Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:


Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure relates a controller for a semi-automated Manual transmission of a two-wheeler vehicle and method for the same.

Background of the invention:
[0002] Motorcycles with manual transmission are popular than scooters because of its sporty performance and higher efficiency. Though it is exhilarating riding a motorcycle in highways and country roads, it becomes exhausting in slow moving traffic, due to multiple clutch engagement and gear shifts. Scooters becomes handy in such heavy traffic and short distance commute. But compared to Motorcycles, scooters are less efficient, with a similar engine displacement. Also, scooter is not preferred for a long-distance journey as it is uncomfortable for the rider and causes fatigue earlier.

[0003] A semi-automatic/manual transmission on motorcycle exists as concept and as a product, but it mainly focuses on following types. In a first type, the motorcycle is equipped with automated clutch (e-clutch) but requires manual change of gear by the driver. In a second type, both the clutch and gear are completely automated. In a third type, a quick shift sensor based transmission is provided in which the gear change is done manually but without any dedicated clutch actuator or any manual clutch manipulation.

[0004] According to a prior art US2009062994 discloses an automatic gear shifting control device of vehicle. An automatic gear shifting control device of a vehicle can execute an automatic gear shifting control in response to a larger rotational speed. The automatic gear shifting control device includes a gear shifting control instruction part that executes an automatic gear shifting operation of an AMT in response to at least vehicle-speed information. First and second sensors detect rotational speed of front and rear wheels. A rotational-speed-difference detector detects the difference in rotational speed between the front and rear wheels based on information from the first and second sensors. The control part is configured to execute an automatic gear shifting control in response to the vehicle-speed information calculated based on the larger rotational speed out of the rotational speed of the front wheel and the rotational speed of the rear wheel when the difference in rotational speed is detected by the rotational-speed-difference detector.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0005] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings,
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller for a semi-automated Manual transmission of a two-wheeler vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0007] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for operating the semi-automated manual transmission of a two-wheeler vehicle, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller for a semi-automated Manual transmission of a two-wheeler vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 100 comprises an engine 120, a clutch 118 coupled to a crankshaft of the engine 120 through a manual transmission 116, a shift actuator 114 coupled to gear linkages 130 to enable shifting of gear in the manual transmission 116, and a controller 110 configured to measure driver demand through a throttle position sensor 102, determine a target gear ratio based on the driver demand and engine speed. The engine speed is measured from an engine speed sensor 104. The controller 110 modulates engine output based on at least one of injection cut-off, ignition retard and air path control (such as through throttle position control), characterized in that, the controller 110 configured to operate the shift actuator 114 and shift to gear as per the determined target gear ratio while the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gearshifts in the two-wheeler (such as motorcycle/motorbike) with the Manual Transmission (MT) 116 are automated using the shift actuator 114 to shift gears as determined by the controller 110. The controller 110 modulates the engine torque to assist in gearshifts. The clutch 118 remains engaged with the manual transmission 116 while gear is shifted. However, the clutch 118 is still necessary, and is pressed manually by the rider only during take-off through a clutch lever. In other words, the clutch 118 is operated only during take-off or initial start from a standstill position of the vehicle 100. All other gear shifts are automatic and does not need manual clutch 118 intervention. The controller 110 seamlessly executes upshift and downshift, without the necessity of pulling the clutch 118 either electronically or manually.

[0010] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 is provided with necessary signal detection, acquisition, and processing circuits. The controller 110 is the control unit which comprises input/output interfaces having pins or ports, the memory element 112 such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers, counters and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element 112 is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules/models and/or threshold values/ranges, system threshold, predefined/predetermined criteria/conditions, engine maps/table which is/are accessed by the at least one processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 110 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 110 may also comprise communication units to communicate through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like. The controller 110 is implementable in the form of System-in-Package (SiP) or System-on-Chip (SOC) or any other known types. Examples of controller 110 comprises but not limited to, microcontroller, microprocessor, microcomputer, etc.

