Control system of brake control unit of straddle-type vehicle comprising surrounding environment sensor

Abstract

Provided is a control system for controlling rider assist operation which is provided with a friction braking force control unit, and which is capable of suppressing an increase in size of the friction braking force control unit while suppressing heat generation from the friction braking force control unit even if the rider assist operation is executed. The control system for controlling rider assist operation is provided with: a friction braking force control unit comprising an adjustment mechanism for a friction braking force applied to a wheel of a saddle-ride type vehicle, and a first control part for controlling the operation of the adjustment mechanism; and a second control part for executing the rider assist operation on the basis of information on an output from a surrounding environment sensor mounted to the saddle-ride type vehicle. The second control part is further provided on a user interface which is different from the friction braking force control unit and which is for causing a rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle to recognize information.

Description

[0001] [Document name] Statement

[0002] [Title of Invention] Control system for brake control unit of saddle-ride type vehicle equipped with ambient environment sensor

[0003] [Technical Field]

[0004] [. 0 0 1] This disclosure relates to a control system that performs rider assistance operations.

[0005] [Background technology]

[0006]

[002] Conventionally, there are known technologies for assisting riders of saddle-type vehicles such as motorcycles in driving. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rider assistance system that warns a motorcycle rider that he or she is inappropriately approaching an obstacle based on information detected by a sensor device that detects an obstacle in the direction of travel or substantially in the direction of travel.

[0007] [Prior art documents]

[0008] [Patent documents]

[0009]

〇 0 0 3

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-116882

[0011] Summary of the Invention

[0012] [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] [0 0 0 4] Incidentally, systems that control rider assistance operations that assist a rider in driving a saddle-ride type vehicle often include a friction braking force control unit that adjusts and controls the friction braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle. In such cases, the function of executing the rider assistance operations has usually been performed by a control unit in the friction braking force control unit that controls the friction braking force adjustment mechanism.

[0014]

[0005] In this case, if the control unit that controls the friction braking force adjustment mechanism is to perform a rider assistance operation, the friction braking force adjustment unit may need to be enlarged in order to suppress heat generation that accompanies an increased load on the control unit. On the other hand, in saddle-ride type vehicles, there are many restrictions on installation space, and there are particularly high requirements for the device size of the friction braking force adjustment unit.

[0015]

[0006] The present invention has been made against the background of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control system for controlling rider assistance operations that includes a friction braking force control unit, and that can suppress heat generation from the friction braking force control unit even when rider assistance operations are performed, while suppressing an increase in the size of the friction braking force control unit.

[0016] [Means for solving the problem]

[0017]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to the control systems described below in [1I to [7I].

[0018] [1] A control system for performing a rider assistance operation, comprising: a friction braking force control unit including: an adjustment mechanism for a friction braking force applied to a wheel of a saddle-ride type vehicle; and a first control unit that controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism;

[0019] The term "motorcycle" includes vehicles such as electric vehicles (motorcycles, tricycles), bicycles, and buggies. The motorcycle may be a vehicle powered by an engine or an electric motor. Examples of motorcycles include motorcycles, scooters, and electric scooters. In this specification, the term "bicycle" refers to a vehicle that can be propelled on the road by the rider's pedaling force applied to the pedals. Examples of bicycles include standard bicycles, electrically assisted bicycles, and electric bicycles.

[0020]

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a saddle-ride type vehicle 1 includes a control system io that controls rider assistance operations to assist a rider in driving the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In Fig. 1, the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and the control system 10 include an ambient environment sensor 11, a wheel speed sensor 12, a friction braking force control unit 13, and a user interface 14. The control system 10 also includes a brake system 20.

[0021]

[0016] The ambient environment sensor 11 detects ambient environment information relating to the environment around the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 shown in Fig. 1, the ambient environment sensor 11 is provided at the front and rear of the body of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, but the location at which the ambient environment sensor 11 is provided is not limited to this. The ambient environment sensor 11 may, for example, be provided only at the front of the body of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, or may be provided only at the rear of the body. The ambient environment sensor 11 may also be provided on the side of the body of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, or may be provided on a mirror of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1.

