ELECTRONIC AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM FOR MOTORCYCLE

• US 20070247280A1
• Filed: 04/06/2007
• Published: 10/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Nakamura, Tsuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 8,040,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.720
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user

Abstract

Aimed at providing an electronic authentication system for a motorcycle excellent in the handlability and operability, operations of turning an ignition knob, and of opening a accommodation lid and a fuel lid, disposed in the front portion of the vehicle, are permitted, when agreement of ID information was judged. The steering bar was made unlockable by operating the ignition knob after agreement of the ID information was judged, and the seat was made unlockable by further operating the ignition knob.

Claims

1. An electronic authentication system for a motorcycle comprising:

a portable transmitter-receiver carried by a user;

a control unit installed on a motorcycle body; and

an ignition switch unit provided with an ignition knob, the ignition switch unit electrically connected with the control unit,

wherein the control unit permits the ignition knob to be rotated from a handle locking position and enables an accommodation box lid to be opened in consequence of matching both identification information stored in the portable transmitter-receiver and the control unit respectively.

2. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further permits a fuel lid to be opened in consequence of matching both identification information stored in the portable transmitter-receiver and the control unit respectively.

3. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the ignition switch unit causes a handle to be unlocked in consequence of rotating the ignition knob from the handle locking position to a handle unlocking position with axial pressing operation thereof following the electronic authentication.

4. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 3, wherein the ignition switch unit causes a seat to be unlocked in consequence of further rotating the ignition knob from the handle unlocking position to a seat unlocking position with axial pressing operation thereof following the handle unlocking operation.

5. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 4, wherein the ignition switch unit is provided with an automatic recovery mechanism steadily energizing the ignition knob to rotate in the direction from the seat unlocking position toward the handle unlocking position.

6. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 4, wherein the control unit causes the motorcycle to be an engine startup standby state in consequence of further rotating the ignition knob from the handle unlocking position to an engine startup standby position without axial pressing operation thereof from the handle unlocking position to the engine startup position.

7. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 1, further comprising an emergency unlocking device including a mechanical key, a key cylinder installed on the motorcycle body and a cable connecting the key cylinder and a lock mechanism for locking/unlocking the rotation of the ignition knob,

wherein the emergency unlocking device permits the ignition knob to be rotated from the handle locking position in consequence of the emergency unlocking operation without authentication.

8. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 7, wherein the ignition switch unit causes a handle to be unlocked in consequence of rotating the ignition knob from the handle locking position to a handle unlocking position with axial pressing operation thereof under the emergency unlocked state.

9. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 8, wherein the ignition switch unit causes a seat to be unlocked in consequence of further rotating the ignition knob from the handle unlocking position to a seat unlocking position with axial pressing operation thereof following the handle unlocking operation under the emergency unlocked state.

10. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the ignition switch unit enables an accommodation box lid to be opened concurrently with the seat unlocking operation.

11. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 10, further comprising a seat unlocking cable having one end coupled with the ignition knob, and the other end branched into two ends, wherein one of the branched two ends couples with a lock mechanism for the seat and the other of the branched two ends couples with a lock mechanism for the accommodation box lid respectively.

12. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 7, further comprising:

an automatic recovery mechanism steadily energizing the key cylinder to rotate in the direction toward a disabling position of the emergency unlocking device; and

a holding mechanism holding the key cylinder to be an emergency unlocking position.

13. An electronic authentication system for a motorcycle comprising:

a control unit installed on a motorcycle body; and

an ignition switch unit provided with an ignition knob, the ignition switch unit electrically connected with the control unit,

wherein the control unit permits the ignition knob to be rotated from a handle locking position and enables an accommodation box lid to be opened in consequence of matching user physical information capable of identifying individuals and registered physical information stored in the control unit.

14. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 13, wherein the control unit further permits a fuel lid to be opened in consequence of matching user physical information capable of identifying individuals and registered physical information stored in the control unit.

15. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 13, wherein the ignition switch unit causes a handle to be unlocked in consequence of rotating the ignition knob from the handle locking position to a handle unlocking position with axial pressing operation thereof following the electronic authentication.

16. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 13, further comprising an emergency unlocking device including a mechanical key, a key cylinder installed on the motorcycle body and a cable connecting the key cylinder and a lock mechanism for locking/unlocking the rotation of the ignition knob,

wherein the emergency unlocking device permits the ignition knob to be rotated from the handle locking position in consequence of the emergency unlocking operation without authentication.

17. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 16, wherein the ignition switch unit causes a handle to be unlocked in consequence of rotating the ignition knob from the handle locking position to a handle unlocking position with axial pressing operation thereof under the emergency unlocked state.

18. An electronic authentication system for a motorcycle comprising:

a portable transmitter-receiver carried by a user;

a control unit installed on a motorcycle body;

an ignition switch unit provided with an ignition knob, the ignition switch unit electrically connected with the control unit; and

an emergency unlocking device including a mechanical key carried by a user, a key cylinder installed on the motorcycle body and a cable connecting the key cylinder and a lock mechanism for locking/unlocking the rotation of the ignition knob,

wherein the emergency unlocking device permits the ignition knob to be rotated from a handle locking position in consequence of an emergency unlocking operation without authentication.

19. The electronic authentication system for a motorcycle according to claim 18, wherein the key cylinder is covered with a lid component attachable and detachable without using any tool.