Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a device to control operation of a vehicle.
Background of the invention:
[0002] According to a patent US8706345 discloses a starter relay structure for auto-starting. The patent discloses a starter relay structure for a vehicle, where an electronic control unit of the vehicle controls the starter relay structure. The starter relay structure comprises a first relay and a second relay activated by an ignition signal from the electronic control unit. The starter relay structure further include a third relay activated by an output of the second relay, where an output of the first relay is provided as an input to the third relay.
[0003] Nowadays, vehicle manufacturers tend towards extreme simplicity due to the fact that the end products are of low cost. Measures are being taken until the last component to ensure there is no over design.
[0004] Most of the vehicle applications comprise a clutch and a neutral as an input to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) for the drivability and vehicle functions. Majority of the applications have a contact type clutch switch and neutral switch and few higher end models comprise a hall type switches and a gear position sensor. In current vehicles, such as a two wheeler, a four wheeler, Electronic Control Units (ECU), a clutch and neutral inputs are taken separately. For future, there is an increased demand of features such as Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) from OEM’s, starter motor control, All-time Headlamp ON (AHO) etc., apart from the basic emission & drivability requirements. Every feature results in additional ECU pins and electronics.
[0005] The current two wheeler ECUs are limited by the pin numbers and there is an increased demand for features for future applications. Hence, there is a need optimize the usage of the ECU input/output ports in order to reduce complexity, cost and space.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0006] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the
following accompanying drawing,
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a device to control operation of a vehicle, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Fig. 2 illustrates the device with switch configuration interfaced at an I/O
port, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0009] Fig. 3 illustrates the device with switch configuration interfaced at the I/O
port, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a device to control operation of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 to control an operation of a vehicle 120, comprises a controller 102 having connection with plurality of components of the vehicle 120. The plurality of components comprises at least a clutch switch 104 and a neutral switch 106, along with sensors 108, actuators 110, injectors, etc. The plurality of components are connected through a communication interface 112 of the controller 102. The device 100 is characterized by the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 connected in parallel configuration 118, and interfaced with the controller 102 through a single Input/ Output (I/O) port 122, 124 of the communication interface 112. The parallel configuration 118 corresponds to electrical circuits connected in parallel.
[0011] The communication interface 112 comprises plurality of I/O ports such as 27 ports, 34 ports, etc. The single I/O port (122, 124) is any one of the plurality of I/O ports of the communication interface 112. In the I/O port 122, 124, the reference number 122 corresponds to input port and the reference number 124 corresponds to an output port. In the controller 102, the input ports are shown on one side of the controller 102, and the output ports are shown in the other side of the controller 102 for the sake of simplicity of illustration, understanding and explanation. However,

the controller 102 comprises the I/O port 122, 124 on the same side. The controller 102 is supplied with a voltage source and a ground.
[0012] The clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 are joined together to form the parallel configuration/ switch configuration 118. In other words, the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 are shorted. One end of the parallel configuration 118 is connected to only one I/O port 122 of the communication interface 112. The other end is connected to a ground or to a lower potential such as of a battery. Apart from the common input of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106, other inputs of sensors 108, actuators 110 and other components are also given to the controller 102 through different I/O ports, as known in the art. The Fig. 1 shows two output signals, one provides powertrain status 114 from the I/O port 126 and the other provides starter actuation signal 116 from the I/O port 124. However, other output signals are also possible, and must not be understood in limiting manner.
[0013] A below table shows the operation of the configuration 118.
Clutch Switch Neutral Switch Controller 102 Powertrain
104 106 Status 114
0 0 High Engaged
0 1 Low Disengaged
1 0 Low Disengaged
1 1 Low Disengaged
[0014] The signal “0” represents open circuit and the signal “1” represents closed circuit. Now, as per the above table the controller 102 detects a signal “high” when both the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 are open. The controller 102 detects “high” since internally the I/O port 122 is connected to a voltage source. Thus, the powertrain status 114 is detected to be “engaged” and is given as output to the predetermined components connected to the I/O ports 126.

