Two-Wheeler Steering Angle Estimation With Single-Pulse Speed Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-wheeler systems face inaccuracies in determining movement variables, particularly at low speeds, due to the use of single-pulse sensors, which can lead to reduced control precision for drive units and anti-lock braking systems.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a combination of rotation rate, acceleration, and wheel speed sensors to detect three-dimensional rotation rates, estimate movement states, and correct them for precise determination of speed, distance, and steering angle, allowing for precise actuation of drive units and anti-lock braking systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-pulse sensor with a single magnet on the wheel is used, then cost, simplicity, and weight are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates, especially at low speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor complexityVSAvoidspeed measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sensor types (yaw rate sensor, acceleration sensor, and wheel speed sensor) into an integrated sensor system that works together to determine movement variables. This merging allows the system to compensate for the limitations of the single-pulse sensor by using complementary data from other sensors, thereby maintaining measurement precision without increasing individual sensor complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary that processes data from multiple sensors and calculates movement variables (speed, distance, steering angle) through mathematical operations. This intermediary processing layer transforms the limited single-pulse sensor data into precise movement information by combining it with data from yaw rate and acceleration sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multi-pulse sensors are used to increase accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity, cost, and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed measurement precisionVSAvoidsensor complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a complex multi-pulse sensor, the patent merges a simple single-pulse sensor with other less complex sensors (yaw rate sensor and acceleration sensor) to achieve the same or better measurement precision. This combination approach distributes the measurement function across multiple simple sensors rather than concentrating it in one complex sensor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical complexity of multi-pulse sensors with a computational approach using electronic sensors and mathematical processing. The control device uses algorithms to calculate precise movement variables from the combined data of multiple simple sensors, substituting mechanical sensor complexity with electronic and computational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single-pulse wheel speed sensor is used, then cost and simplicity are improved, but measurement precision at low speeds deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlow-speed measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control device serves as an intermediary that processes the limited single-pulse sensor data and combines it with yaw rate and acceleration sensor data to calculate accurate low-speed movement variables. This intermediary processing enables precise low-speed measurement without requiring a more complex wheel speed sensor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the approach to measurement by not relying solely on wheel speed sensor parameters but by incorporating yaw rate and acceleration parameters into the calculation of movement variables. This parameter diversification allows accurate low-speed measurement even with a simple single-pulse wheel speed sensor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach enables high-precision movement variable determination and actuation, even at low speeds, enhancing safety and control during maneuvers like cornering and braking, while reducing complexity and cost by using a single-pulse wheel speed sensor.

Implementation Method 1

Detecting, in particular three-dimensional, rotation rates of the two-wheeler by means of the rotation rate sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectYaw rate sensing:

Implementation Method 2

detecting acceleration values of the two-wheeler by means of the acceleration sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcceleration sensing:

Implementation Method 3

A magnet is usually attached to one of the bicycle wheels. A magnetic sensor attached to the bicycle frame records a pulse for each rotation of the wheel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4163177B1Method for operating a two-wheeled vehicle, and two-wheeled vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4163177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4163177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4163177B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a two-wheeler (1) and to a two-wheeler (1), wherein the two-wheeler (1) comprises a drive unit (12) and a sensor system (2), wherein the sensor system (2) has a yaw rate sensor (21), an acceleration sensor (22), and a wheel speed sensor (23), wherein the wheel speed sensor (23) is configured to detect at least one measurement pulse per revolution of a wheel (11) of the two-wheeler (1), and wherein the method comprises the steps: acquiring (51) yaw rates of the two-wheeler (1), in particular three-dimensional rates, by means of the yaw rate sensor (21), acquiring (52) acceleration values ​​of the two-wheeler (1) by means of the acceleration sensor (22), estimating (53) a state of motion of the two-wheeler (1) based on the acquiring yaw rates, wherein the state of motion comprises estimates for estimated acceleration values, for an estimated speed, and for an estimated distance traveled.first correction (54) of the estimated state of motion based on the recorded acceleration values, determination (56) of an instantaneous steering angle (δ) of the two-wheeler (1) based on the corrected estimated state of motion, and actuation (58) of the drive unit (12) and/or an anti-lock braking system (13) of the two-wheeler (1) depending on the determined instantaneous steering angle (δ).