Saddled Vehicle Group Travel Control for Formation Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional controllers for straddle-type vehicles face challenges in executing appropriate positional relationship adjustment operations when multiple vehicles travel in unique formations, such as side by side in a single travel lane or forming multiple vehicle lines.

Innovation Solution

A controller that acquires positional relationship information between a traveling straddle-type vehicle and a target, and executes positional relationship adjustment operations by switching between first and second operation modes based on the validity of a group travel mode. The group travel mode allows the vehicle to travel with at least one other straddle-type vehicle in a group.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional controller executes positional relationship adjustment operation based on positional relationship information, then the travel speed of the straddle-type vehicle is automatically changed, but the controller cannot execute appropriate adjustment operations when multiple straddle-type vehicles travel in unique formations (side by side or in multiple vehicle lines)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to multiple vehicle formationsVSAvoidpositional relationship adjustment operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically switches between a first operation mode and a second operation mode based on the validity of group travel mode. In the first operation mode, the controller executes positional relationship adjustment for individual vehicle travel, while in the second operation mode, it adjusts positional relationships for multiple vehicles traveling in formation. This dynamic mode switching enables the controller to adapt to different vehicle formation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller changes operational parameters by switching between different operation modes. When group travel mode is determined to be valid, the controller transitions to the second operation mode with adjusted parameters suitable for formation travel, such as modified speed adjustment ranges and positional relationship criteria. This parameter change allows appropriate control in complex vehicle formations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the controller switches between first and second operation modes based on group travel mode validity, then appropriate positional relationship adjustment is achieved for multiple vehicle formations, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling of group travel scenariosVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both the first operation mode (for individual vehicle control) and the second operation mode (for group travel control) within a single device. The controller universally handles both individual and group travel scenarios by switching between modes, eliminating the need for separate control systems for different vehicle formations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller performs preliminary determination of group travel mode validity before executing positional relationship adjustment operations. By pre-assessing whether multiple vehicles are traveling in formation and switching to the appropriate operation mode in advance, the controller avoids complex real-time decision-making during execution, thereby managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4501720A1Saddled vehicle behavior control device and control method
Publication Date: 2025.02.05 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4501720A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4501720A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4501720A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention obtains a controller and a control method capable of improving assistance performance for a rider. A controller for behavior of a straddle-type vehicle (100) includes: an acquisition section that acquires positional relationship information between the traveling straddle-type vehicle (100) and a target (200); and an execution section that executes positional relationship adjustment operation to automatically change a travel speed of the straddle-type vehicle (100) on the basis of the positional relationship information acquired by the acquisition section and to thereby adjust a positional relationship between the straddle-type vehicle (100) and the target (200). In the positional relationship adjustment operation, the execution section switches between a first operation mode in which the positional relationship between the straddle-type vehicle (100) and the target (200) is brought into a first state and a second operation mode in which the positional relationship between the straddle-type vehicle (100) and the target (200) is brought into a second state according to whether a group travel mode is valid.