Motorcycle Brake Control with Adaptive Force Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for improving the safety of saddled vehicles, such as motorcycles, do not effectively manage the amplification of braking force during a driving support mode, leading to potential deviations from the rider's intended braking action.

Innovation Solution

A controller and control method that determine whether the braking operation unit is in operation and execute a driving support mode to amplify the braking force based on surrounding environment information and adjust the degree of reduction in braking force at the end of amplification based on the output from a detector.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the braking force is amplified during driving support mode, then the safety of the saddled vehicle is improved, but the braking force may decrease to a degree that greatly deviates from the rider's intention at the end of amplification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of saddled vehicleVSAvoidcontrol precision of braking force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The controller continuously monitors the operation state of the braking operation unit during driving support mode and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the degree of reduction in braking force at the end of amplification, ensuring the braking force decreases to an appropriate level that matches the rider's intention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the braking force reduction based on real-time detection of the braking operation unit's state, transitioning from amplified braking force to reduced braking force in a controlled manner that adapts to the rider's ongoing input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the braking force is amplified based on surrounding environment information, then the safety is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller integrates multiple functions including detection of braking operation unit state, determination of operation status, amplification of braking force based on environment information, and dynamic adjustment of braking force reduction, allowing a single device to perform multiple safety-related functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4378769B1Controller for a saddled vehicle and control method for maneuvering a saddled vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4378769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4378769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4378769B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention provides a controller and a control method that improve safety of a saddled vehicle. According to the controller and the control method, a determination unit determines whether a braking operation unit is in operation, based on an output from a detector configured to detect a state quantity of the braking operation unit. An execution unit executes a driving support mode, in which a braking force generated in the saddled vehicle is amplified, when the determination unit determines that the braking operation unit is in operation. The execution unit, in the driving support mode: amplifies the braking force based on a surrounding environment information that is information about environment around the saddled vehicle; and changes, based on a degree of change in the output from the detector, a degree of reduction in the braking force at the end of the amplification of the braking force generated in the saddled vehicle.