CN114080349A

CN114080349A - Conditional balancing system comprising a body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: CN114080349A
Application number: CN202080045718.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿尼尔·库马尔·瓦彭杰里·贾亚拉马·雷迪
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-06-17
Filing date: 2020-06-16
Publication date: 2022-02-22
Also published as: WO2020254966A1

Abstract

A conditional balancing system including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a body shell operatively connected to a two-wheeled vehicle. The body shell comprises at least one balancing device configured to balance the two-wheeled vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a driver and a control system based on a predefined condition, wherein said at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein said predefined condition corresponds to a mismatch value between said detected set of parameters and a threshold set of parameters. The system further includes a switch built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in an opposite direction.

Description

Conditional balancing system comprising a body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the automotive industry, and more particularly to two-wheeled vehicles.

Background

Two-wheeled vehicles (such as bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, scooters, etc.) are particularly suitable for urban traffic due to their reduced width and maneuverability which is significantly greater than that of four-wheeled motor vehicles. However, driving a two-wheeled motor vehicle involves a higher risk than any other four-wheeled motor vehicle. Currently, a large number of accidents on two-wheeled vehicles result in death or non-fatal injury to the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle.

Various safety accessories, such as helmets, jackets, gloves, shoes, etc., are provided to a rider of a two-wheeled vehicle to protect the rider of the two-wheeled vehicle from injury. However, such safety fittings lack protection of the rider of the two-wheeled vehicle from weather (such as rain, dust, heat, etc.) related problems. Furthermore, safety devices such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), Electronic Stability Programs (ESP), etc. will not provide complete protection against injury. Furthermore, two-wheeled vehicles gradually lose their balance when decelerating below a certain speed. This situation allows a two-wheeled vehicle rider to place at least one foot on the ground to balance their two-wheeled vehicle. Therefore, a self-balancing system is required for a closed two-wheeled vehicle. Various self-balancing and protective devices may be used to provide safety against the above-mentioned problems.

In one form, the cockpit is used to shield a two-wheel vehicle driver from accidental injury and weather related problems.

Further, this manner provides a self-balancing apparatus in which the two-wheeled vehicle stability control unit determines control moment values of one or more gyroscopes connected to the two-wheeled vehicle frame to stabilize the two-wheeled vehicle frame. However, such systems are expensive and can take a significant amount of time and money to develop new designs. Furthermore, the control gyroscope will have to run continuously to keep the vehicle upright, which is a wasteful drain on energy. Moreover, the complex electronics involved would make the overall system more expensive.

Therefore, there is a need for a Conditional Balancing System (CBS) comprising an improved body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle, in order to address the above-mentioned problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a conditional balancing system is disclosed that includes retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle. The system includes a body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle. The body shell comprises at least one balancing device configured to balance the two-wheeled vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a driver and a control system based on a predefined condition, wherein said at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein said predefined condition corresponds to a mismatch value between said detected set of parameters and a threshold set of parameters. The system includes a switch built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in opposite directions.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a conditional balancing system is disclosed that includes retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle system includes a chassis. The chassis is configured to provide structure to the two-wheeled vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle system also includes at least one drive wheel operatively connected to the chassis. The at least one drive wheel is configured to move the two-wheeled vehicle over a road. The two-wheeled vehicle system also includes a body shell operatively connected to the chassis of the two-wheeled vehicle. The body shell comprises at least one balancing device configured to balance the two-wheeled vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a driver and a control system based on a predefined condition, wherein said at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein said predefined condition corresponds to a mismatch value between said detected set of parameters and a threshold set of parameters. The system further includes a switch built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in an opposite direction.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a block diagram of a conditional balancing system with body shell retrofit to a two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a two-wheeled vehicle system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic left side view of an exemplary embodiment of the conditional balancing system of fig. 2 including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic right side view of an exemplary embodiment of the conditional balancing system of fig. 2 including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a schematic elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the conditional balancing system of fig. 2 including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

fig. 6 is a schematic top view of an exemplary embodiment of the conditional balancing system of fig. 2 including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not necessarily be drawn to scale.

