Motorcycle Rider Restraint Release via Critical Rotation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motorcyclists are at a higher risk of injury due to their unstable equilibrium and limited protection, necessitating a method to release a restraint device that connects them firmly to the motorcycle before a fall occurs.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a connecting element that determines the vehicle's angle of inclination and rotation rates, releasing the connector when a critical rotation rate is reached to prevent the rider from being thrown during a fall, and optionally sending an emergency call signal or activating a warning device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the motorcyclist is firmly connected to the motorcycle by the restraint device, then the motorcyclist is protected during normal operation, but the motorcyclist may be injured if the vehicle tips over or the rider falls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of motorcyclistVSAvoidinjury risk during fall
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The restraint device transitions from a static connected state to a dynamic released state based on real-time detection of vehicle inclination angle and rotation rate. The control unit continuously monitors these parameters and automatically releases the connecting element when critical thresholds are exceeded, enabling the system to adapt its restraint level according to the actual driving condition and fall risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely mechanical restraint systems with an intelligent control system that uses sensors (inclination angle sensor, rotation rate sensor) and a control unit to detect critical conditions and trigger automatic release of the connecting element. This substitution enables proactive safety intervention before a fall occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the connecting element is released automatically in critical situations, then the motorcyclist is protected from injury, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinjury preventionVSAvoidrestraint device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves as an intermediary that processes sensor data (inclination angle and rotation rate) and controls the connecting element based on pre-stored critical value curves. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the decision-making logic and enabling automatic safety intervention without requiring complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the restraint device remains connected during cornering, then the motorcyclist maintains stability, but the device may prevent natural leaning and control maneuvers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotorcyclist stabilityVSAvoidvehicle control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the restraint state based on real-time detection of vehicle inclination angle and rotation rate. During normal cornering, the connecting element remains connected to provide stability. When the vehicle inclination angle and/or rotation rate exceed critical thresholds indicating a potential fall, the control unit automatically releases the connecting element, allowing natural leaning and control maneuvers while preventing injury.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2822846B1Method for releasing a restraint device for a rider of a vehicle and corresponding vehicle
Publication Date: 2017.07.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2822846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2822846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2822846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for releasing a restraint device for a rider of a vehicle, in particular a two-wheeler or three-wheeler, wherein the restraint device has a connecting element. The rider and the vehicle are detachably connected to each other by the connecting element. According to the invention, in a first method step, an inclination angle (6) and/or a pitch angle (8) of the vehicle is determined. In a second method step, a rotational speed (13, 14, 16) about a vehicle longitudinal axis and/or a vehicle transverse axis is determined. In a third method step, each determined rotational speed (13, 14, 16) is compared to an associated critical rotational speed (9, 10, 12) depending on the angle of inclination (6) and/or the pitch angle (8). In a fourth method step, the connecting element is released when the determined rotational speed (13, 14, 16) and the associated critical rotational speed (9, 10, 12) are equal.