Patent Description:
Conventionally, straddled vehicles that include an electronically controlled suspension capable of adjusting a damping force by electronic control have been known. For example, <CIT> discloses a motorcycle including a front fork and a rear suspension each being constituted of an electronically controlled suspension.

When power is not supplied to an electronically controlled suspension, a damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is relatively large. The damping force of the electronically controlled suspension can be reduced by supplying an electrical signal to the electronically controlled suspension, and thus, adjustment of the damping force is allowed. For example, by adjusting the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension in accordance with a driving state of the motorcycle, riding comfort of the motorcycle can be increased.

When a rider drives a motorcycle, the rider first turns on a main switch, and then, starts an engine. After starting the engine, the rider increases an output of the engine by operating an accelerator grip to start traveling. In a typical known motorcycle, power supply to an electronically controlled suspension is started at the same time as starting an engine. Therefore, after a main switch is turned on, a damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is large until the engine is started.

Incidentally, the rider puts a side stand of the motorcycle up before starting the engine and performs an operation of changing a posture of a vehicle body from an inclined posture to a vertical posture in some cases. In such a case, when the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is large, it is difficult to perform the operation of changing the posture of the vehicle body to the vertical posture. In other cases, before starting the engine, the rider moves the parked motorcycle to a spacious place suitable for the rider to ride the motorcycle. In such a case, the rider stands on a side of the motorcycle holding a handlebar to move the motorcycle from a parking space by pulling the motorcycle and move the motorcycle to a riding place by pushing the motorcycle. In this case, when the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is large, it is difficult to perform an operation of moving the motorcycle.

In view of the forgoing, it is the object of the present invention to provide a straddled vehicle that includes an electronically controlled suspension to provide a method for controlling a damping force applied by an electronically controlled suspension of a straddled vehicle which allows easily changing a posture of the straddled vehicle or moving the straddled vehicle before a traveling drive device starts.

According to the present invention said object is solved by a straddled vehicle having the features of independent claim <NUM>. Moreover, according to the present invention said object is solved by a method for controlling a damping force applied by an electronically controlled suspension of a straddled vehicle having the features of independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are laid down in the dependent claims.

A straddled vehicle disclosed herein includes a vehicle body frame, a traveling drive device supported by the vehicle body frame, a wheel supported by the vehicle body frame, an electronically controlled suspension provided between the vehicle body frame and the wheel, a power source that supplies power, a main switch that turns on and off supply of power of the power source, a vehicle speed detection device that detects a vehicle speed, an operation detection device that detects whether the traveling drive device is running, and a control device that controls a damping force of the electronically controlled suspension. The control device is configured to, when the main switch is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device is equal to or lower than a preset first threshold, and the operation detection device detects that the traveling drive device is not running, controls the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension by supplying power to the electronically controlled suspension such that the damping force is a first value. The control device is configured to, when the main switch is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device is equal to or lower than the first threshold, and the operation detection device detects that the traveling drive device is running, control the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension such that the damping force is a second value that is larger than the first value.

According to the straddled vehicle, upon turning on the main switch, although the traveling drive device is not running, when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the first threshold, power is supplied to the electronically controlled suspension and the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is controlled to be the first value. The first value is smaller than the second value (that is, a damping force when the drive device is running) and is a relatively small value. Therefore, the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is relatively small. Accordingly, after turning on the main switch, a rider can easily perform an operation of changing a posture of the straddled vehicle from an inclined posture to a vertical posture before starting the traveling drive device. Moreover, pushing and pulling the straddled vehicle is facilitated, so that the rider can easily move the straddled vehicle before riding on the straddled vehicle. When the traveling drive device is running, the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is controlled to be the second value, and is thus relatively large. Therefore, the rider can easily keep the posture of the straddled vehicle and can stably start traveling. Moreover, when the rider stops the straddled vehicle that is traveling, the rider can easily keep the posture of the straddled vehicle immediately before stopping and can stably stop the straddled vehicle.

The control device may be configured to, when the main switch is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device is larger than the first threshold, and the operation detection device detects that the traveling drive device is not running, control the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension such that the damping force is a third value that is larger than the first value.