Further, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may be represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Detailed description of the embodiments

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates, are contemplated as within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps, but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or subsystems or elements or structures or components that are "included" in the foregoing do not, without further restriction, preclude the presence of other devices, subsystems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional subsystems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. The appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in another embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The systems, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and claims, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a conditional balancing system including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle. The system includes a prefabricated body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle. The body shell comprises at least one balancing device configured to balance the two-wheeled vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a driver and a control system based on a predefined condition, wherein said at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein said predefined condition corresponds to a mismatch value between said detected set of parameters and a threshold set of parameters. The system includes a switch built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in opposite directions.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a conditional balancing system (100) including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (100) includes a body shell (110) retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle. In one embodiment, the two-wheeled vehicle may comprise a pre-manufactured two-wheeled vehicle. As used herein, a body shell (110) is defined as the body of a two-wheeled vehicle resting on a chassis, and further, the body shell does not include doors, window glass, interior fittings, and all mechanical components. In one embodiment, the body shell (110) may be made of at least one of metal, composite, plastic, wood, and the like.

In particular embodiments, the body shell (110) may include a plurality of components, such as a windshield, wipers, a seat including a headrest, a seatbelt, headlamps, tail lights, indicators, stop lights, rear view mirrors, one or more navigation subsystems, at least two doorways on either side, and a plurality of retractable glazings. In such embodiments, the retractable glazing may be operated in one of an automatic mode and a manual mode. In such another embodiment, at least two doorways on either side may include mechanical hinges for opening and closing the door. As used herein, the term "mechanical hinge" is a mechanical bearing that connects two solid objects, typically allowing only a limited angle of rotation between them. In one embodiment, at least two doorways on either side can be locked or unlocked by one of a mechanical lever and an electronic device.

In one particular embodiment, the system (100) may include a control subsystem. The control subsystem may be configured to generate at least one command while monitoring a set of parameters using one or more sensors. In one embodiment, the set of parameters may include at least one of vehicle speed, vehicle lean angle, steering angle, wheel speed, vehicle weight load, braking force, occupant position, and a plurality of user inputs.

The body shell (110) further comprises at least one balancing device (120). Configuring at least one balancing device (120) to balance the two-wheeled vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a driver and a control system based on a predefined condition, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to a mismatch value between the detected set of parameters and a threshold set of parameters.

In one embodiment, the at least one balancing device (120) may comprise at least one of a balance wheel and a gyroscope. As used herein, the term "gyroscope" is a device used to measure or maintain orientation and angular velocity. Moreover, a gyroscope is a fast rotating wheel or disk, where the axis of rotation is free to assume any orientation by itself.

In an exemplary embodiment, upon detection of one or more sets of parameters, the at least one balancing device (120) is configured to balance the two-wheeled vehicle when the two-wheeled vehicle condition exceeds a predefined set of threshold parameters.

In certain embodiments, at least one balancing device (120) may be operated with a centralized control system driven by a Programmable Logic Circuit (PLC). In such an embodiment, the centralized control system may be powered by a battery housed within the two-wheeled vehicle.

In one embodiment, the at least one balancing device (120) may comprise one or more motors (130) and one of a mechanical drive and/or a pneumatic drive. The system (100) also includes a switch (130) built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in an opposite direction.

In one embodiment, the system (100) may include a control subsystem configured to control the two-wheeled vehicle using remote control (unmanned) by driving the two-wheeled vehicle in a non-parking lot or parking lot, and move the two-wheeled vehicle forward or backward from a current location.

