STABILIZATION APPARATUS FOR A TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE

Abstract

A stabilization apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a rotationally mounted gyroscope and a drive unit, as well as a rotational-direction reversal unit disposed between the drive unit and the gyroscope.

Claims

1-11 (canceled).

12. A stabilization apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle, comprising: a rotationally mounted gyroscope; a drive unit for driving the gyroscope; and a rotational-direction reversal unit via which a direction of rotation of the gyroscope is able to be adjusted, the rotational-direction reversal unit being disposed between the drive unit and the gyroscope.

13. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the rotational-direction reversal unit is a switchable gear unit.

14. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the drive unit is a mechanical energy store.

15. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 14, wherein the drive unit is a spiral spring.

16. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the drive unit includes an electric motor.

17. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the gyroscope is able to be braked via a braking device.

18. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the gyroscope has a non-adjustable spin axis in the two-wheeled vehicle.

19. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the stabilization apparatus is usable for yaw stabilization, and the spin axis of the gyroscope coincides at least approximately with the vertical axis of the two-wheeled vehicle.

20. The stabilization apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the stabilization apparatus has exactly one gyroscope.

21. A regulating or control unit for controlling adjustable components of the stabilization apparatus, the stabilization apparatus including a rotationally mounted gyroscope, a drive unit for driving the gyroscope, and a rotational-direction reversal unit via which a direction of rotation of the gyroscope is able to be adjusted, the rotational-direction reversal unit being disposed between the drive unit and the gyroscope.

22. A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising: a stabilization apparatus including a rotationally mounted gyroscope, a drive unit for driving the gyroscope; and a rotational-direction reversal unit via which a direction of rotation of the gyroscope is able to be adjusted, the rotational-direction reversal unit being disposed between the drive unit and the gyroscope; a regulating or control unit; and a vehicle sensor system; wherein control signals for controlling adjustable components of the stabilization apparatus are able to be generated in the regulating or control unit from driving-condition variables ascertained in the vehicle sensor system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a motorized two-wheeled vehicle, which is equipped with a stabilization apparatus.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the stabilization apparatus in an enlarged representation.

[0025] In the figures, identical components are provided with identical reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a motorized two-wheeled vehicle 1 that is equipped with a stabilization apparatus 2 which is shown enlarged in FIG. 2. Stabilization apparatus 2 is used to stabilize two-wheeled vehicle 1 in critical driving conditions, particularly during cornering and in response to the imminent danger of a lateral skidding of the rear wheel of the two-wheeled vehicle. Stabilization apparatus 2 is secured to frame 3 of the two-wheeled vehicle and preferably forms a prefabricated modular unit which is integrated into two-wheeled vehicle 1.

[0027] Two-wheeled vehicle 1 is equipped in a conventional manner with sensors that include an inertial sensor system 4 as well as at least one wheel-speed sensor 5 at the front wheel. Sensors 4, 5 detect driving-condition variables, from which the driving condition may be inferred. By evaluating the driving-condition variables, it is possible to infer a critical or an imminent critical driving condition.

[0028] Two-wheeled vehicle 1 is equipped with a regulating or control unit 6, to which the sensor signals from sensors 4, 5 are supplied as input variables. In the regulating or control unit, control signals are generated, which are supplied to stabilization apparatus 2 for controlling the adjustable components.

[0029] As can be gathered from FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, stabilization apparatus 2 includes a gyroscope 7, a drive unit 8 and a rotational-direction reversal unit 9. In addition, a braking device 10 and an electric motor 11 are part of stabilization apparatus 2. Gyroscope 7 exhibits a high moment of inertia and is mounted in the stabilization apparatus in a manner allowing it to rotate about its spin axis 12; no further movement possibility exists for gyroscope 7, in particular, it is mounted in a manner not allowing it to swivel or tilt. In the installed state of stabilization apparatus 2 in two-wheeled vehicle 1, spin axis 12 of gyroscope 7 runs parallel or at least approximately parallel to vertical axis z of the two-wheeled vehicle.

[0030] Drive unit 8 is implemented as a mechanical energy store in the form of a spiral spring. Spiral spring 8 is tensioned via an actuation of electric motor 11, electric motor 11 only having to be actuated for the tensioning process. Tensioned spiral spring 8 maintains its energy state until the spring energy is converted for the rotational driving of gyroscope 7.

[0031] Spiral spring 8 is connected to gyroscope 7 via rotational-direction reversal unit 9. For example, rotational-direction reversal unit 9 is implemented as a switchable gear unit that converts the spring energy of spiral spring 8 into a rotational movement of gyroscope 7 about its spin axis 12. The direction of rotation of gyroscope 7 may be set clockwise or counterclockwise via rotational-direction reversal unit 9.

[0032] Braking device 10 is adjustable between a position braking the rotational movement of gyroscope 7, and a release position in which gyroscope 7 is able to rotate unbraked.

[0033] All adjustable components of stabilization apparatus 2 are adjusted by control signals of regulating or control unit 6 in two-wheeled vehicle 1; this pertains to rotational-direction reversal unit 9, braking device 10 as well as electric motor 11.

[0034] The example method for stabilizing the two-wheeled vehicle proceeds as follows:

[0035] Sensor signals are ascertained continuously via sensors 4, 5 and supplied as input signals to regulating or control unit 6, in which it is calculated whether a driving condition critical with regard to safety exists or threatens. If this is the case, control signals are generated for controlling the adjustable components of stabilization apparatus 2.

[0036] So long as two-wheeled vehicle 1 is in a condition not critical in terms of safety, braking device 10 of stabilization apparatus 2 is in its position braking the rotational movement of the gyroscope; at the same time, spiral spring 8 is in its tensioned state. If stabilization apparatus 2 is to be actuated to stabilize the two-wheeled vehicle, then braking device 10 is released, so that gyroscope 7 is able to rotate unhindered. Meantime, rotational-direction reversal unit 9 is controlled in order to adjust the desired direction of rotation of gyroscope 7 about spin axis 12. Spring energy is conducted from tensioned spiral spring 8 via rotational-direction reversal unit 9 to gyroscope 7, which begins to rotate in the desired direction of rotation. The angular momentum thereby generated leads to stabilization of the two-wheeled vehicle.

[0037] After the two-wheeled vehicle has been stabilized, braking device 10 may be transferred again into its braking position, in which rotation of gyroscope 7 about its spin axis 12 is prevented. At the same time, electric motor 11 may be actuated, in order to tension spiral spring 8 again.