Claims:We claim:
1. An automatic side stand assembly for two-wheeler vehicles, wherein the assembly (100) comprises:
a. a side stand (101) for providing support and balance for a two-wheeler when the two-wheeler vehicle is not in operation;
b. a mechanical arm (102) for enabling a pre-defined range of motion for the side stand (101) based on the force applied on the mechanical arm (102);
c. a direct current motor (DC motor) (103) for providing a pre-defined quantity of force required to engage and/or retract the side stand (101), wherein the DC motor (103) is controlled by an integrated electronic control circuit present in the two-wheeler vehicle;
d. a dowel pin mechanism (104) for engaging and/or disengaging the mechanical arm (102) and side stand (101) with the DC motor (103);

2. An assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanical arm (102) connects the side stand (101) with the DC motor (103).

3. An assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mechanical arm (102) derives its rotational movement from the DC motor (103).

4. An assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the integrated electronic control circuit which controls the DC motor (103) senses the wheel rotation and load conditions of the two-wheeler vehicle and determines whether the side stand (101) must be engaged and/or retracted.

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dowel pin mechanism (104) disengages the mechanical arm (102) from the DC motor (103) to enable manual operation of the side stand (101) thereby providing a fail-safe mechanism during the failure of the DC motor (103).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an error message is generated during failure of the operation of the DC motor (103).
, Description:PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
[0001] The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Technical field of the invention
[0002] The present invention provides an automatic side stand assembly for two-wheeler vehicles. The present invention particularly relates to a side stand which is engaged and/or retracted by the use of a direct current (DC) motor and an assembly which is capable of being operated automatically with provisions for manual override.
Background of the invention
[0003] The present-day two-wheeler vehicles come with side stands that assist two-wheeler vehicles in maintaining balance when the two-wheeler vehicle is not moving. The side stand is essentially a rigid hollow shaft that is attached to a lower section on the frame of a two-wheeler vehicle by means of a swivel joint. The side stand is designed to withstand the weight of the two-wheeler vehicle and some additional weight of payload to ensure that the two-wheeler vehicle does not fall due to any buckling or failure of the structural rigidity of the side stand. The side stand has two main positions of operation. The first position is the one where the side stand is oriented parallel to the ground level and is neatly accommodated in the frame of the two-wheeler vehicle. This position is most often used when the two-wheeler vehicle is in motion and it is desired that the side stand not interfere with the working of the two-wheeler vehicle. The second position is the one where the side stand is oriented nearly perpendicular to the ground level and acts as the support for the two-wheeler vehicle. This position is most often used when the two-wheeler vehicle is not in operation, and when it is desired that the two-wheeler vehicle maintains a slightly inclined or upright position with respect to the ground level.
[0004] The side stands currently used in modern two-wheeler vehicles are only operable manually. The operator of the two-wheeler vehicle must engage and/or retract the side stand themselves, expending attention and time for this process. Furthermore, if the operator is wearing clothing items that are not suited for operating the two-wheeler vehicle, the task of engaging and/or retracting the side stand becomes further tasking. Another issue that arises is in the event when the operator is not paying attention to their two-wheeler vehicle. If the two-wheeler vehicle is not an operation and the operator absent-mindedly forgets to engage the side stand, then the two-wheeler vehicle will collapse due to gravity and thus has a chance of becoming damaged due to the impact with the ground and also harming the operator if the two-wheeler vehicle makes contact with the operator. This is potentially detrimental to both the proper functioning of the two-wheeler vehicle as well as the health of the operator who operates the vehicle.
[0005] Another common issue that occurs pertaining to the side stand of a two-wheeler vehicle is the operator’s neglect towards retracting the side stand. Once the operator has been seated on the two-wheeler, it is a possibility that they may forget to retract the side stand of the vehicle. This results in a lot of noise emanating from the side stand and more dangerously it results in undesired and potentially dangerous vibrations in the vehicle and instability. If the vehicle operator forgets to retract the side stand, it is possible that the operator can experience some imbalance due to stand interfering the road. This undesired vibration or imbalance of the two-wheeler vehicle may be sufficient for the operator of the vehicle to lose balance and injure themselves or any other personnel who may be in their vicinity, causing damage to the two-wheeler vehicle, the operator and any other personnel that may be present in the vicinity of the two-wheeler vehicle as well.
