IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,649,536
Granted Patent B2
US 12,649,536 · App. 18/233,573 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Two-wheeled vehicle

Inventors: Andrew J. Novak (Stillwater, MN); Ryan P. Lenton (Buffalo, MN); Brian K. Langlois (Stacy, MN); Jonathon P. Oakden-Graus (Stacy, MN); Donald W. Kahl (Vadnais Heights, MN)
Assignee: INDIAN MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL, LLC
B62J17/02B60K13/02B60K13/04B62J6/022B62J9/00B62J9/27B62J15/00B62J17/04B62J25/00B62K11/02B62K11/04B62K21/04B62K23/00B62M7/02F01L13/085F01N13/10F02D41/062F02D41/24F02M35/02F02M35/10013F02M35/162F02N11/0803F02N11/0807F16B13/0841B62J9/23B62K21/02F01L2305/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,649,536
App. No.
18/233,573
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A two-wheeled vehicle is provided including a frame, front and rear ground-engaging members each supporting the frame, a straddle-type seat, a handlebar for steering the vehicle, at least one light device configured to operate in a hazard mode, an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members, a tilt sensor, and a vehicle control unit in communication with the tilt sensor. The vehicle control unit is operative to detect a tilt angle of the vehicle based on output from the tilt sensor. The vehicle control unit is operative to determine a tip-over condition of the vehicle based on the detected tilt angle exceeding a threshold tilt angle. The vehicle control unit activates the hazard mode of the at least one light in response to the determination of the tip-over condition.

Claims (21)

1 . A two-wheeled vehicle including:

a frame;

a front ground-engaging member and a rear ground-engaging member each supporting the frame;

a straddle-type seat;

a handlebar for steering the vehicle;

an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members;

a fuel tank containing fuel for use by the engine;

a fuel level sensor coupled to the fuel tank;

a tilt sensor; and

a vehicle control unit in communication with the fuel level sensor and the tilt sensor and operative to detect each of a tilt angle of the vehicle based on output from the tilt sensor and a fuel level in the fuel tank based on output from the fuel level sensor, the vehicle control unit being operative to calculate and output an adjusted fuel level value based on each of the detected fuel level and the detected tilt angle of the vehicle.

2 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further including a vehicle speed sensor in communication with the vehicle control unit, the vehicle control unit adjusting the detected fuel level further based on a detected speed of the vehicle.

3 . The vehicle of claim 1 , the vehicle control unit adjusting the detected fuel level further based on an internal geometry of the fuel tank.

4 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the tilt sensor is an accelerometer.

5 . The vehicle of claim 1 , further including a float positioned in the fuel tank, the fuel level sensor outputting a signal representative of the fuel level based on a position of the float.

6 . The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle control unit provides the adjusted fuel level for display on a display.

7 . A method of determining a fuel level of a two-wheeled vehicle, the two-wheeled vehicle including a straddle seat, a handlebar, a front ground-engaging member, and a rear ground-engaging member, the method including:

detecting a fuel level in a fuel tank of the vehicle based on output from a fuel level sensor;

detecting a tilt angle of the vehicle based on output from a tilt sensor; and

calculating and outputting an adjusted fuel level value based on each of the detected fuel level and the detected tilt angle of the vehicle.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further including detecting a speed of the vehicle based on output from a vehicle speed sensor, and adjusting the detected fuel level further based on the detected speed of the vehicle.

9 . The method of claim 7 , further including displaying the adjusted fuel level on a display of the vehicle.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2026
From: INDIAN MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL, LLC
To: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 074617/0711 →
Continuity (5)
Division 15883231 · Jan 30, 2018
Division 14078510 · Nov 12, 2013
Provisional Application 61773708 · Mar 6, 2013
Provisional Application 61725440 · Nov 12, 2012
Related Publication 20230406434A1 · Dec 21, 2023
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