Field of the invention:

[0001] The present invention relates to a controller and a method for adapting aging of a quick shift sensor in a vehicle.

Background of the invention:

[0002] A patent literature 202017010595 discloses a gear-position learning device for automatic clutch transmission. A gear-position learning device for an automatic clutch transmission includes a transmission configured to be shifted by an operation of a driver of a vehicle, a clutch device disposed in a transmission path between the transmission and an engine and configured to be connected and disconnected by actuation of a clutch actuator, a controller configured to control connection and disconnection of the clutch device performed by the clutch actuator, a shift drum configured to rotate according to a shift operation that the driver performs on a shift operator and switch the shift stage of the transmission, and a rotational position defining mechanism configured to define a rotational position of the shift drum, wherein the controller has a learning mode for learning a rotation angle of the shift drum and is configured to control connection and disconnection of the clutch device during the learning mode such that the shift drum is at a rotational position determined by the rotational position defining mechanism.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:

[0003] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,

[0004] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller to adapt aging of a quick shift sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0005] Fig. 2 illustrates a basic graphs of adapting the quick shift sensor to the actual values, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and [0006] Fig. 3 illustrates a method for adapting aging of the quick shift sensor, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a controller to adapt aging of a quick shift sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The quick shift sensor 102 mounted on any one of a gear shift pedal, a shift shaft of a gearbox and linkages therebetween. The controller 110 configured to receive input signal from the quick shift sensor 102, compare an actual value detected from the input signal with threshold value for any one of upshift request and downshift request, and trigger quick shift functionality. The quick shift functionality corresponds to modulation of engine torque by the controller 110 without disengaging a clutch between an engine and the gearbox of the vehicle. The controller 110, characterized in that, configured to detect no load condition of the quick shift sensor 102, and measure the actual value from the quick shift sensor 102 upon detection of the no load condition, and calculate deviation of the actual value from a reference value of the quick shift sensor 102. The controller 110 then adapts the reference value and the threshold value as per the calculated deviation. The actual value corresponds to the present value detected after every use of the quick shift sensor 102. The modulation of engine torque is performed by the controller 110 through at least one of an ignition control using the spark plug system, a throttle control using the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system and a fuel injection control using the fuel injection system. The term aging corresponds to wear and tear or regular use due to which the quick shift sensor 102 undergoes deterioration in detecting corresponding parameter.

[0008] In accordance to the present invention, the controller 110 comprises the memory element 112 such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and a Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels. The memory element 112 is prestored with logics or instructions or programs or applications or modules and threshold values, reference values and conditions which is/are accessed by the processor as per the defined routines. The reference value corresponds to value of the quick shift sensor 102 at rest or default state. The internal components of the controller 110 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 110 may also comprise communication units to communicate with the cloud server through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like.

[0009] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 is at least one of an internal control unit and an external control unit. The internal control unit is any one of an Engine Management System (EMS) control unit and an Engine control Unit (ECU). The external control unit is a control unit externally interfaced with the controller 110. In an embodiment, the internal control unit takes the functionality of self-adaptation described later. Alternatively, the external control unit interfaced with the internal control unit takes the functionality of the self-adaptation.

[0010] According to the present invention, the controller 110 is preferably for a geared motorcycle. However, the controller 110 is applicable to be implemented for other geared vehicles as well such as other motorcycle type two-wheelers, autorickshaws, cars, snowmobiles, water sport vehicles and the like.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 110 is configured to enable self-adaptation of the quick shift sensor 102 to the aging/wear. The no load condition comprises a post drive cycle of the vehicle. The post drive cycle is detected from a key OFF event of the vehicle. The no load condition further comprises at least one selected from a group comprising a gear position at a neutral position, a side stand/main stand status as activated and a zero vehicle speed. The gear position is detected by a gear position sensor 104, the stand status is detected by a stand switch sensor 106 and the vehicle speed is detected from a speed sensor 108. The sensors listed are used based on the availability in the vehicle.

[0012] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the actual values are processed together before the adaptation of the reference value and the threshold value. The plurality of actual values are stored in the memory element 112 of the controller 110.

[0013] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the quick shift sensor 102 is any one selected from a group comprising a strain gauge type load sensor, a force sensor, displacement sensor, a rotational sensor, a hall effect sensor and the like which measures the shift intention of a rider/driver.

[0014] According to the present invention, a working of the controller 110 is explained and the same must not be understood in limited manner. Consider the vehicle to be a geared motorcycle installed with quick shift sensor 102 on or between the linkages connecting the gear shift pedal and the shift shaft of the gearbox. The rider just stops the vehicle at a parking place after a drive. As the rider switches OFF the vehicle, and removes the key, the status is detected by the controller 110 which is the EMS, as the no load condition. The controller 110 then starts the adaptation process. The controller 110 measures the actual value from the quick shift sensor 102. The controller 110 then calculates the deviation of the actual value from the reference value and then adapts the reference value and the threshold value as per the calculated deviation. In an embodiment, the adaptation is completed if the deviation exceeds the minimum threshold requirement, else the adaptation is skipped.

