Motorcycle Handgrip Polarity Switching for Balanced Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heated handgrip systems for motorcycles often suffer from temperature gradients between the left and right handgrips due to limited space for additional sensors, leading to inefficient heating and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
A system with a first handgrip containing a heating element and temperature sensor, and a second handgrip with a heating element and temperature sensor, connected via a polarity switching circuit like an H-bridge, allowing the electronic processor to independently control and compare temperature signals to set the H-bridge polarity for heating, thus ensuring balanced temperature control without additional sensor wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a temperature sensor is placed on each handgrip to enable independent temperature control, then temperature control precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the second handgrip multi-functional by using it both as a heating element and as a temperature sensor. The second handgrip can switch between receiving power for heating and providing temperature feedback signals, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated temperature sensor on that handgrip. This reduces component count and wiring complexity while maintaining independent temperature control capability for both handgrips.
2Device complexity
If a single temperature sensor is used at one location on the handlebars, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control uniformity deteriorates due to temperature gradients between left and right handgrips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by enabling independent temperature sensing and control for each handgrip. The first handgrip has its own temperature sensor and heating element, and the second handgrip also has temperature sensing capability (through the multi-functional approach) and heating element. This allows each handgrip to be controlled independently according to its local temperature conditions, eliminating temperature gradients between left and right handgrips while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If additional temperature sensors and wires are added to each handgrip for independent control, then temperature control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by making the second handgrip multi-functional. Instead of requiring separate dedicated temperature sensors and additional wiring for the second handgrip, the system uses the second handgrip itself for temperature sensing in conjunction with its heating element. This reduces component count, simplifies wiring harness requirements, and lowers assembly complexity, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining independent temperature control precision for both handgrips.
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
This solution enables independent temperature control of both handgrips, improving heating efficiency and reducing complexity and cost by using a two-wire connection and polarity switching, ensuring balanced and user-activated heating based on grip presence.
Implementation Method 1
The first handgrip (103) includes a first heating element (122)... The second handgrip (105) includes a second heating element (124)... providing power to heat the second handgrip
Implementation Method 2
a first temperature sensor configured to produce a temperature signal indicative of a temperature related to the first heating element... a second temperature sensor configured to produce a temperature signal indicative of a temperature related to the second heating element
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for heating a handgrip of a vehicle. One system includes a first handgrip including a first heating element and a first temperature sensor and a second handgrip including a second heating element and a second temperature sensor. The system further includes a polarity switching circuit configured to provide power, when active in a first polarity, to the second temperature sensor and provide power, when in a second polarity, to the second heating element. The system includes an electronic processor configured to receive, when the polarity switching circuit is active in the first polarity, a temperature signal from the second temperature sensor, compare the temperature signal to a predetermined threshold, and set, in response to the temperature signal failing to exceed the predetermined temperature threshold, the polarity switching circuit to the second polarity.