Patent Description:
As a technique related to a straddle-type vehicle, a rider-assistance system has been known. The rider-assistance system performs operation (for example, a warning function, an emergency braking function, a cruise travel function, and the like) to assist with driving by a rider of the straddle-type vehicle on the basis of output of a peripheral environment detector that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle. The peripheral environment detector detects peripheral environment of the straddle-type vehicle (for example, see PTL <NUM>). PTL <NUM> provides a method providing a connection between the vehicle and smartphone, while also providing functions always available and robust that is protected against malfunction. PTL <NUM> provides a method involving determining information about route i.e. sloping route, lying in front of a vehicle, and/or a vehicle speed, from images that are recorded using an image recording unit, which comprises a charge coupled device-camera.

In the conventional rider-assistance system, the peripheral environment detector is attached with the assumption that a riding state and a loaded state of the straddle-type vehicle are standard (for example, the rider rides the straddle-type vehicle on his/her own and no object or the like is loaded). In particular, in the case where the straddle-type vehicle adopts a structure that a suspension is interposed between a body and each wheel and the riding state or the loaded state of the straddle-type vehicle are not standard (for example, the rider and a passenger ride the straddle-type vehicle, a heavy baggage or the like is loaded on the straddle-type vehicle, or the like), a significant change may occur to a pitch angle of the body of the straddle-type vehicle, and thus detection by the peripheral environment detector may become inappropriate. Compared to other vehicles (for example, a passenger car, a truck, and the like), the straddle-type vehicle has a short wheelbase and light body weight. Accordingly, the riding state or the loaded state have an enormous influence on the change in the pitch angle of the straddle-type vehicle. In other words, such a characteristic of the straddle-type vehicle that the riding state or the loaded state have the significant influence on the change in the pitch angle of the body of the straddle-type vehicle is not considered for the conventional rider-assistance system. As a result, the detection by the peripheral environment detector may become inappropriate.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problem as the background, and therefore obtains a rider-assistance system capable of appropriately assisting with driving by a rider of a straddle-type vehicle and a control method for such a rider-assistance system.

A rider-assistance system according to the present invention is a rider-assistance system that assists with driving by a rider of a straddle-type vehicle, as defined by independent claim <NUM>, and includes: a peripheral environment detector that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle and detects peripheral environment of the straddle-type vehicle; an input device that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle and is operated by the rider of the straddle-type vehicle; and a controller that governs operation of the rider-assistance system. The controller includes: an acquisition section that acquires pitch angle correction target information that is target information on pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector; and a correction operation performing section that performs correction operation for detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information acquired by the acquisition section. The correction operation performing section performs, as the correction operation: an operation to change a support state of the peripheral environment detector.

A control method for a rider-assistance system according to the present invention is a control method for a rider-assistance system that assists with driving by a rider of a straddle-type vehicle, as defined by independent claim <NUM>. The rider-assistance system includes: a peripheral environment detector that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle and detects peripheral environment of the straddle-type vehicle; an input device that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle and is operated by the rider of the straddle-type vehicle; and a controller that governs operation of the rider-assistance system. The control method includes: an acquisition step in which an acquisition section of the controller acquires pitch angle correction target information that is target information on pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector; and a correction operation performing step in which a correction operation performing section of the controller performs correction operation for detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information acquired in the acquisition step. The correction operation performing section performs, as the correction operation, an operation to change a support state of the peripheral environment detector.

In the rider-assistance system and the control method for the rider-assistance system according to the present invention, the acquisition section of the controller acquires the pitch angle correction target information that is the target information on the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector, and the correction operation performing section of the controller performs the correction operation for the detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information. Thus, even in the case where a riding state or a loaded state of the straddle-type vehicle is not standard, it is possible to make the detection by the peripheral environment detector appropriate.

