Motorcycle Gear Change Control Device Limp Home Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motorcycles with switchable manual and automatic gear modes have low limp home capability, making it difficult to continue driving even with minor malfunctions, requiring external assistance for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A gear change control device with a dog clutch type gear change mechanism, an actuator for gear shifting, a shift switch for rider operation, an automatic control device for state-based gear changes, and a mode switch for switching between manual and automatic modes, along with a driving permission device that restricts automatic mode and permits manual mode in case of malfunctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If automatic mode driving is implemented with automatic control device and sensors, then gear change automation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to susceptibility to sensor and control malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between automatic and manual driving modes based on the operational status of the automatic control device and sensors. When malfunctions are detected in the automatic control device or sensors, the system automatically transitions from automatic mode to manual mode, allowing the motorcycle to continue operating with reduced functionality rather than shutting down completely.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with preliminary protective measures by implementing a malfunction detection mechanism that identifies sensor or control device failures before they cause complete system shutdown. This allows the system to prepare for degraded operation by switching to manual mode in advance, ensuring continuous drivability even when automatic control becomes unavailable.
2Reliability
If driving permission device restricts automatic mode when malfunction occurs, then reliability is improved by preventing unsafe operation, but productivity deteriorates by limiting driving capability
Solution Approach 1:
The driving permission device dynamically adjusts the available driving modes based on system health status. When malfunctions are detected, the system transitions from full automatic mode to manual mode, maintaining driving capability while adapting to the reduced functionality. This dynamic adjustment prevents complete shutdown while ensuring safe operation within the limitations of the malfunctioning system.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a motorcycle switchable between manual mode driving and automatic mode driving, limp home capability is improved. A gear change control device 50 includes a dog clutch type shift switch 43 having gear positions, a shift actuator 70 for changing the gear position in the shift mechanism 43, a clutch 44, a clutch actuator 60, a shift switch 72 operable by a rider for issuing an instruction to make a gear change among the gear positions in the shift mechanism 43, a mode switch 71 operable by the rider for making a switch between manual mode driving and automatic mode driving, and an ECU 90. The ECU 90 includes a driving permission section 93 for restraining the automatic mode driving and permitting the manual mode driving when a predetermined malfunction occurs.