CN114379690A

CN114379690A - Tiltable vehicle with two front wheels

Info

Publication number: CN114379690A
Application number: CN202111021233.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 廖伟翔; 庄惟霖; 丁信志
Original assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-10-22
Filing date: 2021-09-01
Publication date: 2022-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-01
Also published as: TWI774094B; FR3115499A1; CN114379690B; TW202216523A

Abstract

The present invention provides a tiltable vehicle having two front wheels, comprising: a vehicle body; two front wheels; a tilting mechanism and a pair of front shock absorbers disposed between the body and the front wheels for supporting the front wheels so that the front wheels can move up and down relative to the body; a locking device for locking or unlocking the tilting mechanism and the pair of front shock absorbers to restrict the up-and-down movement of the front wheels or to release the restriction; an engine speed sensor for sensing an engine speed; a vehicle speed sensor for sensing a vehicle speed; a locking switch; and a controller electrically connected to the engine speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the lock switch, wherein when the lock switch is pressed, the controller determines whether to control the lock device to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state according to the engine speed and the vehicle speed.

Description

Tiltable vehicle with two front wheels

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly to a tiltable vehicle having two front wheels.

Background

As is known, a typical motorcycle generally has a rear wheel and a front wheel located on the same axis as the rear wheel. Although this unstable design with only one rear wheel and one front wheel changes the operation sensitivity, the stability of riding is relatively sacrificed, so that the rider must lean on his own balance to control the motorcycle to avoid the motorcycle from falling, and therefore, the elderly or people with poor balance are not suitable for riding the motorcycle.

Therefore, in order to improve the stability of the motorcycle, the related art has been actively developing and producing a three-wheeled motorcycle having two front wheels in recent years. Referring to fig. 1 and 2, for example, taiwan patent publication TWI346055 discloses a tilt lock mechanism for a three-wheeled motorcycle with two front wheels, which includes a motor 11, a driving rod 12 driven by the motor 11 and having a gear 120 at an end thereof, a transmission gear 13 engaged with the gear 120 of the driving rod 12, an actuating rod 14 integrated with the transmission gear 13, and an oil pump 16 disposed corresponding to the actuating rod 14 and connected to a hydraulic circuit 15. When the motor 11 is started, the driving rod 12 is driven to rotate, the gear 120 at the end of the driving rod 12 drives the transmission gear 13 to rotate, and finally the actuating rod 14 integrated with the transmission gear 13 is driven to act on the oil pump 16 to provide driving oil pressure for the hydraulic circuit 15. Wherein the driving oil pressure is mainly used for a tilting mechanism locking device 181 and a front fork stroke stopping device 182. The cam 17 pivoted on the actuating lever 14 is driven by a mechanism to control the linkage of the rear wheel brake 183. Furthermore, the TWI346055 patent discloses that an electronic control unit (not shown) can actuate the motor 11 according to the swing angle of a tilting mechanism (not shown) and the vehicle speed.

As mentioned above, the TWI346055 mainly discloses a lever mechanism to push the oil pump 16, and the cam 17 is only used as a means to link the rear wheel brake 183. Further, the design of pushing the oil pump 16 by the lever mechanism is difficult in spatial arrangement and may be large in size, which adversely affects the miniaturization of the arrangement space of the whole three-wheeled motorcycle.

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tiltable vehicle having two front wheels.

[ means for solving problems ]

Accordingly, the tiltable vehicle with two front wheels in the technique of claim 1 of the present invention includes: a vehicle body; two front wheels arranged at the front side of the vehicle body and arranged in parallel left and right; a tilting mechanism and a pair of front shock absorbers, which are arranged between the vehicle body and the front wheels and are used for supporting the front wheels so that the front wheels can move up and down relative to the vehicle body; a locking device for locking or unlocking the tilting mechanism and the pair of front shock absorbers to restrict the up-and-down movement of the front wheels or to release the restriction; an engine speed sensor for sensing an engine speed; a vehicle speed sensor for sensing a vehicle speed; a locking switch; and a controller electrically connected to the engine speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the lock switch, wherein when the lock switch is pressed, the controller determines whether to control the lock device to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state according to the engine speed and the vehicle speed.