[0011] According to the present invention, a working of the controller 110 is explained. In the current invention as described above, gearshifts are automated in a Manual transmission 116 based two-wheeler vehicles 100. In addition to manual transmission 116, the vehicle 100 consists of the controller 110, the shift actuator 114, a gear position sensor 106 and an actuator position sensor 108 to provide position of shift actuator 114 as feedback to the controller 110. The controller 110 calculates and decides the instance for a gearshift depending on the engine speed and rider demand from accelerator or the throttle grip through the throttle position sensor 102. The controller 110 cuts off the power to unload the manual transmission 116 and hence assists in shifting to next gear. The controller 110 assists in smooth engaging to the next gear, by modulating the engine torque and hence make gear shifts less jerky for the rider.

[0012] A General Purpose Actuator (GPA) is usable for the shift actuator but not limited to the same. When gearshift is determined to be done, the controller 110 performs the gearshift depending on the actuators arm position (read via actuator position sensor 108) and current gear information through the gear position sensor 106 or other means, and completes the required gearshift. When the gearshift is determined to be done, the controller 110 starts moving the shift actuator 114 in the desired direction (upshift and downshifts are in opposite direction). The controller 110 controls the speed of the motor of the shift actuator 114. Once the gearshift is completed, which is verified by actuator position sensor 108 and change in gear information from the gear position sensor 106, the controller 110 brings back the shift actuator 114 to rest position 122.

[0013] At vehicle 100 start, the transmission is in Neutral gear. For taking off, the rider/driver presses the clutch 118 using a clutch lever, and slowly releases the clutch lever while simultaneously increasing the acceleration through throttle grip. Based on this request, the controller 110 ensures the gearshift to 1st gear and assists in smooth take-off by modulating torque or torque modulation.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the shift actuator 114 is coupled to any one of a gear arm 128, a gear lever 126, an input shaft of the manual transmission 116. In one embodiment, the shift actuator 114 to shift gears is placed directly on the gear arm 128, which is able to rotate the gear arm 128 in clockwise/ anticlockwise to cause downshift/upshift. In another embodiment, the shift actuator 114 is coupled to the foot lever/ gear lever 126. Further, the shift actuator 114 is connected to gear lever 126 using mechanical linkage 124. An anticlockwise movement by the shift actuator 114 pulls the gear lever 126 up and hence upshift is triggered. Once upshift is completed, the shift actuator 114 gets back gear lever 126 to the rest position 122 as indicated in the figure. Other possible mechanical designs are possible like connecting the actuator to the shifter-shaft, ratchet mechanism or shifting drum.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a device 132 for a two-wheeler vehicle 100 with manual transmission 116 is provided. The vehicle 100 comprises the engine 120, the clutch 118 coupled to the crankshaft of the engine 120 through the manual transmission 116. The device 132 comprises the shift actuator 114 coupled to the gear linkages 130 to enable shifting of gear in the manual transmission 116, and the controller 110 connected to the shift actuator 114. The controller 110 configured to, measure driver demand through a signal from the throttle position sensor 102, determine the target gear ratio based on the driver demand and engine speed. The engine speed is measured using the engine speed sensor 104. The controller 110 modulates engine output based on at least one of injection cut-off, ignition retard and air path control, characterized in that, the controller 110 configured to operate the shift actuator 114 to shift gear as per the determined target gear ratio while the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0016] The clutch 118 remains engaged between the engine 120 and the manual transmission 116. The shift actuator 114 is coupled to at least one of the gear arm 128, the gear lever 126, an input shaft of the manual transmission 116, a shift drum, a shifter-shaft, and a ratchet mechanism. The gear linkages 130 mentioned are usable as per requirement.

