CONTROL DEVICE FOR TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a two wheeled vehicle and more particularly to arrangement of automatic manual transmission control device in a scooter type vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Known straddle type vehicles has an automatic manual transmission mechanism for automatically operating the clutch mechanism and gear shift mechanism. The gear shift mechanism and clutch mechanism is actuated with the help of two actuators which are further controlled by a control device. Typically, the said automatic operation for both gear and clutch is generally done through an electronic control unit. The said electronic control unit is configured to execute multiple functions, thereby many other electronic components are placed in the electronic control unit. In this particular kind of vehicles incorporating the automatic manual transmission, it becomes a necessity to dispose the electronic control unit in the vehicle. Apart from these, in certain cases, devices like cornering stage judging part are typically mounted to the electronic control unit.,In those cases it becomes important to mount the controller in a particular direction for effective judging. In other cases when the electronic control unit is disposed in the vicinity of the engine, the electronic control unit is vulnerable to the heat and vibration of the engine. This give rise to the requirements of making the electronic control unit in particular material for better heat dissipation, ultimately leading to increase in cost. The other problem associated with electronic control unit position is that if the electronic control is kept far from the engine because of the heat problem, the length of wiring harness from the related parts to the control unit becomes more. Based on the stated problems, there is a need to find an optimum place for the electronic control unit to be disposed in the vehicle equipped with automatic manual transmission.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to dispose an electronic control unit for automatic manual transmission engine in a scooter type vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to dispose the electronic control unit in the scooter type vehicle where there is proper air path or breathing place for better heat dissipation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to dispose the electronic control unit in the scooter type vehicle where the electronic control unit is exposed to less vibration levels.

Further object of the present invention is to dispose the electronic control unit in the scooter type vehicle where there is ease of access for serviceability.

Further object of the present invention is to dispose the electronic control unit in the scooter type vehicle where it is well protected from theft related problems.

Further scope of applicability of4he present invention will become apparent front the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein Figure 1 shows a conventional scooter type vehicle.

Figure 2 shows first embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows second embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 4 shows third embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with different embodiments. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather those embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. With reference to Figure 1,1 denotes a front wheel, 2 denotes a front fork, 3 denotes a front fender, 4 denotes a front cover, 5 denotes a leg shield made of resin or metal, 6 denotes a handle bar cover, 7 denotes a headlight, 8 denotes a handle bar, 17 denotes a rear fender and 18 denotes tail lamp.

The centre of the body forms a low floor board 9 for functioning as a part for putting feet and a under cowl 10 which is located below the rider's seat and covers at least a part of the engine, The under cowl is made up of metal or resin. The under cowl is hinged to the seat 11. A utility box 12 opens from the rear end to hinged portion. The utility box 12 is provided under the seat extending longitudinally of a vehicle body and the inside of the utility box has a large capacity so that a large article can be housed. A main frame 14 extended along the centre of the body forwardly and rearwardjy and made of a metallic pipe and Is provided under the floor board 9. A swing type power unit 13 is coupled to the rear end of the main frame 14.

A rear wheel 15 is supported on one side of the rear end of the swing type power unit 13. The swing type power unit 13 is suspended in the rear of a body frame. The side covers 16 on left and right sides covers the utility box 12 and other parts of the vehicle, thereby providing a good appearance to the vehicle.

The present invention is illustrated with a scooter type vehicle. The illustrated scooter type vehicle comprises a so called low floor board type vehicle, a head pipe and a main frame extending downwardly from the head pipe. The term scooter as used herein should not be inferred to restrict the maximum speed, the displacement t or the like of the vehicle. Moreover the present invention is not limited to a scooter type vehicle and certain features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention can be used with other types of two wheelers such as motorcycle, step thru and the like. According to first embodiment of the present invention and referring to Figure 1, an electronic control unit 201 for automatic manual transmission engine 205 in scooter type vehicle is positioned below the low floor board portion 202 through means known in the art. The said electronic unit 201 when placed below the low floor board portion 202 provides better cooling and since this position is close to vehicle center plane it improves the vehicle stability. Wiring harness length is optimized whereby the cost is reduced for wiring harness.

According to second preferred embodiment of the present invention and referring to Figure 2, an electronic control unit 201 for automatic manual transmission engine 205 in scooter type vehicle is positioned below the rider seat 203 and in the vicinity of the utility box 206. Air path or breathing zone in form of louvers is created on the style panels for the said position. The said position is closer to the said engine and battery thereby the wiring harness length is drastically reduced.

According to third preferred embodiment of the present invention and referring to Figure 3, an electronic control unit 201 for automatic manual transmission engine 205 in scooter type vehicle is disposed in the vicinity of the head pipe 208 and more preferably in the front of the head pipe 208. Better stability is gained due to increase in front wheel reaction. Cooling means for the said electronic control unit is provided in the front panel. The said electronic control unit in all the above mentioned embodiments can be fixed horizontally or vertically depending on the requirements and is not limited to any particular angle.

The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

WE CLAIM:

1. A scooter type vehicle equipped with automatic manual transmission engine comprising:
a low floor board portion; and

an electronic control unit functioning in conjunction with the automatic manual transmission engine;

wherein, the electronic control unit is positioned below the low floor board portion.

2. A scooter type vehicle equipped' with automatic manual transmission engine comprising:

a low floor board portion; and

an electronic control unit functioning in conjunction with the automatic manual transmission engine;

wherein, the electronic control unit is positioned below rider's seat and in vicinity of utility box of scooter type vehicle.

3. A scooter type vehicle equipped with automatic manual transmission engine comprising:

a low floor board portion; and

an electronic control unit functioning in conjunction with the automatic manual transmission engine;

wherein, the electronic control unit is disposed in vicinity of head pipe of scooter type vehicle.