In one embodiment, the switch (130) may be powered by at least one of a two-wheeled vehicle battery and a two-wheeled vehicle generator. As used herein, the term "two-wheeled vehicle generator" is used for a generator that generates direct current using a commutator. Also, as used herein, the term "commutator" is a rotating electronic switch in certain types of motors and generators that periodically reverses the direction of current flow between the rotor and an external circuit.

In a certain embodiment, power is supplied to the gyroscope of at least one of the balancing devices from the two-wheeled vehicle battery. In such embodiments, when power is insufficient to the gyroscope of at least one of the counterbalancing means, power may be supplied directly from the two-wheeled vehicle generator.

In a particular embodiment, the system (100) may include a Balanced Braking System (BBS).

The counter-balancing braking system may be activated and the balancing wheels of the at least one balancing device may be enabled to keep the two-wheeled vehicle upright when the two-wheeled vehicle is skidding. Sideslip of the two-wheeled vehicle may be identified based on a predefined condition, where the predefined condition corresponds to a value of mismatch between predefined speeds of front and rear wheels and a threshold speed during motion of the two-wheeled vehicle. In a certain embodiment, the user may also press the brake pedal to activate the gyroscope of the at least one balancing device to keep the two-wheeled vehicle upright.

In operation, to self-balance a two-wheeled vehicle, after monitoring a set of parameters, at least one command is generated by at least one of a driver and a control system when a vehicle condition exceeds a threshold. When generating the at least one command, the at least one balancing device (120) balances the two-wheeled vehicle by using a centralized control system driven by a Programmable Logic Circuit (PLC), and supplies power to the centralized control system through a battery housed within the two-wheeled vehicle. Further, the system includes a switch (130) built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in opposite directions.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a two-wheeled vehicle system (140) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, a two-wheeled vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is powered either to the front or rear wheels, such as a motorcycle, bicycle, scooter, etc. The two-wheeled vehicle system (140) includes a chassis (150). As used herein, the chassis (150) is defined as the base frame of a two-wheeled vehicle. The chassis (150) is configured to provide structure to a two-wheeled vehicle. The two-wheeled vehicle system (140) further comprises at least one drive wheel (160) operatively connected to the chassis (150). At least one drive wheel (160) is configured to move the two-wheeled vehicle on a road.

The two-wheeled vehicle system (140) also includes a body shell. The body shell is operatively connected to the two-wheeled vehicle chassis. The body shell (170) is configured to provide protection, safety, and comfort to the driver. In one embodiment, the body shell (170) may be made of at least one of metal, composite, plastic, wood, and the like.

In particular embodiments, the body shell (170) may include a plurality of components, such as a windshield (180), wipers, a seat including a headrest, seat belts, headlamps (190), turn indicators, stop lights, rear view mirrors, one or more navigation subsystems, at least two doorways (200) on either side, and a plurality of retractable glazings (230). The body shell (170) comprises at least one balancing device (220). Configuring at least one balancing device (220) to balance the two-wheeled vehicle upon receiving at least one command from at least one of a driver and a control system based on a predefined condition, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined condition corresponds to a mismatch value between the detected set of parameters and a threshold set of parameters.

In one embodiment, the at least one balancing device (220) may comprise at least one of a balance wheel and a gyroscope.

In particular embodiments, the set of parameters may include at least one of vehicle speed, vehicle lean angle, steering angle, wheel speed, vehicle weight load, braking force, occupant position, and a plurality of user inputs. The system includes a switch built into the two-wheeled vehicle to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in opposite directions.

