BACKGROUND

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a side stand position control system for a two-wheeler.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

A side stand is provided in most of the two-wheelers in order to allow the rider to park the vehicle easily. This is in addition to a centre stand that provides better stability to the parked vehicle but is difficult to operate in heavy vehicles. On many occasions, the rider forgets to retreat the side stand to its folded position while starting the vehicle from its parked state. A side stand in service condition during driving of the vehicle can lead to road accidents. US4095823 titled "Automatic side stand retreating device for motorcycle" discloses a device for automatic folding of a side stand when the vehicle starts to drive. The device comprises a spring, which urges the side stand to fold back to its retreated position. A lock member retains the side stand in its service position when the vehicle is parked and releases the side stand when the vehicle starts to move by means of a rotary member and lever mechanism. Such mechanical systems are prone to wear and tear and require regular maintenance.

CN2248153 titled "Automatic stand for motorcycle" discloses an automatic side stand for a motorcycle wherein a motor is used to retract or put down the side stand of the vehicle. Such systems do not consider the possibility of starting the engine while the vehicle is parked using side stand. The vehicle will fall from the parked position if the side stand is retracted. US2010013186A1 titled "Powered retractable motorcycle stand' discloses a fully powered motorcycle stand that extend legs on either side of the motorcycle. The legs of the motorcycle stand are extendable or retractable by means of a leg extension mechanism which can include an electric motor or hydraulic pump and piston. This invention can support a motorcycle vertically on uneven terrain. JP56103621 titled "Preventing device for non-storing of motorcycle side stand''' discloses a device for preventing engine starting when a side stand is in its service position. A side stand switch determines the state of side stand position and a circuit disables ignition and starter motor operation when the side stand is not retracted. To prevent starting of the motorcycle, the starting circuit connected with power source by a relay is shut when side stand is stored and opened when the stand is not stored. When the clutch is connected, the gear is changed from neutral and the motorcycle starts without storing the stand. The engine will therefore start only when the switch is shut.

JP2009026626 (A) titled "Position detecting device, side stand position detecting device for two-wheeler and starting control device of two-wheeler" discloses a side stand position detecting device for two wheelers which is highly resistant to vibration. The system comprises a magnetic flux passage member, a permanent magnet and a Hall element. The permanent magnet and the hall element are fixed in the case which makes die side stand position-detecting device highly resistant to vibration and excellent in response regarding detection of the position. The side stand control system illustrated in this invention is highly reliable and includes a system to check if the vehicle is in a parked condition, it controls the ignition system based on side stand position and also gives out a warning indication to the user. It ensures the safety of the rider.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a side stand position control system for two-wheelers. It comprises an engine control unit (ECU), a stepper motor, a side stand switch, a speedometer, a beeper, a lean angle sensor and a side stand enable switch. The system ensures safety of the rider by driving a stepper motor for folding the side stand when the ignition key of the vehicle is turned on. An Engine Control Unit (ECU) of the two-wheeler receives input from a side stand switch and a lean angle sensor in addition to conventional inputs like engine speed sensor and throttle position sensor. The stepper motor is connected with the side stand for angular position control. Based on the side stand position and vehicle leaning angle, the ECU controls the ignition, stepper motor and warning indicators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a side view of a conventional two wheeler;

Figure 2 shows a Block Diagram of the Side Stand Position Control System; and

Figure 3 shows a Flowchart for ECU 101 operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a conventional two wheeled automotive vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine 41, a front wheel 25, a rear wheel 27, a body frame 19 and a fuel tank 56. Body frame 19 includes a head pipe 12, a main tube 17, a down tube 22, and seat rails 18. The head pipe 12 is provided at the front end of body frame 19 to support a steering shaft 11 disposed within head pipe 12. The upper and lower ends of the steering shaft 11 are fixed to an upper bracket 13 and a lower bracket 14 respectively. Upper bracket 13 and lower bracket 14 retain front suspensions 16 that supports front wheel 25. The front wheel 25 is connected at the lower end of the front fork 16 and the upper portion of the front wheel 25 is covered by a front fender 54 mounted to a lower portion of the front fork 16. A handlebar 15 is fixed to upper bracket 13 and can rotate to both sides. A head light 36 is arranged on an upper portion of the front fork 16. Down tube 22 is located in front of the internal combustion engine 41 and stretches slantly downward from head pipe 12.

