DE102024106130A1 - Method for controlling a motorcycle, transmission control and motorcycle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a motorcycle, having a transmission control, an automated transmission, an internal combustion engine and a speed sensor which, starting from a neutral position, can be deflected in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a torque request from the driver to the motorcycle can be determined as a function of a deflection of the speed sensor in the first direction, wherein in the method, if it is determined that the speed sensor is deflected in the second direction (V1), in order to set a coasting mode, a clutch of the automated transmission is opened (V2) by means of the transmission control, whereby a power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to the wheels of the motorcycle is interrupted.

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling a motorcycle, a transmission control and a motorcycle with a transmission control.

From the DE 10 2021 206 060 A1 A method for controlling a drive motor and a hydraulic braking system in a single-track vehicle is known. In this method, the drive motor is controlled by actuating the throttle grip in a first direction of rotation, and the hydraulic braking system is controlled by actuating the throttle grip in a second, opposite direction of rotation.

Furthermore, the WO 2022/078848 A1 A vehicle guidance system for providing a driving function for the automated longitudinal guidance of a vehicle is known. The vehicle guidance system is configured to determine that the vehicle is at a signaling unit. Furthermore, the vehicle guidance system is configured to detect that the driver of the vehicle is activating a control element of a user interface of the vehicle to control the driving function. Furthermore, the vehicle guidance system is configured to initiate an automated start of the vehicle in response to the detected activation of the control element.

The object of the invention is to create a solution which enables a particularly energy-saving operation of a motorcycle.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further possible embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims, the description, and the figures. Features, advantages, and possible embodiments presented in the description for one of the subject matter of the independent claims are to be regarded at least analogously as features, advantages, and possible embodiments of the respective subject matter of the other independent claims, as well as any possible combination of the subject matter of the independent claims, optionally in conjunction with one or more of the subclaims.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a motorcycle, such as a motorbike. The motorcycle can, in particular, be a two-wheeler. The motorcycle comprises at least two wheels, at least one of which can be driven. In particular, the motorcycle is a single-track motor vehicle. The motorcycle comprises a transmission control configured to control an automated transmission of the motorcycle. The automation of the transmission comprises at least the control of one or more clutches. The motorcycle further comprises the automated transmission and an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is configured to provide a torque that is translated by means of the automated transmission and can then be provided to the at least one driven wheel of the motorcycle. In other words, at least one wheel of the motorcycle can be driven by means of the internal combustion engine. The motorcycle further comprises a throttle position sensor, which is an operating element of the motorcycle. In particular, the throttle position sensor is designed as a so-called throttle twist grip. A throttle twist grip is a control element that the motorcycle rider can use to manually control engine power. Starting from a neutral position, the speed sensor can be deflected in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. In particular, the throttle twist grip can be turned towards the rider or away from the rider. If the rider turns the throttle twist grip towards them, the speed sensor is deflected in the first direction, whereas if the rider turns the throttle twist grip away from them, the speed sensor is deflected in the second direction. The rider's torque request to the motorcycle is determined based on the deflection of the speed sensor in the first direction. The rider's desired torque request and thus the drive torque desired by the rider for the motorcycle is determined based on the angle of rotation of the speed sensor in the first direction. Depending on the determined desired torque requirement of the driver, the automated transmission and/or the internal combustion engine can be controlled to set the drive torque desired by the driver. In particular, a speed of the internal combustion engine and/or a gear ratio of the automated transmission can be set depending on the desired drive torque.

The method provides that, if it is determined that the speed sensor is deflected in the second direction, the transmission control triggers the disengagement of a clutch of the automated transmission to set the motorcycle to coasting mode, thereby interrupting a power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to the motorcycle wheels. In other words, as soon as it is determined that the speed sensor has been deflected in the second direction, it is determined that the motorcycle rider wishes to set the motorcycle to coasting mode. By deflecting the speed sensor in the second direction, The driver can therefore manually initiate the discontinuation of coasting mode. To discontinue coasting mode, the power path from the internal combustion engine to all of the motorcycle's wheels must be interrupted in order to ensure that none of the motorcycle's wheels are driven by the internal combustion engine during coasting mode. To discontinue the power path, at least one clutch in the automated transmission is opened. The method thus enables the driver to manually initiate the discontinuation of coasting mode of the motorcycle using the speed sensor. If it is thus determined that coasting mode is required due to the speed sensor being deflected in the second direction, the transmission control system triggers the disengagement of at least one clutch of the automated transmission by controlling an actuator, thereby interrupting the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to the motorcycle's wheels. The power transmission path describes the flow of power from the internal combustion engine to at least one wheel of the motorcycle. Coasting is a _CO2- saving measure that eliminates the frictional connection between the combustion engine and the powertrain during coasting, reducing the delay when coasting. This allows the motorcycle to move in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

