Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to AUTOMATED SIDE STAND WITH SPEED-BASED ACTIVATION FOR TWO-WHEELERS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Two-wheel vehicles such as motorcycles and scooters need either a side stand or a center stand as stabilization support when they are parked. Riders have to manually control traditional stands for engagement and disengagement leading to safety and convenience problems.
The major safety hazard occurs when motorcyclists fail to pull back their side stand before riding off. A vehicle experiencing accidental stands-on-the-ground contact increases the danger level especially during turning because the grounding impact disrupts vehicle stability.
Manual operation of stand engagement and disengagement through physical effort creates difficulties for several riders though especially those whose bodies have physical limitations.
Too weak deployment of the stand during parking can result in bike tipping which might cause equipment breakdowns and bodily injuries.
The present standard two-wheeler stand operates separately from the vehicle's mobility patterns. The present system lacks automatic functionality which would move the stand out of the way during vehicle movement but return it when the vehicle becomes stationary.
Some motorcycles deploy safety switches which block engine start-up if the stand remains down but this does not remove the requirement for rider intervention. Most solutions use mechanical springs to retract the stand but lack the capability to deploy it automatically when the vehicle stops.
“A smart automated side stand system requires development to automatically deploy the stand when the vehicle stops while automatically folding the stand when the vehicle begins to move. The addition of automatic side stand technology would both protect riders and make operations simpler while eliminating dangers connected to stand misuse.”
C. EXISTING SOLUTIONS / PRIOR ART/RELATED APPLICATIONS & PATENTS
Several current solutions try to fix the manual handling of two-wheeler side stands but their implementation features prevent total automatic operation of this mechanism. They are mentioned below:
a. Side Stand Warning System: Side stand indicators located on the dashboard display alert motorcycle and scooter riders when the stand remains engaged while the motor is in operation.
Limitation: This system requires human intervention to activate stand retraction because it operates without an automatic mechanism.
b. Side Stand Engine Cut-Off Mechanism: Present-day motorcycles incorporate an automatic safety detection system that stops engine operation and prevents starting when the vehicle stands on its side.
Limitation: The system blocks engine start when the stand remains down however it needs operator intervention to manually raise the stand before starting to ride.
c. Side stand Loaded With Spring: The side stand on specific two-wheeled vehicles functions through spring technology to automatically slide back when users raise their vehicles from the stand.
Limitation: Users need to perform manual operations for stand deployment when parking since these systems lack automatic deployment features.
d. Side Stand Retraction Operated with Gear – Pedal: The stand mechanism on certain motorcycles uses the gear selection to automatically retract itself.
Limitation: This method allows users to operate the gear to retract the stand but the system does not automatically deploy it as the vehicle stops.
e. Electrically Operated Stand Mechanism: Research exists regarding electromechanical side stands that implement motors or actuators to perform stand retraction and deployment functions.
Limitation: An actuator is present in this solution yet the system lacks full sensor control that depends on vehicle movement.
The current available methods for two-wheeler side stands do not effectively solve the issue because of multiple crucial constraints. Present systems for two-wheeler stands either focus on deployment automation or retraction automation without achieving automated integration between the two processes. Engine cut-off switches stop motor vehicles from operating when the stand is engaged but users must still execute manual stand retraction. At the same time, spring-loaded stands automatically retract themselves but do not automatically deploy upon vehicle stoppage. The linkage between gears and pedals causes automatic stand retraction yet handles no functions regarding stand deployment. Rider-dependent systems utilize solutions that create opportunities for human mistakes to occur since rider error remains a key accident factor. The existing devices are unable to use motion-based intelligence through means of real-time vehicle movement integration for automatic stand operations. Their operation becomes inefficient when used to prevent mishaps linked to stand usage. The standard operation of side stands through manual means poses difficulties to elderly riders together with individuals who have physical limitations and heavy vehicle operators as they must perform forceful stand deployment and retraction actions. The missing essential safety features in these devices include an emergency override system and speed-based retraction delay for uneven terrain and power backup for battery failure situations. The shortcomings demonstrate the necessity for a sophisticated automated side stand system which activates itself during vehicle motion and activates automatically when the motorcycle reaches a stop position for better overall rider safety and convenience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
An AUTOMATED SIDE STAND WITH SPEED-BASED ACTIVATION FOR TWO WHEELERS is a proposed invention that eliminates a requirement of manual engagement and disengage of the stand. To operate automatically, the stand will deploy when the vehicle begins to move, and retract when it stops moving. This automation cancels all human errors, improves rider safety, and makes a practical tool for two-wheeler users. In comparison with conventional stands, which mostly depend on manual effort or semi-automatic mechanisms, the system presented in this thesis is fully automatic, and therefore is very useful for elderly riders, handicapped persons and people who have to handle heavy motorcycles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", “third”, and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
An AUTOMATED SIDE STAND WITH SPEED-BASED ACTIVATION FOR TWO WHEELERS is a proposed invention that eliminates a requirement of manual engagement and disengage of the stand. To operate automatically, the stand will deploy when the vehicle begins to move, and retract when it stops moving. This automation cancels all human errors, improves rider safety, and makes a practical tool for two-wheeler users. In comparison with conventional stands, which mostly depend on manual effort or semi-automatic mechanisms, the system presented in this thesis is fully automatic, and therefore is very useful for elderly riders, handicapped persons and people who have to handle heavy motorcycles.
