Patent ID: 12257993

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Further features of the present disclosure are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present disclosure to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the disclosure as set out above. In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

The skilled addressee is to appreciate that reference herein to an analogue signal is generally used to refer to a measure or representation data by means of one or more physical properties that can express any value along a continuous scale, as opposed to a digital representation where data is represented by discrete value, such as zero and one. For example, a conventional motorcycle brake lever or pedal generally produces a mechanical analogue signal when part of a hydraulic braking system, which allows analogue control of a braking force.

With reference firstly toFIGS.5to7of the accompanying drawings, there is shown an embodiment of a motorcycle brake lever10, in accordance with the present disclosure, which broadly comprises a lever body12and a force-sensitive resistor (FSR)16. The lever body12generally defines a grasping surface14whereby a rider is able to operatively apply pressure with at least one finger in order to produce a first analogue signal, and the force-sensitive resistor (FSR)16is mounted on and/or in the grasping surface14, the FSR16configured to produce a second analogue signal.

In this manner, when pressure is applied to the grasping surface14of the brake lever10, the first and second analogue signals are simultaneously produced via a single pressure input, with the second signal electronically correlatable with the first. It is to be appreciated that the first signal is typically a mechanical signal, i.e., conventional input from the brake lever10, whereas the second signal is typically an electronic signal, i.e., an electronic analogue signal produced by the FSR16.

As a result, a conventional brake lever can be used to produce more than one analogue output from a single input, with such outputs correlatable to produce useful results. In the present example, the first signal is used to actuate a conventional front brake of a motorcycle26, with the second analogue signal from the FSR16, being electronically and adjustably correlatable with the first signal, used to actuate a rear brake24of the motorcycle26from a single input from the rider.

In different embodiment, the FSR16can be configured to be selectively relocatable on the grasping surface14to allow rider-customization according to requirements. For example,FIGS.6and7show different FSR designs that can be used. Of course, the FSR16can also be mounted within a suitable aperture of the lever body12, or the like. The skilled addressee will appreciate that variations hereon are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the FSR may be moved from the lever or pedal and placed anywhere required on the motorcycle, such as on a grip, on the handlebars, etc.

In one example, the FSR can be a “stick-on” type, which can be placed according to where a rider requires it. For instance, some riders use their index and middle fingers to pull a brake lever, so in one example the FSR can be located to be actuatable by the ring or little fingers, or the like. Again, variations hereon are envisaged and within the scope of the present disclosure. The FSR may take different shapes, depending on requirements, such as a thicker body for off-road motorcycles, or a thinner body for road motorcycles, etc.

Similarly, while a brake lever10is embodied herein, the skilled addressee will appreciate that a motorcycle brake pedal configuration is apposite, typically, comprising a pedal body defining a stepping surface whereby a rider is able to operatively apply pressure with a foot in order to produce a first analogue signal, and a force-sensitive resistor (FSR) mounted on and/or in the stepping surface, the FSR configured to produce a second analogue signal wherein pressure applied results in simultaneous production of the first and second signals, the second signal electronically correlatable with the first.

For example, a brake lever configuration as described herein may be more suited for racing motorcycles, whereas a brake pedal configuration may be more suited for cruiser-style motorcycles, or the like. Similarly, a motorcycle may be fitted with both brake lever and foot pedal configurations, requirements depending. While a brake lever is referenced herein, the skilled addressee will also appreciate that a clutch lever or gear lever is also apposite and may be similarly configured.

Referring now toFIGS.1to4of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a motorcycle braking arrangement18, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, which comprises a brake lever10(and/or brake pedal), as described above, along with a controller20configured to electronically correlate the second signal with the first in a predetermined manner. The arrangement18also includes at least one servomechanism22, which is arranged in signal communication with the controller20and is configured to actuate a brake24of the motorcycle26according to the correlation between the first and second signals.

The servomechanism22may be arranged in wireless and/or wired signal communication with the controller20. For example, the servomechanism22may be arranged in wired signal communication with the controller20, such as via a suitable radio frequency, or the like. The servomechanism22and controller20may also include a wired connection for redundancy, or the like.

Typically, the braking arrangement18is configured such that the first signal actuates a brake on one wheel, with the servomechanism22configured to actuate a brake on another wheel according to the correlation, i.e., first signal actuates the front brake and the servomechanism actuates the rear brake according to the correlation, or vice versa.

Typically, the arrangement18includes an adjustor28, which is arranged in signal communication with the controller20and is configured to adjust a ratio and/or manner in which the controller20correlates the second signal with the first. For example, in one embodiment the adjustor may be a potentiometer, or the like. In this manner, the adjustor28comprises a sensitivity adjustor, such as a potentiometer, which is configured to adjust a sensitivity of the FSR16thereby indirectly adjusting the correlation ratio between the first and second signals. The adjustor28is typically manually adjustable, but may also be automatically adjustable via the controller20in response to a sensor input, as described below.

In one embodiment, the arrangement18also includes at least one sensor30, which is arranged in signal communication with the controller20, and is configured to sense an operating characteristic of the motorcycle26and to adjust automatically a ratio in which the controller20correlates the second signal with the first according to such sensed operating characteristic. Such signal communication between the sensor30and controller20may be wired and/or wireless.