A description will hereinafter be made on a rider-assistance system and a control method for the rider-assistance system according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

For example, a description will hereinafter be made on a case where the rider-assistance system according to the present invention is used for a two-wheeled motor vehicle. However, the rider-assistance system according to the present invention may be used for a straddle-type vehicle other than the two-wheeled motor vehicle. The straddle-type vehicle means a vehicle in general that a rider straddles. The straddle-type vehicle preferably adopts a structure that a suspension is interposed between a body and each wheel. The straddle-type vehicles include motorcycles (the two-wheeled motor vehicle and a three-wheeled motor vehicle), an all-terrain vehicle, a pedal-driven vehicle, and the like, for example. The motorcycles include: the two-wheeled motor vehicle or the three-wheeled motor vehicle that has an engine as a propelling source; the two-wheeled motor vehicle or the three-wheeled motor vehicle that has a motor as the propelling source; and the like, and include a bike, a scooter, an electric scooter, and the like, for example. The pedal-driven vehicle means a vehicle in general that can travel forward on a road by a depressing force applied to pedals by the rider. The pedal-driven vehicles include a normal pedal-driven vehicle, an electrically-assisted pedal-driven vehicle, an electric pedal-driven vehicle, and the like.

The same or similar description will appropriately be simplified or will not be made below. In the drawings, the same or similar members or portions will not be denoted by a reference sign or will be denoted by the same reference sign. In addition, a detailed structure will appropriately be illustrated in a simplified manner or will not be illustrated.

A description will hereinafter be made on a rider-assistance system according to a first embodiment.

A description will be made on a configuration of the rider-assistance system according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a view of a mounted state of the rider-assistance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention to the straddle-type vehicle. <FIG> is a diagram for illustrating a system configuration of the rider-assistance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a rider-assistance system <NUM> is mounted to a straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The rider-assistance system <NUM> includes a peripheral environment detector <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a travel state detector <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>.

In the rider-assistance system <NUM>, the peripheral environment detector <NUM> is used to recognize a target (for example, an obstacle, a preceding vehicle, a traffic sign, or the like) located around the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, and information on the recognized target is supplied to various devices (for example, a braking device <NUM>, a drive device <NUM>, a notification device <NUM>, and the like) that implement functions (for example, a warning function, an emergency braking function, a cruise travel function, and the like) of assisting with driving by the rider. Each of the devices in the rider-assistance system <NUM> may exclusively be used for the rider-assistance system <NUM>, or may be shared with another system.

The peripheral environment detector <NUM> monitors peripheral environment of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> and detects various types of information on the peripheral environment of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. Examples of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> are a camera that captures images in front or, behind, on a side, or the like of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> and a distance measurement sensor capable of detecting a distance from the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> to the target that exists in front of, behind, on the side, or the like of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. A detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> is output to the controller <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> accepts setting operations (for example, a selection operation, an input operation, and the like) by the rider and outputs rider setting information that is information on the setting operations by the rider to the controller <NUM>. Here, in the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, as will be described later, the controller <NUM> can perform rider-assistance operation. The rider can perform the setting operations related to the rider-assistance operation by using the input device <NUM>. As the input device <NUM>, a lever, a button, a touchscreen, or the like is used, for example. The input device <NUM> is provided to a handlebar, for example. The input device <NUM> preferably includes a display screen that shows necessary information for the setting operations.

The travel state detector <NUM> detects information on travel states (for example, a speed, acceleration/deceleration, a position, an advancing direction, and the like) of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. A detection result of the travel state detector <NUM> is output to the controller <NUM>.

The travel state detector <NUM> includes a front-wheel rotational frequency sensor, a rear-wheel rotational frequency sensor, and the like, for example. Each of the front-wheel rotational frequency sensor and the rear-wheel rotational frequency sensor detects a rotational frequency of the wheel and outputs a detection result. Each of the front-wheel rotational frequency sensor and the rear-wheel rotational frequency sensor may detect another physical quantity that can substantially be converted to the rotational frequency of the wheel.

The travel state detector <NUM> also includes an inertial measurement device, for example. The inertial measurement device includes a three-axis gyroscope sensor and a three-directional acceleration sensor and outputs detection results of three-axis acceleration and three-axis angular velocities of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The inertial measurement device may detect other physical quantities that can substantially be converted to the three-axis acceleration and the three-axis angular velocities.

The travel state detector <NUM> further includes a braking force measurement device, a drive power measurement device, and the like, for example. For example, the braking force measurement device outputs detection results such as an operation amount of a brake operation by the rider and an actual braking force generated by the braking device <NUM>. The braking force measurement device may detect other physical quantities that can substantially be converted to the operation amount of the brake operation by the rider and the actual braking force generated by the braking device <NUM>. For example, the drive power measurement device outputs detection results such as an operation amount of an accelerator operation by the rider and actual drive power generated by the drive device <NUM>. The drive power measurement device may detect other physical quantities that can substantially be converted to the operation amount of the accelerator operation by the rider and the actual drive power generated by the drive device <NUM>.

