Leaning Vehicle Mode Switching for Adaptive Gear and Engine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leaning vehicles struggle to provide driving characteristics that finely respond to traveling environments and a rider's request in situations requiring positive manipulation, while also allowing characteristics that minimize the need for rider input in other situations.
Innovation Solution
A leaning vehicle with a control system that allows switching between automatic and manual gear shift statuses, enabling the selection of engine modes with fewer manipulations required in automatic mode and finer control in manual mode, using a control device to manage gear shift and engine output based on traveling conditions and rider input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic gear shift status is used to reduce manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different traveling environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automatic and manual gear shift statuses based on rider input through the mode transition manipulation part. In automatic status, the control device automatically shifts gears based on traveling state, reducing manipulation. In manual status, the rider can actively control gear shifts to adapt to specific traveling environments. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to provide ease of operation when needed while maintaining adaptability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from automatic to manual by detecting rider input on the mode transition manipulation part. When the rider manipulates this part, the control device transitions between automatic and manual gear shift statuses, effectively changing the level of rider intervention. This parameter change allows the same system to provide both automatic operation for ease of use and manual control for environmental adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual gear shift status is used to increase control, then adaptability to traveling environments is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the rider to dynamically switch between automatic and manual gear shift statuses based on the desired level of control. When the rider needs adaptability to traveling environments, they can manipulate the mode transition manipulation part to enter manual status, where they have full control over gear stage selection. When ease of operation is prioritized, the rider can use automatic status. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by allowing the rider to choose the appropriate mode for each situation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If engine modes are made selectable in automatic gear shift status, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mode transition manipulation part serves multiple functions: it detects rider input for status switching, enables engine mode selection in automatic gear shift status, and allows gear stage control in manual gear shift status. By making this single component universal, the system achieves improved adaptability through engine mode selection without proportionally increasing device complexity. The control device integrates these multiple functions into a unified control architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A control device, in accordance with a manipulation on a mode transition manipulation part, selects an engine mode associated with an output control characteristics are associated. The control device, in a manual gear shift status, selects an engine mode from among plural selectable MT engine mode options in accordance with a manipulation on the mode transition manipulation part, and in an automatic gear shift status in which a gear stage is shifted up or down in accordance with a traveling state, selects an engine mode from among plural AT engine mode options in accordance with a manipulation on the mode transition manipulation part, the plural AT engine mode options being prepared in such a manner that the number of times a manipulation needs to be performed in order to transition to any of the plural AT engine mode options is smaller as compared to that in an MT engine mode.