The direction of electronic power is believed to be very familiar to everyone, and it is very common to use in current family cars, in order to ensure that the car steers lighter at low speeds and is stable and reliable at high speeds. It plays an important role in ensuring the safe operation of vehicles, reducing traffic accidents, protecting the personal safety of drivers, and improving the working conditions of drivers. But have you ever thought about this design on motorcycles?
Recently, Yamaha has announced that it will be equipped with EPS electric steering system on the cars participating in this year's motorcycle championships. In fact, many high-tech will be used in racing first, and then put into the civilian market after being verified in the racing track. It is likely that this design will soon appear on commercial models. Yamaha describes the EPS system as "a new riding aid that helps improve motorcycle stability and agility."
Yamaha's EPS system project was featured at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show when it appeared on the E01 electric scooter and MW-Vision tiltable three-wheel hybrid motorcycle.
The Yamaha EPS system uses sensors to measure the amount of torque entered by the rider, and this signal is sent to a control unit that converts it and commands the electric motor to provide appropriate assistance to the rider's operation, acting similarly to electronic steering on a car.
The overall structure of the EPS is compact, and the only visible component is a small control computer and a servo actuator connected to the front of the spindlebox. There is still a direct link between the handlebar and the fork, so the ultimate control remains in the rider's hands.
In addition to assisting the motorcycle's steering (mainly at low speeds), the EPS operates as an active steering damper at high speeds when riders are likely to use greater steering. It can distinguish the difference between the input on the bar and the external influence on the steering, so it can help the former while counteracting the latter.
While a fairly basic form is currently emerging, the EPS system provides for the first time a way for a motorcycle's on-board computer to act directly on steering. This means that in the future it could be used as part of future motorcycle electronic assistance, along with ABS and traction control, and possibly even radar or camera-based sensors, to be added as an accident prevention or mitigation system when needed.