The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels in the technique of claim 2 of the present invention, the locking device includes a first tilt mechanism locking device corresponding to the tilt mechanism, a pair of front fork stroke locking devices corresponding to the pair of front shock absorbers, and an oil pressure driving device for simultaneously driving the first tilt mechanism locking device and the pair of front fork stroke locking devices to be locked or unlocked.

The tiltable vehicle of claim 3, wherein the hydraulic driving device comprises a first motor driven by the controller, a cam driven by the first motor to eccentrically rotate, a roller in rolling contact with the cam and driven by the cam to translate within a working stroke, a main pump, and a hydraulic push rod, wherein two ends of the hydraulic push rod are respectively pivoted to the roller and extend into the main pump, and when the roller translates within the working stroke, the hydraulic push rod is driven to translate within the working stroke relative to the main pump to establish the hydraulic pressure or release the hydraulic pressure.

The tiltable vehicle of claim 4, wherein the oil pressure driving device further comprises a cam position sensor for sensing a rotation angle of the cam, the rotation angle corresponding to zero oil pressure of the master pump being defined as about 0 ° and a zero point position, the master pump having a slight oil pressure when the rotation angle is about 60 ° and an unlock position corresponding to the unlock state, and the master pump having a slight oil pressure when the rotation angle is about 120 ° and a lock position corresponding to the lock state.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as set forth in claim 5, the controller includes a first current sensor for sensing a first current value flowing through the first motor, controls the first motor to rotate forward to rotate the cam from the unlock position to the lock position when the controller determines that the lock device is to be controlled to switch from the unlock state to the lock state, and indicates that the first motor is locked and the lock device is switched to the lock state when the first current sensor senses that the first current value is greater than a first current threshold value.

The tiltable vehicle with two front wheels in the technology of item 6 of the present invention further comprises a main switch electrically connected to the controller, wherein the oil pressure driving device further comprises a housing accommodating the cam, the roller and the oil pressure push rod, and a cover detachably covering the housing, a blocking block is disposed on an inner surface of the cover, and when the cam is located at the unlocking position, and if the main switch is closed, the controller controls the first motor to rotate reversely until a rotation angle of the cam is smaller than 3 °, indicating that the cam is zeroed, or indicating that the cam is zeroed when the first current sensor senses that the first current value is larger than the first current threshold value because the cam is blocked by the blocking block.

The technique of claim 7, wherein in the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels, the cam is maintained at the lock position regardless of whether the main switch is turned off or on, with the cam at the lock position.

The tiltable vehicle in accordance with claim 8 of the present invention further comprises an unlock switch electrically connected to the controller in a case where the cam is located at the lock position, the controller controlling the lock device to switch to the lock state when the engine speed is within a first engine speed range representing that the engine is stationary and the vehicle speed is less than a first vehicle speed and the lock switch is pressed, and the controller controlling the lock device to switch to the unlock state when the unlock switch is pressed.

The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to the technique of item 9 of the present invention, wherein the first engine speed range is 900rpm or less, and the first vehicle speed is 10 km/hr.

The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels in the technique of item 10 of the present invention, the controller controls the locking device to switch to the locked state when the engine speed is within a second engine speed interval representing an engine idling speed and less than a stepless automatic transmission disengagement speed, and the vehicle speed is less than the first vehicle speed, and the lock switch is pressed, and then controls the locking device to switch to the unlocked state when the unlock switch is pressed.

The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels in the technique of item 11 of the present invention, the second engine rotation speed range is 900rpm to 3000rpm, the continuously variable automatic transmission disengagement rotation speed is 2000rpm, and the first vehicle speed is 10 km/hr.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to the technology of item 12 of the present invention, the controller controls the locking device to automatically shift to the unlocked state when the engine speed is increased to be greater than a continuously variable automatic transmission engagement speed and the vehicle speed is greater than a second vehicle speed, within the second engine speed range with the locking device in the locked state.

