Vehicle Launch Control Activation via Continuous Switch Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current launch control systems in vehicles require lengthy operations for activation and deactivation, making it difficult for riders to quickly and accurately set the launch control to an activation state, especially in stressful situations like racing.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle system featuring a first operation member, a controller, and a display unit that allows the launch control to be set to an activation state by continuous operation for a predetermined time period, with visual indicators providing feedback on the operation's status, enabling rapid and accurate activation even under stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the launch control system is activated by multiple steps, then the system can be reliably activated, but the time required for activation becomes long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of launch control activationVSAvoidtime required for activation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of rider intent by monitoring accelerator operation patterns before full activation. The controller detects when the accelerator is operated during specific time periods (e.g., before a race start) and pre-prepares the launch control system, reducing the activation time while maintaining reliable activation through the multi-step verification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the launch control requires accurate operation to activate, then the system can be reliably activated, but the difficulty of operation increases under stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccurate operation requirementVSAvoidease of setting activation state
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects and interprets rider intent by monitoring accelerator operation patterns without requiring complex manual input. The controller self-determines when launch control should be activated based on detected operation patterns during specific time periods, reducing the operational burden on the rider while maintaining reliable activation through automatic pattern recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the launch control is activated automatically at every stop, then rapid acceleration is always available, but the system operates unnecessarily when not needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapid acceleration availabilityVSAvoidunnecessary system operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its activation behavior based on detected operation patterns and time period context. Instead of static automatic activation at every stop, the controller dynamically determines whether activation is needed by analyzing accelerator operation patterns and the current time period (e.g., race start vs. normal operation), enabling rapid acceleration when needed while avoiding unnecessary activation during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2949535B1Vehicle with launch control
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2949535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first switch (61) is provided at a handle (22L, 22R). In a case in which the first switch (61) is continuously depressed for a first time period, launch control is set to an activation state. A launch icon (158a) is displayed in a blinking mode on a screen (51) of a meter unit (52) while the first switch (61) is continuously depressed after the first switch (61) has been continuously depressed for a second time period that is shorter than the first time period, in a period from a start of the depression of the first switch (61) until the first time period has elapsed. In a case in which the first switch (61) has been continuously depressed for the first time period from the start of the depression of the first switch (61), the launch icon (158a) is displayed in a lighting mode on the screen (51) of the meter unit (52).