Motorcycle Height Adjuster Networked ECU Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle height adjusting systems for motorcycles require multiple sensors and control units for each hydraulic damper, leading to reduced equipment efficiency and increased complexity, as well as unnecessary power circuits and products due to varying damper configurations.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle height adjusting apparatus with a damper-side ECU connected to a vehicle network, using existing vehicle sensors for control, and a central ECU to manage multiple dampers, simplifying the system and optimizing power usage by integrating vehicle height detection and control through a networked system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the maximum number of necessary power circuits are initially mounted on the control unit, then all potential dampers can be supported, but power circuits are useless in motorcycles not using all the power circuits, reducing equipment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control system transitions from a static configuration with fixed power circuits to a dynamic network-based system. The number of active control channels can be dynamically adjusted based on the actual number of dampers installed, allowing the system to adapt to different motorcycle configurations without wasting resources on unused circuits.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle height adjusting function is provided for each hydraulic damper, then each damper can independently adjust vehicle height, but each damper requires vehicle speed sensor and vehicle height detecting unit, reducing equipment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions are merged into shared sensors located at the vehicle level rather than at each damper. The vehicle height detecting units and speed sensors are installed once on the vehicle and their data is distributed to all dampers via the network, eliminating redundant sensors while maintaining independent control capability.
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 simplifies the construction of vehicle height adjusting functions, improves rider stepping properties, and enhances equipment efficiency by reducing the number of necessary components and managing power circuits effectively, while maintaining optimal vehicle posture and detecting potential malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump that performs a pumping operation due to a telescoping motion of the damper to discharge hydraulic oil in the damper
Implementation Method 2
a switching valve that includes an electromagnetic valve switchably connecting the hydraulic jack to the oil reservoir chamber of the damper
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle height adjusting apparatus of a motorcycle includes a damper-side ECU connected to a vehicle network in which in-vehicle ECUs and a vehicle operating state detecting sensor which are mounted on a vehicle are connected to each other, in which the damper-side ECU attached to a damper, computes a vehicle height change to be adjusted in the damper using a detection result of a vehicle height detecting unit and a detection result of the vehicle operating state detecting sensor and controls a switching valve to adjust a vehicle height on the basis of the computed vehicle height change.