Claims:1. A system (10) for electronic control of a side stand (12) in a two wheeler, said system (10) comprising:
a current reversing circuit (14), connected to an electronic control unit (16) and adapted to receive an input from said electronic control unit (16);
a motor (18) fitted to chassis (19) of said two wheeler for operating said side stand (12), said motor (18) connected to an output of said current reversing circuit (14);
a shaft (20), one end of said shaft (20) connected to said motor (18) and adapted to be rotated by said motor (18) and another end of said shaft (20) having a pin (22); and
a guiding slot (24) mounted on said side stand (12), said pin (22) adapted to slide within said guiding slot (24) between a first position and a second position, for opening and closing said side stand (12) respectively.

2. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current reversing circuit (14) is an H-Bridge circuit.

3. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input from said electronic control unit (16) corresponds to a switch (30) present in a handlebar of said two wheeler.

4. The system (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said switch (30) is adapted to be operated in one of an ON-state and an OFF-state for opening and closing said side stand (12) respectively.

5. The system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input from said electronic control unit (16) corresponds to a speed sensor signal from a speed sensor (32).

6. The system (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said electronic control unit (16) is adapted to transmit a first control signal to said current reversing circuit (14) when said speed sensor signal is above a threshold speed.

7. The system (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said electronic control unit (16) is adapted to transmit a second control signal to said current reversing circuit (14) when said speed sensor signal indicates speed equal to zero.
, Description:Field of the invention
[0001] This invention is related to a system for electronic control of a side stand in a two wheeler.

Background of the invention
[0002] Two wheelers are essentially equipped with a parking stand for facilitating parking of the two wheeler. Such parking stand is of two types, a center stand and a side stand. The center stand keeps the vehicle normal to the ground while parked and the side stands causes the vehicle to be slightly tilted with respect to the ground while the two wheeler is parked.
[0003] When the rider wishes to park the two wheeler, the rider is required to pull the side stand towards the ground and tilt the two wheeler slightly for parking the two wheeler. However, during vehicle operation, if the rider forgets to close the stand then the side stand hits against the ground resulting in fatalities.
[0004] Hence, there is a need for automatic control of a side stand in a two wheeler.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0005] Figure 1 is a system for electronic control of a side stand in a two wheeler, in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure.

Detailed Description
[0006] Figure 1 is a system (10) for electronic control of a side stand (12) in a two wheeler, in accordance with one embodiment of this disclosure. The system (10) comprises a current reversing circuit (14), connected to an electronic control unit (16) and adapted to receive an input from the electronic control unit (16). The system (10) also comprises a motor (18) fitted to chassis (19) of the two wheeler for operating the side stand (12), the motor (18) is connected to an output of the current reversing circuit (14), The system (10) further comprises a shaft (20), one end of the shaft (20) connected to the motor (18) and adapted to be rotated by the motor (18) and another end of the shaft (20) having a pin (22). Further, the system (10) comprises a guiding slot (24) mounted on the side stand (12), the pin (22) adapted to slide inside the guiding slot (24) between a first position and a second position, for opening and closing the side stand (12) respectively.
[0007] The structure of the system (10) is explained in detail in conjunction with Figure 1. The motor (18) is fitted to the chassis (19) of the two wheeler for operating the side stand (12). The motor (18) is fitted to the chassis (19) using various connecting elements like nuts and screws. In one example, the motor (18) is a DC motor. However, various other motors (18) which perform functions similar to a DC motor (18) can also be used.
[0008] A shaft (20) is connected to the motor (18) such that the motor (18) rotates the shaft (20). One end of the shaft (20) is fitted to the motor (18) at the center of the motor (18) and another end of the shaft (20) has a pin (22). The shaft (20) is connected to the motor (18) using various connecting elements like nuts and screws.
[0009] A guiding slot (24) is mounted on the side stand (12) of the two wheeler such that the pin (22) is adapted to slide within the guiding slot (24). The guiding slot (24) is mounted firmly on the side stand (12) using various connecting elements like nuts and screws. In some cases, the guiding slot (24) is integrated to the side stand (12). The pin (22) is adapted to slide between a first position and the second position based on the rotation of the motor (18). When the motor (18) rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin (22) moves towards the first position. When the motor (18) rotates in the counter clockwise direction, then the pin (22) moves from the first position to the second position.
[0010] As the shaft (20) rotates based on the rotation of the motor (18), pin (22) slides within the guiding slot (24) thereby rotating the guiding slot (24) and the side stand (12) about a hinge joint (26). The side stand (12) rotates as the guiding slot (24) rotates since the guiding slot (24) is firmly mounted on the side stand (12). Rotation of the side stand (12) about the hinge joint (26) results in opening and closing of the side stand (12). In this case, opening of the side stand (12) refers to engaging the side stand (12) to park the two wheeler and closing the side stand (12) refers to disengaging the side stand (12) while the two wheeler is in motion or idling during traffic scenarios where the rider is on the two wheeler.