Furthermore, the body shell (170) and the balancing device (220) are substantially similar to the body shell (110) and the at least one balancing device (120) of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic left side view (240) of an exemplary embodiment of fig. 2 including a conditional balancing system retrofitted to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, the body shell (250), the windshield (260), the head lamp (270), the tail lamp (280), the doorway (290), the pneumatic drive (300), and the balance wheel (310) are substantially similar to the body shell (170), the windshield (180), the head lamp (190), each of the at least two doorways (200) on either side, the pneumatic drive (210), and the balance wheel (220) of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a schematic right side view (320) of an exemplary embodiment of the system of fig. 2 including a conditional balancing system retrofitted to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; further, the body shell (330), the windshield (340), the at least two doorways (350) on either side, the balance wheel (360), and the glazing (370) are substantially similar to the body shell (170), the windshield (180), the at least two doorways (200) on either side, the balance wheel (220), and the glazing (230) of fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a schematic front view (380) of the exemplary embodiment of fig. 2 including a conditional balancing system retrofitted to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (380) includes a body shell (390). The body shell (390) comprises at least one balancing device (430) and an electric drive motor (440).

Furthermore, the body shell (390), the windshield (400), the head lamp (410), the pneumatic drive (420), and the balance wheel (430) are substantially similar to the body shell (170), the windshield (180), the head lamp (190), the pneumatic drive (210), and the balance wheel (220) of fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a schematic top view (450) of an exemplary embodiment of the conditional balancing system of fig. 2 including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, the body shell (460), windshield (470), head lamp (480), balance wheel (490), and glass window (500) are substantially similar to the body shell (170), windshield (180), head lamp (190), balance wheel (220), and glass window (230) of fig. 2. Advantages of the invention

Various embodiments of a conditional balancing system including retrofitting to a body shell of a two-wheeled vehicle enable the system to reduce traffic density by providing protection for a two-wheeled vehicle driver by employing a body shell that occupies less road space. Furthermore, the body shell improves safety and thus reduces the need to use the vehicle in all situations. In addition, the body shell reduces greenhouse gas emissions to a large extent. In addition, the body shell also provides convenience for delivering a plurality of items such as food, courier, any e-commerce delivery, and the like. Also, the prefabricated body shell will serve as an after market kit for a two-wheeled vehicle. Thus, the cost advantage of using a prefabricated body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle is higher than that of an automobile.

Further, the body shell is a lightweight material, but strong and robust to retrofit onto two-wheeled vehicles. Also, the body shell is designed so that two wheels can be attached to its chassis. Due to the conditional balancing system, the vehicle remains upright when needed, i.e. during slow motion, idle conditions and during impact or crash conditions. Also, the vehicle can be parked using the balance wheel system. When driving a vehicle, the driver will naturally balance the vehicle like a normal two-wheel vehicle. A Conditional Balance System (CBS) includes a gyroscope and balance wheel system controlled by a control system and a driver.

The body shell on the disclosed two-wheeled vehicle is provided with a reverse driving option due to its increased weight condition and for user convenience. Further, the Conditional Balance System (CBS) proposed in the present disclosure has a balance wheel system including a driving motor controlled by a driver through a separate switch. Furthermore, two-wheeled vehicles may have the additional option of remotely operating the vehicle using radio control to move the vehicle forward and backward for short distances at slow speeds. This may be useful for parking and driving away vehicles. Further, the balance brake system proposed in the present disclosure is a low-cost brake system for enhancing safety of a driver.

In addition, a balance brake system, which is used as an anti-lock brake system in the future without the presence of the anti-lock brake system, independently monitors the wheel speed and deploys the balance wheels and gyroscopes as appropriate. Thus, it will effectively avoid vehicle descent despite vehicle sideslip. Further, the balance wheel serves as a stand while waiting for a signal to support the driver.

In addition, the proposed body shell provides a conditional balancing means, invoking the gyroscope for balancing whenever only balancing is required, thereby reducing energy waste. Furthermore, the proposed body shell provides comfort for the driver. The body shell also maintains driver safety in inclement weather conditions. Also, the present body shell protects the driver from injury during an accident.