Thus, when the traveling drive device stops during traveling at a higher vehicle speed than the first threshold, the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is kept at the third value that is relatively large. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a characteristic of the electronically controlled suspension from suddenly becoming soft when the traveling drive device is running. Accordingly, when the traveling drive device stops while the straddled vehicle is traveling, reduction of riding comfort can be suppressed.

There is no particular limitation on a magnitude relation between the second value and the third value. The third value may be larger than the second value. Thus, when the traveling drive device stops while the straddled vehicle is traveling, traveling stability is high and excellent riding comfort is ensured.

The control device may be configured to, when the main switch is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device is larger than the first threshold and is equal to or lower than a second threshold that is larger than the first threshold, and the operation detection device detects that the traveling drive device is running, control the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension such that the damping force is a fourth value that is larger than the first value.

Thus, in middle of deceleration before the straddled vehicle stops traveling (for example, immediately before stopping because of a red light), when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than the second threshold, it is possible to prevent the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension from becoming small. The rider can cause the straddled vehicle to stably travel in the middle of deceleration before the straddled vehicle stops.

The fourth value may be a constant value, and may be also a variable that varies based on the vehicle speed. The fourth value may be set to decrease as the vehicle speed increases in a range in which the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device is larger than the first threshold and is equal to or lower than the second threshold.

There is no particularly limitation on a magnitude relation between the third value and the fourth value. The third value may be larger than the fourth value.

The control device may be configured to, when the main switch is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device is larger than the second threshold, and the operation detection device detects that the traveling drive device is running, control the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension such that the damping force is a fifth value that is smaller than the fourth value.

Thus, when the straddled vehicle is traveling at a higher speed than the second threshold, the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is smaller than that when the straddled vehicle is traveling at a speed equal to or lower than the second threshold. When the straddled vehicle is traveling at a relatively high speed, the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension is controlled to be small. Therefore, when the straddled vehicle is traveling at a relatively high speed, impact received from a road surface is easily absorbed and riding comfort is increased.

There is no particular limitation on the first threshold, but the first threshold may be a speed of <NUM> to <NUM>/h.

There is no particular limitation on the second threshold, but the second threshold may be a speed of <NUM> to <NUM>/h.

The traveling drive device may be an internal combustion engine. The operation detection device may include a rotational speed sensor that detects a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine.

Thus, it is possible to detect based on the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine whether the internal combustion engine is running.

The wheel may be a front wheel, and the electronically controlled suspension may be an electronically controlled front suspension. The front suspension may be configured to apply a first damping force when expanding with power supplied thereto and a second damping force when expanding with no power supplied thereto, the first damping force being smaller than the second damping force. The front suspension may be configured to apply a third damping force when contracting with power supplied thereto and a fourth damping force when contracting with no power supplied thereto, the third damping force being smaller than the fourth damping force.

Thus, when the main switch is turned on, both the damping forces of the front suspension when expanding and when contracting are small, so that an operation of changing a posture of a vehicle body from an inclined posture to a vertical posture and an operation of pushing or pulling the straddled vehicle can be easily performed.

The wheel may be a rear wheel, and the electronically controlled suspension may be an electronically controlled rear suspension. The rear suspension may be configured to apply a first damping force when expanding with power supplied thereto and a second damping force when expanding with no power supplied thereto, the first damping force being smaller than the second damping force. The rear suspension may be configured to apply a third damping force when contracting with power supplied thereto and a fourth damping force when contracting with no power supplied thereto, the third damping force being smaller than the fourth damping force.

Thus, when the main switch is turned on, both the damping forces of the rear suspension when expanding and when contracting are small, so that the operation of changing the posture of the vehicle body from an inclined posture to a vertical posture and the operation of pushing or pulling the straddled vehicle can be easily performed.

According to the present teaching, a straddled vehicle that include an electronically controlled suspension and allows easily changing a posture of the straddled vehicle or moving the straddled vehicle before a traveling drive device starts can be provided.