The travel state detector <NUM> includes a receiver that receives a signal from a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite and a storage section that stores map information, for example. Another configuration capable of detecting the position or the advancing direction of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> may be adopted.

The controller <NUM> controls operation of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> is partially or entirely constructed of a microcomputer, a microprocessor unit, or the like. Alternatively, the controller <NUM> may partially or entirely be constructed of a member in which firmware or the like can be updated, or may partially or entirely be a program module or the like that is executed by a command from a CPU or the like, for example. The controller <NUM> may be provided as one unit or may be divided into multiple units, for example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> includes an acquisition section 51A, a rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM>, a correction operation performing section <NUM>, and a defect information output section 54A.

The acquisition section 51A acquires information that is output from each of the devices mounted to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, and outputs the acquired information to the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM>. More specifically, the acquisition section 51A acquires peripheral environment information on the basis of the information output from the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, acquires the rider setting information on the basis of the information output from the input device <NUM>, and acquires travel state information of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> on the basis of the information output from the travel state detector <NUM>.

The rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> controls operation of each of the devices (the braking device <NUM>, the drive device <NUM>, the notification device <NUM>, and the like) mounted to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, so as to perform various types of operation for assisting with driving by the rider of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. The rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> performs the rider-assistance operation that corresponds to the peripheral environment information output from the acquisition section 51A. The rider can instruct to enable or disable each of the functions (for example, the warning function, the emergency braking function, the cruise travel function, and the like) of the rider-assistance operation by using the input device <NUM>. The rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> performs the rider-assistance operation corresponding to the rider setting information output from the acquisition section 51A. In addition, the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> performs the rider-assistance operation corresponding to the travel state information output from the acquisition section 51A when necessary.

Here, the notification device <NUM> may warn the rider by sound (that is, a sensation through an auditory organ as a sensory organ), may warn the rider by a display (that is, a sensation through a visual organ as the sensory organ), may warn the rider by vibrations (that is, a sensation through a tactile organ as the sensory organ), or may warn the rider by a combination of those. The notification device <NUM> may be provided to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> or may be provided to an accessory such as a helmet that is associated with the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. In addition the notification device <NUM> may be constructed of a single output device or may be constructed of multiple output devices of the same type or different types. The multiple output devices may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. Furthermore, the notification device <NUM> may warn the rider by generating the sudden acceleration/deceleration to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. That is, the notification device <NUM> may be realized by the braking device <NUM>, the drive device <NUM>, or the like.

The acquisition section 51A acquires pitch angle correction target information that is target information on pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the rider setting information output from the input device <NUM>, and outputs the pitch angle correction target information to the correction operation performing section <NUM>. Then, based on the pitch angle correction target information, the correction operation performing section <NUM> performs correction operation in regard to the detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector <NUM>. The correction operation performing section <NUM> performs, as the correction operation thereof, mechanical correction operation to correct the pitch angle of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> by changing a support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, and further optionally correction operation related to information processing in which the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> is subjected to correction processing (for example, coordinate conversion processing to change the pitch angle in detected data itself or coordinate conversion processing to change the pitch angle with respect to a coordinate origin in the detected data). The pitch angle is an angle represented by P in <FIG> and is defined as a rotation angle about an axis that is parallel to a vehicle width direction of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>.

As an example, the rider can select a mode of the riding state or the loaded state (for example, a solo riding mode, a tandem mode, a heavy baggage mode, or the like) with the input device <NUM>. Then, the acquisition section 51A acquires the mode selected by the rider with the input device <NUM> as the rider setting information, and acquires the pitch angle correction target information corresponding to the mode. For example, in the case where the solo riding mode is selected with the input device <NUM>, the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as an angle value of the pitch angle correction target information. In the case where the tandem mode or the heavy baggage mode is selected with the input device <NUM>, the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information. In the case where the peripheral environment detector <NUM> detects the front peripheral environment, the correction operation performing section <NUM> shifts the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> downward by the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information, and optionally performs an upward coordinate transformation of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the case where the peripheral environment detector <NUM> detects the rear peripheral environment, the correction operation performing section <NUM> shifts the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> upward by the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information, and optionally performs a downward coordinate transformation of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>.

