Patent Description:
Optical lighting systems that allow the safe use of rideable saddle vehicles, e.g., motorcycles, have been fitted on said motorcycles for a long time. Motorcycles are indeed provided with a headlight, a rear light, turn lights, etc. The headlight allows to illuminate an area of ground in front of the motorcycle and to make the motorcycle visible to people or vehicles located in front of the motorcycle. The rear light allows people or vehicles located behind the motorcycle to see the motorcycle and allow signaling the activation of the braking system.

There are some types of rideable saddle vehicles, e.g., some motorcycles, which can be ignited with the consent of keyless authorization control systems, which generally do not require a hardware ignition key. In this type of vehicle, the ability to ignite the vehicle is enabled by a radio remote control device through which a user actually sends a radio enabling signal. However, it may be difficult for a user to correctly determine whether or not the vehicle can be ignited after sending an enabling signal in conditions of low or no outdoor lighting. <CIT> discloses a rideable saddle vehicle according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rideable saddle vehicle which can overcome at least in part the drawbacks described above with reference to the vehicles of the prior art described above.

It is another object of the present description to provide a vehicle which can be more easily recognized by an observer in low light conditions or the dark.

These and other objects are achieved by means of rideable saddle vehicle as defined in appended independent claim <NUM>. Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the aforesaid vehicle are defined in the appended dependent claims.

The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of particular embodiments, provided by way of example and consequently not limiting in any manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are briefly described below.

Similar or equivalent elements in the accompanying figures are indicated using the same reference numerals.

The accompanying figures show an embodiment of a rideable saddle vehicle <NUM>, which in the particular example, without because of this introducing any limitation, consists of a two-wheeled motorcycle, and in particular of a two-wheeled scooter, having a front wheel <NUM> and a rear wheel <NUM>.

Hereinafter in the present description, reference will be made to a generic motorcycle <NUM>, thereby meaning the following description may apply in general to any type of rideable saddle vehicle comprising:.

The main body <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> extends along a longitudinal axis L-L, which is parallel to the driving axis of the motorcycle <NUM>, and has a front part <NUM>, a tail part <NUM>, and a central part <NUM> interposed between the front part <NUM> and the tail part <NUM>. For example, the central part <NUM> comprises a treadable footboard <NUM>.

Conveniently, the motorcycle <NUM>, and in particular the tail portion <NUM>, comprises a seat <NUM> and a supporting portion <NUM> of the seat <NUM>, and the treadable footboard <NUM> connects the supporting portion <NUM> of the seat <NUM> to the front portion <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM>.

In the example, the front part <NUM> comprises a front shield <NUM>, a steering handlebar <NUM>, the front wheel <NUM>, a front mudguard <NUM>, and a front suspension <NUM>. The front part <NUM> preferably comprises a control dashboard <NUM>, e.g., integrated into the steering handlebar <NUM>.

In the example, the rear part <NUM> comprises a luggage rack <NUM>, a rear suspension <NUM>, the rear wheel <NUM>, the traction engine <NUM>, a rear mudguard <NUM>, and an exhaust pipe <NUM>.

The motorcycle <NUM> comprises at least one headlight <NUM> fixed to the front part <NUM> and at least one rear light <NUM> fixed to the tail part <NUM>. In a situation in which the steering handlebar <NUM> is not turned, i.e., in the condition in which the front wheel <NUM> and the rear wheel <NUM> are aligned along the longitudinal axis L-L, the headlight <NUM> is such to emit a light beam prevalently directed along the longitudinal axis L-L to illuminate a portion of ground located in front relative to the motorcycle <NUM>. The rear light <NUM> is such that it emits diffuse, i.e., non-directional, optical radiation.

The motorcycle <NUM> further comprises an optical indication device <NUM> fixed to the main body <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, preferably to the front part <NUM>.

The motorcycle <NUM> further comprises an authorization control system <NUM>, or more briefly an authorization system <NUM>, adapted to receive a radio signal S1 emitted by a remote control device <NUM> to authorize the ignition of the vehicle <NUM>. The authorization system <NUM> comprises a manual control device <NUM> which, following the reception of the radio signal S1, is movable by a user starting from a locking configuration P0 to take at least one unlocking configuration P1, P2. The authorization system <NUM> comprises an electronic control unit <NUM> operatively connected to the optical indication device <NUM> to switch it on and off.

For example, the remote control device <NUM> is adapted and configured to emit said radio signal S1 by operating, e.g., pressing or touching, a manual control button <NUM>.

For example, the authorization system <NUM> comprises a radio communication interface <NUM> operatively connected to, or integrated into the electronic control unit <NUM> to receive the radio signal S1 through said interface <NUM>.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is configured to switch on the optical indication device <NUM> following the reception of the radio signal S1 and is configured to switch off the optical indication device <NUM> when one of the following conditions is fulfilled:.

