Control device for a two-wheeled vehicle, two-wheeled vehicle having such a control device, and method for operating such a two-wheeled vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a control unit (200) of a two-wheeled vehicle, to a two-wheeled vehicle having a control unit (200), and to a method for operating a two-wheeled vehicle having a control unit. The control unit comprises a first interface (310) which can be connected to a first sensor (300), wherein a detected standstill of the two-wheeled vehicle can be provided by means of the first sensor (300), and a second interface (311) which can be connected to a second sensor (301), wherein a deactivated state of a motor of the two-wheeled vehicle can be provided by means of the second sensor (301). The invention is characterised in that, when a standstill of the two-wheeled vehicle and a deactivated state of the motor of the two-wheeled vehicle are detected, a lock located on the control device (200) can be unlocked, said lock preventing a change in a software located on the control device (200) in a locked state.

Description

[0001] R. 415735

[0002] - 1 -

[0003] Description

[0004] title

[0005] Control unit for a two-wheeler, two-wheeler with such a control unit and method for operating such a two-wheeler

[0006] State of the art

[0007] The present invention relates to a control unit for a two-wheeler according to the independent claim. The present invention also relates to a two-wheeler with such a control unit and a method for operating such a two-wheeler.

[0008] Modern motorcycles are typically equipped with one or more control units that monitor and control certain driving functions. These control units contain software that can implement the corresponding functionalities. If this software needs to be modified, it is necessary to visit a workshop, as controlled conditions ensure safe modifications. Faulty software can render the motorcycle inoperable or unsafe for road use. A workshop can ensure this by using appropriate diagnostic equipment and following specific instructions on how to modify the software.

[0009] Disclosure of the invention

[0010] According to the invention, a control unit for a two-wheeler is provided with the characterizing features of the independent claim. Such a control unit offers the advantage that a state of the control unit can be produced which allows a safe modification of software located on the control unit. In other words, a modification in an unsafe state is possible. R. 415735

[0011] - 2 -

[0012] This eliminates the need for additional infrastructure, such as a workshop environment or diagnostic equipment. This allows, for example, a two-wheeler rider to adjust the software on the control unit themselves, regardless of location or equipment, such as in their home garage or during a ride, for instance in a parking lot.

[0013] The control unit according to the invention for a two-wheeler comprises a first interface which can be connected to a first sensor, wherein the first sensor can provide information about the two-wheeler's standstill. The control unit further comprises a second interface which can be connected to a second sensor, wherein the second sensor can provide information about the deactivation state of the two-wheeler's engine. A characteristic feature is that, upon detection of the two-wheeler's standstill and the deactivation state of the two-wheeler's engine, a lock located on the control unit can be unlocked, which, in a locked state, prevents any modification of the software located on the control unit.

[0014] Further advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0015] It should be noted that a safe modification of the control unit software means that the software and its dependent processes are not executed while the software is being modified. This ensures that the modification process itself does not cause any functional impairments. For example, it prevents a function from becoming unavailable due to an incomplete installation or from only having partial functionality because the software was still running during the modification.

[0016] It is advantageous if the control unit includes a third interface that can be connected to a detection unit, whereby input from the driver can be provided via the detection unit and the lock can only be unlocked upon detection of such input. This is advantageous insofar as an additional condition can be provided by which a secure state can be established. Security is further increased by the fact that two independent sources now contribute to the unlocking process: the control unit itself and the driver. This reduces the error rate. In particular, the lock of the control unit R. 415735

[0017] - 3 -

[0018] It can therefore be unlocked when a standstill of the two-wheeler, a deactivation state of the engine, and an input from the driver are detected.

[0019] A detection unit can be, for example, a button on the cockpit of the two-wheeler, a display with a touch control panel, or a smartphone connected to the interface.