[0006] The Patent Application number IN201841019760A titled “Automatic Side Stand Assembly for Two-Wheeler application” discloses a position detection sensor, at least one load cell, a control unit, and a motor. The position detection sensor is configured to generate either a first position signal or a second position signal based on the position of an ignition switch. The load cell is configured to measure the load of a rider seated on a seating arrangement to generate at least one load sense signal. The controller is configured to generate a first actuating signal based on the first position detection signal and the load sense signal or generate a second actuating signal based on the second position detection signal. The driver unit is configured to drive the motor to either retrieve or extend the Side stand based on the first and second actuating signals generated by the control unit.
[0007] Hence, there exists a need for an assembly which provides automatic engagement and/or retraction of the side stand in two-wheeler vehicles which may be used in both automatic and manual configurations.
Summary of the invention:
[0008] The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the current technology by providing an automatic side stand assembly for two-wheeler vehicles. The assembly comprises a side stand which is utilized for providing support and balance for a two-wheeler vehicle when the vehicle is not in operation. The side stand is designed to withstand the structural loads of the two-wheeler vehicle that may arise during the operation of the vehicle. When not engaged, the side stand is oriented parallel to the ground level so as to not interfere with the working of the two-wheeler vehicle. When engaged, the side stand is oriented nearly perpendicular to the ground level such that the side stand acts as a supporting member for the two-wheeler vehicle. The assembly also comprises a mechanical arm that is connected to the side stand and functions to provide a pre-defined range of motion to the side stand. Any force exerted upon the mechanical arm results in the motion of the side stand to either engage and/or retract it. The mechanical arm is designed to withstand the loads that may be generated during the engagement and/or retraction of the side stand and additionally aids the side stand in maintaining rigidity and correct orientation during engagement.
[0009] Further, the assembly comprises a DC motor which is used to provide the driving force necessary to provide the mechanical arm the force to automatically operate the side stand. The DC motor is configured such that it may rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, based on whether engagement and/or retraction of the side stand is required. The DC motor is mechanically connected to the mechanical arm which is in turn mechanically connected to the side stand. The operation of the DC motor is actuated and controlled by means of an integrated electronic control circuit. The integrated electronic control circuit comprises sensors which automatically sense the wheel rotation and loading conditions of the two-wheeler vehicle. Based on the wheel rotation of two-wheeler vehicle, the integrated electronic control circuit computes when to engage and/or retract the side stand of the two-wheeler vehicle. The sensors also sense the load experienced by the side stand and compute whether it is safe to retract the side stand in the present situation. Based on these parameters, the DC motor computes the situations in which it is required to either automatically engage and/or retract the side stand.
[0010] In the event that the DC motor fails to operate in the desired manner, it may become a necessity for the operator of the two-wheeler vehicle to engage and/or retract the side stand manually, rather than automatically. In such an event, it becomes necessary for the DC motor to be disengaged from the side stand to allow for free movement of the side stand. This is necessary since if the side stand is still mechanically connected to the DC motor, any manual operation of the side stand may result in the DC motor being manually reverse-operated by it, which may result in detrimental consequences for the DC motor. Thus, in order to enable hassle-free engagement and/or disengagement of the side stand from the DC motor, the assembly comprises a dowel pin and dowel pin bush, together called the dowel pin mechanism. The dowel pin mechanism is situated between the DC motor and mechanical arm and functions to engage and/or disengage the side stand and the DC motor. If automatic engagement and/or retraction of the side stand is required, then the dowel pin mechanism provides a mechanical connection between the side stand and the DC motor. If manual engagement and/or retraction of the side stand is required, then the dowel pin is reoriented, thus disengaging the side stand from the DC motor.
[0011] The present invention overcomes several drawbacks which are encountered in the present-day side stand assemblies. Present-day side stand assemblies do not comprise provisions for the automatic engagement and/or retraction of the side stand. Due to the incorporation of the DC motor and the integrated electronic control circuit with sensors, the present invention is capable of providing automatic engagement and/or retraction of the side stand of a two-wheeler vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method to engage and/or disengage the side stand from the DC motor as per the operator’s requirements. This feature aids in the correct and appropriate functioning of the DC motor and ensures that the DC motor does not fail prematurely.
Brief description of the drawings:
[0012] The foregoing and other features of embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements.
[0013] FIG 1 illustrates an assembly for the automatic engagement and/or retraction of a side stand of a two-wheeler vehicle.
[0014] FIG 2 illustrates a side stand that provides support and balance to a two-wheeler vehicle.