Said time interval is preferably less than or equal to <NUM>, e.g., less than <NUM>, e.g., comprised in the interval from <NUM> to <NUM>, including the extremes of the interval.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the locking configuration P0 corresponds to a locking position P0 of the manual control device <NUM>, and the at least one unlocking configuration corresponds to at least one unlocking position P1, P2 of the manual control device <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the optical indication device <NUM> carries at least a logo or trademark of the motorcycle <NUM> or of its manufacturer.

The optical indication device <NUM> comprises at least one optical backlight source, e.g., an optical source adapted to backlight said logo or said trademark. For example, said optical source comprises an LED or an array of LEDs. The optical indication device <NUM> emits a light beam <NUM>' (<FIG>) which is projected outside and illuminates the surrounding environment, thus being visible from a distance by a user. In particular, the optical indication device <NUM> emits a light beam <NUM>' with an extension equal to that of the produced logo/trademark. <FIG> shows in an enlarged view two variants which respectively reproduce a backlit trademark, which thus features a word that identifies the manufacturer for example, or a symbol or logo, which is also backlit.

Again, in <FIG>, the optical indication device <NUM> is provided on the steering handlebar <NUM>, in particular in a position below the control dashboard <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, the optical indication device <NUM> faces the tail end <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, in this case, the optical indication device <NUM> is clearly visible when the user approaches the vehicle <NUM> to start it. As described above, the optical indication device <NUM> illuminates with a fixed light after having received and acknowledged the signal S1. In particular, the optical indication device <NUM> gradually switches on until a fixed light beam is generated. Once the above-described conditions have occurred, the optical indication device <NUM> switches off with a gradual decrease in the light beam.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the aforesaid optical indication device <NUM> is a distinct and spatially separated device from the headlight <NUM> and/or the rear light <NUM> and/or other lighting and/or signaling devices provided aboard the motorcycle <NUM>, e.g., such as turn signals and/or hazard lights or warning lights or indicators provided in the control dashboard <NUM>. Preferably, the optical indication device <NUM> is spatially separated from the manual control device <NUM>.

According to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, again shown in <FIG>, the optical indication device <NUM> is fixed to and/or integrated into the front part <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM>, e.g., it is attached to and/or integrated into the front shield <NUM>. More preferably, as in the example depicted in the accompanying figures, the optical indication device <NUM> is arranged on a wall of the front portion <NUM>, e.g., of the front shield <NUM>, facing in the opposite direction relative to the tail portion <NUM>. In such a case, the optical indication device <NUM> is a backlit logo or symbol of the vehicle manufacturer.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the manual control device <NUM> comprises a rotary knob <NUM> and the locking configuration P0 and the at least one unlocking configuration P1, P2 correspond to positions of the rotary knob <NUM> which are angularly spaced apart from one another.

For example, the authorization system <NUM> prevents a rotation of the rotary knob <NUM> in the locking configuration P0. To such an end, the authorization system <NUM> comprises a locking element <NUM>, e.g., a pin or piston, which in the locking configuration P0 is such to engage with the rotary knob <NUM> to prevent the rotation thereof. For example, the locking element <NUM> in the locking configuration is at least partially inserted into a housing <NUM> defined in the rotary knob <NUM>. The locking element <NUM> is adapted and configured to be moved by the electronic control unit <NUM> and the authorization system <NUM> comprises, for example, a linear motor, e.g., a solenoid linear motor, in which said pin or piston is the movable equipment and can thus take a forward position to be engaged in the housing <NUM> and a rearward position to be disengaged from the housing <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the motorcycle <NUM> comprises a rechargeable battery <NUM> adapted to power the authorization system <NUM> and the optical indication device <NUM>, when it is switched on, is powered by the rechargeable battery <NUM> through the authorization system <NUM>. In other words, the rechargeable battery <NUM> powers the authorization system <NUM>, and the authorization system <NUM> powers the optical indication device <NUM> when it is switched on. This advantageously allows the optical indication device <NUM> to be powered independently of a remaining part of the onboard electrical system of the motorcycle <NUM>. According to an advantageous embodiment, the motorcycle <NUM> comprises an ECU <NUM> - Engine Control Unit - which can be powered by the rechargeable battery <NUM> and the authorization system <NUM>, when the manual control device <NUM> is in the locking configuration P0, inhibits the powering of the ECU <NUM> by the rechargeable battery <NUM>. For example, the authorization system <NUM>, or the motorcycle <NUM>, comprises a switch <NUM> which can be electronically controlled by the electronic control unit <NUM> to interrupt or enable power to the ECU <NUM> from the rechargeable battery <NUM> and which clearly, when the manual control device <NUM> is in the locking configuration P0, interrupts power to the ECU <NUM>.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the electronic control unit <NUM> of the authorization system <NUM> is a distinct unit preferably spatially separated from the ECU <NUM>. Advantageously, the electronic control unit <NUM> can be powered through the rechargeable battery <NUM> even when power to the ECU <NUM> is interrupted or disabled.

