Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present subject matter generally relates to a traction control of a vehicle and more particularly to a feature for disabling or enabling traction control of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In general, wheel slippage is reflected by a difference of an actual vehicle speed and an assumed vehicle speed which is derived based on a wheel speed. When the actual vehicle speed is lower than a threshold vehicle speed, it means the driven wheel causes wheel spin. When the actual vehicle speed is higher than the threshold vehicle speed, it means the vehicle is skidding. Wheel-spinning and skidding is caused by loss of road/tire traction. Therefore, in such case, a traction control mechanism has to be performed in order to prevent the vehicular wheel from spinning or skidding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0003] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures, which is related to a two-wheeled vehicle being one embodiment of the present subject matter. However, the present subject matter is not limited to the depicted embodiment(s). In the figures, the same or similar numbers are used throughout to reference features and components.
[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a traction control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display unit, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig 1.
[0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a method of displaying a traction control status ON/OFF on the display unit in a vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0007] Various features and embodiments of the present subject matter here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[0008] Typically, traction control systems are designed to assist the vehicle from losing traction. In other words, to stop the wheels from skidding/slipping/spinning. There are various methods in which traction controls systems do this. They either apply engine braking to reduce power to the wheels or apply the brakes on each wheel that is spinning. To determine whether the wheel is skipping or skidding, there are various sensors on the vehicle that can detect a difference in each wheel speed and the actual speed of the vehicle .
[0009] For example, say the vehicle is traveling at 30kmph, however, one wheel starts to spin. That one wheel might now be doing 50kmph. The sensors detect this anomaly and traction control kicks in to reduce the speed of that wheel.
[00010] Traction control for a non-moving (stuck) vehicle may be challenging due to potential customer dissatisfaction. Stuck vehicle conditions may occur when traveling up an icy drive-way, parking and/or sinking in a soft surface rut where the vehicle's driven wheels lose traction to the road surface and simply spin without moving the vehicle. When a stuck vehicle condition is sensed by a vehicle traction control unit, traction control may be activated, either automatically or manually. Typically, traction control overrides a torque request from a driver and instead operates the engine at a reduced torque output to reduce the wheel spin by decreasing the engine torque and/or increasing wheel braking. The reduced wheel spin increases the traction between the wheels and the road surface, which may result in moving the vehicle.
[00011] On occasion, when traction control is automatically enabled by a vehicle traction control unit, a driver may disagree with the automatic setting and the driver may wish to manually disable the traction control against the automatic setting. For example, when a driver attempts to move the vehicle from a standstill while in deep deformable material such as snow, in an unplowed driveway or parking lot. Some vehicles may be equipped with a physical ON/OFF switch to enable or disable traction control. Other vehicles may be equipped with a traction control ON/OFF switch that is a “soft” switch, such as a screen, accessed through a menu driven display on an instrument cluster. For such a “soft” switch, a driver may have to navigate through multiple display screens and settings to reach the traction control ON/OFF screen. The lack of a physical switch and the inconvenience of navigating through multiple menu screens may be annoying and confusing to a driver at times when the driver needs quick access thereto and may result in driver dissatisfaction.
[00012] There is a need for a traction control ON/OFF feature for a menu operated instrument cluster display that automatically displays the ON/OFF screen making it available to the driver at times when the driver is most likely to need access thereto.
[00013] The present subject matter along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs.
[00014] Thus, it is an objective of the present subject matter to provide an automated traction control system with an inbuilt option in instrument cluster itself for enabling and disabling the traction control.
[00015] It is yet another objective of the present subject matter to recommend traction control based on detected riding patterns, thereby making it an automated traction control system with minimal human intervention.
[00016] The present subject matter discloses a traction control system for a vehicle having a display unit to display a traction status of said vehicle and a traction control unit in communication with the display unit. Herein, the traction control unit is configured to receive at least one or more vehicle riding parameters from the vehicle. The traction control unit can recommend a mode of traction control to be displayed on the display unit in response to said at least one or more vehicle riding parameters.
[00017] In yet another embodiment, the at least one vehicle parameter includes at least one signal from a group including an accelerator pedal position signal, a signal representative of a brake pedal force, a signal representative of a road grade, a signal representative of a road surface condition, a throttle position signal, an engine RPM signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an ambient temperature signal.
[00018] In another embodiment, the traction control system includes a reception unit to receive a rider input upon display of said recommended mode of traction control.
[00019] In yet another embodiment, based on said received rider input, the traction control unit is configured to change a mode of traction control according to the received rider input.
[00020] In another embodiment, the mode of traction control includes one of enabling said traction control system and disabling said traction control system.
[00021] In yet another embodiment, the traction control unit is communicatively connected to an external server.
[00022] In another embodiment, the external server is configured to include a look up table wherein the look up table includes one or more vehicle riding parameters corresponding to at least one of a ride mode and a mode of traction control.
[00023] In another embodiment, enabling of traction control unit includes displaying ON in the display unit.
