JP2002340552A - Inclination sensor for going on board means - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inclination sensor for a going on boarding means that can reduce the number of parts and a manufacturing process, and decrease the manufacturing cost, while facilitating process for the adjustment of time constant, in a determining means for the inclination sensor. SOLUTION: The inclination sensor comprises an inclination sensor body 1 fixed to a motorcycle, a pendulum 2 that moves relative with respect to an inclination sensor body 1 when the motorcycle is inclined and therewith generates a magnetic field, a magnetic sensor 3 for detecting the magnetic region of the pendulum 2, and a determining means 8 for determining that the motorcycle has overturned, when measuring the time interval that the magnetic field is not detected by the magnetic sensor 3 to find out the time exceeding a prescribed time and the determination means is characteristically placed in an ECU.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inclination sensor of a riding means capable of detecting an inclination of a riding means such as a motorcycle, a watercraft or a water vehicle capable of riding a person.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art If the engine continues to be driven even in a state where the motorcycle has fallen, a secondary accident may be induced. BACKGROUND ART An inclination sensor for detecting an inclination of a motorcycle has been conventionally proposed. As an example of such a tilt sensor, a plastic magnet (a resin material into which a powder of a magnetic substance such as ferrite is mixed) is formed into a pendulum shape, and a magnet which is partially magnetized in a predetermined region at a substantially swing center of the pendulum, One that is swingably supported in a tilt sensor main body fixed to a motorcycle is exemplified.

Such a tilt sensor body has a built-in magnetic sensor capable of detecting a magnetic field generated from a magnetized region of a pendulum, and the magnetic sensor swings around a fulcrum with the tilt of the motorcycle. It is configured to detect a state of the pendulum. In other words, when the motorcycle is not tilted, the pendulum is stationary at the swing center due to gravity, and a magnetic sensor fixed at a position facing this position constantly detects a magnetic field generated from the magnetized region, and the motorcycle falls down. When tilted, the pendulum swings relatively to the tilt sensor main body, so that the magnetized area moves away from the magnetic sensor and the magnetic sensor does not detect the magnetic field.

When the determination circuit mounted in the tilt sensor body detects that this state (ie, the state in which the magnetic sensor does not detect the magnetic field in the magnetized area) has continued for a predetermined time, it is recognized that the motorcycle has fallen. A signal is sent to the vehicle-side ECU or the like to forcibly stop the engine. As a result, it is possible to prevent the engine from continuing to be driven after the fall, and to improve safety.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional tilt sensor, a determination circuit (specifically, a timer circuit) for detecting that the tilt is continuously performed for a predetermined time is provided in the tilt sensor main body. Therefore, there are the following problems.

That is, the motorcycle generates vibrations by driving the engine, and the vibration may cause the pendulum to swing temporarily even when the motorcycle is not tilted. If the stop signal of the engine is transmitted immediately after the detection of the area, the stop of the engine is performed in spite of the swing of the pendulum due to the vibration as described above, even though the vehicle has not fallen.

Therefore, in order to prevent the engine from being stopped by a temporary swing of the pendulum based on the vibration of the vehicle, a signal for stopping the engine is waited for a predetermined time and after the inclination is continuously confirmed during that time. The predetermined time (time constant) set here is based on vibration characteristics that differ for each motorcycle type, so adjustment is made based on the mounted vehicle type. Is required.

However, if a judgment circuit is formed in the inclination sensor, it is necessary to correct the judgment circuit after disassembling the inclination sensor in order to perform the above adjustment, and the adjustment is extremely difficult considering workability and cost. There is a problem that it is difficult,
Parts needed to be replaced. In addition, there is a problem that components and a manufacturing process for providing the determination circuit are required, and the manufacturing cost is deteriorated.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned conventional inclination sensor,
In a state in which the magnetic sensor detects magnetism (a state in which the motorcycle is not tilted), no current flows through the output line (voltage 0 V), and a state in which the magnetic sensor stops detecting magnetism (a state in which the motorcycle is tilted) ), The current from the battery is passed through the output line (usually a voltage of 5
V), there is also a problem that the driver cannot be warned even if the wiring in the tilt sensor is broken due to disconnection or short circuit.

