Motorcycle provided with engine setting system

• US 7,912,626 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2009
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Usukura, Yasutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin; Stephen K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoang; Johnny H
• Application Number:
  US12/507,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20100076669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 701/102, 701/110, 701113-115, 180/65.21, 180/65.265, 180/218, 180/219
• US Class Current: 701/115
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/062 for starting F02D41/061 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/2422 Selective use of one or more tables
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue

Abstract

A motor vehicle includes an engine and an external setting unit configured to set an engine control amount. A control unit is configured to store a basic control map having a preset engine control amount contained therein. The control unit is also configured to communicate with the external setting unit. An engine setting system is configured to change the preset engine control amount by replacing the preset engine control amount with the engine control amount set by the external setting unit. The engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected in the basic control map. The engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected in the control map when a start preparing operation is detected.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

an engine;

an external setting unit configured to set an engine control amount;

a control unit configured to store a basic control map having a preset engine control amount contained therein, the control unit is also configured to communicate with the external setting unit;

an engine setting system configured to change the preset engine control amount by replacing the preset engine control amount with the engine control amount set by the external setting unit, wherein the engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected in the basic control map;

an engine revolution detection unit connected to the control unit,

wherein the engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected in the control map when a start preparing operation is detected,

wherein the control unit determines an existence of a start preparing operation when an engine revolution number obtained from the engine revolution detection unit exceeds a predetermined value, and

wherein the predetermined value is set to a revolution number that is higher than an idle revolution number.

2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined value is based upon a snap operation opening a throttle grip.

3. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine an existence of a start preparing operation when a throttle opening is detected to exceed a predetermined throttle opening value.

4. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory device configured to store the engine control amount to be set by the external setting unit as a read-in amount, wherein the read-in amount is maintained in a stand-by-state until the start preparing operation begins.

5. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein engine control is based upon the basic control map until the engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected.

6. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a battery-less motor vehicle.

7. A motor vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the motor vehicle comprises a motorcycle.

8. A method of controlling an engine, comprising:

storing a basic control map in an engine control unit, said basic control map having a preset engine control amount contained therein;

setting an engine control amount with an external setting unit;

detecting a start preparing operation of an engine in the motor vehicle;

replacing the preset engine control amount with the engine control amount set by the external setting unit upon detection of the start preparing operation, wherein the engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected in the basic control map,

wherein the detecting comprises determining when an engine revolution number exceeds a predetermined value, and

wherein the predetermined value comprises a revolution number that is higher than an idle revolution number.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the detecting comprises detecting when a throttle opening exceeds a predetermined throttle opening value.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the setting comprises setting the engine control amount based upon data received from a memory device.

11. Method according to claim 8, wherein engine control is based upon the basic control map until the engine control amount set by the external setting unit is reflected in the basic control map.

12. A motor vehicle, comprising:

engine means for providing motive force to a motor vehicle;

external setting means for setting a control amount for the engine means;

control means for storing a basic control map having a preset engine control amount contained therein, the control means also for communicating with the external setting means;

engine setting means for changing the preset engine control amount by replacing the preset engine control amount with the engine control amount set by the external setting means, wherein the engine control amount set by the external setting means is reflected in the basic control map;

engine revolution detecting means connected to the control means, for detecting an engine revolution amount, wherein the control means is also for determining an existence of a start preparing operation when an engine revolution number obtained from the engine revolution detection means exceeds a predetermined value,

wherein the engine control amount set by the external setting means is reflected in the control map when a start preparing operation is detected, and

wherein the predetermined value comprises a revolution number that is higher than an idle revolution number.

13. A motor vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the control means is also for determining an existence of a start preparation operation when a throttle opening is detected to exceed a predetermined throttle opening value.

14. A motor vehicle according to claim 12, further comprising:

memory means for storing the engine control amount which is set by the external setting means as a read-in amount, wherein the read-in amount is stored in a stand-by-state until a start preparation operation is initiated.