With reference to the attached drawings, one embodiment of a straddled vehicle will be described below. As illustrated in <FIG>, a straddled vehicle according to this embodiment is a motorcycle <NUM>.

The motorcycle <NUM> includes a vehicle body frame <NUM>, a seat <NUM> supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM>, an internal combustion engine (which will be hereinafter referred to as an engine) <NUM> supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM>, a front wheel <NUM> and a rear wheel <NUM> supported by the vehicle body frame <NUM>, a front fork <NUM> provided between the vehicle body frame <NUM> and the front wheel <NUM>, a rear suspension <NUM> provided between the vehicle body frame <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM>, and a control device <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The vehicle body frame <NUM> includes a head pipe <NUM>, a main frame <NUM> extending rearward from the head pipe <NUM>, and a seat frame <NUM> extending rearward from the main frame <NUM>. The seat <NUM> is supported by the seat frame <NUM>.

A steering shaft <NUM> is rotatably inserted in the head pipe <NUM>. A handlebar <NUM> is mounted on an upper end portion of the steering shaft <NUM>. An upper bracket <NUM> is fixed to the upper end portion of the steering shaft <NUM>. An under bracket <NUM> is fixed to a lower end portion of the steering shaft <NUM>.

The engine <NUM> is an example of a traveling drive device. However, the drive device is not limited to the engine <NUM>. The drive device may include an electric motor. The drive device may include both of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

The front wheel <NUM> is supported by the head pipe <NUM> of the vehicle body frame <NUM> via the front fork <NUM>. The rear wheel <NUM> is supported by the main frame <NUM> of the vehicle body frame <NUM> via a rear arm <NUM>. A front end portion of the rear arm <NUM> is slidably connected to the main frame <NUM> via an unillustrated pivot shaft. A rear end portion of the rear arm <NUM> is connected to the rear wheel <NUM>. The rear wheel <NUM> is connected to the engine <NUM> via a power transmission member (not illustrated), such as a chain of the like. The rear wheel <NUM> is a drive wheel and receives a driving force of the engine <NUM> to rotate.

The front fork <NUM> is an example of an electronic controlled suspension. Note that the electronic controlled suspension is a suspension in which damping force characteristics are adjusted by electronic control. As illustrated in <FIG>, the front fork <NUM> is fixed to the upper bracket <NUM> and the under bracket <NUM>. The front fork <NUM> includes a left tube <NUM> and a right tube 20R.

Each of the left tube <NUM> and the right tube 20R includes an outer tube <NUM> and an inner tube <NUM>. The outer tube <NUM> is mounted to the upper bracket <NUM> and the under bracket <NUM>. A lower end portion of the inner tube <NUM> is joined to an axle 8A of the front wheel <NUM> via an axle bracket <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> is slidably inserted inside the outer tube <NUM>. The inner tube <NUM> slides against the outer tube <NUM>, so that the front fork <NUM> expands and contracts. In this embodiment, when the inner tube <NUM> moves downward with respect to the outer tube <NUM>, the front fork <NUM> expands. When the inner tube <NUM> moves upward with respect to the outer tube <NUM>, the front fork <NUM> contracts. Downward and upward correspond to an expansion direction and a contraction direction of the front fork <NUM>, respectively.

The right tube 20R includes an oil-type shock absorber <NUM> that is electronically controlled. The shock absorber <NUM> includes the inner tube <NUM>, a rod <NUM>, a piston <NUM>, and a control valve assembly <NUM>. The rod <NUM> is undisplaceably fixed to the outer tube <NUM>. The piston <NUM> is connected to a lower end portion of the rod <NUM>. The piston <NUM> is arranged inside the inner tube <NUM>. An inner space of the inner tube <NUM> is partitioned into an oil chamber <NUM> and an oil chamber <NUM> by the piston <NUM>.