That is, if the wiring in the tilt sensor is broken,
The voltage of the current flowing through the output line is 0 V, and the voltage of the battery is 5 V if short-circuited, and is the same as when the magnetic sensor detects magnetism (0 V) and when it does not detect magnetism (5 V). It is not possible to determine whether the voltage is for a normal operation, or whether the voltage is based on a disconnection or short circuit of the wiring.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a first object of the present invention is to make it easy to adjust the time constant in the determination means of the tilt sensor, to reduce the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps, A second object of the present invention is to provide a tilt sensor of a riding means capable of reducing a manufacturing cost, and a second object of the present invention is to provide a tilt sensor of the riding means capable of warning a driver when a wiring in the tilt sensor is disconnected or short-circuited. To provide.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A tilt sensor main body fixed to the boarding means capable of mounting a person, a moving body which moves relative to the tilt sensor main body when the boarding means is tilted, and which can generate a magnetic field, and a moving body which can generate a magnetic field when the boarding means is not tilted. Boarding having a sensor unit for detecting a magnetic field generated from a moving body, and a determination unit for measuring a time during which the magnetic field is not detected by the sensor unit and determining that the boarding unit has fallen when the time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time; In the inclination sensor of the means, the determining means is provided in the riding means and controls an engine of the riding means.
U is provided inside.

According to this configuration, when the riding means inclines, the tilt sensor main body and the moving body relatively move, and the sensor section does not detect a magnetic field generated from the moving body. When the determination means in the ECU recognizes that the non-detection of the magnetic field has continued for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that the riding means has fallen, and the engine is forcibly stopped. Here, the predetermined time (time constant) for judging a fall is adjusted by changing software (program) for operating the ECU.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the output voltage output from the sensor unit to the ECU has a lower limit set to be higher than 0 and an upper limit set to be lower than the power supply voltage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sensor section is
A power supply line connected to a power supply mounted on the boarding means, a ground line connected to the grounding means, and an output line connected to the ECU,
When the sensor unit detects a magnetic field generated from the moving body, the current from the power supply line flows to the ground line, and when the magnetic field is not detected, the current from the power supply line flows to the output line, and the ground line and the output line. It is characterized by having a resistive bridge connecting to the train.

According to this configuration, when the riding means is in the non-inclined state and the sensor unit detects the magnetic field of the moving body, the current flowing from the power supply line flows to the ground line via the sensor unit. While being grounded, a very small amount of current flows from the ground line to the output line via the resistor bridge. Therefore, the lower limit value of the output voltage with respect to the output line is set to be higher than 0 by the minute amount of current.

When the boarding means is inclined and the sensor unit does not detect the magnetic field of the moving body, the current flowing from the power supply line flows to the output line via the sensor unit, and a small amount of current flows through the output line. Flows through the resistor bridge to the ground line. Therefore, the upper limit of the output voltage with respect to the output line is set lower than the power supply voltage by the minute amount of current.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. The tilt sensor according to the present embodiment is fixed to a motorcycle as shown in FIG. 7 and detects the tilt with respect to the falling direction a. As shown in FIGS. , A pendulum 2 as a moving body, a magnetic sensor 3 as a sensor unit, and a determination unit 8.

The tilt sensor main body 1 is made of a synthetic resin,
A housing portion 1a capable of housing the substrate 4 on which the electric circuit is printed from the opening end 1aa therein, and a bolt hole 1ba which is integrally connected from the housing portion 1a and through which a bolt for connecting and fixing to the vehicle side can be inserted. It is mainly composed of two formed bracket portions 1b, and is fixed to the motorcycle and operates integrally with the motorcycle (that is, tilts with the tilt of the motorcycle).