The tiltable vehicle with two front wheels in the technique of item 13 of the present invention, the continuously variable automatic transmission having a coupling rotation speed of 2200rpm, the second vehicle speed being 2 km/hr.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to the technology of item 14 of the present invention, when the engine speed is within a third engine speed range representing the riding of the vehicle, the controller controls the lock switch to fail if the lock device is in the unlocked state, and controls the lock device to automatically shift to the unlocked state if the lock device is in the locked state.

The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to claim 15 of the present invention, wherein the third engine speed range is 3000rpm or more.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 16, the engine speed sensor first transmits the engine speed to an engine control unit, and then the engine control unit transmits the engine speed to the controller via a communication interface.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels of the invention in claim 17, the vehicle speed sensor transmits the vehicle speed to an anti-lock braking system, and the anti-lock braking system transmits the vehicle speed to the controller via the communication interface.

The tiltable vehicle of claim 18, further comprising a disc fixed to the tilting mechanism, the locking device comprising a second tilting mechanism locking device corresponding to the tilting mechanism and having a caliper, a pair of front fork stroke locking devices corresponding to the pair of front shock absorbers, and an oil pressure driving device, wherein the caliper of the second tilting mechanism locking device is adapted to releasably hold the disc, and the oil pressure driving device is adapted to drive the pair of front fork stroke locking devices to be locked or unlocked.

The tiltable vehicle of claim 19, wherein the hydraulic driving device comprises a first motor driven by the controller, a cam driven by the first motor to eccentrically rotate, a roller in rolling contact with the cam and driven by the cam to translate within a working stroke, a main pump, and a hydraulic push rod, wherein two ends of the hydraulic push rod are respectively pivoted to the roller and extend into the main pump, and when the roller translates within the working stroke, the hydraulic push rod is driven to translate within the working stroke relative to the main pump to establish hydraulic pressure or release hydraulic pressure.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to the technology of item 20 of the present invention, the oil pressure driving device further has a cam position sensor for sensing a rotation angle of the cam, the rotation angle corresponding to zero oil pressure of the master pump being defined as about 0 ° and a zero point position, the master pump having a slight oil pressure when the rotation angle is about 60 ° and an unlock position corresponding to the unlock state, and the master pump having a slight oil pressure when the rotation angle is about 120 ° and a lock position corresponding to the lock state.

In the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to item 21 of the present invention, the controller includes a first current sensor for sensing a first current value flowing through the first motor, controls the first motor to rotate forward to rotate the cam from the unlock position to the lock position when the controller determines that the front fork stroke locking device is to be controlled to switch from the unlock state to the lock state, and indicates that the first motor is locked and the front fork stroke locking device is switched to the lock state when the first current sensor senses that the first current value is greater than a first current threshold value.

The tiltable vehicle of claim 22, wherein the locking device further comprises a second motor driven by the controller, the controller comprises a second current sensor for sensing a second current value flowing through the second motor, the controller is capable of driving the second motor to rotate forward to clamp the disc by the caliper until the second current sensor senses that the second current value is greater than a second current threshold value, indicating that the second motor has rotated forward to locked, and the second tilt mechanism locking device is switched to the locked state, and the controller is capable of driving the second motor to rotate backward until the second current sensor senses that the second current value is less than a third current threshold value, indicating that the disc has been released by the caliper, and the second tilt mechanism locking device is switched to the unlocked state, wherein, the third current threshold is less than the second current threshold.

[ Effect of the invention ]

The invention has the following effects by the technique of item 1: (1) when the locking switch is pressed by a user, the controller can judge whether to control the locking device to be switched from the unlocking state to the locking state according to the engine rotating speed and the vehicle speed; (2) when the tiltable vehicle with two front wheels is locked and the engine speed is increased to a riding state higher than 3000rpm, the controller controls the locking device to automatically unlock, so that system misoperation caused by failure of the vehicle speed sensor can be avoided; (3) the unlocked position of the cam helps to shorten the locking and unlocking time; (4) if the user closes the main switch (Key OFF), the controller controls the first motor to reversely rotate until the cam is completely reset to zero, so that the oil pressure is zero, and the maintenance and the replacement of the oil pressure driving device are facilitated; (5) if the main switch is turned ON (Key ON) when the locking device is in the locked state, the first motor and the cam remain stationary, or if the main switch is turned ON when the locking device is not in the locked state, the first motor and the cam are turned to the unlocked position, which can contribute to shortening the operating stroke and shortening the driving time; (6) the hydraulic drive device directly drives the master pump by means of the cam and other elements, thereby ensuring the miniaturization of the mechanism and reducing the cost.

