Motorcycle Regenerative Braking Control Based on Rider Posture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Riders of two-wheeled electric motorcycles experience unconventional regenerative braking torque when the electric machine is associated with the front wheel, which can be unsettling, especially during turns, as existing systems do not adequately account for the rider's posture or vehicle state.

Innovation Solution

A motorcycle system that includes an electric machine with a posture determining means using imaging devices to assess the rider's posture and vehicle state, dynamically adjusting regenerative braking torque based on the rider's posture and vehicle conditions, integrating this information into the regeneration control signal to provide a more natural riding experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a collision warning device and airbag are installed in a vehicle, then safety is improved, but initial cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of collision risk using sensors before actual collision occurs, and pre-charges the airbag in anticipation of potential collision. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare safety measures in advance, improving response time and effectiveness while managing complexity through proactive rather than reactive design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously receives feedback from sensors detecting collision risk, vehicle speed, and airbag charge status. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and adjustment of airbag charging and deployment decisions, improving safety through adaptive control while managing system complexity through integrated feedback processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If airbag charging is delayed until collision is certain, then energy use is reduced, but response time becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy useVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag is charged in advance when collision risk is detected by sensors, rather than waiting until collision is certain. This preliminary charging action ensures the airbag is ready for immediate deployment when needed, achieving fast response time while managing energy consumption through conditional pre-charging based on detected risk levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The airbag charging system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time collision risk assessment. The control unit monitors sensor feedback continuously and adjusts charging timing and energy input dynamically, optimizing the balance between response time and energy consumption according to actual driving conditions and detected threat levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If airbag is charged in advance, then response time is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary airbag charging only when collision risk is detected by sensors, not continuously. This conditional preliminary action achieves fast response time when needed while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal driving conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit applies partial charging action based on assessed collision risk level rather than full charging at all times. This partial action approach provides sufficient response capability for detected risks while minimizing energy consumption during low-risk periods, achieving optimal balance between response time and energy use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3710320B1Apparatus and method for controlling a vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 JAGUAR LAND ROVER LTD
  • EP3710320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3710320B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3710320B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a motorcycle (100), comprising an electric machine (130, 140) associated with at least one wheel (110, 120) of the motorcycle, wherein said electric machine (130, 140) is operable in a regeneration mode to apply a regenerative braking torque to the at least one wheel (110, 120) according to a regeneration control signal (185), imaging means arranged to output image data corresponding, in use, to at least a portion of a rider of the motorcycle (100), posture determining means (190) arranged to the image data and to determine a posture of a rider of the motorcycle (100) in dependence thereon, and regeneration control means (180) arranged to determine the regeneration control signal (185) in dependence on the determined posture of the rider of the motorcycle (100).