The control valve assembly <NUM> is connected to the oil chamber <NUM> and the oil chamber <NUM>. The control valve assembly <NUM> includes oil paths <NUM> to <NUM>, check valves <NUM> and <NUM>, and electronically controlled piston valves <NUM> and <NUM>. The check valve <NUM> is arranged between the oil path <NUM> and the oil path <NUM>. The check valve <NUM> allows a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM> and prohibits a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM>. The check valve <NUM> is arranged between the oil path <NUM> and the oil path <NUM>. The check valve <NUM> allows a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM> and prohibits a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM>. The piston valve <NUM> connects the oil path <NUM> and the oil path <NUM>. The piston valve <NUM> allows a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM> and prohibits a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM>. The piston valve <NUM> connects the oil path <NUM> and the oil path <NUM>. The piston valve <NUM> allows a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM> and prohibits a flow of oil from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM>. Each of the piston valves <NUM> and <NUM> is constituted of, for example, a solenoid valve.

When oil flows through the piston valve <NUM>, the oil receives a flow resistance. Degree of the flow resistance caused by the piston valve <NUM> is controlled by the control device <NUM>. When the control device <NUM> increases the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the oil receives more resistance as the oil flows from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM>. Thus, the oil is difficult to flow from the oil chamber <NUM> to the oil chamber <NUM> through the control valve assembly <NUM>, so that a damping force of the front fork <NUM> in the expansion direction is increased. Conversely, when the control device <NUM> reduces the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the damping force of the front fork <NUM> in the expansion direction is reduced.

When the oil flows through the piston valve <NUM>, the oil receives a flow resistance. Degree of the flow resistance caused by the piston valve <NUM> is controlled by the control device <NUM>. When the control device <NUM> increases the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the oil receives more resistance as the oil flows from the oil path <NUM> to the oil path <NUM>. Thus, the oil is difficult to flow from the oil chamber <NUM> to the oil chamber <NUM> through the control valve assembly <NUM>, so that a damping force of the front fork <NUM> in the contraction direction is increased. Conversely, when the control device <NUM> reduces the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the damping force of the front fork <NUM> in the contraction direction is reduced.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an upper end portion <NUM> of the rear suspension <NUM> is connected to a bracket 12a fixed to the main frame <NUM>. A lower end portion <NUM> of the rear suspension <NUM> is connected to a joining member <NUM> fixed to the rear arm <NUM>. The rear suspension <NUM> is indirectly connected to the vehicle body frame <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM>.

The rear suspension <NUM> is another example of the electronically controlled suspension. As illustrated in <FIG>, the rear suspension <NUM> includes an oil-type shock absorber 40B that is electronically controlled. The shock absorber 40B includes a cylinder <NUM>, a piston <NUM> slidably arranged inside the cylinder <NUM>, and a rod <NUM> extending from the piston <NUM>. An internal space of the cylinder <NUM> is partitioned into an oil chamber <NUM> and an oil chamber <NUM> by the piston <NUM>. When the piston <NUM> moves downward, the rear suspension <NUM> expands. When the piston <NUM> moves upward, the rear suspension <NUM> contracts. Downward and upward correspond to an expansion direction and a contraction direction of the rear suspension <NUM>, respectively.

The rear suspension <NUM> includes a control valve assembly <NUM> that is similar to the control valve assembly <NUM> of the front fork <NUM>. Each member that is similar to a corresponding member of the control valve assembly <NUM> of the front fork <NUM> will be denoted below by the same reference character as that of the corresponding member of the control valve assembly <NUM> and description thereof will be omitted. In the rear suspension <NUM>, the oil path <NUM> of the control valve assembly <NUM> is connected to the oil chamber <NUM>. The oil path <NUM> of the control valve assembly <NUM> is connected to the oil chamber <NUM>.

When the control device <NUM> increases the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the oil is difficult to flow from the oil chamber <NUM> to the oil chamber <NUM> through the control valve assembly <NUM>, so that a damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> in the contraction direction is increased. Conversely, when the control device <NUM> reduces the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> in the contraction direction is reduced.