Although specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, no limitation is thereby intended. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various working modifications can be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The drawings and the foregoing description present examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, some elements may be divided into multiple functional elements. Elements of one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of the processes described herein may be changed and is not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor does it necessarily require all acts to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed concurrently with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is in no way limited to these specific examples.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present disclosure provides a device for safely driving a two-wheeled vehicle because it provides protection for the driver during an accident and protects against the vagaries of the weather during normal driving conditions. The disclosed invention also enables easy driving of a two-wheeled vehicle, as it provides a condition-based balancing system without the driver having to place his feet on the road surface. In addition, the disclosed invention provides a means of back driving when parking and/or driving away a vehicle. The body shell is made of a lightweight material, but is strong enough to meet the above requirements.

The body shell, pre-manufactured to fit the different two-wheel vehicle model designs already available on the market, may be an after market product that is closely attached to the automotive industry. The driver of the two-wheeled vehicle may choose to install the product. It can even be sold in a joint venture where the two-wheeled automobile industry offers consumers new vehicles with body shells modified with a conditional balancing system as a complete new product, thus eliminating the cost of unwanted sub-products. These new products not only produce new products, but also make two-wheeled vehicles safe, economical and environmentally friendly.

The body shell retrofitted with the conditional balancing system will provide several alternative functions in addition to a common passenger transportation vehicle, such as light cargo vehicles, police and military patrol, e-commerce delivery, postal and courier delivery, food and grocery delivery, ambulances, etc., as an after market product or as a new product for a new two-wheeled vehicle.

Claims

1. A conditional balancing system (100) comprising a body shell retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising: a bodyshell (110) retrofitted to a two-wheeled vehicle, wherein the bodyshell (110) comprises at least one balancing device ( 120) configured to balance the two-wheeled vehicle after receiving at least one command from at least one of the driver and the control system based on predefined conditions, wherein the at least one command corresponds to a sensor detected by one or more sensors and a switch (130) built into the two-wheeled vehicle, which is configured to The two-wheeled vehicle is driven in the opposite direction.

2. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the body shell includes components such as windshields, wipers, seats including headrests, seat belts, headlamps, tail lamps, Indicators, stop lights, mirrors, one or more navigation subsystems, one or two doorways on either side, and multiple powered or manually retractable glass windows.

3. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one balancing device comprises at least one of a balance wheel and a gyroscope.

4. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the set of parameters includes at least one of vehicle speed, vehicle lean angle, steering angle, wheel speed, vehicle gravity load, braking force, and occupant position.

5. The system (100) of claim 1, wherein the system includes a control subsystem configured to use a remote control ( unmanned) to control the vehicle and move the two-wheeled vehicle forward or backward from the current position.

6. A two-wheeled vehicle system (140) comprising: a chassis (150) configured to provide structure to a two-wheeled vehicle; at least one drive wheel (160) operably connected to said chassis (150) and configured for moving the two-wheeled vehicle on the road; and a body shell (170) including at least one balancing device (220) configured to receive a signal from at least one of a driver and a control system based on predefined conditions Balancing the two-wheeled vehicle after at least one command, wherein the at least one command is associated with a corresponding set of parameters detected by one or more sensors, wherein the predefined conditions correspond to the detected parameter set and threshold parameters mismatch values between groups; and a switch built into the two-wheeled vehicle configured to drive the two-wheeled vehicle in opposite directions.

7. The system (140) of claim 6, wherein the body shell includes components such as windshields, wipers, seats including head restraints, seat belts, headlamps, tail lamps, Indicators, stop lights, mirrors, one or more navigation subsystems, one or two doorways on either side, and multiple powered or manually retractable glass windows.

8. The system (140) of claim 6, wherein the at least one balancing device includes at least one of a balance wheel and a gyroscope.

9. The system (140) of claim 6, wherein the set of parameters includes adjusting at least one of vehicle speed, vehicle lean angle, steering angle, wheel speed, gravitational load of the vehicle, braking force, and occupant position .

10. The system (140) of claim 6, wherein the system includes a control subsystem configured to use a remote control ( unmanned) to control the vehicle and move the two-wheeled vehicle forward or backward from the current position.