Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle

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Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle
Kawasaki

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technology & future

Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle

Kawasaki with semi-automatic for hybrid
Patent shows electronic switching system

There have been several attempts to automate the shifting process on two-wheelers. The double clutch transmission from Honda shines with a high level of acceptance, but with high weight. A Japanese patent shows a Kawasaki electronic shifting system based on a normal gearbox.


Jens Kratschmar

April 15, 2021

In this article:

  • Automatic clutch
  • Circuit for the hybrid drive
  • System can be retrofitted?
  • Conclusion

Thanks to their low switching threshold, modern quickshifters already convey the feeling of a more or less automatic switching process. The foot still has work and continues to shift into gear. Kawasaki now seems to be working on a system in which the switching impulse on the lever is converted into an electronic signal and the gear is engaged by a servo motor or a magnet system. Depending on the speed of the motorcycle, the clutch is either additionally disconnected or remains closed as usual.

Automatic clutch


Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle


Kawasaki

The shift lever # 33c itself seems to report the impulse to the sensor unit # 31; the unspecified shifting unit # 30b will give the commands to rotate the conventional shift drum # 23 via the controller # 35.

Kawasaki would also like to have the hydraulic clutch automatically disconnected when shifting gears at low speeds to avoid violent load changes. At higher speeds, the system continues to only separate ignition and injection. In principle, the system could not only receive switching impulses from the foot, but also from handlebar buttons. Alternatively, from a minimum speed, a computer could also completely take over the circuits. That would not only increase the comfort on tours, but also be an interesting aspect for super athletes if the system is connected to the other active driving safety systems.

Circuit for the hybrid drive


Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle


Kawasaki

Particularly interesting with this scheme: At the bottom right the integration of an additional electric motor and its possibility of recuperation.

Kawasaki shows an interesting aspect in the interaction of the switching system in a scheme that shows the integration of an electric motor, which clearly points to the mild hybrid study and corresponding patents from Kawasaki. The interaction between the motor and the electric drive in the shift mode during recuperation by the electric motor is of particular interest here. Kawasaki is thinking of increasing the speed limit for the quickshifter mode without clutch and final drive not stall.

Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle

technology & future


Kawasaki Hybrid Patent

Electric motor supports combustion engines

read more

System can be retrofitted?


Kawasaki patent: semi-automatic and hybrid motorcycle


Kawasaki

Where the shift lever is redirected to the swivel shaft in conventional gearshifts, a module is located on the patent drawings, which converts the electrical switching impulse into a mechanical one.

The modular design of a conventional dog gear also allows the conclusion that Kawasaki could very quickly incorporate the system into the existing model range or even offer it to retrofit older models.

opinion poll

Would you like an automated gearshift on your motorcycle??

Voted 316 times

No, shifting is part of the driving experience.

Yes, any easing of the counter is welcome.

Conclusion

The development of Kawasaki in terms of semi-automatic seems to be within reach. The system appears compact and can be quickly implemented in series. The already very elaborate control in the context of hybrid motorcycles speaks louder and louder for a hybrid Kawa coming out of the streets.

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