When the control device <NUM> increases the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the oil is difficult to flow from the oil chamber <NUM> to the oil chamber <NUM> through the control valve assembly <NUM>, so that a damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> in the expansion direction is increased. Conversely, when the control device <NUM> reduces the flow resistance of the piston valve <NUM>, the damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> in the expansion direction is reduced.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system of the motorcycle <NUM>. The motorcycle <NUM> includes a battery <NUM> as an example of a power source that supplies power, a main switch <NUM>, a vehicle speed sensor <NUM>, and an operation detection device <NUM> that detects whether the engine <NUM> is running. Note that the engine <NUM> includes an unillustrated generator. While the engine <NUM> is running, the generator also functions as a power source.

The control device <NUM> is an electronic control unit and is configured of a microcomputer including unillustrated CPU, RAM, ROM, or the like. The control device <NUM> is connected to the battery <NUM> via the main switch <NUM>. When the main switch <NUM> is turned on, power is supplied from the battery <NUM> to the control device <NUM>. When the main switch <NUM> is turned off, power supply from the battery <NUM> to the control device <NUM> is shut off.

A vehicle speed sensor <NUM> and an operation detection device <NUM> are connected to the control device <NUM>. In this embodiment, the operation detection device <NUM> is constituted of a rotational speed sensor 68a (see <FIG>) that detects rotational speed of a crank shaft of the engine <NUM>. Based on that the rotational speed of the crank shaft is larger than zero, it is detected that the engine <NUM> is running. However, it is sufficient that the operation detection device <NUM> is a device that can detect the running of the engine <NUM> and there is no particular limitation at all on a form thereof. The operation detection device <NUM> may be a device that detects an operation of an injector or an ignition device of the engine <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> is connected to the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> and controls the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>. Specifically, the control device <NUM> is connected to the piston valves <NUM> and the piston valves <NUM> of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) and adjusts the flow resistances of the piston valves <NUM> and the piston valves <NUM>. Thus, characteristics of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are adjusted. The control device <NUM> controls the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> in the expansion direction and the contraction direction.

In this embodiment, when power is not supplied to the piston valve <NUM> and the piston valve <NUM>, each of the flow resistances of the oil in the piston valve <NUM> and the piston valve <NUM> is maximum. As an amount of power supplied to each of the piston valve <NUM> and the piston valve <NUM> increases, each of the flow resistances of the oil in the piston valve <NUM> and the piston valve <NUM> reduces. When power is not supplied to each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>, each of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is maximum, and as an amount of power supplied to each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> increases, a corresponding one of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> reduces. The control device <NUM> is configured to execute control in which each of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> when power is supplied thereto is reduced to a smaller level than a corresponding one of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> when power is not supplied.

Specifically, the damping force of the front fork <NUM> when, with power supplied to the front fork <NUM>, the piston <NUM> moves downward is smaller than the damping force of the front fork <NUM> when, with power not supplied to the front fork <NUM>, the piston <NUM> moves downward. The damping force of the front fork <NUM> when, with power supplied to the front fork <NUM>, the piston <NUM> moves upward is smaller than the damping force of the front fork <NUM> when, with power not supplied to the front fork <NUM>, the piston <NUM> moves upward. As described above, when power is supplied to the front fork <NUM>, each of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> in the expansion direction and the contraction direction is reduced.

The damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> when the piston <NUM> moves downward with power supplied to the rear suspension <NUM> is smaller than the damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> when the piston <NUM> moves downward with power not supplied to the rear suspension <NUM>. The damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> when the piston <NUM> moves upward with power supplied to the rear suspension <NUM> is smaller than the damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> when the piston <NUM> moves upward with power not supplied to the rear suspension <NUM>. As described above, when power is supplied to the rear suspension <NUM>, each of the damping forces of the rear suspension <NUM> in the expansion direction and the contraction direction is reduced.

The configuration of the motorcycle <NUM> has been described above. Next, control executed by the control device <NUM> will be described.

