Saddle-riding Vehicle Throttle Control for Gear Shift Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Riders of saddle-riding vehicles do not easily notice when the engine speed reaches a predetermined value, leading to potential continued driving without shifting gears, causing discomfort due to rapid changes in engine output.
Innovation Solution
A saddle-riding vehicle equipped with a speed detector, throttle opening degree control section, and engine output control section that inhibits engine output when the detected speed exceeds a certain limit, encouraging gear shifting by moderating throttle valve opening changes during engine output inhibition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the throttle valve opening degree is reduced when engine speed reaches a predetermined value to restrict engine output, then the engine speed is limited not to exceed the predetermined value, but the rider does not easily notice the engine speed reaching the predetermined value and may continue driving without shifting gears
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the engine speed control into two distinct speed thresholds: a first predetermined value for throttle restriction and a second predetermined value (higher than the first) for rider notification. This segmentation allows the system to both limit engine speed and provide noticeable feedback to the rider at different speed levels, solving the contradiction between reliable speed restriction and rider awareness.
2Ease of operation
If the opening degree of the throttle valve is significantly changed with respect to slight change of detected speed to encourage gear shifting, then the rider can feel the speed limit, but the throttle opening degree changes significantly in a short cycle causing discomfort to the rider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different control characteristics to different operating conditions: when the engine output inhibition control is active, the throttle opening degree changes moderately with respect to speed changes, while when the control is inactive, the throttle opening degree can change more significantly. This local differentiation allows rider feedback without causing discomfort from rapid oscillations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the throttle opening degree based on the activation state of the engine output inhibition control. The control system modifies the relationship between speed changes and throttle opening changes according to the current operating state, providing adaptive feedback that encourages gear shifting without causing rider discomfort from excessive oscillation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A throttle opening control section reduces the opening degree of the throttle valve when the detected speed, which is either engine speed or speed of the vehicle detected by a speed detector, is greater than or equal to predetermined first speed. An engine output control section activates an engine output inhibition control when the detected speed is greater than or equal to the second speed, which is faster than the first speed, under a condition where a speed-change device is set to be in a speed stage lower than a highest speed stage. The engine output inhibition control is a control for inhibiting output of the engine. A throttle opening degree control section moderates change of the opening degree of the throttle valve with respect to change of the detected speed during activation of the engine output inhibition control than that during deactivation of the engine output inhibition control.