Motorcycle Warning Braking Based on Lean Angle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic warning brake systems for cars cannot be directly applied to motorcycles due to their unique dynamics, which can lead to hazardous situations when brake actuation occurs during leaning, as it affects the vehicle's stability and trajectory.
Innovation Solution
A method for warning a motorcycle driver by inducing an acceleration change based on the current lean angle, using a ride assistant controller that adjusts the manner and degree of acceleration change by actuating the front or rear wheel brakes, reducing engine torque, or shifting the transmission to a lower gear, depending on the lean angle, to ensure the warning is effective without destabilizing the motorcycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automatic warning brake function is applied to motorcycles, then driver warning capability is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates when motorcycle is leaning
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the braking strategy based on the real-time lean angle of the motorcycle. When the lean angle is small (motorcycle nearly upright), front wheel brake is applied for effective warning. When the lean angle exceeds a threshold, the system switches to alternative strategies (rear brake, engine torque reduction, or transmission shifting) to maintain vehicle stability while still providing driver warning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the braking system based on the lean angle parameter. By monitoring the lean angle and comparing it against predetermined thresholds, the system selects different braking interventions (front brake, rear brake, engine torque, transmission gear) to optimize both warning effectiveness and vehicle stability under varying operating conditions.
2Reliability
If front wheel brake is actuated during leaning, then warning effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects on vehicle trajectory increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary check of the lean angle before actuating the front wheel brake. By anticipating the potential harmful effect on trajectory, the system prevents front brake application when the lean angle is too high, thereby avoiding trajectory disturbance while still providing warning through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The lean angle measurement serves as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the warning requirement and the trajectory stability requirement. Based on this intermediary parameter, the system intelligently selects the appropriate braking intervention to balance warning effectiveness with trajectory stability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for warning a driver of a motorcycle (1) and a ride assistant controller (3) for implementing or controlling such method are described. Therein, the method comprises: monitoring traffic situations based on signals from at least one sensor (17); upon detecting a critical traffic situation based on the signals from the at least one sensor (17), warning the driver by inducing an acceleration change onto the motorcycle (1); wherein a current lean angle of the motorcycle (1) is monitored and a manner and/or degree of inducing the acceleration change onto the motorcycle (1) is set taking into account the current lean angle of the motorcycle (1).