The rider puts the side stand (not illustrated) of the motorcycle <NUM> up before the rider rides on the motorcycle <NUM> (specifically, before the rider straddles the seat <NUM>) and performs an operation of changing a posture of the motorcycle <NUM> from an inclined posture to a vertical posture in some cases. Moreover, before riding on the motorcycle <NUM>, the rider sometimes performs an operation of moving the motorcycle <NUM> from a parking space by pulling the motorcycle <NUM> and an operation of moving the motorcycle <NUM> to a riding place by pushing the motorcycle <NUM>. With large damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>, an expansion operation and a contraction operation of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are stiff, so that it is difficult to cause the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> to expand and contract by an external force. Accordingly, it is not easy for the rider to perform those operations. That is, with large damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>, the rider cannot easily change the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> or move the motorcycle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a relationship between a vehicle speed V and a damping force D of the front fork <NUM> (which will be hereinafter referred to merely as a "damping force"). Although not illustrated, a relationship between the vehicle speed V and a damping force D of the rear suspension <NUM> is similar thereto. In this embodiment, the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> becomes a maximum Dmax when power is not supplied to the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>. Herein, the damping force D is defined as a ratio with respect to the maximum Dmax. A solid line in <FIG> indicates a relationship between the vehicle speed V and the damping force D when the main switch <NUM> is on and the engine <NUM> is running. A broken line in <FIG> indicates a relationship between the vehicle speed V and the damping force D when the main switch <NUM> is on and the engine <NUM> is not running.

According to this embodiment, the control device <NUM> supplies power to the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> when the main switch <NUM> is on and the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor <NUM> is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, and the operation detection device <NUM> detects that the engine <NUM> is not running. Thus, each of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is smaller than a corresponding one of the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> when power is not supplied thereto. Herein, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is a first value D1 that is smaller than the maximum Dmax (see a broken line K1 in <FIG>). There is no particular limitation on the first value, but the first value is, for example, <NUM>% of the maximum. Thus, the rider can easily change the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> and move the motorcycle <NUM> before riding on the motorcycle <NUM>. Note that the value of <NUM>/h described above is an example of a first threshold. The first threshold is preferably a maximum of the vehicle speed when the rider pushes the motorcycle <NUM> to move the motorcycle <NUM>, but there is no particular limitation on the value. The first threshold may be, for example, an arbitrary value in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>/h.

When the rider starts the engine <NUM>, the motorcycle <NUM> is enabled to travel. While the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling, it is preferable that the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> is stable. When the speed of the motorcycle <NUM> is zero or relatively low, the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> can be stabilized by keeping the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> relatively large. According to this embodiment, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is a second value D2 that is larger than the first value D when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor <NUM> is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, and the operation detection device <NUM> detects that the engine <NUM> is running (see a solid line K2 in <FIG>). There is no particular limitation on the second value, but the second value is, for example, <NUM>% of the maximum Dmax. Thus, the rider can easily stabilize the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> after starting the engine <NUM>, and can start traveling of the motorcycle <NUM> with a stable posture.

Incidentally, as another option, when the main switch <NUM> is on and it is detected that the engine <NUM> is not running, the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is controlled to be the first value D1 regardless of the vehicle speed V. Thus, the rider can easily change the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> and move the motorcycle <NUM> before riding on the motorcycle <NUM>. However, there can be cases where the engine <NUM> stops due to some failure while the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling. In such a case, the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are suddenly reduced, riding comfort is reduced. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor <NUM> is larger than <NUM>/h, and the operation detection device <NUM> detects that the engine <NUM> is not running, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is a third value D3 that is larger than the first value D1 (see a broken line K3 in <FIG>). Thus, even when the engine <NUM> stops during traveling, as long as the vehicle speed V is not equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are high. Therefore, it is possible to avoid that the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are suddenly reduced.

Herein, the control device <NUM> stops power supply to the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor <NUM> is larger than <NUM>/h, and the operation detection device <NUM> detects that the engine <NUM> is not running. Therefore, the third value D3 matches the maximum Dmax of the damping force D. In this specification, it is included in control of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> by the control device <NUM> that power is not supplied to the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>. Note that the third value D3 may not match the maximum Dmax and may be smaller than the maximum Dmax.

