VEHICLE

• US 20100071984A1
• Filed: 07/24/2007
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
• Original Assignee: Kabushikikaisha Equos Research
• Inventors: Sawada, Kazuaki, Doi, Katsunori, Miki, Nobuaki
• Application Number:
  US12/374,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20100071984A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/218
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/007 Automatic balancing machines with single main ground engaging wheel or coaxial wheels supporting a rider
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility

Abstract

A transverse two-wheeled vehicle has an increased turning limit value. A turning limit estimation system obtains a turning limit value and a center-of-gravity position adjustment system improves the obtained turning limit value. The turning limit estimation system obtains values for turning limit and turning stability by estimating a center-of-gravity position and a lateral acceleration. In the center-of-gravity position adjustment system, the turning limit value is increased by causing the estimated center-of-gravity position to move toward a centripetal direction. The mechanism for moving the center of gravity to is one or more of i) a vehicle body tilt mechanism, ii) a weight movement mechanism, and iii) a seat parallel movement mechanism. Accordingly, particularly a vehicle with two wheels narrowly spaced and a high center of gravity, can make a faster and smaller turn, and driving performance, stability, and security of the turning operation are improved.

Claims

1. A vehicle including two drive wheels arranged in opposition to each other on an axle, comprising:

a riding portion for accommodating a weight body;

center-of-gravity position acquisition means for acquiring a center-of-gravity position;

lateral acceleration acquisition means for acquiring a lateral acceleration which is an acceleration component parallel to the axle;

movement amount determination means for determining an amount of movement of the center-of-gravity position in a left-right direction in accordance with the acquired center-of-gravity position and magnitude of the acquired lateral acceleration; and

center-of-gravity movement means for causing the center-of-gravity position to move in accordance with the determined amount of movement of the center-of-gravity position.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

rotation speed acquisition means for acquiring a rotational speed of each of the two drive wheels, wherein

the lateral acceleration acquisition means calculates the lateral acceleration using each of the acquired rotational speeds of the two drive wheels.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

an accelerometer arranged in the vehicle, wherein

the lateral acceleration acquisition means calculates the lateral acceleration using a measured value of the accelerometer.

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising:

a load sensor arranged in the riding position; and

a height sensor which measures a height of the weight body, and wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position from detected values of the load sensor and the height sensor.

5. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position using a disturbance observer.

6. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising:

a load sensor arranged in the riding portion;

a height sensor which measures a height of the weight body;

direct acquisition means for acquiring the center-of-gravity position from detected values of the load sensor and the height sensor; and

indirect acquisition means for acquiring the center-of-gravity position using a disturbance observer, wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position based on values acquired by the direct acquisition means and the indirect acquisition means.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the center-of-gravity movement means comprises at least one of:

vehicle body tilting means for tilting a vehicle body in the left-right direction;

weight moving means for moving a weight in the left-right direction; and

riding portion moving means for moving the riding portion in the left-right direction.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein

the center-of-gravity movement means comprises two or more of the vehicle body tilting means, the weight moving means, and the riding portion moving means, and

the movement amount determination means comprises distribution means for distributing the determined movement amount of the center of gravity to two or more of the vehicle body tilting means, the weight moving means, and the riding portion moving means included in the center-of-gravity movement means.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein

the distribution means distributes the determined amount of movement of the center of gravity based on a frequency component.

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a load sensor arranged in the riding position; and

a height sensor which measures a height of the weight body, and wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position from detected values of the load sensor and the height sensor.

11. The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising:

a load sensor arranged in the riding position; and

a height sensor which measures a height of the weight body, and wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position from detected values of the load sensor and the height sensor.

12. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position using a disturbance observer.

13. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position using a disturbance observer.

14. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a load sensor arranged in the riding portion;

a height sensor which measures a height of the weight body;

direct acquisition means for acquiring the center-of-gravity position from detected values of the load sensor and the height sensor; and

indirect acquisition means for acquiring the center-of-gravity position using a disturbance observer, wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position based on values acquired from the direct acquisition means and the indirect acquisition means.

15. The vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising:

a load sensor arranged in the riding portion;

a height sensor which measures a height of the weight body;

direct acquisition means for acquiring the center-of-gravity position from detected values of the load sensor and the height sensor; and

indirect acquisition means for acquiring the center-of-gravity position using a disturbance observer, wherein

the center-of-gravity position acquisition means acquires the center-of-gravity position based on values acquired from the direct acquisition means and the indirect acquisition means.

16. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the center-of-gravity movement means comprises at least one of:

vehicle body tilting means for tilting a vehicle body in the left-right direction;

weight moving means for moving a weight in the left-right direction; and

riding portion moving means for moving the riding portion in the left-right direction.

17. The vehicle according to claim 16, wherein

the center-of-gravity movement means comprises two or more of the vehicle body tilting means, the weight moving means, and the riding portion moving means, and

the movement amount determination means comprises distribution means for distributing the determined amount of movement of the center of gravity to two or more of the vehicle body tilting means, the weight moving means, and the riding portion moving means included in the center-of-gravity movement means.

18. The vehicle according to claim 17, wherein

the distribution means distributes the determined amount of movement of the center of gravity based on a frequency component.

19. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the center-of-gravity movement means comprises at least one of:

vehicle body tilting means for tilting a vehicle body in the left-right direction;

weight moving means for moving a weight in the left-right direction; and

riding portion moving means for moving the riding portion in the left-right direction.

20. The vehicle according to claim 19, wherein

the center-of-gravity movement means comprises two or more of the vehicle body tilting means, the weight moving means, and the riding portion moving means, and

the movement amount determination means comprises distribution means for distributing the determined amount of movement of the center of gravity to two or more of the vehicle body tilting means, the weight moving means, and the riding portion moving means included in the center-of-gravity movement means.

21. The vehicle according to claim 20, wherein

the distribution means distributes the determined amount of movement of the center of gravity based on a frequency component.