[0022]

[0017] The surrounding environment information detected by the surrounding environment sensor 11 may be information related to the distance or direction to an object located around the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 (for example, relative position, relative distance, relative speed, relative acceleration, etc.), or may be information related to the characteristics of the object located around the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 (for example, the type of the object, the shape of the object, a mark attached to the object, etc.). Examples of the surrounding environment sensor 11 include radar, a lidar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, etc. Examples of the object include vehicles (for example, two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, etc.), obstacles (for example, trees, rocks, etc.), animals, people, etc.

[0023]

[0018] The wheel speed sensor 12 is a sensor that detects the wheel speed of the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 (for example, the number of rotations of the wheel [rpm] or the distance traveled per unit time [km / h]). The wheel speed sensor 12 may detect other physical quantities that can be substantially converted into the wheel speed of the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In the example of FIG. 1, the wheel speed sensors 12 are provided on the front wheels 2 and rear wheels 3 of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, but this is not limiting. For example, the wheel speed sensors 12 may be provided only on the front wheels 2, or only on the rear wheels 3.

[0024]

[0019] The friction braking force control unit 13 is a unit that controls and adjusts the braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. The wheels may be the front and rear wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, or only the front wheels, or only the rear wheels.

[0025]

[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the friction braking force control unit 13. As shown in Fig. 2, the friction braking force control unit 13 includes an adjustment mechanism 13a for adjusting the friction braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, and a first control unit 13b for controlling the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a.

[0026]

[0021] The adjustment mechanism 13a adjusts the friction braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 13a is a hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts the friction braking force applied to the wheels by adjusting the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid, as shown in Fig. 3 (described later), but is not limited to this. For example, the adjustment mechanism 13a may be configured to use an electric motor as a drive source for a braking force application unit (e.g., brake pads) that applies braking force to the wheels, and adjust the drive force of the electric motor to adjust the friction braking force applied to the wheels.

[0027]

[0022] The first control unit 13b controls the braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 by controlling the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a. The first control unit 13b has a function of communicating with each device of the control system 10. Part or all of the first control unit 13b may be composed of a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like, and may be composed of updatable components such as firmware. Furthermore, part or all of the first control unit 13b may be a program module executed by commands from a CPU or the like. In the control system 10, the first control unit 13b may be integrated into one unit, or may be divided into multiple units.

[0028]

[0023] The friction braking force control unit 13 is used in a brake system 20. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the brake system 20. In Fig. 3, the brake system 20 is a brake system that applies braking force to wheels by hydraulic pressure of brake fluid. As shown in Fig. 3, the brake system 20 includes, for example, a first brake operation unit 21, a front wheel braking mechanism 22, a second brake operation unit 23, a rear wheel braking mechanism 24, and the friction braking force control unit 13. The above-mentioned braking force application unit is included in the front wheel braking mechanism 22 and / or the rear wheel braking mechanism 24.

[0029]

[0024] The first brake operating unit 21 is provided, for example, on the handlebars 15 of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and is operated by the rider's hand. The first brake operating unit 21 is, for example, a brake lever. The front wheel braking mechanism 22 brakes the front wheel 2 in conjunction with at least the first brake operating unit 21. The second brake operating unit 23 is provided, for example, on the lower part of the body of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and is operated by the rider's foot. The second brake operating unit 23 is, for example, a brake pedal. The rear wheel braking mechanism 24 brakes the rear wheel 3 in conjunction with at least the second brake operating unit 23.

[0030]

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the front wheel braking mechanism 22 and the rear wheel braking mechanism 24 includes a master cylinder 25 incorporating a piston (not shown), a reservoir 26 attached to the master cylinder 25, a brake caliper 27 held on the body of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and having brake pads (not shown), a wheel cylinder 28 provided in the brake caliper 27, a main flow path 29 for circulating brake fluid from the master cylinder 25 to the wheel cylinder 28, and a sub-flow path 30 for discharging the brake fluid from the wheel cylinder 28. As shown in Fig. 3, in the brake system 20, the number of wheel cylinders 28 communicating with one master cylinder 25 is one, but this is not limited to this. For example, the number of wheel cylinders 28 communicating with one master cylinder 25 may be two or more.

