New SU-MM5.10 lean-angle sensor for motorcycles

“The sensor measures a number of physical values more than 100 times per second,” says Matthias Mörbe, vice president Sensors and Sensor Systems at Bosch Engineering GmbH in Abstatt. These values include longitudinal, lateral, and vertical acceleration, as well as the motorcycle’s yaw and roll rates. “An algorithm developed by Bosch uses these “5D” inertial sensor values to determine the lean and pitch angles, and communicates them to the CAN bus,” Mörbe says. This data is needed for
a range of safety and comfort functions on the motorcycle such as traction control, cornering light function, launch control, and wheelie-limiting function. The sensor values will also be used in the future as the basis for functions such as corner ABS, fall detection, wheelie control, and semi-active suspension.

New lean-angle sensor now smaller and more powerful
Compared with the previous model, the SU-MM5.10 sensor’s size, weight, and power consumption have been further reduced. The sensor weighs 40 grams, some 60 percent less than the SU-MM3.10, providing greater design flexibility for motorcycle manufacturers. Thanks to new micromechanical components built using MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) technology, the sensor consumes just 65 milliamperes of power – over 50 percent less its predecessor. The SU-MM5.10 lean-angle sensor can be combined with either Bosch motorcycle ABS or third-party systems. Based on customer specifications, the lean and pitch angle can also be computed using an external control unit, with Bosch Engineering’s lean-angle sensor providing the necessary 5D inertial sensor values for model-specific safety and comfort functions.

The KTM 1190 Adventure and KTM 1190 Adventure R are the world's first motorcycles to be fitted with Bosch Engineering’s SU-MM5.10 lean-angle sensor. Bosch also supplies motorcycle ABS with off-road control as well as its new traction control for the new KTM models.

As a systems development partner, Bosch Engineering GmbH can also take proven Bosch technology from large-scale series production and adapt it to motorcycles. Services include motorcycle-specific software development for engine management systems as well as the adaptation of fuel-injection technologies and sensors for engines and driving dynamics. The development service provider’s portfolio also includes the development and calibration of functions related to driving dynamics.