According to a possible embodiment, the motorcycle <NUM> comprises a steering handlebar locking device, i.e. a steering lock, operatively connected to the authorization system <NUM> to assume a locked state when the manual control device <NUM> takes the locking configuration P0 and to assume an unlocking state when the manual control device <NUM> takes at least one unlocking configuration P1, P2. In an embodiment, for example, it can be provided that the manual control device <NUM> is adapted and configured to take a first unlocking configuration P1 and a second unlocking configuration P2. The steering lock is active in the locking configuration P0. Switching from locking configuration P0 to the first locking configuration P1 deactivates the steering lock. In this configuration, it can be provided that it is not yet possible to start the motorcycle <NUM>, in particular to ignite the traction engine <NUM>. For example, the ignition of the motorcycle <NUM> is only possible when the manual control device <NUM> is further operated to be taken into the second unlocking configuration P2. For example, in this unlocking configuration P2 a user may act on an ignition button <NUM> of the motorcycle <NUM> operatively connected to the ECU <NUM>, e.g., arranged on the steering handlebar <NUM>, to ignite the traction engine <NUM>.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the motorcycle <NUM> comprises a twilight sensor <NUM> operationally connected to the electronic control unit <NUM>, and the electronic control unit <NUM> is programmed and configured to keep the optical indication device <NUM> off when a given degree of ambient lighting is detected. Conveniently, the twilight sensor <NUM> is integrated into the optical indication device <NUM>.

An example of a non-limiting operation of the motorcycle authorization control system <NUM> will be described below <NUM>.

In a condition in which the motorcycle <NUM> is turned off and is in a parking state, the manual control device <NUM> is in the locking configuration P0 and, for example, the knob <NUM> is in the locking position P0. In such a configuration P0, it can be provided that the authorization system <NUM> may inhibit power to the ECU <NUM> from the rechargeable battery <NUM>, or otherwise prevent the motorcycle <NUM> from being ignited. If the motorcycle <NUM> is provided with a steering lock, it may be provided that the steering lock is in the locked state in the locking configuration P0, i.e., prevents a rotation of the steering handlebar <NUM> about the steering axis.

An authorized user holding a remote control device <NUM> logically paired with the authorization system <NUM> operates the remote control device <NUM> to emit the radio signal S1.

Upon the reception of the radio signal S1, the authorization system <NUM> switches the optical indication device <NUM> on and enables movement of the manual control device <NUM>. The switching on of the optical indication device <NUM> allows the user to clearly see and recognize the correct activation of the vehicle <NUM>. After switching on, the user can move the manual control device <NUM> to bring it into the unlocking configuration P1, P2. In particular, if the motorcycle <NUM> comprises a steering lock device, the user may take the manual control device <NUM> to the unlocking configuration P1 in which the steering lock device assumes the unlocked state. For example, it can be provided that in such a configuration P1, the optical indication device <NUM> is still on. It may be further provided that, in such a configuration, the authorization system <NUM> continues inhibiting the power to the ECU <NUM> from the rechargeable battery <NUM>, or otherwise continues preventing the ignition of the motorcycle <NUM>.

Starting from the unlocking configuration P1, the user may further move the manual control device <NUM> to take it to the unlocking configuration P2 and in such configuration the optical indication device <NUM> is switched off. It may be provided that, in such a configuration P2, the authorization system <NUM> enables the ECU <NUM> to be powered by the rechargeable battery <NUM>, or otherwise enables the motorcycle <NUM> to be ignited, so that, for example, the user can ignite the traction engine <NUM>.

On the other hand, if a preset time interval has elapsed after the radio signal S1 has been transmitted and the optical indication device <NUM> has been switched on, e.g. <NUM> or <NUM> have elapsed, without the user having moved the manual control device <NUM> from the locking configuration P0 to the unlocking configuration P1, P2, then the authorization system turns off the optical indication device <NUM> and prevents the manual control device <NUM> from being moved from the locking position P0 to the unlocking position P1, P2.

The example described above relates to the case where motorcycle <NUM> is provided with a steering lock. On the other hand, in the absence of a steering locking device, it is possible not to provide the intermediate unlocking configuration P1 and the manual control device <NUM> can be brought from the locking configuration P0 to a single unlocking configuration P2 in which it is possible to ignite the motorcycle <NUM>, i.e., to authorize its ignition and use.