Moreover, according to this embodiment, when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor <NUM> is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, and the operation detection device <NUM> detects that the engine <NUM> is running, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is a fourth value D4 that is larger than the first value D1 (see a solid line K4 in <FIG>). The fourth value D4 may be a constant value, but is set to be a variable that varies based on the vehicle speed V in this embodiment. Herein, the fourth value D4 is set to reduce as the vehicle speed V increases in a range in which the vehicle speed V is <NUM> to <NUM>/h. Thus, the rider can easily drive the motorcycle <NUM> in a suitable manner when traveling at a low speed. Note that the value of <NUM>/h described above is an example of a second threshold, but there is no particular limitation on the second threshold. The second threshold may be larger than the first threshold. The second threshold may be, for example, an arbitrary value in a range of <NUM> to <NUM>/h.

When the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling at a relatively high speed, the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are preferably cause to be relatively small such that impact received from a road surface is easily absorbed. According to this embodiment, when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor <NUM> is larger than <NUM>/h, and the operation detection device <NUM> detects that the engine <NUM> is running, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is a fifth value D5 that is smaller than the fourth value D4 (see a solid line K5 in <FIG>). Thus, impact from a road surface can be effectively absorbed and riding comfort of the motorcycle <NUM> is increased. There is no particular limitation on the fifth value D5, but is, for example, <NUM>% of the maximum Dmax. The fifth value D5 may be equal to the first value D1 and may be different from the first value D1.

Note that, when the vehicle speed V is reduced to a level of <NUM>/h or lower as the motorcycle <NUM> decelerates, the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is increased from the fifth value D5 to the fourth value D4. When the vehicle speed V is further reduced to be equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, the damping force D is increased from the fourth value D4 to the second value D2. Therefore, for example, when the motorcycle <NUM> stops in front of a red light, it is possible to avoid that the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are suddenly reduced as decelerating. Accordingly, the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> immediately before stopping can be stabilized.

Next, various effects of the motorcycle <NUM> according to this embodiment will be described.

According to the motorcycle <NUM> of this embodiment, upon turning on the main switch <NUM> when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, power is supplied to the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> although the engine <NUM> is not running and the damping force D is controlled to be the first value D1. Thus, the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are reduced. Accordingly, it is easier to cause the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> to expand and contract. Therefore, after the main switch <NUM> is turned on and before the engine <NUM> is started, the rider can easily perform the operation of changing the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> from an inclined posture to a vertical posture. It is also easier to push and pull the motorcycle <NUM>, so that the rider can easily move the motorcycle <NUM> before riding on the motorcycle <NUM>.

When the engine <NUM> is started, the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is controlled to be the second value D2 and is thus relatively large. The damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is relatively small before the engine <NUM> is started, but the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is relatively large after the engine <NUM> is started. After the engine <NUM> is started, the expansion operation and the contraction operation of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are stiff, so that the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> can be easily stabilized. The rider can start traveling of the motorcycle <NUM> with a stable posture. When the motorcycle <NUM> stops traveling, the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> immediately before stopping can be easily kept, so that the motorcycle <NUM> can stably stop.

Incidentally, there is a case where the engine <NUM> is stopped while the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling, that is, for example, a case where the rider presses a kill switch (not illustrated), a case where an engine stall occurs, or the like. When the engine <NUM> is stopped while the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling, a state where the main switch <NUM> is turned on and the engine <NUM> is not running is caused, although the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling. However, according to this embodiment, when the vehicle speed is higher than <NUM>/h, the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is kept to be the third value D3 and is not reduced to the first value D1. Even when the engine <NUM> is stopped while the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling, as long as the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling at a higher speed than <NUM>/h, the expansion operation and the contraction operation of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> does not become soft. Therefore, even when the engine <NUM> is stopped while the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling, the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> can be stably kept until the vehicle speed is reduced to be equal to or lower than <NUM>/h. Reduction of riding comfort can be suppressed.

According to this embodiment, when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed is higher than <NUM>/h and equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, and the engine <NUM> is running, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and he rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is the fourth value D4. According to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> from being small when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h in middle of deceleration before traveling is stopped (for example, immediately before stopping because of a red light). The rider can cause the motorcycle <NUM> to stably travel in the middle of deceleration before the motorcycle stops.