[00024] In yet another embodiment, disabling of traction control unit includes displaying OFF in the display unit.
[00025] In another embodiment, the reception unit is embedded within the display unit.
[00026] In yet another embodiment, the reception unit can also be a switch, the switch being disposed in a handlebar of a vehicle.
[00027] In another embodiment, the reception unit is configured to receive confirmation of said recommended mode of traction control unit from the rider.
[00028] The present subject matter also discloses a method of displaying a traction control status ON/OFF at a display unit by detecting by a traction control unit whether the ignition of said vehicle is on or off; detecting by the traction control unit, whether a clutch and a brake pedal being pressed by a rider of the vehicle; receiving at least one vehicle riding parameter, by the traction control unit ; displaying on said display unit, a recommended mode of traction control in response to said at least one or more vehicle riding parameters; and displaying said traction control status as one of ON and OFF on said display unit in response to receiving a rider input based on said recommended mode of traction control.
[00029] In another embodiment, receiving at least one signal further comprises receiving at least one signal from a group including of an accelerator pedal position signal, a signal representative of a brake pedal force, a signal representative of a road grade, a signal representative of a road surface condition, a throttle position signal, an engine RPM signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an ambient temperature signal.
[00030] In yet another embodiment, receiving a rider input through a reception unit upon display of said recommended mode of traction control.
[00031] In another embodiment, based on said received rider input, a traction control unit being configured to change a mode of traction control according to the received rider input.
[00032] In another embodiment, the mode of traction control includes one of enabling said traction control system and disabling said traction control system.
[00033] In yet another embodiment, the traction control unit is communicatively connected to an external server.
[00034] In another embodiment, the external server is configured to include a look up table wherein the look up table includes one or more vehicle riding parameters corresponding to at least one of a ride mode and a mode of traction control.
[00035] In another embodiment, enabling of traction control unit includes displaying ON in the display unit.
[00036] In yet another embodiment, disabling of traction control unit includes displaying OFF in the display unit.
[00037] The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[00038] The traction control system and method may be implemented in any two-wheeled vehicle or a three-wheeled vehicle or a four-wheeled vehicle. However, for the purpose of explanation and by no limitation, the traction control system, and corresponding additional advantages and features are described through the following embodiments. Arrows wherever provided on top right corner of the figure represent direction with respect to vehicle. Arrow F represents forward direction, arrow R represents rearward direction, arrow UW represents upward direction and arrow DW represents downward direction.
[00039] The aforesaid and other advantages of the present subject matter would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following description.
[00040] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a traction control system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Fig. 2 illustrates a graphical user interface of a display unit, in accordance with the embodiment depicted in Fig 1. For brevity purposes, Fig. 1 and Fig.2 have been explained together. Fig. 1 discloses a traction control system (100) in a vehicle, said traction control system (100) comprising a display unit (120), said display unit (110) being configured to display a traction status of said vehicle; and a traction control unit (130), in communication with said display unit (120); wherein said traction control unit (130) being configured to receive at least one or more vehicle riding parameters from said vehicle; and wherein said traction control unit (130) being configured to recommend a mode of traction control being displayed on said display unit (120) in response to said at least one or more vehicle riding parameters. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle parameter includes at least one signal from a group including an accelerator pedal position signal, a signal representative of a brake pedal force, a signal representative of a road grade, a signal representative of a road surface condition, a throttle position signal, an engine RPM signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an ambient temperature signal.
[00041] The traction control system (100) also includes a reception unit (140) being configured to receive a rider input upon display of said recommended mode of traction control. Based on said received rider input, a traction control unit (130) being configured to change a mode of traction control according to the received rider input. Herein, the mode of traction control includes one of enabling said traction control system (100) and disabling said traction control system (100).
[00042] Further, the traction control unit (130) is communicatively connected to an external server (150). The external server (150) is configured to include a look up table, said look up table includes one or more vehicle riding parameters corresponding to at least one of a ride mode and a mode of traction control. Herein, ride mode defines that the rider of the vehicle is driving the vehicle while the traction control system is off.
[00043] Moreover, herein enabling of traction control unit (110) includes displaying ON in a display unit (120) and disabling of traction control unit (110) displays OFF in a display unit (120) as shown in Fig. 2.
[00044] Further, in an embodiment, the reception unit (140) being embedded within said display unit (120). In another embodiment, the reception unit (140) can be a switch, said switch being disposed in a handlebar of a vehicle. The reception unit (140) is configured to receive confirmation of said recommended mode of traction control unit (110) from the rider. The rider input could be an audio input, and a switching on/off the switch.
[00045] Referring to Fig. 3 that illustrates a method of displaying a traction control status ON/OFF on the display unit in a vehicle, firstly detecting by a traction control unit (130), whether the ignition of said vehicle being on (step 301); detecting by said traction control unit (130), whether a clutch and a brake pedal being pressed by a rider of said vehicle (step 305) ; receiving at least one vehicle riding parameter, by said traction control unit (130); displaying on said display unit (120), a recommended mode of traction control in response to said at least one or more vehicle riding parameters; and displaying said traction control status as one of ON and OFF on said display unit (110) in response to receiving a rider input based on said recommended mode of traction control (320).