[0015] FIG 3 illustrates a mechanical arm for enabling a pre-defined range of motion of the side stand.
[0016] FIG 4 illustrates a DC motor that provides the mechanical arm with the driving force required to engage and/or retract the side stand.
[0017] FIG 5 illustrates a dowel pin mechanism for engaging and/or disengaging the mechanical arm and side stand from the DC motor.
Detailed description of the invention:
[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to the description of the present subject matter, one or more examples of which are shown in figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not a limitation. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention.
[0019] FIG 1 illustrates an assembly (100) for automatic engagement and/or retraction of a two-wheeler vehicle. The assembly (100) comprises a side stand (101) which provides support for the two-wheeler vehicle when the vehicle is not in operation. The side stand (101) is designed to withstand the loads exerted by the two-wheeler vehicle when the vehicle is not in operation. The assembly (100) also comprises a mechanical arm (102) that connects the side stand (101) with the rest of the assembly (100). The mechanical arm (102) provides a pre-defined range of motion within which the side stand (101) may operate. This range of motion includes the positions in which the side stand (101) is engaged and/or retracted. The mechanical arm (102) is connected to a DC motor (103) that provides the driving force to operate the mechanical arm (102). The mechanical arm (102) is also connected to the side stand (101) and acts as the connecting link between the side stand (101) and DC motor (103). The rotation of the DC motor (103) causes a movement in the mechanical arm (102) which then results in the automatic movement of engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101). The output of the DC motor (103) is controlled and monitored by an integrated electronic control circuit that comprises sensors which detect important parameters of the two-wheeler vehicle such as wheel rotation and loading conditions to automatically communicate with the DC motor (103) whether there is a need for engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101). The assembly (100) also comprises a dowel pin mechanism (104) that is situated between the DC motor (103) and side stand (101) and functions to engage and/or disengage the side stand (101) and the DC motor (103). This engagement and/or disengagement of the side stand (101) from the DC motor (103) is essential to prevent the side stand (101) operating the DC motor (103) in the event of manual operation of the side stand (101).
[0020] FIG 2 illustrates a side stand (101) that provides support and balance for a two-wheeler vehicle. When the side stand (101) is retracted, the side stand (101) is oriented parallel to the ground level and is neatly accommodated in the lower region of the frame of the two-wheeler vehicle. In this orientation, the side stand (101) is securely held such that it does not interfere with the working of the two-wheeler vehicle. The side stand (101) remains in this position until it is required for the side stand (101) to be engaged. When the side stand (101) is to be engaged, it is moved from the retracted position and is oriented nearly perpendicular to the ground level. In this position, the side stand (101) provides structural support and balance to the two-wheeler vehicle by coming into contact with the ground. To provide adequate structural support and balance, the side stand (101) is appropriately designed to handle the stresses and strains that may arise during its operation. The side stand (101) generally comprises a rigid hollow shaft that provides the structural support and a minor protrusion from the shaft which aids the two-wheeler vehicle operator in manually engaging and/or retracting the side stand (101).
[0021] FIG 3 illustrates a mechanical arm (102) for enabling a pre-defined range of motion for the side stand (101). The mechanical arm (102) is mechanically connected to the side stand (101) such that any movement of the mechanical arm (102) will lead to a movement of the side stand (101) in a similar manner. The mechanical arm (102) is designed to withstand any torsional loads that may arise during the automatic engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101). The mechanical arm (102) also aids the side stand (101) by providing additional support and rigidity.
[0022] FIG 4 illustrates a DC motor (103) that provides the mechanical arm (102) with the driving force required to engage and/or retract the side stand (101). The DC motor (103) is mechanically connected to the side stand (101) by the mechanical arm (102). The DC motor (103) is controlled by an integrated electronic control circuit which comprises controller, driver and sensors. These sensors detect parameters pertaining to the operation of the two-wheeler vehicle and these signals are processed by the electronic control circuit, which then communicates with the DC motor (103) such that the DC motor (103) rotates either clockwise or counterclockwise. This rotation of the DC motor (103) then rotates the mechanical arm (102), which in turn turns the side stand (101). Due to the nature of the sensors, the detection of vehicle parameters is automatic. Hence, the working of the DC motor (103) and the subsequent engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101) is also automatic. The sensors utilized in the integrated electronic control circuit are sensors and switches such as limit switches, wheel rotation sensors, load sensors, current sensing circuits, and buzzers so on. The limit switches ensure that the DC motor (103) does not rotate the side stand (101) past the limits of full engagement and/or retraction possible. The limit switches also ensure that the engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101) is as accurate as required. The wheel rotation sensors determine the wheel rotation of the two-wheeler vehicle and determine whether it is required to engage and/or retract the side stand (101). The load sensors are utilized to sense whether there is any acting load on the side stand (101). This is important in the event wherein the two-wheeler vehicle is not in operation, and the side stand (101) is engaged but the operator is getting ready to operate the two-wheeler vehicle. Once the load in the side stand (101) has been detected to be lower than a certain threshold, the side stand (101) will automatically retract as the load sensors have communicated to the DC motor (103) through controller unit to perform the retraction operation.