The substrate 4 fixes the magnetic sensor 3 and other elements and wires them, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, three terminals 4a electrically connected to the wires.
a, 4ab and 4ac, and an insertion hole 4b through which a shaft 2b formed in the pendulum 2 can be inserted. The insertion hole 4b is formed at a position corresponding to the support notch 5a of the support member 5, and the pendulum 2
The shaft 2b has two notches 5a for support and an insertion hole 4b.
The rocker is swingably supported by being inserted therethrough.

The support member 5 is made of a hard resin, and two opposing arms 5b each having a support notch 5a at a tip thereof are formed to protrude from a base 5c.
A terminal insertion hole 5d for inserting the three terminals 4a of the substrate 4 is formed in the base 5c. The support member 5 is inserted into the tilt sensor main body 1 from the open end 1aa in a state where the pendulum 2 and the board 4 are assembled, and functions to support the pendulum 2 and each component is accommodated in the housing portion 1a of the tilt sensor main body 1. It also has the function of being enclosed in

After the support member 5 is assembled in the tilt sensor main body 1, the locking member 7 locks the base 5c side via the sealing member 6 made of soft resin or rubber. That is, the protrusions 7a formed on both side surfaces of the locking member 7 are locked in the locking holes 1c of the tilt sensor main body 1, so that the support member 5 is securely included in the housing portion 1a. The locking member 7
The terminal 4a protrudes to the outside even when the terminal 4a is locked to the tilt sensor main body 1, and a connector or the like is connected to the terminal 4a so as to be electrically connected to the vehicle side.

As described above, the pendulum 2 is swingably supported by the tilt sensor main body 1 via the shaft 2b, and swings according to the tilt of the motorcycle, and a plastic magnet 2a is partially inserted. It consists of When the motorcycle is not tilted, the pendulum 2 is stationary at a position where the plastic magnet 2 a faces the magnetic sensor 3. When the pendulum 2 swings about the shaft 2 b, the tilt sensor main body moves so that the plastic magnet 2 a moves away from the magnetic sensor 3. 1 is assembled.

The plastic magnet 2a is made of resin material mixed with powder of a magnetic material such as ferrite, and generates a magnetic field by a magnetizing operation. That is,
The plastic magnet 2a in a molten state is poured into a portion of the pendulum 2 in the drawing, and is magnetized by an electromagnet or the like during cooling or solidification, and forms a magnetic field region. As a result, the magnetic field region of the pendulum 2 is generated only in the plastic magnet 2a (because the outside is made of a non-magnetic material), and is not generated outside. In addition to being able to clarify, the inclination detection accuracy can be improved.

In the magnetic sensor 3, the magnetic field region generated by the plastic magnet 2 a of the pendulum 2 has a tilt sensor body 1.
To detect whether or not the vehicle is at a predetermined position (a position where the vehicle stands still when the vehicle is not tilted). If it is detected that the vehicle is not at the predetermined position (that is, no magnetic field is detected),
It is configured to transmit a signal (a signal based on a voltage change) to the vehicle side. As the magnetic sensor 3, various general-purpose products can be used as long as they can detect magnetism in a magnetic field region. For example, a Hall sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, or the like can be used.

The judging means 8 is an EC provided in the motorcycle.
U9, which is electrically connected to the tilt sensor A as shown in FIG. 1, and detects a vehicle tilt signal detected by the tilt sensor A (that is, a voltage change caused by the swing of the pendulum 2). ) Can be transmitted to the determination means 8. The determination means 8 is configured to measure a time during which the inclination sensor A does not detect a magnetic field, and determine that the motorcycle has fallen when the time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 9
As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic control unit is disposed on the motorcycle while being electrically connected to the engine E, and electronically controls the engine of the motorcycle. The input signal processing circuit, the arithmetic circuit, and the output It is composed of a signal circuit (drive circuit), a power supply circuit, and the like, and these are configured to be operable by software (program) for operating the ECU 9.