[0031]

[0026] Main flow path 29 is a flow path that connects master cylinder 25 and wheel cylinder 28. Main flow path 29 is provided with an inlet valve (EV) 31. Sub-flow path 30 bypasses the main flow path 29 between the wheel cylinder 28 side and the master cylinder 25 side of inlet valve 31. Sub-flow path 30 is provided with, from the upstream side, a release valve (AV) 32, an accumulator 33, and a pump 34.

[0032]

[0027] The inlet valve 31 and the release valve 32 are solenoid valves that control the hydraulic pressure generated in the wheel cylinder 28. The inlet valve 31 is a solenoid valve that is open when not energized. The inlet valve 31 is closed when energized. The release valve 32 is a solenoid valve that is closed when not energized. The release valve 32 is open when energized.

[0033]

[0028] The adjustment mechanism 13a includes components such as an inlet valve 31, a release valve 32, an accumulator 33, and a pump 34. The adjustment mechanism 13a includes, for example, a base 35 having flow paths such as a main flow path 29 and a sub-flow path 30 formed therein, and the above components are provided on the base 35. The first control unit 13b controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a by controlling the operation of the inlet valve 31, the release valve 32, the pump 34, etc., depending on the traveling state of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, for example.

[0034] For example, in a normal state (a state in which antilock brake control, which will be described later, is not executed), the first control unit 13 b opens the inlet valve 31 and closes the release valve 32. When the first brake operating unit 21 is operated in this state, the piston (not shown) of the master cylinder 25 in the front wheel braking mechanism 22 is pressed, increasing the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the wheel cylinder 28, and the brake pad (not shown) of the brake caliper 27 is pressed against the rotor 2 a of the front wheel 2, applying a braking force to the front wheel 2. Furthermore, when the second brake operating unit 23 is operated, in the rear wheel braking mechanism 24, the piston (not shown) of the master cylinder 25 is pressed, increasing the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the wheel cylinder 28, and the brake pad (not shown) of the brake caliper 27 is pressed against the rotor 3 a of the rear wheel 3, thereby applying a braking force to the rear wheel 3.

[0035]

[0030] The first control unit 13b performs, for example, anti-lock brake control. Anti-lock brake control is executed, for example, when a wheel (specifically, the front wheel 2 or the rear wheel 3) locks or there is a possibility of locking, and is a control that reduces the braking force applied to that wheel without the rider operating the brake operating unit. For example, when anti-lock brake control is being executed, the first control unit 13b closes the inlet valve 31 and opens the release valve 32. In this state, the first control unit 13b drives the pump 34, causing brake fluid to return from the wheel cylinder 28 to the master cylinder 25, reducing the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid in the wheel cylinder 28 and reducing the braking force applied to the wheel. The first control unit 13 b controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13 a based on, for example, output information from the wheel speed sensor 12. In this specification, "output information" may refer to the output itself or may refer to information extracted from the output.

[0036]

[0031] In the brake system 20, a supply flow path for supplying the brake fluid of the master cylinder 25 to the sub-flow path 30 may be further provided in an area on the master cylinder 25 side of the pump 34. Also, one of the front wheel braking mechanism 22 and the rear wheel braking mechanism 24 may be omitted. Also, the brake system 20 may be configured to return the brake fluid from the wheel cylinder 28 to the master cylinder 25 in a pumpless manner.

[0037]

[0032] The control system 10 includes a user interface 14. The user interface 14 serves as a contact point between the control system 10 and the user. For example, the user interface 14 may notify the user of an output from the control system 10 (for example, a notification, a warning, etc.), or may receive input from the user to the control system i-o (for example, a setting input, an operation input, etc.). The user interface 14 makes information known to the rider. The manner in which the user interface 14 makes information known to the rider includes, for example, visual notification, auditory notification, etc.

[0038]

[0033] Examples of the user interface 14 include a meter cluster, a liquid crystal display, a mirror equipped with an indicator lamp, a buzzer, a speaker, etc. In the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, the position at which the user interface 14 is provided is not particularly limited. For example, the user interface 14 may be provided on the handlebars of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 (for example, near the mirror), or may be provided in front of the handlebars of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. The user interface 14 may also be provided on clothing worn by the rider (such as a helmet or gloves).