In a possible further development of the invention, it is provided that after setting the coasting mode by means of the transmission control, the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle is closed by closing at least one clutch of the automated transmission if it has been determined that the speed sensor has been deflected in the first direction starting from the neutral position. If it is thus determined that the speed sensor has been deflected in the first direction after setting the coasting mode, it is determined that the rider of the motorcycle wishes to end the coasting mode. Consequently, to end the coasting mode, the power flow from the internal combustion engine to the at least one driven wheel of the motorcycle is enabled by closing the at least one clutch in the automated transmission. The rider can thus manually trigger the setting and ending of the coasting mode particularly easily by deflecting the speed sensor in the different directions.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that after setting the coasting mode by means of the transmission control, the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle is closed by engaging at least one clutch of the automated transmission if it has been determined that a vehicle speed of the motorcycle increases above a predetermined speed limit. If it is thus determined that the motorcycle is accelerating to a speed which is above the predetermined limit, then an automated engagement takes place by engaging at least one clutch of the automated transmission of the motorcycle. This closes the power transmission path between the internal combustion engine and the at least one drivable wheel of the motorcycle, whereby the at least one wheel of the motorcycle connected to the internal combustion engine via the power path can be braked by means of the internal combustion engine using the so-called engine brake. Engine braking is the mechanical resistance that the internal combustion engine opposes to an externally imposed torque, in this case the wheel connected to the internal combustion engine via the power transmission path. If the motorcycle accelerates while coasting, for example because the motorcycle is traveling down a gradient, at least one clutch in the automated transmission can be engaged to prevent excessive acceleration of the motorcycle, allowing the motorcycle to be braked by the internal combustion engine. The speed limit can be selected, for example, depending on the speed of the motorcycle when coasting begins. Alternatively or additionally, the speed limit can be selected depending on legally prescribed speed limits.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that after setting the coasting mode by means of the transmission control, the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle is closed by closing at least one clutch of the automated transmission, if it has been determined that the rider has actuated a brake control element. This brake control element can be, for example, a brake pedal or a brake lever. Using the brake control element, the rider can request braking or deceleration of the motorcycle. If actuation of the brake control element is detected, braking or deceleration of the motorcycle is initiated. In other words, an automated engagement in the automated transmission takes place as soon as During coasting mode, it has been determined that a motorcycle brake has been applied. This triggers the coasting mode to end as soon as it is determined that at least one of the motorcycle's brakes has been applied. This ensures that the internal combustion engine can assist in braking the motorcycle via the so-called engine brake.

In a further possible embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the closing of the power transmission path is triggered by setting an engine speed of the internal combustion engine to a predetermined target speed and by at least one clutch of the automated transmission only being closed when the engine speed of the internal combustion engine corresponds to the target speed. The target speed is selected as a function of the speed at which the wheel to be driven by the internal combustion engine rotates when coasting mode is ended. This ensures that the speed and torque at a clutch input shaft of the clutch to be closed when coasting mode is ended are at least substantially the same as the speed and torque at the clutch output shaft of the clutch to be closed. This particularly lows the risk of damage to the clutch when the clutch is closed.

The invention further relates to a transmission control system configured to carry out a method as already described in connection with the method according to the invention for controlling a motorcycle. The transmission control system is thus configured to trigger the disengagement of a clutch of the automated transmission for setting coasting mode, thereby interrupting a power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to the wheels of the motorcycle, if it is determined that the speed sensor is deflected in the second direction.

The invention further relates to a motor cycle, in particular a motorcycle, with a transmission control as has already been described in connection with the transmission control according to the invention.

Further features of the invention may emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features shown below in the description of the figures and/or in the figures alone, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The drawing shows in the only figure ( 1 ) a process diagram for a method for controlling a motorcycle.

In 1 A process diagram for a method for controlling a motorcycle is shown. The motorcycle in question comprises a transmission control, an automated transmission, an internal combustion engine, and a speed sensor. The speed sensor can be deflected from a neutral position in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. By deflecting the speed sensor in the first direction, a motorcycle rider can make a torque request to the motorcycle.