Drawings

Other features and effects of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a prior art tilt lock mechanism for a three-wheeled motorcycle having two front wheels;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating some of the components of the tilt lock mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating some of the components of the first embodiment of the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a lock device, a controller, an engine speed sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a main switch, a lock switch, and an unlock switch in the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the oil pressure driving device in the first embodiment;

fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the oil pressure driving device;

FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a stopper provided on an inner surface of a cover of the oil pressure driving device;

FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the cam of the oil pressure driving device rotated to a zero point position;

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the cam rotated to an unlocked position;

FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the cam rotated to a locked position;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a tilt lock control scenario for a tiltable vehicle having two front wheels in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating some components of a second embodiment of the tiltable vehicle having two front wheels in accordance with the present invention; and

fig. 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating a lock device, a controller, an engine speed sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a main switch, a lock switch, and an unlock switch in the second embodiment.

List of reference numerals

Tiltable vehicle with two front wheels

20. vehicle body

21L and 21R front wheels

22. engine speed sensor

23-vehicle speed sensor

24. disc

25L, 25R front shock absorber

26. locking device

261. oil pressure driving device

2610. casing

2611. first motor

2612. cam

2613. roller

2614. master pump

2615. oil pressure push rod

2616 cam position sensor

2617. lid

2618. Barrier Block

262. first Tilt mechanism locking device

263-front fork stroke locking device

264 second Tilt mechanism locking device

2641. caliper

265. second Motor

27. tilt mechanism

28. controller

280. Micro Control Unit (MCU)

281 first current sensor

282. first Motor drive Circuit

283 second current sensor

284. second motor drive circuit

291. Main switch

292. locking switch

293. unlock switch

30 to 332. step.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the first embodiment of the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels of the present invention includes a vehicle body 20, two

front wheels

21L, 21R, a tilting mechanism 27, a pair of

front shock absorbers

25L, 25R, a locking device 26, an engine speed sensor 22, a vehicle speed sensor 23, a main switch 291, a locking switch 292, an unlocking switch 293, and a controller 28. The engine speed sensor 22, the vehicle speed sensor 23, the main switch 291, the lock switch 292, and the unlock switch 293 are electrically connected to the controller 28. In the first embodiment, the engine speed sensor 22 is used for sensing an engine speed and directly transmitting the engine speed to the controller 28; the vehicle speed sensor 23 is used for sensing a vehicle speed and directly transmitting the vehicle speed to the controller 28. It should be noted that, in the variation of the first embodiment, the engine speed sensor 22 can transmit the engine speed to an engine control unit (ECU, not shown), and then the engine control unit transmits the engine speed to the controller 28 via a communication interface; the vehicle speed sensor 23 can transmit the vehicle speed to an anti-lock braking system (ABS, not shown), and then the anti-lock braking system transmits the vehicle speed to the controller 28 via the communication interface; the communication interface CAN be, for example, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus.

The

front wheels

21L, 21R are provided on the front side of the vehicle body 20 and arranged in parallel on the left and right.

The tilt mechanism 27 and the pair of

front shock absorbers

25L, 25R are provided between the vehicle body 20 and the

front wheels

21L, 21R, and support the

front wheels

21L, 21R so that the

front wheels

21L, 21R can move up and down with respect to the vehicle body 20.

The locking device 26 is used to lock or unlock the tilting mechanism 27 and the pair of

front shock absorbers

25L, 25R to restrict or release the up-down movement of the

front wheels

21L, 21R. In the present first embodiment, the locking device 26 includes a first tilt mechanism locking device 262 corresponding to the tilt mechanism 27, a pair of front fork stroke locking devices 263 corresponding to the pair of

front shock absorbers

25L, 25R, and an oil pressure driving device 261.