The system proposed effectively overcomes the faults of current side stand mechanism as it is a completely automated and sensor driven system. Traditional stands are manual which means riders have to withdraw them themselves before moving, but it can create an accident if forgotten. Moreover, some of the conventional methods like engine cut-off switch, spring starts are dependent on human’s involvement at some point. This problem is eliminated because the automatic foldable side stand means that the stand is never deployed when the vehicle is in motion. Additionally, it is convenient for riders since the stand is deployed automatically when the vehicle stops, preventing it from becoming unstable or tipping over. This innovation greatly enhances rider safety, usability and accessibility by all riders.
This system consists of several integral parts which work together in order to automate the system to operate the side stand. The central processing unit is a microcontroller unit (MCU) which interprets signals from different sensors and determines movement of the stand. The stand retracts at the right time because a speed sensor constantly monitors vehicle speed. There is also an angle / position sensor to make sure that the stand throws itself out, or retracts, as the case may be. The stand is physically changed via commands from the microcontroller by a servo motor or a linear actuator. As it consumes minimal energy, the system is powered by the vehicle’s battery. Also, a rider manually over ride switch is added to allow the rider to manually use the stand if the system should fail or if the rider wants to.
Depending on the two conditions of the system, either stationary or in motion, the system operates in two primary conditions. At the time the vehicle stops (speed = 0 kmph) the system deploys the side stand and locks it automatically, so the vehicle deploys the side stand, it will lock automatically when you park. The stand is verified that it has engaged onto the position sensor. As the vehicle begins to move (speed greater than 5 kmph), the speed sensor detects motion and signals the microcontroller, which in turns the motorized actuator into motion to retract the stand. An extra signal to confirm that the stand is successfully folded is given. The rider, in case of emergencies or of system malfunction, can manually operate the stand through the override switch giving flexibility and safety.
Step-by-step process:
Step 1: Start: The system initializes and begins monitoring vehicle conditions.
Step 2: Check Vehicle Speed: The speed sensor reads real-time vehicle speed data.
Step 3: Determine if Speed Exceeds the Threshold:
1. If the vehicle speed is greater than the predefined threshold (e.g., 5 km/h):
- Retract the stand automatically using a servo motor.
2. If the vehicle speed is less than or equal to the threshold, proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Check if the Vehicle is Completely Stopped
• If the vehicle speed is 0 km/h (completely stopped):
- The system waits for a predefined delay (e.g., 3 seconds).
• If the vehicle is not fully stopped, the stand remains retracted.
Step 5: Deploy the Stand: Once the predefined delay has expired, the system automatically deploys the stand.
Step 6: Check Manual Override Switch: If the manual override switch is activated, the stand is deployed manually by the rider.
Step 7: Error Detection System: The system checks for potential errors, such as:
• Sensor failure
• Obstruction in stand movement
• Low battery power
Step 8: Alert Mechanism: If an error is detected, the system triggers an LED or buzzer alert.
Step 9: Stand Position Verification
• If the stand is correctly deployed, it remains in its position.
• If the stand is not properly positioned, the system attempts re-deployment or retraction.
Step 10: Continuous Monitoring: The system continuously monitors the vehicle's speed and stand position, always ensuring automatic operation.
NOVELTY:
It is based on sensor based automation and real time detection of two wheelers movement which are new than existing solutions. This system is unlike traditional side stands which rely on impaired manual operation or basic spring loaded mechanisms; rather, this system is fully automatic and does not require rider interference at any point.