A bracket 55 is provided at the lower end of down tube 22 for supporting the engine 41. Main tube 17 is located above the internal combustion engine 41 and stretches rearward from head pipe 12 and connects the rear of the internal combustion engine 41. A vertical pipe 28 is joined to the rear end of main tube 17 and stretches downward from the point where the main tube 17 joins the seat rails 18. Seat rails 18 are joined to main tube 17 and stretch rearward to support a seat 57 disposed above seat rails 18. A side stand 58 is arranged on lower portion of engine unit of motorcycle 10. Left and right rear arm bracket portions support a rear arm 26 to swing vertically, and a rear wheel 27 is connected to rear end of the rear arm 26. A rear wheel suspension 34 is arranged between rear arms 26. A tail light unit 64 is disposed on the rear cover 61. A pillion footrest 31 is connected to the vertical pipe 28. A grab rail 62 is also provided on the rear of the seat rails 18. Rear wheel 27 is arranged below seat and rotates by the driving force of engine transmitted through the transmission system. A cranking or a starting system is also provided along with a starter motor to crank the internal combustion engine 41.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the side stand position control system. An Engine Control Unit (ECU) 101 comprises a stepper motor driver circuit 102. The ECU 101 receives power supply from a battery 109, and inputs from a side stand switch 104 on a side stand 103, a lean angle sensor 105 and a Stepper motor 106 (via a stepper motor position sensor 113). The ECU 101 provides an appropriate output to the stepper motor 106, a speedometer 107 and a beeper 108.

Figure 3 shows a Flowchart of ECU 101 operation. When the ignition switch in the vehicle is turned on, the ECU 101 checks if the side stand enable switch 110 is turned on. If it is on, then the ECU 101 checks the side stand switch 104. If the side stand switch 104 is also on, then the ECU 101 checks the lean angle sensor 105. If the lean angle sensor 105 is on, it means that the vehicle has moved from the parked state and is about to be started. The ECU 101 then drives 112 the stepper motor 106 and checks the pulse from the stepper motor sensor 113. While driving, the stepper motor 106, the beeper 108 and speedometer indicator 107 operate at a predetermined rate. If no input 116 is received from the stepper motor sensor 113,the beeper 118 and speedometer indicator 119 are continuously operated to indicate malfunctioning of the stepper motor.

The ECU 101 drives the stepper motor 112 until the stepper motor position reaches a predetermined value 127. Then the ECU 101 checks the status of the side stand switch 104. If the side stand switch 104 is ON, indicating side stand switch failure, the beeper beeps 123 and speedometer bulb blinks 124 operating at 0.1 Hz. The stepper motor driver signal is interrupted 120 and the engine can then be started 122. An engine control unit (ECU) 101, a control unit that controls a series of actuators, is mounted on the two-wheeler chassis. This controls the engine parameters like ignition time and fuel injection. The ECU 101 comprises a stepper motor driver circuit 102 that controls the driving of a stepper motor 106. The stepper motor 106, a brushless DC electric motor is mounted on the two wheeler chassis for actuating a side stand through a gear mechanism. A side stand switch 104 is mounted on the two wheeler chassis for providing a signal indicative of the side stand position status.

The side stand switch 104 will be ON when the side stand 103 is in service position and it will be OFF when the side stand 103 is retracted to a folded position. The ECU 101 is also connected with a speedometer 107 for visual indication and with a beeper 108 for audible indication. A lean angle sensor 105 is mounted on the two wheeler to provide a signal to indicate the leaning angle of the vehicle. The lean angle sensor 105 will be ON when the vehicle is leaning and it will be OFF when vehicle plane (along the height of the rider) is perpendicular to the ground. The ECU 101 receives an input from the lean angle sensor 105 for determining the parked state of the vehicle. A side stand enable switch mounted on the vehicle in the vicinity of the handle bar is enabled 110 for allowing the user to choose between automatic and manual control of the side stand.

When the vehicle's ignition key is turned on 111, the ECU 101 receives power supply from the vehicle battery 109. The ECU 101 checks whether the side stand enable switch 110, side stand switch 104 and the lean angle sensor 105; are all showing ON signal. If true, the ECU 101 drives the stepper motor 106 for folding the side stand. During the folding operation of the side stand 103, the ECU 101 also provides appropriate signals for operating the beeper 114 and speedometer lamp glows 115, indicating the frequency at 1 Hz. This gives an indication to the rider that automatic side stand folding operation is under progress. The ECU 101 also receives input from a stepper motor driver sensor 113. If pulse from stepper motor driver sensor is less than zero(0), it indicates the stall condition of the stepper motor 106. In this case, the beeper beeps continuously 118 and speedometer glows continuously 119, indicating failure of the stepper motor 106. . During folding operation of the side stand 103, the ECU 101 checks the stepper motor position signal and detects if it has rotated by a predetermined angle.

