Motorcycle Lean Angle Feedback via Friction Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for operating two-wheelers on roadways do not effectively inform drivers of their lean angle and road surface friction, leading to potential accidents due to inadequate feedback on safe driving limits.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the current coefficient of friction between the two-wheeler's wheels and the road, calculates the critical angle of inclination, and provides real-time information to the driver through acoustic, haptic, and visual cues, allowing them to adjust their driving behavior to avoid exceeding the critical angle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no feedback system is provided to the driver about lean angle and friction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the driver safety and awareness of driving limits deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver safetyVSAvoidfeedback system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback system that continuously monitors the two-wheeler's lean angle and road friction conditions, then provides real-time information to the driver through visual, acoustic, or haptic interfaces. This feedback loop enables the driver to understand safe driving limits and adjust behavior accordingly, directly improving safety while accepting increased system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sensors (detecting lean angle and friction) and the driver (who needs this information). The control unit processes sensor data, determines critical angles, and translates this into driver-friendly feedback formats, bridging the gap between raw data and actionable safety information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If real-time friction and lean angle monitoring is implemented, then the information accuracy for driver decision-making is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of the critical lean angle based on detected friction conditions before the driver actually reaches dangerous lean angles. By pre-determining safe operating limits and providing feedback in advance, the system ensures accurate information is available when needed without requiring continuous high-energy processing at critical moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts monitoring and feedback parameters based on driving conditions. For example, it may intensify monitoring during critical maneuvers or change feedback frequency based on current risk levels, optimizing the balance between information accuracy and energy consumption by adapting parameters to actual needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances driver safety by minimizing the risk of accidents by providing timely and intuitive feedback on safe driving limits, allowing drivers to adapt their behavior and optimize their riding style.

Implementation Method 1

determining a current coefficient of friction between at least one wheel of the two-wheeler and the roadway

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a lateral inclination of the two-wheeler is detected by means of a yaw rate sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGyroscope effect: Gyroscope

Data Source

PatentEP3475152B1Method for operating a motorcycle and motorcycle
Publication Date: 2020.06.24 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3475152B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3475152B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3475152B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a two-wheeled vehicle (1), in particular motorcycle, on an underlying surface (2), comprising the following steps: f) determining a current coefficient of friction between at least one wheel (8) of the two-wheeled vehicle (1) and the underlying surface (2), g) calculating a critical inclination angle (γ) of the two-wheeled vehicle (1) as a function of at least the current coefficient of friction, h) sensing a current inclination angle (β) of the two-wheeled vehicle, i) determining the distance (Δ) of the current inclination angle (β) from the critical inclination angle (γ), outputting information to the driver as a function of the determined distance (Δ).