For example, the operating characteristic of the motorcycle26may include a velocity of the motorcycle, a lean angle of the motorcycle, a longitudinal orientation or inclination of the motorcycle, a loaded weight of the motorcycle, a presence of an object proximate the motorcycle, an immobilizer security condition of the motorcycle, an engine condition of the motorcycle, or the like. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the sensor30may be configured to sense any of a variety of operating characteristic of the motorcycle26and to adjust a ratio at which the controller20automatically correlates the second signal with the first accordingly.

For instance, the sensor30may sense a velocity of the motorcycle26and the controller20may automatically adjust the correlation of the ratio between the first and second signals, so that actuation of the front brake to the servomechanism actuating the rear brake is done at a 70:30 ratio when the motorcycle26travels above a certain speed, i.e., 30 km/h, so that braking distribution is done at 70% in the front and 30% at the rear. However, once the motorcycle26is travelling below 20 km/h, the correlation ratio may be automatically adjusted by the controller20to 50:50, or the like, where the rear wheel is less likely to lock-up and cause a skid, thereby leading to improved braking performance at lower speeds.

Similarly, the sensor30may sense a loaded weight of the motorcycle26and if a load exceeds a predetermined weight, the correlation ratio may be adjusted by the controller20to shift more braking applied by the servomechanism to the rear brake to improve braking performance. A further example may see the sensor30sensing a longitudinal orientation or inclination of the motorcycle and, if a “wheelie” or “wheel-stand” condition is sensed, the controller20may adjust the correlation ratio between the front and rear brakes so that the rear brake is not actuated at all should the front brake lever10be pulled in order to avoid any loss of control when performing a wheelie, or the like. Similarly, if the sensor30senses an immobilizer security condition of the motorcycle, which indicates that the motorcycle's immobilizer is active, the controller20may actuate the brake fully so that the motorcycle is more difficult to move, or the like.

The skilled addressee is to appreciate that other aspects form part of the present disclosure. For example, in an embodiment, the controller20may be configured to disengage a clutch of the motorcycle26according to a magnitude of the second signal and/or the correlation between the first and second signals, or the like. For example, if the sensor30senses that the motorcycle is lying on its side, the clutch may be automatically disengaged, the rear wheel locked, i.e., rear brake applied 100% with no first signal input, or the like. As the arrangement18is typically wired into an existing motorcycle's electrical system, arrangement18also typically incorporates an on/off switch38to prevent drain on the motorcycle's battery, as shown.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the servomechanism22is configured to engage with an existing brake system24of the motorcycle26. In such an embodiment, the servomechanism22may be configured to actuate the existing brake system via a tension connection (rather than compression), such as cable32interacting with a conventional rear brake pedal, to minimize interference with normal manual actuation of the brake system. For example, by having the bendable cable “pulling” the lever as required to actuate the hydraulic brake system, a rider can still operate the rear brake normally without interference from the tensioned cable32.

The servomechanism22of the embodiment shown inFIG.3also includes an off-center connection40, as shown, whereby rotation of the servomechanism is translated to a translation force, e.g., to pull the brake pedal to actuate the brake system, or the like. The connection40further serves to reduce restriction in normal movement of the brake lever due to the play in the cable. It has been found that the JX Servo WP45 servomechanism by JX Servo Technology™ is suited to the current application, but other servomechanisms may be used.

In another embodiment shown inFIG.4, the servomechanism22is configured to directly actuate or engage a brake caliper34and/brake disc36of the motorcycle26. In this manner, an entire conventional hydraulic braking system of a motorcycle26can be replaced with a “brake-by wire” system. In another embodiment, the servomechanism may be configured to engage with an existing hydraulic system of the motorcycle26, with the sensor sensing hydraulic pressure as an operating characteristic, or the like.

In other embodiments, the controller20may be configured to activate a braking indicator of the motorcycle according to the correlation between the first and second signals. For example, a graded brake light system can be used to show the amount of pressure applied to the FSR16, which may be useful in indicating a level of brake used rather than the conventional on/off brake light indicator.

It is believed that it is particularly advantageous that the present disclosure provides for correlated “analogue-on-analogue” signal production via the arrangements described herein, which typically leads to ergonomic and surprising motorcycle control results when implemented, as described. For example, a specific brake correlation between front and rear brake can be configured such that concerted brake pad design and replacement is possible, or the like.

In the manner described herein, the arrangement18allows a rider to adjust, via the adjustor28, or configure the controller20to automatically adjust via sensor30, a correlation between pressure applied to a brake pedal or lever for actuating one brake to automatically actuate another brake on a motorcycle26. As a single analogue input produces two separate analogue signals, one correlated by controller20to operate servomechanism22, analogue control with both signals can be achieved, meaning braking force can be evenly applied to both brakes, depending on requirements.

Such an arrangement is particularly useful in ensuring proper rear-brake use on road motorcycles, and finds particular application on off-road motorcycles where the rear brake can be controlled without requiring use of a rider's foot, which can be used to control the motorcycle instead.

Optional embodiments of the present disclosure may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein, which have known equivalents in the art to which the disclosure relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled addressee.

The use of the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

It is to be appreciated that reference to “one example” or “an example” of the disclosure, or similar exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) herein, is not made in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying out the claimed subject matter.

Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain aspects of the disclosure, whilst other aspects are exemplified in a different example. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in performing the disclosure and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the disclosure in any way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g., modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. It is expected that skilled artisans will employ such variations as appropriate, and for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.