Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for determining a fault condition of a side stand switch (20) of a vehicle (10), the system (100) comprising:
a speedometer (30) comprising a side stand indicator (32);
the side stand switch (20) being configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a side stand (22) of the vehicle (10); and
a control unit (102) in communication with the speedometer (30) and the side stand switch (20), the control unit (102) configured to:
receive the signal from the side stand switch (20);
compute a value based on the received signal;
determine if the computed value is equal to a predefined side stand switch fault condition value;
generate a signal indicative of a fault condition of the side stand switch (20) if the computed value is equal to the predefined side stand switch fault condition value; and
communicate the signal to the speedometer (30), whereby the speedometer (30) alerts a user through the side stand indicator (32).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (102) being configured to communicate the signal to an Engine Fuel Injector (40) to restrain starting of the engine (12) of the vehicle (10), when the computed value is equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the speedometer (30) being in communication with the control unit (102) through controlled area network (104).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fault condition of the side stand switch (20) being alerted by blinking the side stand indicator (32) or through a text description or a tell-tale symbol on the speedometer (30).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fault condition of the side stand switch (20) being alerted on the vehicle (10) through an audible beeper in a predefined pattern or through vibration of a handlebar (36) of the vehicle (10) to the user.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side stand switch (20) being configured to communicate the control unit (102) with a plurality of voltage bands corresponding to a position of the side stand (22) of the vehicle (10).

7. A method (500) for determining a fault condition of a side stand switch (20) of a vehicle (10), the method (500) comprising:
generating (502), by the side stand switch (20), a signal indicative of a position of a side stand (22) of the vehicle (10);
receiving (504), by a control unit (102), the signal from the side stand switch (20);
computing (506), by the control unit (102), a value based on the received signal;
determining (508), by the control unit (102), if the computed value being equal to a predefined side stand fault condition value;
generating (510), by the control unit (102), a signal indicative of a fault condition of the side stand switch (20), if the computed value being equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value; and
communicating (512), by the control unit (102), the signal to the speedometer (30) whereby the speedometer (30) alerts a user through the side stand indicator (32).

8. The method (500) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the signal being communicated by the control unit (102) to an Engine Fuel Injector (40) to restrain starting of the engine (12) of the vehicle (10), when the computed value being equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value.

9. The method (500) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fault condition of the side stand switch (20) being alerted by blinking the side stand indicator (32) or through a text description or a tell-tale symbol on the speedometer (30).

10. The method (500) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fault condition of the side stand switch (20) being alerted on the vehicle (10) through an audible beeper in a predefined pattern or through vibration of a handlebar (36) of the vehicle (10).
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a side stand switch for a vehicle, more particularly relates to a system and a method for determining fault condition of a side stand switch of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Conventional two wheeled vehicles typically include a side stand and a centre stand, and any one of the side stand and the centre stand is deployed by a user / rider during parking of the vehicle. In case the rider uses the side stand for parking the vehicle and wants to start the vehicle, the side stand is required to be retracted fully to prevent any damage that may cause if the side stand is in partial retracted condition. In some instance when the rider starts the engine and if the side stand is in partially retracted / deployed position, it may lead to an unsafe operating condition. Considering the safety of the rider and to avoid said condition, vehicles are equipped with an engine cut-off, if the side stand is not in full retracted position. Due to regulations and standards, the engine cut-off is made mandatory when the side stand is in deployed condition. The engine cut-off is achieved by a feedback provided by a side stand switch when the side stand is not in fully retracted position. However, if the side stand switch in the vehicle is under a fault condition, then it will also promote the engine cut-off and the rider will not know the reason behind the vehicle’s behaviour. Thus, if any error occurs in the side stand switch, it becomes important to diagnose the error and indicate about the error to the rider to know about the reason behind their vehicle’s abnormal behaviour.
[003] In one kind of existing side stand indicator in a two wheeled vehicle, a metallic side stand is connected to the vehicle. Further, an inductive sensor is attached to a frame of the vehicle and is in contact with an on-off positions of the side stand. An inductor capacitor tank circuit which resonates with the inductive sensor is used to indicate the position of the side stand. The inductive sensor and the inductor capacitor tank circuit in the two wheeled vehicle will provide the on / off position of the side stand. However, the vehicle does not include any mechanism to indicate if the inductive sensor becomes faulty.
[004] In another kind of existing position detecting device of side stand of the two wheeled vehicle, the device includes a sensor having two magnetic detection means and one magnetic field generating means. The magnetic field generating means is continuously detected by the magnetic detection means. The magnets are placed such that the identical polarity is facing the magnetic detection means. Though the magnetic detection means detects the position of the side stand, the position detecting device does not indicate if the sensors like magnetic field generating means become faulty.