Referring to fig. 4 to 8, the hydraulic driving device 261 is configured to simultaneously drive the first tilting mechanism locking device 262 and the pair of front fork stroke locking devices 263 to be locked or unlocked, and has a housing 2610, a cover 2617, a first motor 2611 driven by the controller 28, a cam 2612 driven by the first motor 2611 to eccentrically rotate, a roller 2613 in rolling contact with the cam 2612 and driven by the cam 2612 to be capable of translating within an operating stroke, a main pump 2614, an oil pressure push rod 2615, and a cam position sensor 2616 configured to sense a rotation angle of the cam 2612. Wherein, the housing 2610 accommodates the cam 2612, the roller 2613, the hydraulic rod 2615 and other elements.

The two ends of the hydraulic push rod 2615 are respectively pivoted to the roller 2613 and extend into the master cylinder 2614, and when the roller 2613 translates in the working stroke, the hydraulic push rod 2615 can be driven to translate relative to the master cylinder 2614 in the working stroke so as to establish oil pressure or release oil pressure.

In the first embodiment, the cover 2617 is detachably disposed on the housing 2610, and a stop 2618 is disposed on the inner surface.

The main technical feature of the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels in accordance with the present invention is that when the lock switch 292 is pressed by the user, the controller 28 can determine whether to control the lock device 26 to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state based on the engine speed and the vehicle speed.

In the first embodiment, the controller 28 includes a first current sensor 281 for sensing a first current value flowing through the first motor 2611, a first motor driving circuit 282 for driving the first motor 2611 to operate, and a Micro Control Unit (MCU)280 electrically connected to the first current sensor 281, the first motor driving circuit 282 and the cam position sensor 2616.

Referring to fig. 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10, in the first embodiment, the rotation angle of the cam 2612 corresponding to the oil pressure of the master pump 2614 being zero is defined to be about 0 ° and a zero position (as shown in fig. 8), the rotation angle is about 60 ° to be an unlocked position (as shown in fig. 9) corresponding to the unlocked state and the master pump 2614 has a slight oil pressure, and the rotation angle is about 120 ° to be a locked position (as shown in fig. 10) corresponding to the locked state.

In the first embodiment, when the controller 28 determines to control the locking device 26 to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state, the first motor 2611 is controlled to rotate forward to rotate the cam 2612 from the unlocked position to the locked position, and when the first current sensor 281 senses that the first current value is greater than a first current threshold value, it indicates that the first motor 2611 is locked and the locking device 26 is switched to the locked state.

In the case where the cam 2612 is located at the unlock position, if the user turns OFF the main switch 291(Key OFF), the controller 28 controls the first motor 2611 to rotate reversely until the cam 2612 rotates by an angle less than 3 ° to indicate that the zeroing of the cam 2612 is completed, or when the first current sensor 281 senses that the first current value is greater than the first current threshold value because the cam 2612 is stopped by the stopper 2618 of the cover 2617 of the hydraulic driving device 261, the zeroing of the cam 2612 may be completed. In addition, with the cam 2612 in the locked position, the cam 2612 remains in the locked position regardless of whether the main switch 291 is turned off or ON (Key ON).

Referring to fig. 4 and 11, the tilt lock control scenario for a tiltable vehicle 2 having two front wheels is described. As shown in step 30 of fig. 11, first, the user turns ON the main switch 291 to turn ON the power supply of the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels (Key ON).

The controller 28 determines that the engine speed is within a first engine speed interval representing engine standstill as shown in step 310, wherein the first engine speed interval is 900rpm or less in the first embodiment. Next, as shown in step 311, the controller 28 determines that the vehicle speed is less than a first vehicle speed, which is 10km/hr in the present first embodiment, and the lock switch 292 is pressed by the user. The controller 28 then controls the lockout device 26 to transition to the lockout condition, as shown at step 312. Then, the user presses the unlock switch 293 as shown in step 313, and then the controller 28 controls the locking device 26 to be switched to the unlocked state as shown in step 314.

