Motorcycle Height Adjustment via Dynamic Weight Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle height adjustment devices for motorcycles struggle to precisely estimate the weight applied to the vehicle, which affects the accuracy of height adjustments, especially when the weight varies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle height adjustment device comprising a suspension device with a spring and support member, a control unit that determines target movement amounts based on weight, and a weight estimation unit that calculates weight based on suspension device length and movement, ensuring precise weight estimation and accurate height adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the weight estimation is based solely on suspension device length change, then the estimation is simple, but the precision deteriorates when weight varies significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter used for weight estimation from solely suspension length to a combination of suspension length and support member movement amount. This allows more accurate weight estimation across varying weight conditions without requiring complex additional sensors, as the movement amount provides complementary information about the actual weight being carried.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from both the suspension length sensor and support member position sensor to continuously refine the weight estimation. By monitoring how the support member moves in response to weight changes and comparing this with the expected movement based on suspension compression, the system achieves precise weight estimation that adapts to varying load conditions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the target movement amount is increased for lighter weights, then the height adjustment accuracy improves, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the target movement amount based on the estimated weight. For lighter weights, a larger target movement amount is set to achieve sufficient height adjustment, while for heavier weights, the target movement amount is reduced. This dynamic adaptation allows accurate height control across different load conditions without requiring multiple fixed control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit changes the target movement amount parameter based on the estimated weight category. When light weight is estimated, the system sets a larger target movement amount to ensure adequate height adjustment capability. When heavy weight is estimated, a smaller target movement amount suffices. This parameter adjustment simplifies control while maintaining accuracy across different weight conditions.
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
The device enables precise estimation of the weight applied to the motorcycle, allowing for accurate vehicle height adjustments regardless of the weight variation, enhancing riding stability and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed between a body of a vehicle and a wheel; a support member that supports one end of the spring, and is configured to move toward another one end of the spring to change a length of the spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A vehicle height adjustment device includes a rear suspension, an electromagnetic valve control unit, and a weight estimation unit. The rear suspension includes a support member to change a length of a rear wheel-side suspension spring. The electromagnetic valve control unit determines a target movement amount based on an interrelation between the target movement amount and a weight applied to a vehicle, under which the target movement amount is set to an upper limit value when the weight is equal to or larger than a predetermined weight, so as to perform a control so that an actual movement amount of the support member reaches the target movement amount. The electromagnetic valve control unit determines the target movement amount based on a temporary value of the weight. The weight estimation unit increases the temporary value, even when the actual movement amount has reached the target movement amount, when an actual length of the rear suspension does not reach a target length. The electromagnetic valve control unit decreases the target length, even when the temporary value has been increased, when the target movement amount that is set anew and that corresponds to the temporary value that is set anew has reached the upper limit value. The weight estimation unit estimates as the weight the temporary value when the actual length has finally reached the target length.