[005] In yet another kind of existing side stand position detection means, it includes a rigid bracket mounted on to a frame, a support means, and a sensor mounted onto the bracket. The sensor is mounted on the support means such that when the side stand is deployed, a switching means moves away from the sensing means. The switching means is fastened onto a swivelling member close to a pivot joint and the sensor is fastened on the fixed bracket. The position detection means further includes an indicator means, a set of resistors, condenser and transistors connected to the sensors. The indicator means provides an indication of movement of the side stand. The position detection means provides a position of the side stand only. However, the vehicle does not include any mechanism to indicate when the sensor, the indicator means, the set of resistors, the condenser and the transistors become faulty.
[006] The existing vehicles with side stand indicators include one or more limitations, such as, non-detection of fault condition in the side stand switch, causing an inconvenience to customer and difficulty to detect the problem during serviceability of the vehicle.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and a method for determining fault condition of side stand switch of a vehicle which can address at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a system for determining a fault condition of a side stand switch of a vehicle. The system includes a speedometer having a side stand indicator, the side stand switch being configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a side stand of the vehicle, and a control unit in communication with the speedometer and the side stand switch. The control unit is configured to receive the signal from the side stand switch. The control unit is further configured to compute a value based on the received signal. The control unit is further configured to determine if the computed value is equal to a predefined side stand switch fault condition value. The control unit is further configured to generate a signal indicative of a fault condition of the side stand switch if the computed value is equal to the predefined side stand switch fault condition value. The control unit is further configured to communicate the signal to the speedometer, whereby the speedometer alerts a user through the side stand indicator.
[009] In an embodiment, the control unit being configured to communicate the signal to an Engine Fuel Injector to restrain starting of the engine of the vehicle, when the computed value is equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value.
[010] In an embodiment, the speedometer being in communication with the control unit through controlled area network.
[011] In an embodiment, the fault condition of the side stand switch being alerted by blinking the side stand indicator or through a text description or a tell-tale symbol on the speedometer.
[012] In an embodiment, the fault condition of the side stand switch being alerted on the vehicle through an audible beeper in a predefined pattern or through vibration of a handlebar of the vehicle to the user.
[013] In an embodiment, the side stand switch being configured to communicate the control unit with a plurality of voltage bands corresponding to a position of the side stand of the vehicle.
[014] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for determining a fault condition of a side stand switch of a vehicle. The method includes generating, by the side stand switch, a signal indicative of a position of a side stand of the vehicle. The method further includes receiving, by a control unit, the signal from the side stand switch. The method further includes computing, by the control unit, a value based on the received signal. The method further includes determining, by the control unit, if the computed value being equal to a predefined side stand fault condition value. The method further includes generating, by the control unit, a signal indicative of a fault condition of the side stand switch, if the computed value being equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value. The method further includes communicating, by the control unit, the signal to the speedometer whereby the speedometer alerts a user through the side stand indicator.
[015] In an embodiment, the signal being communicated by the control unit to an Engine Fuel Injector to restrain starting of the engine of the vehicle, when the computed value being equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[016] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle having a system for determining fault condition of a side stand switch of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a frame member of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a speedometer of the vehicle shown in Figures 1 and 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the system for determining fault condition of the side stand switch of the vehicle, in according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for determining fault condition of the side stand switch of the vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[017] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder.
[018] The present invention generally relates to a side stand switch for a vehicle, more particularly relates to a system and a method for determining fault condition of a side stand switch of the vehicle.
[019] An objective of the present invention is to diagnose an error in the side stand switch and communicate the error to a rider of the vehicle so that the rider is aware about the reason behind the vehicle’s behaviour. Apart from this, the present invention also helps in improving serviceability of the vehicle.
[020] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a vehicle 10 having a system 100 (shown in Fig.4) for determining fault condition of a side stand switch 20 (shown in Fig.4) of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated the vehicle 10 is a two-wheeled straddle type vehicle. However, the vehicle 10 may also be any other kind of two-wheeled vehicle like a scooter. Thus, it is to be understood that the illustrated two-wheeled straddle type vehicle should not be construed to be limiting the scope of the present invention. The terms “vehicle” and “two-wheeled vehicle” are interchangeably used in this disclosure. However, both the terms “vehicle” and “two-wheeled vehicle” are one and the same. The term “vehicle” is used in place of “two-wheeled vehicle” more often for brevity.
[021] In the illustrated embodiment in Figures 1 and 2, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 includes an Internal combustion engine 12 that can be vertically disposed. The Internal combustion engine 12 may be a single-cylinder type Internal combustion engine. In another embodiment, the Internal combustion engine 12 may also be a twin-cylinder or multi-cylinder type Internal combustion engine. The vehicle 10 includes a front wheel 14, a rear wheel 16, a frame member 38 (shown in Figure 2), a seat assembly 18 and a fuel tank 46.