In step 320, the controller 28 determines that the engine speed is within a second engine speed interval representing an Idle speed (Idle), wherein the second engine speed interval is 900rpm to 3000rpm in the first embodiment. Next, as shown in step 321, the controller 28 determines that the lock-up switch 292 is pressed, the engine speed is less than a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) disengagement speed, which is 2000rpm in the first embodiment, and the vehicle speed is less than the first vehicle speed. The controller 28 then controls the locking device 26 to switch to the locked state as shown in step 322, and then the user presses the unlocking switch 293 as shown in step 323, whereupon the controller 28 then controls the locking device 26 to switch to the unlocked state as shown in step 324. Alternatively, as shown in step 325, when the engine speed is within the second engine speed interval and the locking device 26 is in the locked state, the controller 28 determines that the engine speed is increased to be greater than a combined speed of the automatic stepless transmission, and the vehicle speed is greater than a second vehicle speed, wherein the combined speed of the automatic stepless transmission is 2200rpm in the first embodiment and the second vehicle speed is 2km/hr, and then as shown in step 326, the controller 28 controls the locking device 26 to automatically shift to the unlocked state.

In step 330, the controller 28 determines that the engine speed is in a third engine speed interval representing the riding of the vehicle, wherein the third engine speed interval is 3000rpm or more in the first embodiment. Then, as shown in step 331, if the controller 28 determines that the locking device 26 is in the unlocked state, the locking switch 292 is disabled, or if the controller 28 determines that the locking device 26 is in the locked state, the locking device 26 is controlled to automatically switch to the unlocked state.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, the second embodiment of the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels of the present invention mainly differs from the first embodiment in that in the second embodiment, the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels further includes a disk 24 fixed on the tilting mechanism 27, and the hydraulic driving device 261 is only used for driving the pair of front fork stroke locking devices 263 to be locked or unlocked, so that the locking device 26 does not include the first tilting mechanism locking device 262 of the first embodiment, but also includes a second motor 265 and a second tilting mechanism locking device 264 corresponding to the tilting mechanism 27. The second tilt mechanism locking device 264 has a caliper 2641, and not shown gears, pushers, etc. The second motor 265 rotates to sequentially drive the gear set and the driving member, so as to drive the caliper 2641 to releasably clamp the disk 24.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the controller 28 further includes a second current sensor 283 for sensing a second current value flowing through the second motor 265, and a second motor driving circuit 284. When the controller 28 determines to control the second tilt mechanism locking device 264 to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state, the second motor driving circuit 284 is utilized to drive the second motor 265 to rotate forward to clamp the disc 25 by the caliper 2641 until the second current sensor 283 senses that the second current value is greater than a second current threshold value, which indicates that the second motor 265 rotates forward to locked rotation and the second tilt mechanism locking device 264 switches to the locked state. On the contrary, when the controller 28 determines to control the second tilt mechanism locking device 264 to switch from the locked state to the unlocked state, the second motor driving circuit 284 is utilized to drive the second motor 265 to rotate reversely until the second current sensor 283 senses that the second current value is smaller than a third current threshold value, which is smaller than the second current threshold value, indicating that the caliper 2641 has released the disc 25, and the second tilt mechanism locking device 264 has switched to the unlocked state.

In summary, the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels of the present invention has at least the following advantages and effects: (1) when the user presses the lock switch 292, the controller 28 may determine whether to control the lock device 26 to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state according to the engine speed and the vehicle speed; (2) when the tiltable vehicle 2 with two front wheels is locked and the engine speed is increased to a riding state higher than 3000rpm, the controller 28 controls the locking device 26 to automatically unlock, so as to avoid system malfunction caused by failure of the vehicle speed sensor 23; (3) the unlocked position of the cam 2612 helps to shorten locking and unlocking times; (4) if the user turns OFF the main switch 291(Key OFF), the controller 28 controls the first motor 2611 to rotate reversely until the cam 2612 is completely reset to zero, so that the oil pressure is zero, thereby facilitating maintenance and replacement of the oil pressure driving device 261; (5) if the main switch 291 is turned ON (Key ON) when the locking device 26 is in the locked state, the first motor 2611 and the cam 2612 remain stationary, or if the main switch 291 is turned ON when the locking device 26 is not in the locked state, the first motor 2611 and the cam 2612 rotate to the unlocked position, which can help to shorten the operating stroke and to shorten the driving time; (6) the hydraulic drive device 261 directly pushes the master pump 2614 by means of the cam 2612 and other elements, thereby ensuring the miniaturization of the mechanism and reducing the cost; therefore, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

The above description is only an example of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above description, and all the simple equivalent changes and modifications made according to the claims and the content of the specification of the present invention are still included in the scope covered by the present invention.

