Vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle

• US 7,554,217 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2006
• Issued: 06/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha (Yamaha Corporation)
• Inventors: Unno, Hitoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Paladini; Albert W
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAVALLARI, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US11/419,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20060261674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 340/426.1
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/306 Motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/02153 comprising a locking member radially and linearly moved towards the steering column
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor

Abstract

In response to a request signal transmitted from the vehicle through operation of an activating switch, a portable device sends a code signal. The code signal is identified by a code identification component. If authentication of the code signal is successful, a control unit issues a release signal to unlock a steering lock and power is supplied from the control unit to an engine ECU so that the engine can be started.

Claims

1. A vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle comprising a steering lock release assembly, a portable device, a control unit and a code identification component, the portable device adapted to transmit a code signal, the code identification component adapted to authenticate the code signal by comparing the code signal to a reference, the control unit issuing a release signal to actuate the steering lock release assembly upon successful authentication of the code signal and power being supplied from the control unit to a control section of a vehicle driving source upon successful authentication so that the vehicle driving source is able to be started, the vehicle controller further comprising a vehicle-mounted unit and a related actuator, the actuator adapted to unlock the vehicle-mounted unit, an encrypted signal being communicated between the control unit and the vehicle-mounted unit, and if the encrypted signal is successfully authenticated, the actuator unlocks the vehicle-mounted unit.

2. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising an activating switch, the activating switch being electrically connected to the control unit, the vehicle controller adapted to issue a request signal upon operation of the activating switch, and the portable device transmitting the code signal in response to the request signal.

3. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an encrypted signal is communicated between the control unit and the control section of the vehicle driving source, and if authentication of the encrypted signal is successful, the vehicle driving source is able to be started.

4. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising an unlock switch adapted to unlock the vehicle-mounted unit, the encrypted signal being communicated between the control unit and the vehicle-mounted unit upon operation of the unlock switch associated with the vehicle-mounted unit.

5. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle driving source is selected from the group consisting of an engine and an electric motor.

6. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle-mounted unit is selected from the group consisting of a seat and a fuel tank.

7. The vehicle controller for a straddle type vehicle according to claim 1, wherein an encrypted signal between the control unit and the control section of the vehicle driving source is conducted upon operation of a starting switch that is in electrical communication with the control section of the vehicle driving source, and an activating switch and the starting switch are combined into one switch mechanism.