[0011] A spring (28) is fixed to the chassis (19) of the vehicle at one end and another end of the spring (28) is fixed to the side stand (12) for providing support to the side stand (12). The spring (28) contract and expands based on the rotation of the side stand (12).
[0012] The electronic control unit (16) controls the working of the side stand (12) which is explained in details in below paragraphs.
[0013] In one embodiment, the electronic control unit (16) obtains an input from the switch (30). The input obtained from the switch (30) is transmitted to the current reversing circuit (14) by the electronic control unit (16) which is thus received by the current reversing circuit (14). The switch (30) is operated manually by a rider of the two wheeler. In one example, the switch (30) is a hall switch. In another example, the switch (30) is a manual ON-OFF switch.
[0014] The working of the side stand (12) when the input to the electronic control unit (16) is being obtained from the switch (30) is explained in the below paragraphs.
[0015] The switch (30) is provided in the handlebar of the vehicle and is operated by the rider. In one case, if the rider wishes to park the two wheeler then the rider operates the switch (30) such that the switch (30) is in an ON-state. When the switch (30) is in ON-state, an ON signal (logic-1) is transmitted to the electronic control unit (16) since the switch (30) is connected to the electronic control unit (16).
[0016] Upon receiving the ON signal, the electronic control unit (16) operates the current reversing circuit (14) such that the current reversing circuit (14) supplies current to the motor (18) for rotating the motor (18) in clockwise direction.
[0017] When the motor (18) is rotating in the clockwise direction, the shaft (20) also rotates in the clockwise direction. As the shaft (20) rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin (22) moves towards the first position. It should be noted that the shaft (20) has a limited degree of rotation based on the length of the shaft, mechanical arrangement of the components in the system (10) and cannot rotate for complete 360-degrees. When the shaft (20) has rotated to a maximum degree in the clockwise direction, the pin (22) is positioned at the first position within the guiding slot (24).