The main novelty consists of the integration of speed and position sensors which enable the system to retract and deploy the side stand dynamically according to real time vehicle movement rather than based on mechanical triggers or riders actions. Currently available solutions rely on manual retraction, gear linked manipulator or an engine cut off switch that require input by the rider. This invention, however, guarantees that the stand will be automatically extended as soon as the vehicle begins to move and automatically folded when the vehicle comes to rest.
The control of the stand operation is also unique by the inclusion of a microcontroller-based smart decision-making system that provides a flat (or better) control over the stand operation. As opposed to simple mechanical auto-retraction systems, this design will not engage folding or deployment unnecessarily in situations like uneven terrains or in momentary stops (for example, traffic signals). Further, the system may be configured with a delay mechanism that prevents the stand from deploying immediately when the vehicle briefly comes to a stop.
In addition, the manual override switch that is included in the invention is a fail-safe in case of sensor failure, or if the rider prefers to manually operate. Through its dual mode flexibility, it is also better than existing solutions both as it provides both safety and rider control.
Overall, this invention introduces something new in that all of the functions are automated, sensors are seamlessly integrated with the system, retraction and deployment are speed based and there is a fail-safe manual override which makes it a sensible and novel device for two-wheeler safety and convenience.
Multiple benefits of Automatic Foldable Side Stand System over traditional one or any other proposed foldable side stand system are discussed. It gives full automation and the elimination of manual intervention. It prevents accidents so that riders never forget to retract their side stand. Finally, the system is user-friendly and convenient as it is also designed for utilization by one who is not capable of operating the system manually. It also uses very little power from the vehicle battery, but in addition, it is energy efficient. The design is integrated with a fail-safe mechanism which allows manual operation through an emergency override switch. Thus, the system offers these advantages and is a reliable and practical solution for modern two-wheelers.
 
, Claims:1. An automated side stand system for two-wheelers, comprising:
a speed sensor configured to monitor the real-time speed of the vehicle;
a microcontroller unit (MCU) operatively connected to the speed sensor to receive speed data;
a motorized actuator operatively connected to the side stand and the MCU, configured to retract or deploy the side stand based on speed conditions;
wherein the side stand is automatically retracted when the vehicle speed exceeds a predefined threshold, and is automatically deployed when the vehicle speed is zero for a predefined delay period.
2. A process for automatically operating a side stand of a two-wheeler based on vehicle speed, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the process comprising the steps of:
a) Initializing the system and begins monitoring vehicle conditions;
b) Checking Vehicle Speed: The speed sensor reads real-time vehicle speed data;
c) Determining if Speed Exceeds the Threshold: If the vehicle speed is greater than the predefined threshold (e.g., 5 km/h), retract the stand automatically using a servo motor;
If the vehicle speed is less than or equal to the threshold, proceed to the next step;
d) Checking if the Vehicle is completely Stopped: if the vehicle speed is 0 km/h (completely stopped): the system waits for a predefined delay (e.g., 3 seconds);
If the vehicle is not fully stopped, the stand remains retracted;
e) Deploying the Stand: Once the predefined delay has expired, the system automatically deploys the stand;
f) Checking Manual Override Switch: If the manual override switch is activated, the stand is deployed manually by the rider;
g) Checking Error Detection System: The system checks for potential errors, such as:
Sensor failure;
Obstruction in stand movement;
Low battery power;
h) Alerting: If an error is detected, the system triggers an LED or buzzer alert;
i) Standing Position Verification: if the stand is correctly deployed, it remains in its position;
If the stand is not properly positioned, the system attempts re-deployment or retraction; and
j) Monitoring: the system continuously monitors the vehicle's speed and stand position, always ensuring automatic operation.
3. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein further comprising an angle or position sensor operatively connected to the MCU, configured to verify the proper engagement or retraction of the side stand and to provide feedback to the MCU to initiate corrective action if the stand is not in the intended position.
4. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the motorized actuator is selected from a servo motor or a linear actuator, and the actuator is powered by the vehicle's battery for energy efficiency and reliability.
5. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein further comprising a manual override switch configured to allow a rider to manually control the deployment or retraction of the side stand in case of system failure or emergency.
6. The process as claimed in claim 2, wherein further comprising an error detection module and alert mechanism;
wherein the MCU detects faults such as sensor failure, stand obstruction, or low battery power, and triggers an alert through at least one of an LED indicator or buzzer.