If less than the predetermined angle 117, that is, if the pulse outputted by the stepper motor position sensor is in the range zero to ninety (0-90), the ECU 101 continues to drive the stepper motor 112. When the stepper motor 106 has rotated to the predetermined angle 127,that is when the pulse from the stepper motor position sensor is equal to ninety (90),the ECU 101 checks if the side stand switch 104 has turned OFF. If the side stand switch 104 is still ON, it means that the side stand switch 104 is not working. Then the ECU 101 drives the beeper 123 and speedometer indicator 124 at 0.1 Hz frequencies in order to indicate the malfunctioning of the side stand switch 104. The ECU 101 then enables the ignition system for starting the engine. The rider can thereafter start the vehicle from the electric start or from kick start 121. At any instant, if the side stand switch 104 is OFF, the ECU 101 will enable ignition for engine starting. Thus automatic folding of the side stand before starting of the vehicle is ensured. Since the vehicle leaning angle is also sensed, automatic folding of the side stand is prevented while the vehicle is in the parked position.

WE CLAIM

1. An improved side stand position control system for two-wheeler comprising

(a) an engine control unit (ECU) 101,

(b) a stepper motor driver sensor 102,

(c) a side stand switch 104, (d) a speedometer 107, (e) a beeper 108, (f) a lean angle sensor 105, (g) a stepper motor 106, and (h) a battery 109 wherein:

a. The engine control unit (ECU) 101 controls a series of actuators and is mounted on the two-wheeler chassis;

b. The ECU 101 comprises a stepper motor driver sensor 102 that controls the driving of a stepper motor 106 such that the stepper motor 106, which is a brushless DC electric motor, is mounted on the two wheeler chassis for actuating a side stand 103 through a gear mechanism;

c. The side stand switch 104 is mounted on the two wheeler chassis for providing a signal indicative of the side stand position status;

d. The ECU 101 is connected with a speedometer 107 for visual indication and with a beeper 108 for audible indication; and

e. The lean angle sensor 105 is mounted on the two wheeler to provide a signal to indicate the leaning angle of the two wheeler such that the lean angle sensor 105 will be ON when the two wheeler is leaning and it will be OFF when vehicle plane is perpendicular to the ground;

2. The improved side stand position control system for a two-wheeler as claimed in Claim 1 wherein:

a. The side stand switch 104 will be ON when the side stand 103 is in service position and it will be OFF when the side stand 103 is retracted to a folded position;

b. The ECU 101 receives an input from the lean angle sensor 105 for determining the parked state of the two wheeler; and

c. A side stand enable switch 110 mounted on the two wheeler in the vicinity of the handle bar is enabled for allowing the user to choose between automatic and manual control of the side stand.

3. The improved side stand position control system for two-wheeler as claimed in Claim 1 wherein:

a. When the vehicle's ignition key is turned on 111, the ECU 101 receives power supply from a vehicle battery 109;

b. The ECU 101 drives the stepper motor 106 for folding the side stand only if the side stand enable switch 110, side stand switch 104 and the lean angle sensor 105 are all showing ON signal;

c. During the folding operation of the side stand 103, the ECU 101 provides appropriate signals for operating the beeper 114 and a speedometer lamp glows 115 indicating the frequency at 1 Hz, which gives an indication to the rider that automatic side stand folding operation is under progress;

d. The ECU 101 receives input from a stepper motor driver sensor 113 wherein:

i. If the pulses from the stepper motor driver sensor 113 is less than zero 116, the beeper beeps 118 and speedometer glows continuously 119, to indicate the stall condition of stepper motor 106 to the rider;

ii. If the pulses from the stepper motor driver sensor 113 is between 0-90 117 the ECU 101 continues to drive the stepper motor 112; and

iii. If the pulses from the stepper motor driver sensor 113 is 90 127, the driving of the stepper motor is stopped 120, and if the side stand switch is still ON, the beeper 123 and speedometer indicator 124 are driven at 0.1 Hz frequencies n order to indicate the malfunctioning of the s side stand switch 104;