[0023] FIG 5 illustrates a dowel pin mechanism (104) for engaging and/or disengaging the mechanical arm (102) and side stand (101) from the DC motor (103). The dowel pin mechanism (104) comprises a dowel pin bush (104a) and dowel pin (104b). In the event of failure of operation of the DC motor (103), the side stand (101) must be operated manually. During this manual operation, it is vital that the side stand (101) not forcefully transmit the power to the linkage and DC motor (103) as this may result in damage within the DC motor (103). This may result in premature failure of the DC motor (103) and subsequent premature failure of the assembly (100) itself. In order to prevent this, the dowel pin mechanism (104) is provided in the assembly (100). The dowel pin mechanism (104) provides a method to engage and/or disengage the side stand (101) and mechanical arm (102) from the DC motor (103) in order to form and/or remove a mechanical connection between the side stand (101) and the DC motor (103). The dowel pin bush (104a) is connected to the side stand (101) and DC motor (103). It houses a cavity within which the dowel pin (104b) is placed. When the dowel pin (104b) is placed inside the dowel pin mechanism (104), the dowel pin (104b) acts as a locking mechanism and ensures that the side stand (101) is mechanically connected to the DC motor (103). This is applicable when the DC motor (103) is functioning normally in the assembly (100) and the engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101) is automatic. At the time manual engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101) is required, the operator of the two-wheeler vehicle may re-oriented the dowel pin (104b) from the dowel pin mechanism (104) to remove the mechanical connection between the side stand (101) and the DC motor (103).
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, the DC motor (103) utilized in the assembly (100) may be a compact worm gear DC motor. Worm gear DC motors are often non-back-drivable, meaning that they transmit torque and wheel rotation in one direction only, i.e. torque can transmitted from pinion to worm gear only not vice versa. The utilization of a worm gear DC motor in the present invention implies that the worm gear DC motor will only be operable from the driver side of the gear assembly i.e. the battery of the two-wheeler vehicle. The utilization of a worm gear DC motor in the present invention will make it impossible for the worm gear DC motor to be driven from the side stand (101) which implies that in the case of manual operation of the side stand (101), the side stand (101) will be unable to be operated due to the non-back-drivable nature of the worm gear DC motor connected to the side stand (101). For this reason, it is critical that there must exist a dowel pin mechanism (104) between the side stand (101) and worm gear DC motor in order to mechanically disconnect the side stand (101) and worm gear DC motor. Additionally, in an event wherein manual operation of the side stand (101) is required, an error message may be displayed on a display unit housed in the two-wheeler vehicle that urges the operator to manually operate the side stand (101) by removing the dowel pin (104b) and also makes the operator aware that the DC motor (103) of the two-wheeler vehicle is not performing as needed.
[0025] The present invention comprises an automatic side stand assembly (100) for two-wheeler vehicles. The assembly (100) comprises a side stand (101) which provides support for the two-wheeler when it is not in operation. The assembly (100) also comprises a mechanical arm (102) that connects the side stand (101) with the rest of the assembly (100) in order to move the side stand (101). The engagement and/or retraction of the side stand (101) is enabled by a DC motor (103) whose operations are controlled via an integrated control circuit. The assembly (100) additionally comprises a dowel pin mechanism (104) which is used to engage and/or disengage the DC motor (103) with the side stand (101) such that when engaged, the DC motor (103) powers the side stand (101) which is then operated automatically and when disengaged, the DC motor (103) does not power the side stand (101) which is then operated manually.
[0026] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist.
Reference numbers:
Components Reference Numbers
Assembly 100
Side stand 101
Mechanical arm 102
DC motor 103
Dowel pin mechanism 104
Dowel pin bush 104a
Dowel pin 104b