3-Axis Handlebar Layout for Intuitive Rotational Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current handlebars for controlling machines and devices, such as aircraft, are not designed to allow instinctive control corresponding to natural human reflexes, as they position the handle outside the intersection point of angular displacement sensors, resulting in a need to learn specific movements for rotation in different axes rather than reacting intuitively.

Innovation Solution

A handlebar design where the handle is centered at the intersection of the axes of angular displacement sensors, allowing for intuitive control in three rotational degrees of freedom, with the handle shape adaptable to the hand and torque transmission through cross carriers and sensor couplings to the angular displacement sensors, enabling direct control of machines or devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the handle is positioned outside the intersection point of angular displacement sensors, then the handlebar structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the control becomes non-intuitive and requires extensive training

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar structure simplicityVSAvoidcontrol intuitiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the handle exactly at the intersection point of the three angular displacement sensor axes (x, y, z axes), creating a three-dimensional control interface where handle movements in any direction directly correspond to rotational movements of the controlled object along the corresponding axis. This spatial arrangement at the intersection point enables intuitive control by aligning the operator's natural hand movements with the desired control actions, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational intuitiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If the handle is shifted in the direction of the z coordinate, then the handlebar structure is easier to construct, but the deflection angle becomes small resulting in predominantly translational movement rather than rotational movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar construction easeVSAvoidrotational control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of shifting the handle away from the intersection point as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the handle exactly at the intersection point of the three sensor axes. This inversion allows the handle to function as a true three-dimensional control interface where movements in x, y, and z directions all produce effective rotational control, eliminating the problem of small deflection angles and ensuring that handle movements produce the desired rotational effects rather than predominantly translational movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If conventional handlebars with handle outside intersection point are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the operator cannot control the machine instinctively corresponding to natural human reflexes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar system complexityVSAvoidinstinctive control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control interface where the handle at the intersection point can control rotation along all three axes (x, y, z) through movements in any direction. This multi-functional design allows a single handle position to provide complete three-dimensional control, enabling instinctive operation corresponding to natural human reflexes while maintaining relatively simple device structure. The handle effectively becomes a universal control element for all rotational degrees of freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3989037A1Handlebar with handle at the intersection of the axes of the angular displacement sensors
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 MIHELY RUDOLF
  • EP3989037A1 patent drawingFigure 1.1~1.2
  • EP3989037A1 patent drawingFigure 1.3
  • EP3989037A1 patent drawingFigure 1.4

AI summary

The invention is essentially derived from the fact that the center of the handle (7) of the handlebar is identical to the intersection of the axes of the angular displacement sensors (1), i.e. with the beginning of the coordinate system, where the coordinates x, y, z coincide with the axes of the angular displacement sensors (1). The torque from the handle (7) of the handlebar connected with the core cover (6) is transmitted to the angular displacement sensors (1) located in the handlebar core (3) by means of cross drivers (5) through the sensor couplings (4). The inner part of the cross driver (5) fits into a groove of the sensor coupling (4) and the outer part fits into a groove of the core cover (6). The handlebar core (3) is fixed to the machine or device by a conduit tube (2), passing through an opening in the core cover (6), in the direction of the body diagonal in the imaginary cube, centered at the beginning of the above mentioned coordinate system. The power supply for the angular displacement sensors (1) and the signal terminals is directed through the conduit tube (2). The solution allows the control of machines and devices in three rotational degrees of freedom, corresponding to the human natural reflexes.