[0015] In an alternate working example, the controller 110 waits for at least one more no load condition along with the post drive cycle. For example, if the controller 110 detects activated state of the main stand or the side stand from a stand switch sensor 106, or detects zero vehicle speed from a wheel or vehicle speed sensor 108, or the gear position is detected to be at neutral using a gear position sensor 104. The additional no load conditions ensures that the adaptation of the quick shift sensor 102 is performed at absolute no load conditions by removing false positives such as foot resting on the gear shift pedal.

[0016] In accordance to the present invention, the controller 110 is configured to reduce chance of mislearning due to rider foot being to gear lever during selfadaptation. The controller 110 performs storing learnt actual values into the memory element 112 according to a preset routine (stored in the memory element 112) after a calibratable time delay after KL15 OFF in the post drive cycle. When the learning routine is executed for the quick shift sensor 102, the learning is allowed only if the voltage values are within an upper and lower thresholds.

[0017] Fig. 2 illustrates a basic graphs of adapting the quick shift sensor to the actual values, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The graphs are simple representation only for the sake of understanding and must not be understood in limiting manner. A first graph 210 represents actual values and reference value of the quick shift sensor 102. A second graph 220 represents adapted values of the quick shift sensor 102. In both the graphs, the Y-axis 202 is values in voltages as generated by the quick shift sensor 102. The X-axis is just a baseline for understanding purpose. In the first graph 210, consider a first line 204 as the upshift threshold value, a second line 206 is the reference value when at rest, and the third line 208 is the downshift threshold value. When the actual value crosses anyone of the upshift threshold value or the downshift threshold value, the quick shift functionality is activated by the controller 110 to complete the gearshift. The first graph 210 shows that the first line 204, the second line 206 and the third line 208 have been shifted to a first dotted line 214, a second dotted line 216 and the third dotted line 218 due to aging or wear and tear. Now, due to this effect, the possibility of detected wrong shift intention by the controller 110 is high as there exists the deviation 212. [0018] With the implementation of the present invention, the controller 110 is enabled to learn and adapt/adjust the deviation 212 so that the wrong shift intention is prevented. As can be seen in the second graph 220, the second line 206 is changed to actual value of the quick shift sensor 102 which is the second dotted line 216. The second line 206 is the default value generated by the quick shift sensor 102 when no load is acting on it. Similarly, the first line 204 is adapted to the first dotted line 214 and the third line 208 is adapted to the third dotted line 218. Now, the controller 110 functions with the aged/worn quick shift sensor 102 without any wrong shift detection.

[0019] Fig. 3 illustrates a method for adapting aging of the quick shift sensor in the vehicle, according to the present invention. The vehicle comprises the quick shift sensor 102, which is mounted on any one of the gear shift pedal, the shift shaft of the gearbox and the linkages therebetween. The controller 110 configured to receive input signal from the quick shift sensor 102, compare the actual value detected from the input signal with threshold value for any one of upshift request and downshift request, and trigger quick shift functionality. The quick shift functionality corresponds to modulation of engine torque by the controller 110 without disengaging the clutch between the engine and the gearbox of the vehicle. The method comprises a step 302 which involves detecting no load condition of the quick shift sensor 102. A step 304 comprises measuring the actual value from the quick shift sensor 102 upon detecting the no load condition, and calculating deviation of the actual value from the reference value of the quick shift sensor 102. A step 306 comprises adapting the reference value and the threshold value as per the calculated deviation.

[0020] According to the method, the no load condition comprises the post drive cycle of the vehicle, where detecting the post drive cycle is performed by monitoring the key OFF event of the vehicle. The no load condition further comprises at least one selected from the group comprising the gear position at a neutral position, the side stand/main stand status as activated and the zero vehicle speed. The gear position is detected by the gear position sensor 104. The stand status is detected by the stand switch sensor 106 and the vehicle speed is detected from the speed sensor 108. The method may comprise processing plurality of the actual values together before adapting the reference value and the threshold value. The plurality of actual values are stored in the memory element 112 of the controller 110. Further, the method is performed by at least one of the internal control unit and the external control unit. The internal control unit is any one of the Engine Management System (EMS) control unit and an Engine control Unit (ECU). The external control unit is the control unit externally interfaced with the controller 110.

[0021] According to the present invention, the controller 110 and method for quick shift sensor learning is provided. The present invention is applicable for different types of quick shift sensor 102 such as strain gauge type. The controller 110 and the method eliminates adaptation of unintentional aging behavior, such as there can be situations where the rider keeps foot on the gear pedal, which would be considered as sensor aging/wear. The present invention intelligently avoids the unintentional adaptations. The actual values from the quick shift sensor 102 are averaged over period of time when the gear shift pedal is in rest or neutral position. This is specifically done when the vehicle is standstill condition, gear is in neutral condition , side stand is in parking position and ignition key is in OFF condition. The present invention facilitates a convenient and fun way of shifting gears without clutch engagement. The torque control while upshifting and downshifting achieved through throttle control, fuel injection control and ignition control. The present invention provides comfortable and relaxed riding, less strain for the rider on longer trips, not necessary to meddle with clutch and throttle for all gear shifts and faster gear shift times. The controller 110 and method also provides feasibility to learn and adapt the quick shift sensor 102 tolerances depending on sensor type on routine basis. [0022] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.