[0039] [ 0 0 3 4 ] The control unit 14a is provided separately from the first control unit 13b that controls the adjustment mechanism 13a and in a user interface 14 that is different from the friction braking force control unit 13. By having the second control unit 14a, which is provided separately from the first control unit 13b that controls the friction braking force and in a user interface 14 that is different from the friction braking force control unit 13, perform the rider assistance operation, it is possible to reduce the load on the first control unit 13b. As a result, it is possible to suppress heat generation in the friction braking force control unit 13 without increasing the size of the friction braking force control unit 13.

[0040]

[0038] Part or all of the second control unit 14a may be configured with a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like, or may be configured with updatable firmware, etc. Also, part or all of the second control unit 14a may be a program module executed by commands from a CPU, etc. In the control system 10, the second control unit 14a may be integrated into one unit, or may be divided into multiple units.

[0041]

[0039] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a control system 10 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the control system 10 includes an ambient environment sensor 11, a wheel speed sensor 12, a friction braking force control unit 13 (including an adjustment mechanism 13a and a first control unit 13b), and a user interface 14 (including a second control unit 14a).

[0042]

[0040] Although details will be described later, the friction braking force control unit 13 receives, for example, output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 via a signal line 16a. Then, the first control unit 13b controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a based on the output information. The first control unit 13b may transmit the output information received from the wheel speed sensor 12 to the user interface 14. In this case, it is preferable that the first control unit 13b transmits the output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 to a second control unit 14a included in the user interface 14 via the signal line 16b. This allows the output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 to be used in the execution of the rider assistance operation of the second control unit 14a.

[0043]

[0041] Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, the user interface 14 receives, for example, output information from the ambient environment sensor 11 via a signal line 16c, and the second control unit 14a performs a rider assistance operation based on the output information. The second control unit 14a may receive output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 transmitted from the first control unit 13b via a signal line 16b, and perform a rider assistance operation based on the output information from the ambient environment sensor 11 and the output information from the wheel speed sensor 12. The second control unit 14a may also perform a braking force control operation as a rider assistance operation by controlling the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a based on the output information from the ambient environment sensor 11.

[0044]

[0042] <Operation of the control system> Hereinafter, the operation of the control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8.

[0045]

[0043] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow (control flow) performed by the first control unit 13b included in the control system 10. Step S101 in Fig. 6 corresponds to the start of the control flow shown in Fig. 6, and step S104 corresponds to the end of the control flow shown in Fig. 6. In the following explanation of the control flow, the adjustment mechanism 13a of the friction braking force control unit 13 is a hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid to adjust the friction braking force applied to the wheels, but the aspect of the control system 10 according to this embodiment is not limited to this.

[0046]

[0044] In step S102, the first control unit 13b determines whether or not to control the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a. If it is determined in step S102 that the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a should be controlled, the process of step S103 is performed. If it is not determined that the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a should be controlled, the process of step S103 is not performed, and the process ends.

[0047]

[0045] The method for determining whether to control the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13 a is not particularly limited. For example, the first control unit 13 b may determine to control the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13 a when a wheel (for example, the front wheel 2 and / or the rear wheel 3) is locked or has the potential to lock when the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 is decelerating while traveling. Whether a wheel is locked or has the potential to lock can be determined based on, for example, information output from a wheel speed sensor 12 mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle 1.

[0048]

[0046] In step S103, the first control unit 13b controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a. For example, the first control unit 13b may control the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a (specifically, the inlet valve 31, the release valve 32, the pump 34, etc.) based on information output from the wheel speed sensor 12 so as to reduce the braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle riding type vehicle 1.

[0049]

[0047] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow (control flow) performed by the second control unit 14a included in the control system 10. Step S201 in Fig. 7 corresponds to the start of the control flow shown in Fig. 7, and step S204 corresponds to the end of the control flow shown in Fig. 7.

[0050]

[0048] In step S202, the second control unit 14a determines whether or not to perform a rider assistance operation. If it is determined in step S202 that a rider assistance operation should be performed, the process of step S203 is carried out. If it is not determined that a rider assistance operation should be performed, the process of step S203 is not carried out and the process ends.