[0018] As the pin (22) is sliding within the guiding slot (24) towards the first position, the guiding slot (24) being firmly mounted on the side stand (12) causes the side stand (12) to rotate in the clockwise direction about a hinge joint (26). When the pin (22) is at the first position, the side stand (12) is opened completely. The spring (28) being fitted to the chassis (19) of the two wheeler at one end and to the side stand (12) of the two wheeler at another end contracts when the side stand (12) is opened. Thus the rider can now park the two wheeler when the side stand (12) is opened. In this manner the side stand (12) can be opened when the rider manually operates the switch (30) to an ON-state.
[0019] In another case, the rider operates the switch (30) such that the switch (30) is in an OFF-state. One example scenario when the rider operates the switch (30) to an OFF-state is during riding of the two wheeler. When the switch (30) is in the OFF-state, an OFF signal (logic-0) is transmitted to the electronic control.
[0020] Upon receiving the OFF signal, the electronic control unit (16) operates the current reversing circuit (14) such that reverse current is supplied to the motor (18). Such reverse current is supplied by changing the polarities of supply voltage that supplies power to the current reversing circuit (14). Such supply of reverse current operates the motor (18) in counter clockwise direction.
[0021] When the motor (18) is rotating in the counter clockwise direction, the shaft (20) also rotates in the counter clockwise direction. As the shaft (20) rotates in the counter clockwise direction, the pin (22) moves towards the second position. As discussed in the above paragraphs, the shaft (20) has a limited degree of rotation and cannot rotate for complete 360-degrees. Hence, the shaft (20) can rotate up to a maximum degree, which is fixed, in the counter clockwise direction. As the shaft (20) rotates in the counter clockwise direction, the pin (22) slides within the guiding slot (24) from the first position towards the second position.
[0022] As the pin (22) slides within the guiding slot (24) towards the second position due to rotation of the shaft (20) in the counter clockwise direction, the guiding slot (24) being firmly mounted on the side stand (12) causes the side stand (12) to rotate in the counter clockwise direction about the hinge joint (26). Hence, the side stand (12) is rotating towards a closed position. When the shaft (20) rotates a maximum degree in the counter clockwise direction, pin (22) reaches the second position, the side stand (12) has rotated to a maximum degree in the counter clockwise direction. At this point, the side stand (12) is considered to be closed completely. The spring (28) being fitted to the chassis (19) of the two wheeler at one end and at the side stand (12) of the two wheeler at another end expands when the side stand (12) is closed. In this manner, the side stand (12) can be closed by the rider by operating the switch (30) present in the handlebar without any manual effort. Therefore when the rider is riding the two wheeler, the side stand (12) can be closed by just operating the switch (30) present at the handlebar.
[0023] The ON-state and OFF-state of the switch (30) which indicates if the side stand (12) is opened or closed is displayed visually on an instrumentation cluster provided in the two wheeler for indicating quick information to the rider with regard to either the side stand (12) is being opened or closed.
[0024] Also, it should be noted that the ON state of the switch (30) corresponding to opening of the side stand (12) and the OFF-state of the switch (30) corresponding to closing of the side stand (12) is explained for understanding purpose. The electronic control unit (16) can also be configured to operate the side stand (12) when the switch (30) states are reversed. That is, open the side stand (12) when the switch (30) is in OFF state and to close the side stand (12) when the switch (30) is in ON state.
[0025] In another embodiment, the electronic control unit (16) controls the operation of the side stand (12) by obtaining input from a speed sensor (32). In this case, manual intervention such as the rider requiring to operate a switch (30) is non-existent. Working of the side stand (12) by obtaining input from the speed sensor (32) is explained in detail in the below paragraphs.
[0026] The speed sensor (32) is connected to the electronic control unit (16). The speed sensor (32) is used for determining engine speed of the two wheeler. Upon determining the engine speed, the speed sensor (32) transmits this engine speed information referred to as speed sensor signal herein to the electronic control unit (16).

[0027] The speed sensor signal is obtained by the electronic control unit (16) once the rider turns-ON the ignition of the two wheeler. Upon receiving the speed sensor signal, the electronic control unit (16) determines if the speed sensor signal is above a threshold speed. If the speed sensor signal is above the threshold speed then the two wheeler is considered to be in motion. If the speed sensor signal is above the threshold speed then the electronic control unit (16) transmits a first control signal to the current reversing circuit (14).

[0028] Upon receiving the first control signal from the electronic control unit (16), the current reversing circuit (14) supplies current to the motor (18) for rotating the motor (18) in the counter clockwise direction.

[0029] When the motor (18) is rotating in the counter clockwise direction, the shaft (20) also rotates in the counter clockwise direction. As the shaft (20) rotates in the counter clockwise direction, the pin (22) slides within the guiding slot (24) from the first position towards the second position.