[0020] In a further embodiment, it is advantageous if the control unit includes an evaluation unit configured to provide a first signal, based on the detected standstill and deactivation state of the two-wheeler, by means of which the lock can be deactivated. Conditions can be defined for this first signal, which it must fulfill, and the lock can only be deactivated if the signal meets these conditions. For example, one condition could be that the signal is ASIL compliant and is checked for this ASIL compliance by the control unit.

[0021] It is also advantageous if the control unit has a fourth interface, through which it can provide a second signal indicating that the lock is unlocked. This allows a rider who wants to modify the control unit software to see this second signal, for example, on a display on the motorcycle or on a smartphone connected to the control unit's fourth interface. This second signal then informs the rider that the control unit is unlocked and that software modifications can begin.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a two-wheeler with such a control unit, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a standstill of the two-wheeler and the second sensor is configured to detect a deactivation state of the engine.

[0023] It should be noted here that a two-wheeler, for example a motorcycle, differs from a passenger car in that it has smaller and simpler control units that offer fewer functionalities. It is particularly advantageous in this case if changes can be made by the rider himself. R. 415735

[0024] - 4 -

[0025] can. Furthermore, it is advantageous if existing sensors in the two-wheeler can be used to capture relevant signals.

[0026] It is advantageous if the first sensor is designed to detect the speed and / or rotational speed of at least one wheel of the two-wheeler and / or the neutral position of the two-wheeler's transmission. The speed can be used to determine whether the two-wheeler is moving; for this purpose, a speedometer installed in the two-wheeler or a speed determined by a GPS system could be used, for example. A detected rotational speed of at least one wheel of the two-wheeler can also be used to determine whether the two-wheeler is moving. In particular, a combination of a detected wheel rotational speed and a detected speed of the two-wheeler can be used to precisely determine whether the two-wheeler is stationary.A recorded neutral position of the gearbox can additionally be used to verify a standstill and can also ensure that no jerky movement occurs, such as when closing the clutch of the two-wheeler.

[0027] It is also advantageous if the second sensor is designed to detect engine speed. Based on the engine speed, it can be determined whether the engine is deactivated. Additionally, a signal from a start / stop system could be detected to ensure that the engine is not in a stop phase and will be reactivated by operating the two-wheeler. It should be noted that the engine can be an internal combustion engine or an electric motor. A hybrid version incorporating both engine types is also conceivable. If an electric motor is installed, it may also be possible to supplement the engine speed signal with an electrical voltage applied to the motor to increase the reliability of detecting a deactivated engine.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for operating a two-wheeler described above. This method comprises, firstly, providing a detected standstill of the two-wheeler by means of the first sensor, and secondly, providing a detected deactivation state of the two-wheeler's engine by means of the second sensor. Furthermore, it comprises unlocking a lock located on the control unit when a standstill of the two-wheeler and a deactivation state of the two-wheeler's engine are detected. R. 415735

[0029] - 5 -

[0030] The wheel is detected. This embodiment allows the method to be transferred to different vehicle types with a corresponding control unit. It is also conceivable that a software change affects several control units. In this case, the method can run separately on each of these control units, and each control unit establishes an individual safe modification state by removing the respective locks. However, it is equally conceivable that one control unit performs this task for all affected control units and issues an unlocking signal to all other control units. These could then be unlocked using this issued signal.

[0031] Brief description of the drawings

[0032] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

[0033] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a device according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 1 schematically shows a sequence of operations according to a first embodiment of the present invention. After the start of the process 101, a standstill of a two-wheeler is detected in step 102, and a deactivation of the two-wheeler's engine is detected in step 103. Steps 102 and 103 can occur simultaneously or sequentially in any order. If a standstill of the two-wheeler and a deactivated engine have been detected, a lock that prevents changes to the software on the two-wheeler is released in step 104. The process ends with step 105.