[0051] The criteria for determining whether or not to perform a rider assistance operation are not particularly limited, and may be determined based on, for example, information output from the surrounding environment sensor 11. For example, the second control unit 14 a may determine to perform a rider assistance operation when a vehicle located in a blind spot of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 is detected based on information output from the surrounding environment sensor 11.

[0052]

[0050] Figure 8 is a diagram showing how a vehicle in a blind spot located to the left rear of a saddle-seat type vehicle 1 is detected. In the example of Figure 8, saddle-seat type vehicle 1 is traveling in lane L1, which is the right-hand lane of adjacent lanes L1 and L2. Lane L1 corresponds to the traveling lane of the saddle-seat type vehicle 1. Lane L2 corresponds to the adjacent lane adjacent to the traveling lane (lane L1) of the saddle-seat type vehicle 1. Behind the saddle-seat type vehicle 1 is located vehicle 4 traveling in lane L1. To the left rear of the saddle-seat type vehicle 1 is located vehicle 5 traveling in lane L2. Vehicles 4 and 5 are four-wheeled automobiles. To the left rear of the saddle-seat type vehicle 1 is located vehicle 6 traveling on the lane boundary LV between lanes L1 and L2. Vehicle 6 is a two-wheeled motorcycle, passing between vehicles 4 and 5.

[0053]

[0051] As shown in Fig. 8, the detection range 11a of the ambient environment sensor 11 mounted on the rear of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 spreads radially rearward from the rear of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1. In the example of Fig. 8, vehicle 6 is located within the detection range 11a of the ambient environment sensor 11. Therefore, the second control unit 14a detects vehicle 6 as a blind spot vehicle based on the output information of the ambient environment sensor 11. Note that in Fig. 8, vehicles 4 and 5 are four-wheeled motor vehicles and vehicle 6 is a two-wheeled motor vehicle, but this is not limiting. Vehicles 4 and 5 may be, for example, two-wheeled motor vehicles or three-wheeled motor vehicles, and vehicle 6 may be, for example, a three-wheeled motor vehicle or a four-wheeled motor vehicle.

[0054]

[0052] In step S202, for example, the second control unit 14a may determine to perform rider assistance operation when it detects approaching an object located in front of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 based on information output from the surrounding environment sensor 11. Examples of the object include vehicles (for example, two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles, four-wheeled vehicles, etc.), obstacles (for example, trees, rocks, etc.), animals, people, etc. Approaching the object can be determined, for example, by whether the relative distance between the saddle riding type vehicle 1 and the object, TTC (Time To Collision), ETTC (Enhanced Time To Collision), etc., meet criteria.

[0055]

[0053] After step S202, in step S203, the second control unit 14a executes a rider assistance operation based on the output information of the surrounding environment sensor 11. The type of rider assistance operation is not particularly limited. The rider assistance operation is, for example, a notification operation from the user interface 14 to the rider of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. For example, when the second control unit 14a detects a vehicle located in a blind spot of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 based on the output information of the surrounding environment sensor 11, it executes a notification operation from the user interface 14 to the rider.

[0056]

[0054] The rider assistance action as the notification action described above is usually executed via a user interface. In this case, in a conventional configuration in which a control unit that executes the rider assistance action is provided within a friction braking force control unit, a signal for executing the rider assistance action from the control unit needs to be transmitted from the friction braking force control unit to the user interface, resulting in poor responsiveness of the notification action.

[0057]

[0055] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, the second control unit 14a that executes the rider assistance operation is provided in the user interface 14 that outputs the notification operation, thereby improving the response speed of the notification operation.

[0058]

[0056] Specific examples of the above-mentioned notification operation include an operation of sounding a warning sound to the rider, an operation of displaying a predetermined display on the liquid crystal display serving as the user interface 14, an operation of turning on or flashing an indicator lamp mounted on the mirror of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, and an operation of making a predetermined notification from a notification unit mounted on the rider's helmet.

