Contactless Angular Position Sensor for Motorcycle Handle Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorcycle handle control systems with angular position sensors face challenges such as high vibration sensitivity, reliability issues due to mechanical connections, and interference from metal objects, which affect the accuracy and safety of driver intention interpretation in dynamic motorcycle conditions.

Innovation Solution

A handle control system with a contactless angular position sensor featuring a rotor and reader configuration that provides three redundant measurements, using electric and/or magnetic fields for position detection, and a processing unit for validation, eliminating mechanical connections and metal interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a contactless angular position sensor with rotor and reader configuration is used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular position detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical connection systems (Bowden cables) with a contactless angular position sensor system that uses electric and/or magnetic fields to detect handle control position. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and vibration sensitivity while providing three redundant measurements for improved reliability and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a processing unit as an intermediary that receives and validates the three redundant measurements from the angular position sensor. This intermediary component coordinates the data from multiple sensors, ensuring accurate interpretation of driver intention while maintaining system reliability through validation logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If three redundant measurements are implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver intention interpretation reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements three redundant position sensors that provide backup measurements in advance, cushioning against potential sensor failures. This redundancy ensures that if one sensor provides erroneous data, the other two can compensate, maintaining reliable driver intention interpretation under adverse conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing unit validates the three redundant measurements and uses feedback logic to determine the accurate angular position. The system compares measurements from all three sensors, identifies valid data, and processes the validated information to control the engine, ensuring reliable operation even when individual sensors fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If mechanical connections are eliminated, then resistance to vibrations is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration sensitivityVSAvoidhandle control manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical connection systems (Bowden cables) with a contactless angular position sensor system that uses electric and/or magnetic fields to detect handle control position. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and vibration sensitivity while providing improved reliability through redundant measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If metal objects are eliminated from the sensor system, then resistance to metal interference is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetal interference resistanceVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system ensures accurate, reliable, and safe interpretation of driver intentions, resistant to vibrations and metal interference, with reduced costs and complexity, while maintaining the structural similarity to traditional handle controls.

Implementation Method 1

using electric and/or magnetic fields for position detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS8353111B2Handle control provided with an angular position sensor

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 MARELLI EURO SPA

AI summary

A handle control provided with: a supporting body, which is provided with a central through hole and is adapted to be fitted about a handlebar to be rigidly fixed to the handlebar; a twist grip, which has a tubular shape, is rotationally carried by the supporting body and is centrally perforated to be fitted about the handlebar so as to rotate with respect to the handlebar; and an angular position sensor, which is adapted to read the angular position of the twist grip; the angular position sensor has at least one rotor, which is supported by the twist grip to rotate along with the twist grip and is adapted to influence an electric field; and at least one reader, which is carried in a stationary position by the supporting body, is arranged close to the rotor, and is suitable for a contactless and remote reading of the orientation of the rotor.