e. At any instant, if the side stand switch 104 is OFF, he ECU 101 will enable ignition for engine starting;

f. During folding operation of the side stand 103, the ECU 101 checks the stepper motor position signal and detects if it has rotated by a predetermined angle 127;

g. If the condition in (f) is less than the predetermined angle 117, the ECU 101 continues to drive the stepper motor 112;

h. When the Stepper motor 106 has rotated to the predetermined angle 127, the ECU 101 checks if the side stand switch 104 has turned OFF; i. If as per condition in (h), the side stand switch 104 is still ON, it indicates that the side stand switch 104 is not working, following which the ECU 101 drives the beeper 123 and speedometer indicator 124 at 0.1 Hz frequencies in order to indicate the malfunctioning of the side stand switch 104; j. Following this, the ECU lOlenables the ignition system for starting the engine such that the rider can then start the vehicle by electric start or kick start 121 thereby enabling automatic folding of the side stand before starting of the vehicle; and k. Automatic folding of the side stand is prevented while the vehicle is in parked position due to sensing of vehicle leaning angle by the lean angle sensor 105.

4. An improved side stand position control method for two-wheeler comprising (a) an engine control unit (ECU) 101, (b) a stepper motor driver sensor 102, (c) a side stand switch 104, (d) a speedometer 107, (e) a beeper 108, (f) a lean angle sensor 105, (g) a stepper motor 106, and (h) a battery 109 comprising the steps of:

a. Turning on the vehicle's ignition key 111, so that the ECU 101 receives power supply from a vehicle battery 109;

b. Checking whether the side stand enable switch 110, is showing ON signal:

i. If the condition in 4(b) 110 is true, checking whether side stand switch 104 is showing ON signal: I. If the condition in 4(b)(i) 104 is true, checking whether lean angle sensor 105 is showing ON signal: 1) If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I) 105 is true:
a) If the condition 105 is true and the pulses from the stepper motor driver sensor 113 range from 0-90 117, driving the stepper motor 112 for folding the side stand,

b) Indicating the rider that automatic side stand folding operation is under progress by providing appropriate signals for operating the beeper 114 and a speedometer lamp glowing 115 at 1 Hz frequency,

c) Checking the pulse from the stepper motor driver sensor 113 wherein:

i. Checking whether the pulse is equal to 0 116: I. If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I)(l)(c)(i) 116 is true: 1. Checking if the pulse is between 0-90 117: a. If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I)(l)(c)(i)(l) 117 is true continue driving the stepper motor 112, II. If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I)(l)(c)(i) 116 is not true the beeper 118 beeps and speedometer 119 glows continuously, to indicate warning to the rider indicating die stall condition of stepper motor 106; ii. Checking whether the pulse is equal to 90 127: I. If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I)(l)(c)(ii) 127 is true 1. Checking if the side stand switch is ON 104:

a. If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I)(l)(c)(ii)(I)(l) 104 is true, driving the beeper 123 and speedometer indicator 124 at 0.1 Hz frequencies in order to indicate the malfunctioning of the switch indicating that the side stand switch 104 is not working,

b. Stopping the stepper motor 120 and enabling the ignition system for starting the engine such that the rider can then start the vehicle by electric start or kick start 121 to enable automatic folding of the side stand before starting of the vehicle and end the process 122, 2) If the condition in 4(b)(i)(I) 105 is not true, checking again whether the side stand enable switch 110, is showing ON signal, II. If the condition in 4(b)(i) 104 is not true, checking again whether the enable switch 110, is showing ON signal, ii. If the condition in 4(b) 110 is not true, checking again whether the enable switch 110 is showing ON signal.

5. A method to control the position of a side stand for a two-wheeler as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the failure of the stepper motor 106 mounted on the vehicle chassis, the said stepper motor 106 responsible for actuating the side stand through a gear mechanism, is indicated by providing continuous warning signals by the beeper 108 and the speedometer 107 wherein the beeper beeps 118 and the speedometer glows 119 continuously, to indicate a warning to the rider.

6. A method to control the position of a side stand for a two-wheeler as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the failure of the side stand switch 104 mounted on the vehicle chassis, responsible for providing a signal indicative of the side stand position status, is indicated by the beeper 123 and the speedometer 124 which operates at 0.1 Hz.