Active Steering Damper for Motorcycle Emergency Braking Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Emergency braking in two-wheeled vehicles often catches the driver off guard, leading to instability and potential falls due to uncontrolled swaying, as existing systems fail to independently and effectively manage steering during such events.

Innovation Solution

An active steering system, comprising a controllable steering damper or actuator, is used to dampen vibrations and maintain a straight trajectory during emergency braking, utilizing environmental sensors to anticipate and prepare for the braking situation, thereby stabilizing the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If emergency braking is initiated without driver preparation, then braking response time is reduced, but vehicle stability deteriorates due to uncontrolled swaying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking response timeVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary actions by detecting hazardous situations before emergency braking is triggered and pre-adjusts the steering damper characteristics. This preparation phase allows the system to be ready for immediate emergency braking while maintaining stability, as the damper is already configured to counteract potential swaying motions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively counteracting instability tendencies before they manifest during emergency braking. The control unit adjusts the steering damper to oppose potential swaying motions in advance, preventing the deterioration of vehicle stability that would otherwise occur during sudden braking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Stability of the object's composition

If steering damper damping is increased during emergency braking, then handlebar vibration is reduced, but steering responsiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar stabilityVSAvoidsteering responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The steering damper characteristics are made dynamic rather than static. The control unit continuously adjusts the damper settings based on real-time vehicle conditions, hazard severity, and braking phase. This allows the system to optimize the balance between stability and responsiveness throughout the emergency braking event.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the steering damper dynamically during emergency braking. By adjusting damping coefficients and characteristic curves in real-time, the system adapts to different phases of braking, maintaining both stability and responsiveness where a fixed-damper system would fail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If active steering control is implemented during emergency braking, then vehicle straight-line stability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestraight-line stabilityVSAvoidsteering system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The steering damper system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a passive damping component and an active steering control mechanism. By integrating emergency braking stabilization functions into the existing steering damper infrastructure rather than adding completely separate systems, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving straight-line stability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the hazard detection system, braking system, and steering damper. This centralized control approach simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a single point of coordination rather than requiring multiple independent control systems to work in concert.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system significantly reduces the likelihood of the motorcycle falling by maintaining stability and optimizing braking performance, ensuring the vehicle comes to a stop earlier and more safely.

Implementation Method 1

the steering element is a steering damper which is influenced during the emergency braking process in such a way that it has a stronger damping of steering wheel vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous damping: Viscous Damping

Implementation Method 2

the steering element is a steering actuator for driver-independent adjustment of a steering angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3368394B1Method and device for the driver-independent influencing of a steering system in a single-track motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3368394B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for influencing a steering element of a single-track motor vehicle independently of the driver during a driver-independent emergency braking maneuver; in said method, the occurrence of a driver-independent emergency braking maneuver is ascertained, and in accordance therewith, the steering element is influenced independently of the driver.