As an example, the rider can input weight of an occupant or the loaded object to the input device <NUM>. Then, the acquisition section 51A acquires the weight, which is input to the input device <NUM> by the rider, as the rider setting information and acquires the pitch angle correction target information corresponding to the weight. For example, in the case where total weight input to the input device <NUM> is less than <NUM> kgf (kilogram-force/kilogram), the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information. Meanwhile, in the case where the total weight input to the input device <NUM> is equal to or greater than <NUM> kgf and less than <NUM> kgf, the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information. In the case where total weight input to the input device <NUM> is equal to or greater than <NUM> kgf, the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information. In the case where the peripheral environment detector <NUM> detects the front peripheral environment, the correction operation performing section <NUM> shifts the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> downward by the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information, and optionally performs the upward coordinate transformation of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the case where the peripheral environment detector <NUM> detects the rear peripheral environment, the correction operation performing section <NUM> shifts the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> upward by the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information, and optionally performs the downward coordinate transformation of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>. The rider may be able to input the weight per occupant or per loaded object to the input device <NUM>. In such a case, it is possible to acquire the further accurate pitch angle correction target information.

As an example, based on the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, the acquisition section 51A acquires pitch angle correction recommendation information that is information for recommending the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, and the input device <NUM> can notify the rider of the pitch angle correction recommendation information. Then, the rider can select legitimacy or illegitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information with the input device <NUM>. The acquisition section 51A acquires information on the legitimacy or the illegitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information selected by the rider with the input device <NUM> as the rider setting information, and acquires the pitch angle correction target information corresponding to the selection. For example, in the case where sudden movement (downward movement when the peripheral environment detector <NUM> detects the front peripheral environment or upward movement when the peripheral environment detector <NUM> detects the rear peripheral environment) in a pitch angle direction occurs in all the data of the detection results of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> while the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is stopped, the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as an angle value of the pitch angle correction recommendation information. The acquisition section 51A may acquire, as the pitch angle correction recommendation information, the mode of the riding state or the loaded state that corresponds to the angle value. While referring to the notified pitch angle correction recommendation information, the rider selects the legitimacy or the illegitimacy thereof with the input device <NUM>. In the case where the rider selects the legitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information, the acquisition section 51A acquires <NUM>° as the angle value of the pitch angle correction target information. On the other hand, in the case where the rider selects the illegitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information, a mode selection screen for the riding state or the loaded state, a weight input screen for the occupant or the loaded object, or the like is displayed on the input device <NUM>, and the rider is prompted to input the appropriate rider setting information. Instead of the configuration that the rider selects the legitimacy or the illegitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information with the input device <NUM> while referring thereto, a configuration that the rider selects the mode of the riding state or the loaded state, inputs the weight of the occupant or the loaded object, or the like may be adopted.

The defect information output section 54A outputs information on presence or absence of a defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the rider setting information. For example, in regard to the selection of the mode of the riding state or the loaded state, the input of the weight of the occupant or the loaded object, the selection of the legitimacy or the illegitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information, and the like, in the case where the change in the pitch angle is not caused by the riding state or the loaded state, the rider can skip the selection or the input or can input inappropriateness of the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> when operating the input device <NUM>. When such rider setting information is output from the input device <NUM>, the defect information output section 54A recognizes presence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, and outputs such a fact to the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM>, the notification device <NUM>, a wireless communication device <NUM>, and the like. The rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> may prohibit the rider-assistance operation, the notification device <NUM> may notify the rider of a problem, recommendation for repair, and the like of the rider-assistance operation, or the wireless communication device <NUM> may inform a dealer, a repair shop, or the like of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>.

A description will be made on the operation of the rider-assistance system according to the first embodiment. <FIG> is a chart of an example of a control flow in the controller of the rider-assistance system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The controller <NUM> repeatedly executes the control flow illustrated in <FIG> while the rider-assistance operation is valid.

In step S101, the acquisition section 51A acquires the pitch angle correction target information, which is the target information on the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, on the basis of the rider setting information output from the input device <NUM>. The acquisition section 51A also acquires the peripheral environment information on the basis of the information output from the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, acquires the rider setting information on the basis of the information output from the input device <NUM>, and acquires the travel state information of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> on the basis of the information output from the travel state detector <NUM>.

