Straddled Vehicle Parking Device with Dynamic Arm Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing parking solutions for straddled vehicles, such as two-wheeled motor vehicles, require mechanisms like side stands or outriggers to stabilize the vehicle during parking, which is not feasible in all scenarios. There is a need for a method to park these vehicles without relying on such stabilizing mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A parking device equipped with movable arms and actuators, controlled by a microcontroller, which can adjust movement speed and timing based on the vehicle's speed and position, allowing the vehicle to be parked without external stabilization. The device includes sensors for speed, distance, and contact detection to ensure safe and stable parking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a side stand or outrigger mechanism is used to park the vehicle, then the vehicle can stand by itself during parking, but the device complexity increases and the vehicle cannot be parked in all scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stability during parkingVSAvoidparking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the traditional side stand or outrigger stabilization mechanism from the vehicle system. Instead of relying on vehicle-mounted stabilization components, the parking device uses an external robotic arm system that temporarily supports the vehicle during parking operations, allowing the vehicle to be parked without inherent stabilization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a robotic arm as an intermediary component between the parking device and the vehicle. This robotic arm temporarily assumes the stabilization function during parking, acting as a mediator that supports the vehicle without requiring the vehicle to have built-in stabilization mechanisms like side stands or outriggers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the robotic arm moves quickly to catch the vehicle, then productivity increases, but the risk of contact damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking operation speedVSAvoidcontact damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements dynamic motion control of the robotic arm where movement parameters (speed, acceleration, positioning) are continuously adjusted based on real-time sensor feedback about vehicle position, speed, and distance. This allows the system to operate efficiently while maintaining safety margins to prevent contact damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates multiple sensors (speed sensors, distance sensors, contact sensors) that provide real-time feedback to the control device. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor vehicle parameters and adjust robotic arm movement dynamically, enabling fast parking operations while preventing harmful contact through continuous parameter monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If the arm position is adjusted dynamically based on vehicle speed and position, then the ease of operation increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparking operation adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements self-service operation where the parking device autonomously detects vehicle parameters (speed, position, distance) and automatically adjusts robotic arm movements without requiring manual intervention. The control device processes sensor data and executes parking operations independently, making the system easy to operate while the added complexity is confined to the automated control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3473533B1Parking device and start assist device
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3473533B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3473533B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3473533B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a parking device capable of parking a vehicle without use of a mechanism configured to allow the vehicle to stand by itself such as a stand or an outrigger. The parking device (1) includes: an arm (12, 22) configured to support a straddled vehicle (40); an actuator (50) configured to move a position of the arm (12, 22); and a control device (60) configured to control an operation of the actuator (50). The control device (60) is configured to control the actuator (50) to bring the arm (12, 22) close to the straddled vehicle (40) in accordance with entry of the straddled vehicle (40) into the parking device (1).