[00046] Herein, at least one signal further comprises receiving at least one signal from a group including of an accelerator pedal position signal, a signal representative of a brake pedal force, a signal representative of a road grade, a signal representative of a road surface condition, a throttle position signal, an engine RPM signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an ambient temperature signal through plurality of sensors corresponding to each of the signals.
[00047] Further, receiving a rider input through a reception unit (140) upon display of said recommended mode of traction control. Based on said received rider input, a traction control unit (130) being configured to change a mode of traction control according to the received rider input (310). The mode of traction control includes one of enabling said traction control system (100) and disabling said traction control system (100).
[00048] Further, the traction control unit (130) is communicatively connected to an external server (150). Fetching of a recommended mode is performed by said traction control unit (130) from a look up table, said look up table being stored on an external server (150) which includes one or more vehicle riding parameters corresponding to at least one of a ride mode and a mode of traction control.
[00049] Here, enabling of traction control unit (110) displays ON (330) in a display unit (120). Disabling of traction control unit (110) displays OFF (315) in a display unit (120). Thus, the present subject matter provides an automated traction control system with an inbuilt option in instrument cluster itself for enabling and disabling the traction control. Moreover, it recommends traction control based on detected riding patterns, thereby making it an automated traction control system with minimal human intervention.
[00050] While certain features of the claimed subject matter have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the claimed subject matter.


List of reference signs:
100 traction control system
120 display unit
130 traction control unit
140 reception unit
150 external server
, Claims:We claim:
1. A traction control system (100) for a vehicle, said traction control system (100) comprising:
a display unit (120), said display unit (110) being configured to display a traction status of said vehicle; and
a traction control unit (130), in communication with said display unit (120);
wherein said traction control unit (130) being configured to receive at least one or more vehicle riding parameters from one or more sensors of said vehicle; and
wherein said traction control unit (130) being configured to recommend a mode of traction control being displayed on said display unit (120) in response to said at least one or more vehicle riding parameters.
2. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle riding parameter includes at least one signal from a group of signals including an accelerator pedal position signal, a signal representative of a brake pedal force, a signal representative of a road grade, a signal representative of a road surface condition, a throttle position signal, an engine RPM signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an ambient temperature signal.
3. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a reception unit (140) being configured to receive a rider input upon display of said recommended mode of traction control.
4. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein based on said received rider input, a traction control unit (130) being configured to change a mode of traction control according to said received rider input.
5. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recommended mode of traction control includes one of enabling said traction control system (100) and disabling said traction control system (100).
6. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said traction control unit (130) being communicatively connected to an external server (150).
7. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said external server (150) being configured to include a look up table, said look up table includes one or more vehicle riding parameters corresponding to at least one of a ride mode and a mode of traction control.
8. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said enabling of traction control unit (110) displays ON in a display unit (120).
9. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said disabling of traction control unit (110) displays OFF in a display unit (120).
10. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reception unit (140) being embedded within said display unit (120).
11. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reception unit (140) being a switch, said switch being disposed in a handlebar of a vehicle.
12. The traction control system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said reception unit (140) being configured to receive confirmation of said recommended mode of traction control unit (110) from the rider.
13. A method of displaying a traction control status ON/OFF at a display unit (120) in a vehicle, comprising:
detecting by a traction control unit (130), whether the ignition of said vehicle being on;
detecting by said traction control unit (130), whether a clutch and a brake pedal being pressed by a rider of said vehicle;
receiving at least one vehicle riding parameter, by said traction control unit (130);
displaying on said display unit (120), a recommended mode of traction control in response to said at least one or more vehicle riding parameters; and
displaying said traction control status as one of ON and OFF on said display unit (110) in response to receiving a rider input based on said recommended mode of traction control.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the step of receiving at least one vehicle riding parameter further comprises receiving at least one signal from a group including of an accelerator pedal position signal, a signal representative of a brake pedal force, a signal representative of a road grade, a signal representative of a road surface condition, a throttle position signal, an engine RPM signal, a vehicle speed signal, and an ambient temperature signal.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein receiving a rider input through a reception unit (140) upon display of said recommended mode of traction control.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein based on said received rider input, a traction control unit (130) being configured to change a mode of traction control according to the received rider input.
17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said recommended mode of traction control includes one of enabling said traction control system (100) and disabling said traction control system (100).
18. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said traction control unit (130) being communicatively connected to an external server (150).
19. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein fetching of a recommended mode being performed by said traction control unit (130) from a look up table, said look up table being stored on an external server (150) which includes one or more vehicle riding parameters corresponding to at least one of a ride mode and a mode of traction control.
20. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said enabling of traction control unit (110) displays ON in a display unit (120).
21. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said disabling of traction control unit (110) displays OFF in a display unit (120).