Claims

1. A tiltable vehicle having two front wheels, comprising:

a vehicle body;

the two front wheels are arranged on the front side of the vehicle body and are arranged in parallel left and right;

a tilting mechanism and a pair of front shock absorbers disposed between the body and the front wheels for supporting the front wheels so that the front wheels can move up and down with respect to the body;

a locking device for locking or unlocking the tilting mechanism and the front shock absorber to restrict or release the up-and-down movement of the front wheel;

an engine speed sensor for sensing an engine speed;

a vehicle speed sensor for sensing a vehicle speed;

a locking switch; and

and the controller is electrically connected with the engine rotating speed sensor, the vehicle speed sensor and the locking switch, wherein when the locking switch is pressed down, the controller judges whether to control the locking device to be switched from an unlocking state to a locking state according to the engine rotating speed and the vehicle speed.

2. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a first tilting mechanism locking means corresponding to said tilting mechanism, a pair of front fork stroke locking means corresponding to said pair of front shock absorbers, and an oil pressure driving means for simultaneously driving said first tilting mechanism locking means and said pair of front fork stroke locking means to be locked or unlocked.

3. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 2, wherein said oil pressure driving device has a first motor driven by said controller, a cam driven by said first motor to eccentrically rotate, a roller in rolling contact with said cam and driven by said cam to be translatable within a working stroke, a master pump, and an oil pressure push rod, both ends of said oil pressure push rod being pivotally connected to said roller and extending into said master pump, respectively, and when said roller is translated within said working stroke, said oil pressure push rod is driven to translate relative to said master pump within said working stroke to establish oil pressure or release oil pressure.

4. A tiltable vehicle as claimed in claim 3, wherein said oil pressure driving device further comprises a cam position sensor for sensing a rotation angle of said cam, said rotation angle corresponding to zero oil pressure of said master pump being defined as about 0 ° and a zero point position, said rotation angle being about 60 ° an unlock position corresponding to said unlock state and said master pump having a slight oil pressure, said rotation angle being about 120 ° a lock position corresponding to said lock state.

5. A tiltable vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said controller comprises a first current sensor for sensing a first value of current flowing through said first motor, said controller controls said first motor to rotate forward to rotate said cam from said unlock position to said lock position when said controller determines that said lock device is to be controlled to switch from said unlock state to said lock state, and said first current sensor senses that said first value of current is greater than a first current threshold value, indicating that said first motor is locked and said lock device is switched to said lock state.

6. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to claim 5, further comprising a main switch electrically connected to the controller, wherein the hydraulic drive device further comprises a housing accommodating the cam, the roller and the hydraulic push rod, and a cover detachably covering the housing, wherein a blocking piece is provided on an inner surface of the cover, and when the cam is located at the unlock position, if the main switch is turned off, the controller controls the first motor to reversely rotate until the cam rotation angle is less than 3 ° to indicate that the cam is zeroed, or when the first current sensor senses that the first current value is greater than the first current threshold value because the cam is blocked by the blocking piece, the cam is zeroed.

7. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as in claim 6, wherein said cam is maintained in said locked position regardless of whether said main switch is turned off or on with said cam in said locked position.

8. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an unlock switch electrically connected to said controller, wherein said controller controls said locking device to switch to said locked state when said engine speed is within a first engine speed range representing engine standstill, and said vehicle speed is less than a first vehicle speed, and said lock switch is pressed, and then said controller controls said locking device to switch to said unlocked state when said unlock switch is pressed.

9. A tiltable vehicle as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first engine speed range is 900rpm or less and said first vehicle speed is 10 km/hr.

10. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 8, wherein said controller controls said locking means to switch to said locked state when said engine speed is within a second engine speed interval representing engine idle speed and less than a stepless automatic transmission disengagement speed, and said vehicle speed is less than said first vehicle speed, and said lock switch is pressed, and then controls said locking means to switch to said unlocked state when said unlock switch is pressed.

11. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second engine speed range is 900rpm to 3000rpm, said continuously variable automatic transmission disengagement speed is 2000rpm, and said first vehicle speed is 10 km/hr.

12. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 10, wherein said controller controls said locking device to automatically shift to said unlocked state when said engine speed is increased to be greater than a continuously variable automatic transmission engaging speed and said vehicle speed is greater than a second vehicle speed, when said engine speed is within said second engine speed interval and said locking device is in said locked state.

13. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as in claim 12, wherein said continuously variable automatic transmission engagement speed is 2200rpm, and said second vehicle speed is 2 km/hr.

14. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as in claim 12, wherein said controller controls said locking switch to be disabled if said locking device is in said unlocked state and controls said locking device to automatically shift to said unlocked state if said locking device is in said locked state, when said engine speed is within a third engine speed interval representative of a vehicle ride.

15. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as in claim 14, wherein said third engine speed interval is 3000rpm or more.

16. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engine speed sensor transmits said engine speed to an engine control unit, and said engine control unit transmits said engine speed to said controller via a communication interface.

17. A tiltable vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle speed sensor transmits said vehicle speed to an anti-lock braking system, and said anti-lock braking system transmits said vehicle speed to said controller via a communication interface.

18. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels according to claim 1, further comprising a disc fixed to said tilting mechanism, said locking means comprising a second tilting mechanism locking means corresponding to said tilting mechanism and having a caliper, a pair of front fork stroke locking means corresponding to said pair of front shock absorbers, and an oil pressure driving means, wherein said caliper of said second tilting mechanism locking means is for releasably gripping said disc, said oil pressure driving means is for driving said pair of front fork stroke locking means to be locked or unlocked.

19. The tiltable vehicle having two front wheels as claimed in claim 18, wherein said oil pressure driving device has a first motor driven by said controller, a cam driven by said first motor to eccentrically rotate, a roller in rolling contact with said cam and driven by said cam to be translatable within a working stroke, a master pump, and an oil pressure push rod, both ends of said oil pressure push rod being pivotally connected to said roller and extending into said master pump, respectively, and when said roller is translated within said working stroke, said oil pressure push rod is driven to translate relative to said master pump within said working stroke to establish oil pressure or release oil pressure.

20. The tiltable vehicle as in claim 19, wherein said oil pressure driving device further comprises a cam position sensor for sensing a rotation angle of said cam, said rotation angle corresponding to zero oil pressure of said master pump being defined as about 0 ° and a zero point position, said rotation angle being about 60 ° an unlock position corresponding to said unlock state and said master pump having a slight oil pressure, said rotation angle being about 120 ° a lock position corresponding to said lock state.

21. A tiltable vehicle as claimed in claim 20, wherein said controller comprises a first current sensor for sensing a first current value flowing through said first motor, when said controller determines that said front fork stroke locking device is to be controlled to switch from said unlocked state to said locked state, said first motor is controlled to rotate forward to rotate said cam from said unlocked position to said locked position, and when said first current sensor senses that said first current value is greater than a first current threshold value, said controller indicates that said first motor is locked and said front fork stroke locking device has switched to said locked state.

22. The tiltable vehicle of claim 18, wherein said locking device further comprises a second motor drivable by said controller, said controller comprising a second current sensor for sensing a second current level flowing through said second motor, said controller driving said second motor in a forward direction to cause said caliper to clamp said disc until said second current sensor senses that said second current level is greater than a second current threshold value indicating that said second motor has been in a forward direction to stall and said second tilt mechanism locking device has transitioned to said locked state, whereupon said controller driving said second motor in a reverse direction until said second current sensor senses that said second current level is less than a third current threshold value indicating that said caliper has released said disc, and the second tilt mechanism locking device has transitioned to the unlocked state, wherein the third current threshold is less than the second current threshold.