In the following example, described using the method diagram, it is determined in a first method step V1 that the speed sensor is deflected in the second direction. Consequently, in a second method step V2, the transmission control triggers the disengagement of at least one clutch of the automated transmission to set coasting mode, thereby interrupting a power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to the wheels of the motorcycle. If it is subsequently determined during coasting mode in the third method step V3 that the speed sensor has been deflected in the first direction starting from the neutral position and/or that a vehicle speed of the motorcycle has increased above a predetermined speed limit and/or that a brake control element has been actuated by the rider, coasting mode is ended again in a fourth method step V4 of the method. Coasting mode is ended by engaging at least one clutch of the automated transmission, thereby closing the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the motorcycle's wheels. To close the power transmission path, the engine speed of the internal combustion engine is set to a predetermined target speed. In particular, it is provided that the at least one clutch of the automated transmission is only engaged when the engine speed of the internal combustion engine corresponds to the target speed.

The described procedure is based on the knowledge that the driving condition “sailing” is particularly known from the passenger car sector and describes a CO ₂ saving measure, which in overrun mode The power transmission between the combustion engine and the power take-off is canceled to reduce the delay during coasting. The power transmission can be canceled by disengaging a clutch or a gear. The "sailing" driving mode is also possible in vehicles with automatically controlled clutches or gear selectors.

Modern motorcycle-like vehicles are equipped with a throttle position sensor, also known as a twist grip, to determine the drive torque desired by the rider. The angle of rotation of the throttle position sensor can be used to determine the driver's desired torque, from which thermodynamic settings for the internal combustion engine, such as throttle position or ignition angle, can be derived. The throttle position sensor can be rotated from a self-resetting zero position, which is the neutral position, allowing the engine torque to be scaled from 0% to 100%. In the motorcycle throttle position sensor described in this application, the closed zero position can be overpressed, which is recorded as a negative throttle position sensor. Overpressing the throttle position sensor means that the throttle position sensor is deflected in the second direction.

A request to transition to coasting mode is generally made automatically, taking into account a driving state, the driver intention derived from driving behavior, the potential for reducing fuel consumption in a current driving situation, and possibly other information from observing environmental conditions. If the decision to transition to coasting mode is made incorrectly by a transmission control system, for example because an ensuing coasting phase is too short, this may result in no fuel consumption savings and driving behavior that is incomprehensible to the driver. Especially in motorcycle-like applications, an unwanted interruption in tractive power or delayed response can cause the motorcycle to behave undesirably. In vehicles with an automated transmission that do not have a clutch lever or similar control element for disengaging the clutch, the driver cannot request manual coasting mode by disengaging the drivetrain via the clutch.

Within the framework of the procedure, the throttle position sensor is used for the driver-initiated request for coasting mode. The transition to coasting mode is triggered when the driver deliberately over-presses the closed throttle position sensor, which means that the throttle position sensor is deflected in the second direction. The goal is to detect a deliberate request for coasting mode. This ensures that the subsequent vehicle behavior corresponds to the driver's wishes. The driver can thus anticipate whether coasting mode could have a positive effect in a current driving situation.