[022] An upper portion of the front wheel 14 may be covered by a front fender 28 which can be mounted to a lower portion of a telescopic front suspension 26. The vehicle 10 further includes a handlebar 36 which is fixed to an upper bracket 42 and can be rotated to both sides of the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 further includes a head light 44 and an instrument cluster having a speedometer 30 and are arranged on an upper portion of a head pipe (not shown) of the frame member 38.
[023] The frame member 38 of the vehicle 10 may further include a down tube 38b that may be located in front of the Internal combustion engine 12 and in one embodiment may extend slantly downward from the head pipe (not shown). A main tube 38a of the frame member 38 may be located above the Internal combustion engine 12 and may extend rearwardly from the head pipe. In the illustrated embodiment shown in Figure 1, the Internal combustion engine 12 is mounted vertically, with a cylinder block extending vertically above a crankcase. In an alternative embodiment, the Internal combustion engine 12 may be mounted horizontally (not shown) with the cylinder block extending horizontally and forwardly from the crankcase. In yet another embodiment, the cylinder block may be disposed rearwardly of the down tube.
[024] The fuel tank 46 of the vehicle 10 is generally mounted in a horizontal portion of the main tube 38a. one or more seat rails 38c may be joined to the main tube 38a and may extend rearwardly to support the seat assembly 18. A taillight unit 48 is disposed at an end of the vehicle 10 and at a rear of the seat assembly 18. A grab rail 50 may also be provided on a rear of the one or more seat rails 38c. The rear wheel 16 arranged below the seat assembly 18 rotates by a driving force of the Internal combustion engine 12 transmitted through a chain drive (not shown) from the Internal combustion engine 12. A rear fender 52 may be disposed above the rear wheel 16.
[025] The vehicle 10 may further include an Engine Management System Control Unit (EMS ECU). The vehicle 10 with the Internal combustion engine 12 may have a carburettor or a Fuel Injector 40 (shown in Figure 4) for controlling air-fuel mixture to the Internal combustion engine 12.
[026] The vehicle 10 further includes a side stand 22 which is hinged, foldable and secured to a lower portion of the frame member 38. In an exemplary embodiment, the side stand 22 may be disposed at a left side of the vehicle 10. The side stand 22 can be deployed or extended when the vehicle 10 is to be parked. In the vehicle parked condition, the side stand 22 will be in “stand ON condition” and thus the side stand 22 will be in fully opened position for supporting the vehicle 10 onto a ground surface. The side stand 22 can be retracted when the vehicle 10 is to be moved from parked condition. In the vehicle movement condition, the side stand 22 will be in “stand OFF condition” and thus, the side stand 22 will be in fully closed position during the travel of the vehicle and the side stand 22 is positioned substantially horizontal to the ground surface. Both opening and closing of the side stand 22 can be done manually by a rider or a user of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the side stand 22 can include a spring member (not shown) connected to the side stand 22 for bringing the side stand 22 to the open position. The vehicle 10 further includes a side stand switch 20 for determining the position of the side stand 22.
[027] As illustrated in Figure 3, the speedometer 30 includes a display unit 34 having one or more indicators. In the illustrated embodiment, the display unit 34 includes a side stand indicator 32, whereby the rider can obtain the position of the side stand 22. In some embodiment, the speedometer 30 in the instrument cluster is configured to indicate all necessary conditions required for the rider to ride the vehicle 10 safely during a travel. The speedometer 30 is connected to one or more sensors, including, but not limited to, a vehicle speed sensor (not shown) and a fuel level sensor (not shown). Further, the speedometer 30 may include a controller (not shown) to process and display one or more information to the rider. In some embodiments, the controller of the speedometer 30 may be configured to be connected with an EMS ECU via CAN communication lines for transferring information to each other regarding vehicle status.
[028] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic block diagram of the system 100 for determining a fault condition of the side stand switch 20 of the vehicle 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 includes the speedometer 30 having the side stand indicator 32. The side stand switch 20 is configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a side stand 22 of the vehicle 10 and communicate the signal to a control unit 102 of the system 100. In an embodiment, the control unit 102 is configured to be in communication with the speedometer 30 and the side stand switch 20.
[029] In an embodiment, the side stand switch 20 is configured to provide output voltage values using which the control unit 102 identifies whether the side stand 22 is in a deployed position or in a retrieved / retracted position. In other words, the side stand switch 20 is configured to communicate to the control unit 102 with a plurality of voltage bands corresponding to a position of the side stand 22 of the vehicle 10. If the side stand 22 is in half operated / not released condition, it may lead to unsafe operating conditions. Hence, indication of the side stand 22 position is a feature of safety for the rider. The side stand switch 20 is used to indicate the status of the side stand position after an ignition switch is ‘ON’.