Here, on the substrate 4, as shown in FIG.
A predetermined element is provided, and wiring constituting each line is printed, and a terminal 4a is provided at an end of the line.
a, 4ab and 4ac are provided. The terminal 4aa is connected to a battery (power supply) mounted on the motorcycle, the terminal 4ac is grounded to ground means, and the terminal 4ab is connected to the determination means 8 in the ECU 9 (see FIG. 1).

In FIG. 1, a magnetic sensor 3 includes a power supply line L1 connected to a battery (not shown) and a ground line L3 connected to a grounding means (not shown).
And the output line L2 connected to the ECU 9, and the magnetic sensor 3 is connected to the pendulum 2
In the state where the magnetic field generated by the magnetic region formed is detected, the current from the power supply line L1 can flow to the ground line L3, and when the magnetic field is not detected, the current from the power supply line L1 can flow to the output line L2. ing.

A line L4 having a Zener diode is connected to the power supply line L1 and the ground line L3. When an excessive current exceeding a predetermined value flows from the terminal 4aa, the line L4 is grounded to connect the magnetic sensor 3 to the line L4. A line L5 having a capacitor is connected to the output line L2 and the ground line L3 so that noise of a signal transmitted from the terminal 4ab to the ECU 9 can be removed. Have been.

Further, in the present embodiment, a resistance bridge L connecting the output line L2 and the ground line L3 is provided.
6 (resistance: about 15 kΩ), and a part of the current to flow from the terminal 4ab to the ECU 9
3 and a part of the current to be grounded from the terminal 4ac can be caused to flow to the output line L2.

According to the above configuration, when the motorcycle is in a non-inclination state, a current (voltage 5 V) from the power supply passes through the power supply line L1 and then passes through the magnetic sensor 3 to the ground line L.
3 and a part of the current flows to the output line L2 via the resistance bridge L6 and is sent to the ECU 9 of the vehicle via the terminal 4ab. On the other hand, when the motorcycle is tilted, the current from the power supply (5 V ) Passes through the power supply line L1 and is sent to the output line L2 via the magnetic sensor 3, and a part of it is sent to the ground line L3 side via the resistance bridge L6 to be grounded.

Therefore, the lower limit value of the output voltage output from the magnetic sensor 3 to the ECU 9 becomes higher than 0 by the amount of current flowing from the resistance bridge L6, and the upper limit value by the amount of current flowing out of the resistance bridge L6. Is the power supply voltage (5
V), the output voltage is 0 V when the circuit formed by the wiring on the board 4 is broken (when the circuit is disconnected, the output voltage becomes 0 V when a part of the circuit is short-circuited). 5V), and the driver or the like can be warned of such cases.

When the resistance R in FIG. 2 is about 510Ω, the output voltage when the vehicle is not inclined is 0.4 to 0.4.
Since the output voltage is about 1.4 V and the output voltage when the vehicle is tilted is about 3.7 to 4.4 V, the output voltage becomes 0 V
Or, when it becomes 5 V, it is understood that a failure has occurred in the circuit. On the other hand, when the output voltage is about 3.7 to 4.4 V, the determination means 9 determines whether the voltage value continues for a predetermined time, and determines whether to stop the engine E.

According to the tilt sensor A having the above structure, the judging means 8 measures the time during which the vehicle continuously tilts, and judges that the motorcycle has fallen only when the time is longer than a predetermined time. Since the ECU 9 is controlled to stop the engine E, even if the pendulum 2 swings temporarily due to the vibration of the motorcycle engine or the like, if the swinging state does not continue for a predetermined time, the engine Since E does not stop, the reliability of the inclination sensor A can be improved.