[0059] The rider assistance operation may be, for example, an operation to prevent a collision with an object located in front of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. For example, when the second control unit 14 a detects an approach of an object in front of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 using the surrounding environment sensor 11 while the saddle riding type vehicle 1 is traveling, the second control unit 14 a executes an operation to prevent a collision with the object. Examples of the operation to prevent a collision include the above-mentioned notification operation and an operation to apply a braking force to the wheels (front wheel 2 and / or rear wheel 3) of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. In this case, the operation to apply a braking force to the wheels is executed by transmitting a signal from the second control unit 14 a to the first control unit 13 b.

[0060]

[0058] When the target is a vehicle traveling in front of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1, the second control unit 14a may execute, as a rider assistance operation, a braking force control operation for the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 based on information output from the surrounding environment sensor 11. Specifically, the second control unit 14a may, for example, apply braking force to the wheels of the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 when it detects that the saddle-riding type vehicle 1 is approaching the vehicle, and may control the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a to gradually reduce the braking force when the approach is no longer detected. In this case, the braking force control operation is executed by transmitting a signal from the second control unit 14a to the first control unit 13b.

[0061] Furthermore, the second control unit 14 a may receive output information of the wheel speed sensor 12 transmitted from the first control unit 13 b, and perform rider assistance operation based on the output information of the wheel speed sensor 12 and the output information of the surrounding environment sensor 11. For example, when the surrounding environment sensor 11 determines that no object is close to the saddle riding type vehicle 1, the second control unit 14 a monitors the traveling speed of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 obtained based on the output of the wheel speed sensor 12, and performs an operation to control the traveling speed of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 to a preset speed as a rider assistance operation.

[0062]

[0060] When the ambient environment sensor 11 detects a vehicle traveling ahead of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 while the rider assistance operation is being performed, the second control unit 14a may perform a control operation as the rider assistance operation to maintain a constant distance or a constant passing time difference between the saddle riding type vehicle 1 and the vehicle. Specifically, the second control unit 14a may perform a braking force control operation for the saddle riding type vehicle 1 based on the output of the ambient environment sensor 11. In this case, the braking force control operation is also performed by transmitting a signal from the second control unit 14a to the first control unit 13b.

[0063]

[0061] <Effects of the Control System> The effects of the control system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0064]

[0062] The control system i0 controls rider assistance operations and includes a friction braking force control unit 13 having an adjustment mechanism 13a for adjusting the friction braking force applied to the wheels of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 and a first control unit 13b that controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a, and a second control unit 14a that executes rider assistance operations based on information output from an ambient environment sensor 11 mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, and further, the second control unit 14a is provided in a user interface 14 that is different from the friction braking force control unit 13 and that allows the rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 to recognize information.

[0065]

[063] As described above, in the control system 10, the second control unit 14a that performs the rider assistance operation is provided separately from the first control unit 13b that controls the adjustment mechanism 13a, and in a user interface 14 that is different from the friction braking force control unit 13. By having the second control unit 14a, which is provided in a user interface 14 that is different from the friction braking force control unit 13, perform the rider assistance operation, it is possible to reduce the load on the first control unit 13b. As a result, it is possible to suppress heat generation in the friction braking force control unit 13 without increasing the size of the friction braking force control unit 13.

[0066]

[0064] Furthermore, for example, there may be cases where it is desired to add types of rider assistance operations to be executed after the control system 10 is constructed. In such a case, by providing the second control unit 14a separately from the first control unit 13b, it becomes easy to configure the second control unit 14a so that types of rider assistance operations can be added later while reducing the load on the second control unit 14a.

[0067]

[0065] Preferably, the first control unit 13b controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a based on the output of a wheel speed sensor 12 mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle 1, and further transmits information on the output of the wheel speed sensor 12 to the user interface 14.