The electronic control unit <NUM> is configured to intermittently switch the optical indication device <NUM> on, following a failure to recognize the remote control device <NUM>. In particular, the electronic control unit <NUM> does not receive the radio signal S1. For example, this is the case if the battery of the remote control device <NUM> is low or has such a low charge that it does not emit the transmission signal correctly. However, in other cases, the electronic control unit <NUM> does not receive or recognize the signal due to radio transmission disturbances (radio jamming).

According to the invention, the electronic control unit <NUM> is programmed to allow passive authentication of the remote control device <NUM> by reading a proximity signal <NUM> (<FIG>) of the remote control device <NUM>. When this occurs, the user may provide recognition of the remote control device <NUM> by approaching the latter in a reading zone, in which a transponder <NUM> is provided. The approaching of the remote control device <NUM> to the area of the body behind which the transponder <NUM> is arranged allows the reception of the proximity signal <NUM> and thus allows the subsequent unlocking and starting operations of the motorcycle <NUM>.

In particular, the transponder <NUM> is concealed and arranged behind the body, e.g., in the front part facing the saddle, from the side opposite to the manual control device <NUM>. In particular, the body comprises an identification element, which allows a user to easily locate said reading area with the transponder <NUM>. The identification element is preferably an embossed symbol, or printed on the body, which identifies the presence of the transponder <NUM> behind it. Alternatively, the identification element comprises a light, e.g., a LED light that backlights said identification element.

In a variant embodiment, shown in <FIG>, a housing <NUM> is provided which comprises the transponder <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is configured to at least partially receive the remote control device <NUM>. In particular, the housing <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM> and is shaped to at least partially achieve a shape coupling with the remote device <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is preferably arranged in a part of the body of the motorcycle <NUM>, e.g., the tail portion <NUM>, in a position which is partially concealed yet accessible to the user at the same time. For example, the housing <NUM> may be arranged on the side of the motorcycle <NUM> in the tail portion <NUM> below the side fairing, thus not being visible from the outside. At the same time, however, the user can access the housing <NUM> by passing the hand under the fairing and inserting the remote control device <NUM> into the housing <NUM> (<FIG>).

Based on the explanation above, it is thus possible to understand how the ridable saddle vehicle <NUM> of the type described above allows to achieve the purposes indicated above with reference to the prior art.

Indeed, by virtue of the provision of the optical indication device <NUM>, even in low ambient lighting conditions or in the dark an authorized user can determine whether or not the vehicle can be started after the radio enabling signal has been sent. Furthermore, in low ambient light conditions or in the dark, the optical indication device allows a user to be able to recognize their vehicle immediately.

Claim 1:
A rideable saddle vehicle (<NUM>) comprising:
- a main body (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) which extends along a longitudinal axis (L-L) and has a front part (<NUM>), a tail part (<NUM>), and a central part (<NUM>) interposed between the front part (<NUM>) and the tail part (<NUM>);
- at least one front wheel (<NUM>) and at least one rear wheel (<NUM>);
- an engine (<NUM>) operatively connected to at least one of said wheels (<NUM>,<NUM>);
- an optical indication device (<NUM>) attached to the main body (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>);
- an authorization system (<NUM>) adapted to receive a radio signal (S1) emitted by a remote control device (<NUM>) to authorize the ignition of the vehicle (<NUM>), wherein the authorization system (<NUM>) comprises a manual control device (<NUM>) which, following reception of the radio signal (S1), from a locking configuration (P0) is movable by a user to at least one unlocking configuration (P1, P2), wherein the authorization system (<NUM>) comprises an electronic control unit (<NUM>) operatively connected to the optical indication device (<NUM>) to switch it on and off;
wherein the electronic control unit (<NUM>) is configured to switch on the optical indication device (<NUM>) following the reception of the radio signal (S1) and is configured to switch off the optical indication device (<NUM>) when one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
- a time interval has elapsed since the optical indication device (<NUM>) was switched on without the manual control device (<NUM>) being moved from the locking configuration (P0) to or towards said at least one unlocking configuration (P1, P2);
- the manual control device (<NUM>) was moved from the locking configuration (P0) to or towards said at least one unlocking configuration (P1, P2);
characterized in that:
- the optical indication device (<NUM>) bears a logo or trademark of the vehicle (<NUM>) or vehicle manufacturer (<NUM>);
- the optical indication device (<NUM>) comprises at least one optical backlight source of said logo or trademark;
- said electronic control unit (<NUM>) is configured to intermittently switch said optical indication device (<NUM>) on following the failure to recognize said remote control device (<NUM>) and is programmed to allow passive authentication of said remote control device (<NUM>) by reading a proximity signal (<NUM>) of said remote control device (<NUM>).