[0030] As the pin (22) slides within the guiding slot (24) towards the second position, the guiding slot (24) rotates in the counter clockwise direction with respect to the shaft (20). The guiding slot (24) being firmly mounted on the side stand (12) causes the side stand (12) to rotate in the counter clockwise direction about the hinge joint (26) thereby enabling the stand to approach closed position. When the shaft (20) rotates a maximum degree in the counter clockwise direction, pin (22) reaches the second position. Movement of the pin (22) towards the second position corresponds to closing of the side stand (12) completely. The spring (28) being fitted to the chassis (19) of the two wheeler at one end and to the side stand (12) at another end expands for facilitating closing of the side stand (12).

[0031] It should further be noted that, if the threshold speed is equal to the idling speed then the electronic control unit (16) will still control the current reversing circuit (14) such that the side stand (12) will continue to remain in the closed position. This is particularly useful when the rider is in a traffic signal and hence the two wheeler is idling. Therefore, when the two wheeler is in motion or during idling state, the electronic control unit (16) controls the current reversing circuit (14) such that the side stand (12) is automatically closed without any manual intervention such as operating a switch (30) by the rider thereby preventing any fatalities during riding.

[0032] In another case, if the ignition is turned OFF, the speed of the two wheeler is zero. That is, the two wheeler is considered to be stationary. The speed sensor signal provides this speed information to electronic control unit (16). When the ignition is turned OFF, the speed senor signal is equal to zero. If the speed sensor signal indicates speed equal to zero then the electronic control unit (16) transmits a second control signal to the current reversing circuit (14).

[0033] Upon receiving the second control signal from the electronic control unit (16), the current reversing circuit (14) reverses the current supplied to the motor (18). Such supply of reverse current causes rotation of the motor (18) in the clockwise direction.

[0034] When the motor (18) is rotating in the clockwise direction, the shaft (20) also rotates in the clockwise direction. As the shaft (20) rotates in the clockwise direction, the pin (22) slides from the second position to the first position within the guiding slot (24). When the shaft (20) has rotated to a maximum degree in the clockwise direction, the pin (22) is positioned at the first position within the guiding slot (24).

[0035] As the pin (22) slides within the guiding slot (24) towards the first position, the guiding slot (24) rotates in the clockwise direction based on the rotation of the shaft (20). The guiding slot (24) being firmly mounted on the side stand (12) causes the side stand (12) to also rotate in the clockwise direction about the hinge joint (26). Rotation of the guiding slot (24) in the clockwise direction causes rotation of the side stand (12) such that the side stand (12) is rotated towards the open position. When the shaft (20) has rotated to a maximum degree in the clockwise direction, the pin (22) is at the first position and the side stand (12) is considered to be completely opened. The spring (28) being fitted to the chassis (19) of the two wheeler at one end and at the side stand (12) at another end contracts when the side stand (12) is opened. Thus the electronic controller automatically opens the side stand (12) when the ignition is OFF so that the rider can park the two wheeler when the side stand (12) is opened.

[0036] Further, the electronic control unit (16) transmits an indication signals to the instrumentation cluster for indicating on the instrumentation cluster if the side stand (12) is opened or closed.

[0037] It should be noted that, operating the motor (18) in the clockwise direction to open the side stand (12) and operating the motor (18) in the counter clockwise direction to close the side stand (12) is explained for the purpose of clear understanding. It should also be noted that, components in the system (10) can also be arranged such that the operating the motor (18) in the clockwise direction closes the side stand (12) and operating the motor (18) in the counter clockwise direction opens the side stand (12).

[0038] Therefore, the system (10) disclosed in current disclosure provides the rider to effortlessly operate a side stand (12) of the vehicle by operating a switch (30) present in the handlebar of the two wheeler thereby eliminating manual effort required for operating the side stand (12). Additionally, the disclosure also provides for automatic operation of the side stand (12) based on the engine speed of the two wheeler thereby ensuring safety of the rider without any intervention from the user.

[0039] It must be understood that the embodiments explained in the above detailed description is only illustrative and does not limit the scope of this invention. Any modification in the embodiments with regard to the type of motor (18) used, the current reversing circuit (14) used are envisaged and form a part of this invention. The scope of this invention is limited only by the claims.