[0015] Now as per a second combination of signals, a signal for the clutch switch 104 is “0” representing open circuit, and a signal for the neutral switch 106 is “1” representing closed circuit. Hence, the current flows from the I/O port 122 through the neutral switch 106 to the ground. Due to this, the controller 102 detects a signal “low” at the I/O port 122, resulting in detecting the powertrain status 114 as “disengaged”. Similarly, for the remaining signal combination as per the above table, the remaining entries signifies that if any of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 is closed or “1”, then the controller 102 detects a low signal at the I/O port 122 and sets the powertrain status 114 as “disengaged”.
[0016] The controller 102 can be designed to detect “low” when the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 are open or is “0”, and to detect “high” when the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 are closed or is “1”.
[0017] The configuration 118 is used to obtain or provide powertrain status 114 to the controller 102 for plurality of drivability functions in the vehicle 120. The plurality of drivability functions comprises but not limited to a vehicle speed limitation/regulation, switching starter motor ON and OFF, idle speed control, torque control, crawling, vehicle take-off, adaptation of torque losses, fuel cut-off, torque reserve for idle speed control, engine desired torque filtering, side stand switch functionality.
[0018] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration 118 is connected to the I/O port 122. A starter motor 210 (shown in Fig. 2) is actuated by the controller 102 based on signal received from the parallel configuration 118 at the I/O port 122 of the controller 102. The output signal 116 is the starter motor actuation signal which results in actuation of the starter motor 210.
[0019] Fig. 2 illustrates the device with switch configuration interfaced at an I/O port, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Two circuits, namely a first circuit 220 and a second circuit 230 are shown. Both the circuits, corresponds

to placement of the configuration 118 at different location depending on the requirement.
[0020] The first circuit 220 comprises a relay circuit and a load circuit. The relay circuit comprises a power source 202 with a specific voltage and current rating, a start switch 204, a starter relay comprising a relay coil 206 and a plunger 208, the parallel configuration 118 of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106, and ground or lower potential. The load circuit comprises the power source 202, the plunger 208, and the starter motor 210 and connected to the ground or the lower potential. The start switch 204 is pressed to close the relay circuit. As the relay circuit is closed, the current energizes the relay coil 206 and pulls/attracts the plunger 208. The plunger 208 makes contact with the other end of the load circuit and completes the circuit, thereby allowing the current to pass from the power source 202 to the starter motor 210.
[0021] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration 118 is connected in a ground path of the relay circuit. The junction of the configuration 118 in the ground path is tapped and connected to the I/O port 122 of the communication interface 112 of the controller 102. The controller 102 then detects and processes the input as per the table in paragraph [0013]. The starter motor 210 is activated without the controller 102 intervention.
[0022] The second circuit 230 is similar to the first circuit 220, except the connection of the configuration 118. In accordance to another embodiment of the present invention, the configuration 118 is connected in the ground path of the load circuit or the starter motor 210. A junction of the configuration 118 in the ground path is tapped and connected to the I/O port 122 of the communication interface 112 of the controller 102. Here, again the starter motor 210 is activated without the controller 102 intervention.

[0023] Fig. 3 illustrates the device with switch configuration interfaced at the I/O port, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration 118 of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 is connected between the I/O port 124 of the communication interface 112 and the relay circuit for the starter motor 210. The I/O port 124 is internally connected to any one of a high side and a low side of the controller 102. The high side refers to the voltage source and the low side refers to the ground or the lower potential. In case of high side, the I/O port 124 is connected to the start switch 204 and ground or lower potential. In case of low side, the I/O port 124 is connected to the start switch 204 and the power source 202. The load circuit comprises the power source 202, the plunger 208 and the starter motor 210. In other words, the configuration 118 of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 in provided in a low current path and at the I/O port 124 of the controller 102. The configuration 118 is allowed to be on either side of the relay.
[0024] In Fig. 3, the configuration 118 is connected to the I/O port 124. The controller 102 takes other inputs 302, 108, 110 at I/O port 122, without the input signals from the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106. The controller 102 activates an internal switch when an ignition key is inserted in in a keyhole to start the vehicle 120. Considering no other mandatory input signals apart from clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106, and the key is inserted and turned to ignition position, it is now the status of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 which enables the actuation of the starter motor 210 along with pressing the start switch 204. In other words, the internal switch of controller 102 is always ON (on inserting and turning the key to ignition position) to enable triggering of starter motor 210 based on signal from either of the clutch switch 104 or neutral switch 106. A driver pressing the start switch 204 is not explained as it is obvious step to start the vehicle 104.
[0025] In other embodiments, the actuation of starter motor 210 is dependable on the controller 102 even though the input signals from the clutch switch 104 and the

