Combination twist grip for motorcycles

• US 6,371,890 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Schell, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): ESTREMSKY, SHERRY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US09/554,759
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 744/84.R, 744/85, 744/86, 744/88, 477/209
• US Class Current: 477/209
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 26/021 with means for providing feel, e.g. by changing pedal force characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/06 including control of combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/18 including control of braking systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/0605 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/04 Twist grips
• CPC Class Codes: B62L 3/026 actuation by a turning handle or handlebar

Abstract

A combination turning handle for controlling operation of a fuel mixture feeding element and braking elements for the front and rear wheels of a motorcycle or other vehicle comprises a torque sensor which measures a positive or negative torque exerted by the driver on the turning handle for increasing or for decreasing the speed. Two servo units respond to the measured value of the torque sensor, actuate the fuel mixture feeding element or the two braking elements, and a speed sensor measures the momentary speed of the motorcycle. A servo motor rotates the turning handle by an angle corresponding to the measured value of the speed sensor.

Claims

1. A combination turning handle for controlling operation of a fuel mixture feeding element and braking elements of a vehicle, comprising:

a turning handle which is rotatable about an axis thereof;

a torque sensor which measures a positive or negative torque exerted on the turning handle for increasing or decreasing vehicle speed;

first and second servo units which actuate the fuel mixture feeding element and the braking elements respectively corresponding to a measured positive or negative value measured by the torque sensor;

a speed sensor which measures the momentary speed of the motorcycle; and

a servo motor which rotates the turning handle by an angle corresponding to a vehicle speed measured by the speed sensor.

2. The combination turning handle according to claim 1, wherein a brake power proportioning device is assigned to the braking elements (12) for the front and the rear wheel.

3. The combination turning handle according to claim 1, wherein a torque/path ratio of the servo units can be preset.

4. The combination turning handle according to claim 1, wherein a characteristic of speed feedback is variable.

5. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle having a rotatable control handle, first and second actuators for operating a fuel mixture feeding element and vehicle brakes, respectively, and a vehicle speed sensor, comprising:

controlling at least one of said actuators as a function of a torque exerted on said control handle; and

controlling an angular rotational position of said control handle solely as a function of vehicle speed detected by said vehicle speed sensor.

6. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said first actuator controls an amount of fuel fed by said fuel mixture feeding element as a function of magnitude of a torque exerted on said control handle.

7. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle according to claim 6, wherein said second actuator controls a braking force applied by said vehicle brakes, as a function of magnitude of a torque exerted on said control handle.

8. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said second actuator controls a braking force applied by said vehicle brakes, as a function of magnitude of a torque exerted on said control handle.

9. A method for controlling a vehicle having a rotatable control handle, comprising:

controlling at least one of vehicle acceleration and vehicle braking as a function of a torque exerted on said control handle; and

controlling an angular rotational position of said control handle solely as a function of vehicle speed.