[0068]

[0066] There are cases where it is desirable to use information from the output of the wheel speed sensor in both the friction braking force adjustment mechanism and the execution of the rider assistance operation. In such cases, in the configuration of this embodiment in which the first control unit 13b and the second control unit 14a are provided separately, it is preferable that the output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 be transmitted in the order of the first control unit 13b and the second control unit 14a. The operation of the friction braking force adjustment mechanism 13a for the saddle riding type vehicle 1 (particularly in anti-lock brake operation) requires rapid control in accordance with the wheel speed of the saddle riding type vehicle 1 while it is traveling. Therefore, by first using the output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 in the first control unit, it is possible to improve the responsiveness of the first control unit 13b to the control of the operation of the adjustment mechanism 13a. Then, the first control unit 13 b sends output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 to the user interface 14, which enables the second control unit 14 b to perform rider assistance operations using the output information from the wheel speed sensor 12 in addition to the output information from the surrounding environment sensor 11. In this way, the responsiveness of the first control unit 13 b can be improved while using the output information from the wheel speed sensor both in the friction braking force adjustment mechanism and in performing the rider assistance operations.

[0069]

[0067] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism 13 a is a hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts the friction braking force by adjusting the hydraulic pressure of the brake fluid. This allows the adjustment mechanism 13 a to easily apply a strong braking force to the wheel.

[0070]

[0068] Preferably, the rider assistance operation includes a braking force control operation of the saddle-ride type vehicle 1 that is performed based on information output from the surrounding environment sensor 11.

[0071]

[0069] There are cases where the execution of rider assistance operations by the second control unit 14a is used more frequently than the operation control of the friction braking force adjustment mechanism for a saddle-ride type vehicle (especially anti-lock brake operation). For example, this applies to a case where the rider assistance operation is to execute a braking force control operation for a saddle-ride type vehicle based on information output from a surrounding environment sensor. In such a case, if the control unit in the friction braking force control unit is configured to control the friction braking force adjustment mechanism and execute the rider assistance operation, as in the past, the high frequency of execution of the rider assistance operation is likely to increase the load within the friction braking force control unit, and there is a significant possibility that the friction braking force control unit will have to be enlarged in size to suppress heat generation.

[0072] Therefore, in the control system 10 of this embodiment, in which the second control unit 14 a that performs the rider assistance operation is provided in a user interface 14 different from the friction braking force control unit 13, when the second control unit 14 a performs the braking force control operation as the rider assistance operation based on the output information of the surrounding environment sensor 11, the effect of suppressing heat generation in the friction braking force control unit while suppressing an increase in size is more pronounced.

[0073]

[0071] Preferably, the rider assistance operation includes a notification operation from the user interface 14 to the rider of the saddle riding type vehicle 1. In a conventional configuration in which a control unit that executes the rider assistance operation is provided within the friction braking force control unit, when a notification operation is performed from the user interface, a signal that executes the rider assistance operation from the control unit needs to be transmitted from the friction braking force control unit to the user interface, which results in poor responsiveness of the notification operation.

[0074] [ 0 0 7 2 ]

Claims

[Document name] Scope of claims

1. A control system (io) for performing a rider assistance operation, comprising: a friction braking force control unit (13) including an adjustment mechanism (13a) for a friction braking force applied to a wheel of a saddle-ride type vehicle (1); a first control unit (13b) for controlling the operation of the adjustment mechanism (13a); and a second control unit (14a) for performing the rider assistance operation based on information output from an ambient environment sensor (11) mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle (1), wherein the second control unit (14a) further comprises a user interface (14b) different from the friction braking force control unit (13) for making a rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle (1) recognize information. (14) The control system (10) ○

2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit (13b) controls the operation of the adjustment mechanism (13a) based on output information of a wheel speed sensor (12) mounted on the saddle-ride type vehicle (1), and further transmits the output information of the wheel speed sensor (12) to the user interface (14).

3. The control system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the second control unit (14a) receives the output information of the wheel speed sensor (12) transmitted from the first control unit (13b), and performs the rider assistance operation based on the output information of the wheel speed sensor (12) and the output information of the surrounding environment sensor (11).

4. The control system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism (13a) is a hydraulic pressure adjustment mechanism that adjusts the friction braking force by adjusting the hydraulic pressure of brake fluid.

5. The control system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rider assistance operation includes a braking force control operation of the saddle-ride type vehicle (1) that is executed based on information on the output of the surrounding environment sensor (11).

6. The control system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rider assistance operation includes an alert operation from the user interface (14) to a rider of the saddle-ride type vehicle (1). [Claim ?] The control system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user interface (14) is a meter cluster.

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