Straddle Vehicle Torque Control for Inclination Slip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing straddle type vehicles lack the ability to set a suitable boost torque for varying traveling states, leading to inefficient drive force distribution and potential tire slip during inclinations.

Innovation Solution

A straddle type vehicle equipped with a posture detector, a processing circuit, and a boost input device, which adjusts the target torque from a normal torque to a boost torque by adding a predetermined amount, and further corrects the torque change based on inclination signals to maintain tire force within the friction circle, ensuring stable drive force distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If the target torque is increased from normal torque to boost torque to enhance drive force, then the drive force is improved, but the tire force may exceed the friction circle causing tire slip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive forceVSAvoidtire slip prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the vehicle posture through the posture detector and adjusts the target torque accordingly. When the vehicle is inclined, the posture detector provides feedback to the processing circuit, which then corrects the target torque to prevent tire slip while maintaining drive force when safe

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The target torque is made dynamic rather than fixed. The processing circuit adjusts the target torque in real-time based on vehicle posture conditions, transitioning between normal torque, corrected torque, and boost torque levels to optimize both drive force and tire grip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a fixed boost torque is applied regardless of vehicle posture, then the boost drive force is consistent, but the torque change causes tire slip during inclinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboost drive force consistencyVSAvoidtire slip prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the fixed boost torque into a dynamic, posture-dependent torque. The processing circuit continuously adjusts the target torque based on real-time posture detection, allowing the boost torque to adapt to varying vehicle conditions rather than remaining constant

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the target torque is corrected based on inclination to prevent tire slip, then the tire force remains within friction limits, but the drive force is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire force controlVSAvoiddrive force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic torque management where the target torque is adjusted based on posture. When the vehicle returns to a level position, the posture detector triggers a restoration of the original target torque, thereby recovering drive force while maintaining tire force control during inclinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230166713A1Straddle type vehicle, method for controlling vehicle, and non-transitory computer readable storage medium

Publication Date: 2023.06.01 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

There is provided a straddle type vehicle including a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to: change, upon receiving a boost signal from a boost input device, a target torque from a normal torque to a boost torque obtained by adding a predetermined boost amount to the normal torque; and correct, upon receiving a predetermined inclination signal from the posture detector, the target torque such that a torque change of the drive wheel when the target torque is changed from the normal torque to the boost torque is decreased as compared with a case where the inclination signal is not received.