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EP-4737286-A1 - VEHICLE

EP4737286A1EP 4737286 A1EP4737286 A1EP 4737286A1EP-4737286-A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vehicle (100). The vehicle (100) includes a lever mechanism (116). The lever mechanism (116) includes a lever (120), a support member (204), a first link (206), and a second link (208). The lever (120) is configured to operate sequentially in a first operating zone (126) and a second operating zone (128). The first link (206) is operably coupled to the lever (120) and pivotally coupled to the support member (204). The first link (206) is configured to actuate a first detecting member (228). The second link (208) is operably coupled to at least one of the lever (120) and the first link (206). The second link (208) is configured to actuate a second detecting member (238) in the second operating zone (128).

Inventors

  • DOSCH, Martin
  • SEIDL, WILHELM
  • THEOBALD, MARKUS
  • BYRNES, BENJAMIN

Assignees

  • Hero Motocorp Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20251105

Claims (16)

  1. A vehicle (100), comprising: a body frame (102) comprising a head tube (112); a handlebar (110) rotatably coupled to the head tube (112), the handlebar (110) comprising a first side portion (114L) and a second side portion (114R); a first detecting member (228) and a second detecting member (238); and a lever mechanism (116) comprising: a lever (120) configured to operate sequentially in a first operating zone (126) and a second operating zone (128); a support member (204) mounted to at least one of the first side portion (114L) and the second side portion (114R); a first link (206) operably coupled to the lever (120) and pivotally coupled to the support member (204), the first link (206) configured to actuate the first detecting member (228), wherein the first detecting member (228) provides a control signal corresponding to an actuation intensity of at least one of a first vehicle parameter in the first operating zone (126), and a second vehicle parameter in the second operating zone (128); and a second link (208) operably coupled to at least one of the lever (120) and the first link (206), the second link (208) configured to actuate the second detecting member (238) in the second operating zone (128), wherein the second detecting member (238) provides a first output signal corresponding to activation of the first vehicle parameter, and a second output signal corresponding to activation of the second vehicle parameter.
  2. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vehicle parameter corresponds to a throttle modulation mode, and the second vehicle parameter corresponds to a regeneration mode of the vehicle (100).
  3. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism (116) further comprises: a first adjuster screw (210) adjustably coupled to the first link (206); a connecting pin (218) operably engaged with the first adjuster screw (210); and a slidable pin (220) engaged with the connecting pin (218), the slidable pin (220) configured to be slidably disposed within a slidable portion (222) of the support member (204), wherein the first detecting member (228) is positioned at the slidable portion (222) and provides the control signal corresponding to the slidable movement of the slidable pin (220).
  4. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lever mechanism (116) further comprises a first resilient member (230) disposed between the slidable pin (220) and an inner wall (229) of the slidable portion (222), wherein the first resilient member (230) is configured to provide a restoring bias that resists a linear displacement of the slidable pin (220).
  5. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lever mechanism (116) further comprises a second resilient member (240) disposed within a receiving portion (242) of the support member (204), wherein the second resilient member (240) is configured to resist the actuation of the second link (208) operating in the second operating zone (128).
  6. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein a stiffness of the second resilient member (240) is greater than a stiffness of the first resilient member (230).
  7. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second detecting member (238) is configured as a switch.
  8. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first detecting member (228) and the second detecting member (238) is selected from a group consisting of: a Hall-effect sensor, an optical displacement sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT).
  9. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a haptic actuator (136) mounted on the lever mechanism (116), wherein the haptic actuator (136) is configured to generate a predefined haptic value for providing haptic feedback to a rider of the vehicle (100); and a controller (130) electronically coupled to at least one of the first detecting member (228), the second detecting member (238), the third detecting member (121), and the haptic actuator (136), the controller (130) configured to: receive one of the first output signal or the second output signal from the second detecting member (238), wherein the first output signal is indicative of the operating position of the lever (120) in the first operating zone (126), and the second output signal is indicative of the operating position of the lever (120) in the second operating zone (128); receive a third output signal from the third detecting member (121), wherein the third output signal is indicative of the operating position of a throttle (118) of the vehicle (100), generate a haptic signal based on receipt of at least one of the first output signal, the second output signal, and the third output signal; and transmit the haptic signal to the haptic actuator (136) to generate a predefined haptic feedback.
  10. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller (130) is further configured to: determine the operating position of the lever (120); configure the haptic signal such that the predefined haptic feedback has a first haptic value, when the operating position of the lever (120) is in the first operating zone (126); and configure the haptic signal such that the predefined haptic feedback has a second haptic value different from the first haptic value, when the operating position of the lever (120) is in the second operating zone (128).