According to this embodiment, when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed is higher than <NUM>/h, and the engine <NUM> is running, the control device <NUM> controls the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> such that the damping force D is the fifth value D5. Thus, when the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling at a higher speed than <NUM>/h, the damping force D of each of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> is smaller than that when the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling at a speed equal to or lower than <NUM>/h. When the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling at a relatively high speed, characteristics of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> in the expansion direction and the contraction direction are relatively soft. Therefore, when the motorcycle <NUM> is traveling at a relatively high speed, impact received from a road surface is more easily absorbed and riding comfort is increased.

The front fork <NUM> may be configured such that, when power is supplied thereto, only one of the damping force of the front fork <NUM> when expanding and the damping force of the front fork <NUM> when contracting is reduced, as compared to that when power is not supplied. However, according to this embodiment, when power is supplied to the front fork <NUM>, both the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> when expanding and when contracting are reduced. Therefore, an operation of changing the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> from an inclined posture to a vertical posture and an operation of pushing or pulling the motorcycle <NUM> can be more easily performed.

The rear suspension <NUM> may be configured such that, when power is supplied thereto, only one of the damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> when expanding and the damping force of the rear suspension <NUM> when contracting is reduced, as compared to that when power is not supplied. However, according to this embodiment, when power is supplied to the rear suspension <NUM>, both the damping forces of the rear suspension <NUM> when expanding and when contracting are reduced. Therefore, the operation of changing the posture of the motorcycle <NUM> from an inclined posture to a vertical posture and the operation of pushing or pulling the motorcycle <NUM> can be more easily performed.

One embodiment has been described above, but the above-described embodiment is merely an example. Various other embodiments are also possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the control device <NUM> controls both the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM>, but the control device <NUM> can be configured to control only one of the damping forces. For example, in this embodiment, upon turning on the main switch <NUM>, when the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h and the engine <NUM> is not running, both the damping forces of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> are reduced. However, when the main switch <NUM> is on, the vehicle speed is equal to or lower than <NUM>/h, and the engine <NUM> is not running, the damping force of only one of the front fork <NUM> and the rear suspension <NUM> may be reduced.

The front fork <NUM> is an example of an electronically controlled front suspension, but the front suspension is not limited to the front fork <NUM>. The front suspension is not limited to a front suspension including a telescopic type mechanism, but may be a front suspension including a telelever type mechanism.

The straddled vehicle is a vehicle that a rider straddles to ride. The straddled vehicle is not limited to the motorcycle <NUM>. The straddled vehicle may be, for example, a motor tricycle, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a snowmobile, or the like.

Claim 1:
A straddled vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
a vehicle body frame (<NUM>);
a traveling drive device (<NUM>) supported by the vehicle body frame (<NUM>);
at least one wheel (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported by the vehicle body frame (<NUM>);
an electronically controlled suspension (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided between the vehicle body frame (<NUM>) and the wheel (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a power source (<NUM>) configured to supply power;
a main switch (<NUM>) configured to turn on and off supply of power of the power source (<NUM>);
a vehicle speed detection device (<NUM>) configured to detect a vehicle speed;
an operation detection device (<NUM>) configured to detect whether the traveling drive device (<NUM>) is running; and
a control device (<NUM>) configured to control a damping force of the electronically controlled suspension (<NUM>, <NUM>),
characterised by the control device (<NUM>) being configured to
when the main switch (<NUM>) is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device (<NUM>) is equal to or lower than a preset first threshold, and the operation detection device (<NUM>) detects that the traveling drive device (<NUM>) is not running, control the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension (<NUM>, <NUM>) by supplying power to the electronically controlled suspension (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that the damping force is a first value, and
when the main switch (<NUM>) is on, the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed detection device (<NUM>) is equal to or lower than the first threshold, and the operation detection device (<NUM>) detects that the traveling drive device (<NUM>) is running, control the damping force of the electronically controlled suspension (<NUM>, <NUM>) such that the damping force is a second value that is larger than the first value.