[0017] According to the present invention, the vehicle 100 comprises all two-wheeler with manual transmission 116 such as motorcycles.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for operating the semi-automated manual transmission of a two-wheeler vehicle, according to the present invention. The method comprises plurality of steps, of which a step 202 comprises measuring driver demand through the throttle position sensor 102. A step 204 comprises determining the target gear ratio based on the driver demand and engine speed. The engine speed is measured through respective engine speed sensor 104. A step 206 comprises modulating engine output based on at least one injection cut-off, ignition retard, and air path control. The method is characterized by a step 208 which comprises operating the shift actuator 114 and shifting gears through gear linkages 130 as per the determined target gear ratio while the vehicle 100 is in motion.

[0019] According to the method, the clutch 118 remains engaged with the manual transmission 116 while the gear is shifted. The clutch 118 is operated only during take-off or initial start from the standstill position of the vehicle 100. The gear shifting is performed without manipulating the clutch 118 or use of a clutch actuator. The step 206 of modulating engine output comprises increasing or decreasing the engine output (or torque) based on upshift or downshift of the gear requirement.

[0020] According to the present invention, a semi-automated manual transmission 116 for two wheeler vehicle 100 is provided. Only gearshifts are automated, whereas the clutch operation is manual and is only manually used during takeoff. The present invention is possible to be retrofit to existing two wheeler vehicles 100 with manual transmission 116.

[0021] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A controller (110) for a semi-automated manual transmission (116) of a two-wheeler vehicle (100), said vehicle (100) comprises:
an engine (120);
a clutch (118) coupled to a crankshaft of said engine (120) through a manual transmission (116);
a shift actuator (114) coupled to gear linkages (130) to enable shifting of gear in said manual transmission (116), and
said controller (110) configured to
measure driver demand through a throttle position sensor (102),
determine a target gear ratio based on said driver demand and engine speed;
modulate engine output based on at least one of injection cut-off, ignition retard and air path control, characterized in that, said controller (110) configured to,
operate said shift actuator (114) and shift to gear as per said determined target gear ratio while said vehicle (100) is in motion.

2. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said clutch (118) remains engaged with said manual transmission (116) while gear is shifted, and wherein said clutch (118) is operated only during take-off or initial start from a standstill position of said vehicle (100).

3. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said shift in gears is performed without any manipulation of said clutch (118) or use of a clutch actuator.

4. The controller (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engine output is increased or decreased based on upshift or downshift of said gear.

5. A device (132) for a two-wheeler vehicle (100) with manual transmission (116), said vehicle (100) comprises an engine (120), a clutch (118) coupled to a crankshaft of said engine (120) through said manual transmission (116), said device (132) comprises:
a shift actuator (114) coupled to gear linkages (130) to enable shifting of gear in said manual transmission (116), and
a controller (110) connected to said shift actuator (114), said controller (110) configured to,
measure driver demand through a signal from a throttle position sensor (102),
determine a target gear ratio based on said driver demand and engine speed;
modulate engine output based on at least one of injection cut-off, ignition retard and air path control, characterized in that, said controller (110) configured to,
operate said shift actuator (114) and shift to gear as per said determined target gear ratio while said vehicle (100) is in motion.

6. The device (132) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said shift actuator (114) is coupled to at least one of a gear arm (128), a gear lever (126), an input shaft of said manual transmission (116), a shift drum, a shifter-shaft, and a ratchet mechanism.

7. A method for shifting gears in a semi-automated manual transmission (116) of a two-wheeler vehicle (100), said method comprising the steps of:
measuring driver demand through a throttle position sensor (102),
determining a target gear ratio based on said driver demand and engine speed;
modulating engine output based on at least one of injection cut-off, ignition retard and air path control, characterized by,
operating said shift actuator (114) and shifting gear through said gear linkages (130) to said determined target gear ratio while said vehicle (100) is in motion.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said clutch (118) remains engaged with said manual transmission (116) while gear is shifted, wherein said clutch (118) is operated only during take-off or initial start from a standstill position of said vehicle (100).

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said gear shifting is performed without manipulating said clutch (118) or use of a clutch actuator.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6 modulating engine output comprises increasing or decreasing engine output based on upshift or downshift of said gear.