  11. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first haptic value and the second haptic value are different in at least one of a predefined vibration magnitude and a predefined vibration pattern.
  12. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in the first operating zone, a predefined vibration magnitude of the first haptic value is proportional to the first output signal and the second output signal, thereby indicating that an acceleration command provided via the throttle (118) is being modulated by the lever (120).
  13. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein, in the second operating zone (128), a predefined vibration magnitude of the second haptic value is proportional to the second output signal, thereby indicating that an active regeneration function overrides at least an acceleration command of the throttle (118).
  14. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the controller (130) is further configured to: determine an error condition associated with an operation of a power-generating motor (132) of the vehicle (100); and configure the haptic signal such that the predefined haptic feedback has a high vibration magnitude haptic value, in response to determining the error condition.
  15. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lever mechanism (116) further comprises a lower housing part (256L) and an upper housing part (256U) detachably coupled to the lower housing part (256L), the lower housing part (256L) and the upper housing part (256U) define an enclosure therebetween to accommodate the haptic actuator (136).
  16. The vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the haptic actuator (136) is selected from a group consisting of an eccentric rotating mass motor, a linear resonant actuator, and a piezoelectric actuator.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a lever mechanism of a handlebar configured to enable a rider to operate the vehicle in different operating modes and to receive haptic feedback corresponding to the selected operating mode. BACKGROUND The clutch is an essential function of any vehicle. The clutch allows riders to regain control over acceleration in critical situations, such as required rapid deceleration or required sudden acceleration, ensuring a responsive and confident riding experience. It also provides the rider with an option to generate high torque and quick acceleration. It is advantageous to mimic the clutch function in EVs for a more responsive vehicle for riders. A throttle override and regenerative braking are crucial features for any two-wheeled electric vehicle (EV) that significantly enhance safety and efficiency. The throttle override function disables vehicle movement even though there is a throttle input. Moreover, the regenerative function, where the motor acts as a generator and generates electrical energy to charge the battery. This increases the vehicle's range and reduces the need for frequent external charging. However, in EVs, especially in adventure EVs, there is a need for a manually controlled throttle override function and regeneration function that is to be controlled by the rider and gives clear feedback to the rider about these functions. SUMMARY This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In order to solve the foregoing problem and to provide other advantages, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle. The vehicle includes a body frame, a handlebar, and a lever mechanism. The handlebar is rotatably coupled to a head tube of the body frame. The handlebar has a first side portion and a second side portion. The lever mechanism includes a lever, a support member, a first link, a second link, a first detecting member, and a second detecting member. The lever is configured to operate sequentially in a first operating zone and a second operating zone. The support member is mounted to at least one of the first side portion and the second side portion. The first link is operably coupled to the lever and pivotally coupled to the support member. The first link is configured to actuate the first detecting member. The first detecting member provides a control signal corresponding to an actuation intensity of at least one of a first vehicle parameter in the first operating zone, and a second vehicle parameter in the second operating zone. The second link is operably coupled to at least one of the lever and the first link. The second link is configured to actuate the second detecting member in the second operating zone. The second detecting member provides a first output signal corresponding to activation of the first vehicle parameter, and a second output signal corresponding to activation of the second vehicle parameter. In an aspect, the first vehicle parameter corresponds to a throttle modulation mode, and the second vehicle parameter corresponds to a regeneration mode of the vehicle. In an aspect, the lever mechanism further includes a first adjuster screw adjustably coupled to the first link, a connecting pin operably engaged with the first adjuster screw, and a slidable pin engaged with the connecting pin. The slidable pin is configured to be slidably disposed within a slidable portion of the support member. The first detecting member is positioned at the slidable portion and provides the control signal corresponding to the slidable movement of the slidable pin. In an aspect, the lever mechanism further includes a first resilient member disposed between the slidable pin and an inner wall of the slidable portion. The first resilient member is configured to provide a restoring bias that resists a linear displacement of the slidable pin. In an aspect, the lever mechanism further includes a second resilient member disposed within a receiving portion of the support member. The second resilient member is configured to resist the actuation of the second link operating in the second operating zone. In an aspect, a stiffness of the second resilient member is greater than a stiffness of the first resilient member. In an aspect, the second detecting member is configured as a switch. In an aspect, at least one of the first detecting member and the second detecting member is selected from a group consisting of: a Hall-effect sensor, an optical displacement sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and a linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT). In an aspect, the vehicle further includes a haptic actuator and a controller. The haptic a