In step S102, the defect information output section 54A recognizes absence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the rider setting information, and permits the control flow to proceed to the next step. In the case where the defect information output section 54A recognizes the presence of the defect, the defect information output section 54A preferably prohibit the control flow from proceeding to the next step, and execute processing such as disabling the rider-assistance operation.

In step S103, the correction operation performing section <NUM> determines whether it is necessary to perform the correction operation for the detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information acquired in step S101. If determining that it is necessary, in step S104, the correction operation performing section <NUM> performs the correction operation therefor.

In step S105, the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> controls operation of each of the devices (the braking device <NUM>, the drive device <NUM>, the notification device <NUM>, and the like) mounted to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> on the basis of the peripheral environment information, the rider setting information, and the travel state information acquired in step S101, so as to perform the rider-assistance operation.

A description will be made on effects of the rider-assistance system according to the first embodiment.

In the rider-assistance system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> includes: the acquisition section 51A that acquires the pitch angle correction target information that is the target information on the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>; and the correction operation performing section <NUM> that performs the correction operation for the detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information acquired by the acquisition section 51A. Thus, even in the case where the riding state or the loaded state of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is not standard, it is possible to make the detection by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> appropriate.

Preferably, the acquisition section 51A acquires the pitch angle correction target information on the basis of the rider setting information output from the input device <NUM>. With such a configuration, even in the case where the rider-assistance system <NUM> cannot determine or does not determine whether the pitch angle is changed by a change in the riding state or the loaded state of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> or whether the pitch angle is changed by a change in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> caused by falling, breakage, or the like at the time when the pitch angle of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> is changed, it is possible to make the detection by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> appropriate.

In particular, the rider can preferably select the mode of the riding state or the loaded state with the input device <NUM>, and the rider setting information preferably includes the mode selected by the rider. With such a configuration, the setting operation by the rider is simplified.

In particular, the rider can preferably input the weight of the occupant or the loaded object to the input device <NUM>, and the rider setting information preferably includes the information on the weight input by the rider. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the detection by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> further appropriate on the basis of the detailed rider setting information.

In particular, based on the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, the acquisition section 51A preferably acquires the pitch angle correction recommendation information that is the information for recommending the pitch angle correction, and the input device <NUM> can preferably notify the rider of the pitch angle correction recommendation information acquired by the acquisition section 51A. With such a configuration, the setting operation by the rider is facilitated. Furthermore, the rider can preferably select the legitimacy or the illegitimacy of pitch angle correction recommendation information with the input device <NUM>, and the rider setting information preferably includes the information on the legitimacy or the illegitimacy of the pitch angle correction recommendation information selected by the rider. In such a case, the setting operation by the rider is further simplified.

In particular, the controller <NUM> preferably and further includes the defect information output section 54A that acquires and outputs the information on the presence or the absence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the rider setting information. With such a configuration, feasibility of the appropriate rider-assistance operation is improved.

A description will be made on a rider-assistance system according to a second embodiment.

A description will be made on a configuration of the rider-assistance system according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a diagram for illustrating a system configuration of the rider-assistance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> includes an acquisition section 51B, the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM>, the correction operation performing section <NUM>, and a defect information output section 54B. Here, since the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> and the correction operation performing section <NUM> are the same as the rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> and the correction operation performing section <NUM> in the first embodiment, the description thereon will not be made.

The acquisition section 51B acquires body pitch angle information that is information on a pitch angle of a body of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> on the basis of the detection result of the travel state detector <NUM>, acquires the pitch angle correction target information that is the target information on the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the body pitch angle information, and outputs the pitch angle correction target information to the correction operation performing section <NUM>. For example, the acquisition section 51B acquires the body pitch angle information on the basis of a detection result of an inertial measurement device as the travel state detector <NUM> at the time when the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is stopped. Alternatively, for example, the acquisition section 51B acquires the body pitch angle information on the basis of a detection result of a seat load measurement device as the travel state detector <NUM> at the time when the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is stopped. Further alternatively, for example, the acquisition section 51B acquires the body pitch angle information on the basis of a detection result of a suspension stroke measurement device as the travel state detector <NUM> at the time when the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is stopped. For example, the acquisition section 51B acquires, as the pitch angle correction target information, an angle value that offsets an angle value as the body pitch angle information.