neutral switch 106 are not provided to the controller 102. Considering a vehicle with a stepper motor based idle air control and/or a side stand switch. Then, the starter motor 210 is connected to the I/O port 124 of the controller 102 only if the stepper learning is completed and the side stand is not in parked position. Thus, based on other input signals, the controller 102 activates the actuation of the starter motor 210.
[0026] The controller 102 with the configuration 118 connection as explained in Fig. 3 is suitable for those drivability features which does not require a mandatory powertrain status 114 to be given to the controller 102 for effective functioning of the drivability features. The features are but not limited to a vehicle speed regulation, an adaptation of torque loss, a conditions for fuel cut-off / cut-in, an engine desired torque filtering, and the like. The configuration 118 at the output port of the controller 102 also allows to use low rated components to design the circuit, thereby reducing the overall cost with easy design, instead of placing after the intermediate or power relay.
[0027] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, a wiring assembly for a controller 102 of the vehicle 120 is provided. The wiring assembly comprises one Input/Output (I/O) line formed by joining a clutch switch 104 and a neutral switch 106 in parallel. The I/O line connected to only one I/O port 122, 124 of the controller 102.
[0028] The wiring assembly is similar to the configuration 118. In a wiring harness for a controller 102, the electrical wires for the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106 are joined by shorting in the wiring harness itself.
[0029] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the approach of getting power train engaged information to the controller 102 instead of separate signals of the clutch switch 104 and the neutral switch 106, helps in optimizing the port counts of the controller 102. The new approach is to combine the clutch switch

104 and the neutral switch 106 in the wiring harness and take the same to the controller 102 as a single input. The single input helps in optimizing the port count of the controller 102. Further, the saved I/O port of the communication interface 112 can be used for a different purpose. The drivability features of the vehicle 102 is controlled with the single I/O port 122, 124. Since, in one of the embodiment, the configuration 118 is connected in low current path, the other components used are of lower rating as compared to the components used in a high current path, thus ensuring cost saving, and longer life of the components.
[0030] 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 device (100) to control an operation of a vehicle (120), said device (100)
comprising a controller (102) having connection with at least a clutch switch
(104) and a neutral switch (106), through a communication interface (112),
characterized in that
said clutch switch (104) and said neutral switch (106) are connected in parallel configuration (118), and are interfaced with said controller (102) through a single Input/Output (I/O) port (122,124) of said communication interface (112).
2. The device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said configuration (118) is connected to said I/O port (122), and wherein a starter motor (210) is actuated by said controller (102) based on input received from said configuration (118) at said input I/O port (122).
3. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said configuration (118) is connected in a ground path of a relay circuit, wherein a junction of said configuration (118) in said ground path is tapped and connected to said I/O port (122) of said communication interface (112).
4. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said configuration (118) is connected in a ground path of said starter motor (210), wherein a junction of said configuration (118) in said ground path is tapped and connected to said I/O port (122) of said communication interface (112).
5. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said configuration (118) is connected between said I/O port (124) of said communication interface (112) and a relay for a starter motor (210), and wherein said I/O port (124) is

internally connected to any one of a high side and a low side of said controller (102).
6. The device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle (120) comprises a two wheeler comprising a motorcycle, a scooter, a bike, a three-wheeler and a four-wheeler and the like.
7. A wiring assembly for a controller (102) of a vehicle (120), comprising
one Input/Output (I/O) line formed by joining a clutch switch (104) and a neutral switch (104), said I/O line connected to only one Input/ Output (I/O) port (122, 124) of said controller (102).
8. The wiring assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said clutch switch
(104) and said neutral switch (106) are joined by shorting in a wiring harness.