The predetermined time (time constant) is to be adjusted according to the vibration characteristics based on the weight of the motorcycle, the engine, and the like. The adjustment different for each type of vehicle is performed by changing the program in the ECU 9 (changing the time constant). Is performed on software. As described above, in the tilt sensor according to the present embodiment, since the determination means 8 is provided in the ECU 9 and the time constant is adjusted on the software thereof, the adjustment of the time constant is easy and the conventional tilt sensor is used. The number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the tilt sensor can be reduced, as compared with the case where a separate judging means is provided.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a resistor bridge connecting a power line L1 and an output line L2 together with a resistor bridge L6. L7 may be provided. In this case, even if the vehicle is not inclined, the output line L2 is connected to the power line L1.
A small amount of current flows through the circuit, so that the lower limit value of the output voltage can be further increased, and it is possible to further easily determine that the circuit is defective.

Further, in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a system in which the motorcycle is recognized to be overturned and the engine is stopped. However, for example, in addition to the motorcycle, personnel such as a boat with an outboard motor and a water vehicle are used. It is also possible to fix to various types of riding means that can be mounted, and to recognize these falls. Furthermore, as a form of the tilt sensor, other than the one that detects the swing of the pendulum 2 as in the present embodiment, the present invention may be applied to a tilt sensor having another configuration.

For example, when a magnet (moving body) movable in a V-shaped groove is provided, and a magnetic sensor detects a magnetic field of a magnet stationary at an acute angle portion of the V-shaped groove, the vehicle may be used. May be applied to an inclination sensor configured to recognize that the vehicle is in an inclined state when the magnet moves from that position and the magnetic sensor stops detecting the magnetic field.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the judging means is provided in the ECU for controlling the engine of the boarding means and provided in the boarding means, the time constant of the judging means of the inclination sensor is determined. The adjustment can be facilitated, the number of parts and the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the tilt sensor can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, E
The output voltage output to the CU has a lower limit set to be higher than 0 and an upper limit set to be lower than the power supply voltage. Can be warned.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the lower limit value of the output voltage for the output line can be set higher than 0 and the upper limit value can be set lower than the power supply voltage with a simple configuration, and the wiring in the tilt sensor is disconnected. Alternatively, since the voltage value can be made different from the voltage value in the case of a short circuit, the driver can be warned of such a case.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a tilt sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram illustrating a tilt sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view, a front view, and a right side view showing the tilt sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the tilt sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram showing a tilt sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the tilt sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a motorcycle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inclination sensor main body 1a ... Housing part 1aa ... Open end 1b ... Bracket part 1ba ... Bolt hole 1c ... Locking hole 2 ... Pendulum (moving body) 2a ... Plastic magnet 2b ... Shaft 3 ... Magnetic sensor (sensor part) 4 ... Substrate 4aa, 4ab, 4ac Terminal 5 Support member 5a Support notch 5b Arm 5c Base 5d Terminal insertion hole 6 Seal member 7 Locking member 7a Projection 8 Judgment means 9 ECU A: Inclination sensor E: Engine L1: Power line L2: Output line L3: Ground line L6, L7: Resistance bridge

Claims (3)

[Claims] An inclination sensor body fixed to a boarding means on which a person can be boarded; a movable body which can move relative to the inclination sensor body when the boarding means is tilted and can generate a magnetic field; A sensor unit for detecting a magnetic field generated from the moving body when the vehicle is not tilted, and a time period during which the magnetic field is not detected by the sensor unit is determined. The inclination sensor of the boarding means, wherein the judging means is provided in an ECU which is arranged in the boarding means and controls an engine of the boarding means. 2. The inclination sensor according to claim 1, wherein the output voltage output from the sensor unit to the ECU has a lower limit set to be higher than 0 and an upper limit set to be lower than the power supply voltage. 3. The sensor unit is connected to a power supply line connected to a power supply mounted on the boarding means, a ground line connected to grounding means, and an output line connected to the ECU, respectively. When the sensor unit detects the magnetic field generated from the moving body, the current from the power supply line flows to the ground line.When the magnetic field is not detected, the current from the power supply line flows to the output line. 3. The inclination sensor according to claim 2, further comprising a resistance bridge connecting to the train.