[0036] Figure 2 schematically shows a control unit 200 according to a further embodiment of the present invention, which can execute a method according to the invention as described in Figure 1. R. 415735

[0037] - 6 -

[0038] The control unit 200 is equipped with a first sensor 300 and an interface 310 to detect when a two-wheeler is stationary. This can be done, for example, by detecting a speedometer signal from the two-wheeler or a GPS signal.

[0039] It is also conceivable to detect the rotational speed of at least one wheel of the two-wheeler. To improve the reliability of the standstill information, the information from the aforementioned signals can also be combined. Furthermore, the control unit 200 is configured to detect the deactivation state of the engine by means of a second sensor 301 and a second interface 311. For this purpose, the engine speed can be detected using sensor 301. The control unit 200 can also include a third interface 312 for a detection unit 302, which is configured to detect input from a rider. This could, for example, be a control element in the cockpit of the two-wheeler, such as a button or a control surface on a touch panel. It is also conceivable that the detection unit 302 is a control element on the control unit 200 itself, which is configured to detect input from the rider.It is also conceivable that the interface is a smartphone connected to the control unit, and the rider of the two-wheeler makes an input using an app on the smartphone. The control unit 200 can include an evaluation unit 201, in which the signals received at the corresponding interfaces of the control unit 200 are processed. Once the corresponding signals have been detected, the evaluation unit 201 can provide a signal that releases a lock preventing changes to the software on the control unit 200. Via a fourth interface 401, the control unit 200 can provide a signal to an output device 400, indicating that the lock has been released. This output device 400 could be, for example, located in the cockpit of the two-wheeler, on the control unit itself (such as a signal light), or a smartphone connected to the control unit 200.

[0040] In an optional version, a fifth interface 313 can be provided for an additional detection unit 303, which can receive a signal that initiates the procedure. This could be a control element on the motorcycle's cockpit or control unit, or a smartphone paired with interface 313. Using this interface 313, the motorcycle rider can initiate the procedure and, after a standstill and deactivated engine have been detected, optionally unlock the software modification lock by manually entering the desired changes, make the necessary modifications, and then continue their journey.

Claims

R. 415735 - 7 - Claims 1. Control unit (200) for a two-wheeler, wherein the control unit (200) a first interface (310) which can be connected to a first sensor (300), wherein a detected standstill of the two-wheeler can be provided by means of the first sensor (300), and a second interface (311) which can be connected to a second sensor (301), wherein a deactivation state of an engine of the two-wheeler can be provided by means of the second sensor (301), characterized in that when a standstill of the two-wheeler and a deactivation state of the engine of the two-wheeler is detected, a lock located on the control unit (200) can be unlocked, which in a locked state prevents a change of software located on the control unit (200).

2. Control unit (200) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a third interface (312) which can be connected to a detection unit (302), wherein an input from a driver can be provided by means of the detection unit (302) and the lock can only be unlocked upon detection of a detected input.

3. Control unit according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (200) comprises an evaluation unit (201) which is configured to provide a first signal by means of the provided detected standstill and the deactivation state of the two-wheeler, by means of which the lock can be deactivated.

4. Control unit according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit (200) has a fourth interface (401) by means of which the control unit (200) can provide a second signal indicating an unlocked state of the lock.

5. Two-wheeler with a control unit (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sensor (300) is configured to detect a standstill of the two-wheeler R. 415735 - 8 - The second sensor (301) is designed to detect a deactivation state of the motor.

6. Two-wheeler according to claim 5, wherein the first sensor (300) is configured to detect a speed and / or a rotational speed of at least one wheel of the two-wheeler and / or a neutral position of a transmission of the two-wheeler.

7. Two-wheeler according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second sensor (301) is configured to detect an engine speed.

8. Method for operating a two-wheeler with a control unit (200) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, comprising • Providing a recorded standstill of the two-wheeler using the first sensor (300), • Providing a detected deactivation state of the two-wheeler's engine using the second sensor (301), • Unlocking a lock located on the control unit (200) when a standstill of the two-wheeler and a deactivation state of the two-wheeler's engine is detected.

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