: The operating state may be indicated, for example, as a function of the states listed below: the on or off state of the control panel of the motorcycle 1, the on or off state of the motor 8 of the motorcycle 1, the speed of the motorcycle 1, the parking state of the motorcycle, the time interval that has elapsed since one of the previous states occurred or ceased.

[0043] The aforementioned conditions can be verified autonomously by the power supply circuit 102, especially if the power supply circuit 102 comprises a power storage device 103. For example, the authentication control system can deny consent whenever the motorcycle's motor 8 is on, to prevent malicious people from opening the storage container 100 while the motorcycle is still waiting at a traffic light or in a queue. To detect whether the motor 8 is on, the authentication control system can check whether the wireless power transmitter 201 is transmitting an electromagnetic field, for example, based on the power obtained by the wireless power receiver 101. In this case, the motorcycle 1 can be configured to supply power to the transmitter 201 only when the motor 8 is on. In other words, information regarding the status of the motorcycle 1 can also be transmitted wirelessly to the storage container 100 by the transmitter 201 or by one or more separate transmitters configured to transmit data or information, for example, by transmitting radio frequency signals (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, etc.).

[0044] However, if the storage container 100 does not have a power storage device 103, all authentication logic can be managed on board the motorcycle 1, for example by an electronic control unit (ECU) of the motorcycle 1, which establishes an authentication state that allows the motorcycle 1 to supply power to the transmitter 201, and therefore, for example, to supply power to the electrical device 110.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the power supply circuit comprises an electronic control unit 108 that may be powered by the power stored in the power storage device 103, and that allows for example to manage one or more of the operations defined in the following list: charging the power storage device 103, driving the electric device 106, managing the input of the control device 106, controlling authentication by processing the signals output by the wireless receiver 107 and / or by power extracted from the wireless power receiver 101, etc.

[0046] It should be noted that the above-described type of storage container 100 is also the subject of this patent application and comprises, in addition to or instead of the wireless power receiver 101, a wireless power transmitter equivalent or similar to the wireless power transmitter 201 detailed herein and operably connected to a power storage unit 103, such as a rechargeable battery, capacitor, supercapacitor, etc., contained in or integrated into the storage container 100.

[0047] The wireless power transmitter and power storage unit 103 included in the storage container 100 allow the storage container 100 to be advantageously used to power the motorcycle 1 and / or any other power-requiring device (e.g., a smartphone). This can be useful both when the storage container 100 is attached to the motorcycle 1 and when it is detached from the motorcycle 1.

[0048] When wireless power receiver 201 is present within housing 100, due to the principles or theorems of antenna reciprocity, wireless power receiver 201, with modifications within the purview of those skilled in the art, can be used as a wireless power transmitter for housing 100. In this case, housing 100 can be selectively used as a source of wireless power or as a load adapted to absorb wireless power.

[0049] If the wireless power receiver 201 is not present and instead a wireless power transmitter is present, the storage container 100 can be used, but by providing the possibility to charge the power storage unit 103 (e.g., by including a charging socket in the storage container 100) for connection to an external power source (e.g., for connection to a power distribution network) that can charge the storage container 100.

[0050] Therefore, based on the above description and with reference to the known prior art, it is possible to understand how a storage container of the above type can achieve the above objectives.

[0051] Without prejudice to the principles of the invention, the embodiments and details may be varied widely with respect to the above disclosure, given merely as a non-limiting example, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage container (100) for a saddle riding vehicle (1), The container (100) includes an electrical device (110) that requires a power supply for operation; The electrical device (100) comprises: a wireless power receiver (101) that obtains power from an electromagnetic field generated by a wireless power transmitter (201); a power supply circuit (102) operably connected to the wireless power receiver (101) and the electrical device (101) to supply the electrical power obtained from the electromagnetic field to the electrical device (110); The storage container (100) includes a container body (130, 131) having a base (130) and a cover or door (131); The wireless power receiver (101) is coupled to the bottom surface of the base (130) of the container body (130, 131). Storage container.

2. a mounting base (200) that can be attached to the saddle riding vehicle (1) so as to mount the storage container (100) to the saddle riding vehicle (1); The storage container (100) of claim 1, comprising:

3. The mounting base (200) to be mounted on the saddle riding vehicle (1) includes the wireless power transmitter (201). The storage container (100) of claim 2.

4. The power supply circuit (102) further includes a power storage device (103) for storing the obtained power. The storage container (100) of claim 1.

5. The power storage device (103) is a rechargeable battery and / or a capacitor. The storage container (100) of claim 4.

6. The electrical device (110) may include one or more of the following devices: an internal lighting source, an electrical actuator capable of controlling the lock (120), a means for heating / cooling the container (100), an active object holding device, and an electrical socket. The storage container (100) of claim 1.

7. The power is obtained from an inductive electromagnetic field. The storage container (100) of claim 1.

8. The power supply circuit (102) further comprises a control device (106) for selectively enabling power supply to the electrical device (110). The storage container (100) of claim 1.

9. The control device (106) is located outside the container (100). The storage container (100) of claim 8.

10. The control device (106) includes a switch.

10. A storage container (100) according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The power supply circuit (102) activates or deactivates the power supply to the electrical device (110) based on the respective authorization granted or denied by the authorization control system. The storage container (100) of claim 1.

12. The admission control system is contained in the housing (100). The storage container (100) of claim 11.

13. The admission control system comprises a radio receiver (107) for receiving an admission signal.

13. A storage container (100) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. The power supply circuit (102) forms part of the housing (100) and is operatively disposed between the wireless power receiver (101) and the electrical device (110). The storage container (100) of claim 1.

15. The electrical device (110) forms part of the housing (100). The storage container (100) of claim 1.

16. The electrical device (110) is fixed to or integrated into the housing (100). The storage container (100) of claim 1.

17. The wireless power transmitter (201) is disposed outside the container (100). The storage container (100) of claim 1.

18. The wireless power receiver (101) is disposed inside the container (100). The storage container (100) of claim 1.

19. The saddle-riding vehicle (1) comprises a loading platform (10) and the storage container (100) according to claim 1, The storage container (100) is adapted and configured to be attached to the cargo bed (10); The saddle riding vehicle (1) includes a power source (11) operably connected to the storage container (100) for transmitting power from the saddle riding vehicle (1) to the storage container (100). Saddle riding vehicle (1).

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