• Ein Fahrer fährt mit dem Kraftrad mit einer konstanten Geschwindigkeit von 100 km/h auf der Landstraße und fordert dabei über den Fahrwertgeber das dafür notwendige Antriebsmoment. Ein nahendes Ortsschild soll mit 50 km/h und möglichst geringem Kraftstoffverbrauch im Segelbetrieb erreicht werden. Hierfür lenkt der Fahrer den Fahrwertgeber in der zweiten Richtung aus und überdrückt somit den Gasdrehgriff, worunter zu verstehen ist, dass der Fahrer den Gasdrehgriff über die Nullstellung hinaus überdrückt, um den Übergang in den Segelbetrieb anzufordern. Anschließend kann der Fahrer ein Rückstellen des Fahrwertgebers in die Neutralstellung zulassen. Eine Motorsteuerung kann den negativen Fahrwertgeber erkennen und von der Getriebesteuerung den Übergang in den Segelbetrieb anfordern. Die Getriebesteuerung löst über Ansteuerung einer Aktuatorik aus, dass die wenigstens eine Kupplung des automatisierten Getriebes geöffnet wird. Infolgedessen rollt das Kraftrad kraftschlussfrei Richtung Ortseingang. Beim Ortseingang betätigt der Fahrer wie gewohnt den Fahrwertgeber, indem der Fahrer den Fahrwertgeber in der ersten Richtung auslenkt, um in eine Konstantfahrt zu kommen. Infolgedessen kann mittels der Motorsteuerung das Motormoment und damit die Motordrehzahl der Verbrennungskraftmaschine angehoben werden. Weiterhin wird die Kupplung für die Getriebesteuerung freigegeben. Mittels der Getriebesteuerung kann ausgelöst werden, dass die Motordrehzahl eingeregelt wird und die Kupplung geschlossen wird. Im Anschluss wird die Konstantfahrt des Kraftrads fortgeführt. Ein Ausstieg aus dem Segelbetrieb kann ohne Fahrwertgeberbetätigung beispielsweise aufgrund einer Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit des Kraftrads oder einer Bremsbetätigung erfolgen. Die beschriebene funktionale Verteilung der Aufgaben über die Steuergeräte, vorliegend das Motorsteuergerät und die Getriebesteuerung ist lediglich eine Möglichkeit. Die funktionale Verteilung kann auch in unterschiedlichen anderen beziehungsweise weiteren Steuergeräten partitioniert werden.

A possible driving situation and a possible functional network are described below:

• A rider is riding a motorcycle at a constant speed of 100 km/h on a country road and requests the necessary drive torque via the speed sensor. An approaching town sign is to be reached at 50 km/h while coasting with the lowest possible fuel consumption. To do this, the rider moves the speed sensor in the second direction and thus overpresses the throttle grip, which means that the rider overpresses the throttle grip beyond the zero position to request transition to coasting. The rider can then allow the speed sensor to be returned to the neutral position. An engine control unit can detect the negative speed sensor and request the transmission control unit to transition to coasting. The transmission control unit triggers the disengagement of at least one clutch of the automated transmission by controlling an actuator. As a result, the motorcycle rolls towards the town entrance without any frictional connection. Upon entering the town, the rider operates the speed sensor as usual by moving the speed sensor in the first direction to achieve constant speed. As a result, the engine torque and thus the engine speed of the internal combustion engine can be increased using the engine control unit. The clutch for the transmission control unit is also released. The transmission control unit can trigger the engine speed to be regulated and the clutch to be engaged. The motorcycle then continues to cruise at a constant speed. Coasting mode can be exited without actuating the throttle position sensor, for example, due to the motorcycle's vehicle speed or a brake application. The described functional distribution of tasks across the control units—in this case the engine control unit and the transmission control unit—is merely one possibility. The functional distribution can also be partitioned into various other or additional control units.

Overall, the invention shows how a request for sailing operation can be implemented via the speed sensor.

List of reference symbols

V1 to V4

respective procedural steps

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2021 206 060 A1 [0002]
• WO 2022/078848 A1 [0003]

Claims (7)

Method for controlling a motorcycle, comprising: - a transmission control, - an automated transmission, - an internal combustion engine, and - a speed sensor which, starting from a neutral position, can be deflected in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein a torque request from the driver to the motorcycle can be determined depending on a deflection of the speed sensor in the first direction. In the method, if it is determined that the speed sensor is deflected in the second direction (V1), a clutch of the automated transmission is opened (V2) to set a coasting mode by means of the transmission control, thereby interrupting a power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to the wheels of the motorcycle. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that after setting the sailing operation (V2) by means of the transmission control, the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle is closed (V4) by closing at least one clutch of the automated transmission, if it has been determined that the speed sensor has been deflected in the first direction starting from the neutral position (V3). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that after setting the sailing operation (V2) by means of the transmission control, the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle is closed (V4) by closing at least one clutch of the automated transmission if it has been determined that a vehicle speed of the motorcycle increases above a predetermined speed limit value (V3). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after setting the sailing operation (V2) by means of the transmission control, it is triggered that by closing at least one clutch of the automated transmission the power transmission path from the internal combustion engine to at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle is closed (V4) if it has been determined that a brake control element has been actuated by the driver (V3). Procedure according to one of the Claims 2 until 4 , characterized in that for the closing of the power transmission path, an engine speed of the internal combustion engine is set to a predetermined target speed and the at least one clutch of the automated transmission is only closed (V4) when the engine speed of the internal combustion engine corresponds to the target speed (V3). Transmission control which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Motorcycle with a transmission control according to Claim 6 .