The defect information output section 54B outputs information on the presence or the absence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> and the body pitch angle information. For example, the defect information output section 54B compares a gap in the pitch angle direction among the data in the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> with a change in the pitch angle of the body in the body pitch angle information, so as to determine presence or absence of a corresponding relationship therebetween. In the case where there is no corresponding relationship, the defect information output section 54B outputs information on the presence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>. The rider-assistance operation performing section <NUM> may prohibit the rider-assistance operation, the notification device <NUM> may notify the rider of the problem, the recommendation for the repair, and the like of the rider-assistance operation, or the wireless communication device <NUM> may inform the dealer, the repair shop, or the like of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>.

A description will be made on the operation of the rider-assistance system according to the second embodiment. <FIG> is a chart of an example of a control flow in the controller of the rider-assistance system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The controller <NUM> repeatedly executes the control flow illustrated in <FIG> while the rider-assistance operation is valid. Since step S203 to step S205 are the same as step S103 to step S105 in the first embodiment, a description thereon will not be made.

In step S201, the acquisition section 51B acquires the body pitch angle information that is the information on the pitch angle of the body of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, and acquires the pitch angle correction target information that is the target information on the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the body pitch angle information. The acquisition section 51B also acquires the peripheral environment information on the basis of the information output from the peripheral environment detector <NUM>, acquires the rider setting information on the basis of the information output from the input device <NUM>, and acquires the travel state information of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> on the basis of the information output from the travel state detector <NUM>.

In step S202, the defect information output section 54B recognizes the absence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> and the body pitch angle information, and permits the control flow to proceed to the next step. In the case where the defect information output section 54B recognizes the presence of the defect, the defect information output section 54B preferably prohibits the control flow from proceeding to the next step, and executes the processing such as disabling the rider-assistance operation.

A description will be made on effects of the rider-assistance system according to the second embodiment.

In the rider-assistance system <NUM>, the controller <NUM> includes: the acquisition section 51B that acquires the pitch angle correction target information that is the target information on the pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector <NUM>; and the correction operation performing section <NUM> that performs the correction operation for the detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information acquired by the acquisition section 51B. Thus, even in the case where the riding state or the loaded state of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM> is not standard, it is possible to make the detection by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> appropriate.

Preferably, the acquisition section 51B acquires the body pitch angle information that is the information on the pitch angle of the body of the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, and acquires the pitch angle correction target information on the basis of the body pitch angle information. With such a configuration, it is possible to make the detection by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> appropriate in a completely or partially automated manner.

In particular, the body pitch angle information is preferably acquired according to output of the inertial measurement device mounted to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, is preferably acquired according to output of the seat load measurement device mounted to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>, or is preferably acquired according to output of the suspension stroke measurement device mounted to the straddle-type vehicle <NUM>. With such a configuration, it is possible to provide the accurate body pitch angle information and make the detection by the peripheral environment detector <NUM> further appropriate.

In particular, the controller <NUM> preferably and further includes the defect information output section 54B that acquires and outputs the information on the presence or the absence of the defect in the support state of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> on the basis of the detection result of the peripheral environment detector <NUM> and the body pitch angle information. With such a configuration, the feasibility of the appropriate rider-assistance operation is improved.

Claim 1:
A rider-assistance system (<NUM>) that assists with driving by a rider of a straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>), the rider-assistance system (<NUM>) comprising:
a peripheral environment detector (<NUM>) that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>) and detects peripheral environment of said straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>);
an input device (<NUM>) that is mounted to the straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>) and is operated by the rider of said straddle-type vehicle (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) that governs operation of the rider-assistance system (<NUM>), wherein
the controller (<NUM>) includes:
an acquisition section (51A, 51B) that acquires pitch angle correction target information that is target information on pitch angle correction of the peripheral environment detector (<NUM>); and
a correction operation performing section (<NUM>) that performs correction operation for detection of the peripheral environment by the peripheral environment detector (<NUM>) on the basis of the pitch angle correction target information acquired by the acquisition section (51A, 51B), and
the correction operation performing section (<NUM>) performs, as the correction operation,
an operation to change a support state of the peripheral environment detector (<NUM>).