[030] In some embodiments, the control unit 102 includes one or more additional components such as, but not limited to, a memory unit (not shown), an input/output module, a pre-processing module etc. In another embodiment, the system 100 includes more than one of same or similar control unit(s) 102. In another embodiment, the control unit 102 includes only a processor which may be required to process the received instructions / signals from one or more inputs device like sensors and / or switches and process the same. In yet another embodiment, the system 100 is in communication with an analytic module (not shown) which is configured to perform additional analysis of the communication information received from the side stand switch 20 of the vehicle 10.
[031] In some embodiments, the memory unit in communication with the control unit 102 is capable of storing machine executable instructions. Further, the control unit 102 is capable of executing the machine executable instructions to perform the functions described herein. The control unit 102 is in communication with components such as the pre-processing module and the analytic module. In another embodiment, the control unit 102 is embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, the control unit 102 is embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. In yet another embodiment, the control unit 102 is configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In still another embodiment, the control unit 102 is embodied as an executor of instructions, where the instructions are specifically configured to the control unit 102 to perform the steps or operations described herein for alerting the rider by blinking the side stand indicator 22 on the speedometer 30 of the vehicle 10. In an embodiment, the speedometer 30 is in communication with the control unit 102 through a controlled area network 104.
[032] Once the ignition key is turned ON, the side stand switch 20 generates an output signal and the control unit 102 is configured to receive the signal from the side stand switch 20. After receiving the signal from the side stand switch 20, the control unit 20 is configured to compute a value based on the received signal and determine if the computed value is equal to a predefined side stand switch fault condition value. The control unit 102 is further configured to generate a signal indicative of a fault condition of the side stand switch 20 if the computed value is equal to the predefined side stand switch fault condition value. Thereafter, the control unit 102 is configured to communicate the signal to the speedometer 30, whereby the speedometer 30 alerts a user through the side stand indicator 32.
[033] In an embodiment, the control unit 102 is configured to communicate the signal to the Engine Fuel Injector 40 to restrain starting of the engine 12 of the vehicle 10, when the computed value is equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value.
[034] In an embodiment, the fault condition of the side stand switch 20 is alerted by blinking the side stand indicator 32 or through a text description or a tell-tale symbol on the speedometer 30. In another embodiment, the fault condition of the side stand switch 20 is alerted on the vehicle 10 through an audible beeper in a predefined pattern or through vibration of a handlebar 36 of the vehicle 10 to the user. It may be contemplated that the indications are not limited to audible, visual and vibration signals.
[035] In another embodiment, if the computed value is equal to a predefined Stand ON condition value or a predefined Stand OFF condition value, then the control unit 102 is configured to communicate the signal to not blink the side stand indicator 32.
[036] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method 200 for determining fault condition of the side stand switch 20 of the vehicle 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method 500 at a step 502 includes generating, by the side stand switch 20, a signal indicative of a position of a side stand 22 of the vehicle 10. The method 500 further includes at a step 504, receiving, by the control unit 102, the signal from the side stand switch 20. The method 500 further includes, at a step 506, computing, by the control unit 102, a value based on the received signal. The method 500 further includes, at a step 508, determining, by the control unit 102, if the computed value being equal to a predefined side stand fault condition value. The method 500 further includes at a step 510, generating, by the control unit 102, a signal indicative of a fault condition of the side stand switch 20, if the computed value being equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value. The method 500 further includes, at a step 512, communicating, by the control unit 102, the signal to the speedometer 30 whereby the speedometer 30 alerts a user through the side stand indicator 32.
[037] The method 500 further includes a step of communicating the signal by the control unit 102 to the Engine Fuel Injector 40 to restrain starting of the engine 12 of the vehicle 10, when the computed value being equal to the predefined side stand fault condition value. In an embodiment, the fault condition of the side stand switch 20 is alerted by blinking the side stand indicator 32 or through a text description or a tell-tale symbol on the speedometer 30. In another embodiment, the fault condition of the side stand switch 20 is alerted on the vehicle 10 through an audible beeper in a predefined pattern or through vibration of a handlebar 36 of the vehicle 10.
[038] Advantageously, the present invention detects a fault condition of side stand switch, and thus letting the rider know about the reason of vehicle not getting started.
[039] Instead of not giving any communication regarding the side stand switch fault, giving an indication that the vehicle has been stopped due to a fault in the side stand switch will let the customer know the reason behind their vehicle’s behaviour. Indicating the fault of the side stand switch will also increase the serviceability of the vehicle. Thus, the present invention further provides convenience to the rider / customer and also improves serviceability of the vehicle.
[040] Also, instead of using two different indicators to indicate the position of side stand switch and the fault condition of the side stand switch, only the side stand switch position indicator is used for both the indications. Thus, the cost spent in additional lamp, wiring harness and other tooling charges can be reduced.
[041] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.