Handlebar Multi-Axis Control Element for Motorcycle Menu Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current user interfaces for single-track vehicles, such as motorcycles, lack comfort and safety when navigating through input menus, requiring riders to remove their hands from the handlebars to operate controls, which can be cumbersome and unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A versatile operating element attached to the handlebars of a motorcycle, allowing users to make inputs along multiple axes without removing their hands, featuring a base part, a movable carriage, and an actuating part that can be rotated or moved to provide six distinct input options, including scrolling and selecting menu items, enhancing navigation within menus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional user interfaces are used on single-track vehicles, then the vehicle can be operated, but the driver must take hands off the handlebars to control functions, reducing safety and comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is divided into functionally independent components: a base part for mounting, a carriage for first-direction movement (e.g., scrolling), and an actuating part for second-direction movement (e.g., selection). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively enabling hands-free operation
Solution Approach 2:
The operating element acts as an intermediary device between the driver and the vehicle's control systems. It translates simple mechanical movements in multiple directions into complex control commands, allowing the driver to interact with vehicle functions without direct manipulation of controls
2Ease of operation
If the driver takes hands off the handlebars to operate controls, then menu navigation is possible, but comfort and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control element adds a spatial dimension to menu navigation by enabling movement in multiple directions (first direction for scrolling, second direction for selection). This multi-dimensional interaction allows comprehensive menu control while the driver's hand remains on the handlebars, eliminating the safety risk
3Adaptability or versatility
If a simple control element is used, then the structure remains simple, but multiple input functions (scrolling, selection, menu level changes) cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The operating element is designed as a universal control device that performs multiple functions: scrolling through menus (carriage movement), selecting items (actuating part movement), and potentially accessing different menu levels. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple structure with just two movement directions, avoiding excessive complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 2c~3a
Figure 3b
AI summary
A control element (300) for a vehicle (110) is described, wherein the vehicle includes a steering device (115) for steering the vehicle. The control element (300) comprises a base part (301) configured to attach the control element (300) to the steering device (115) of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control element (300) comprises a slide (302) configured to be moved by a user (120) of the control element (300) in a first direction along an x-axis (311) of a coordinate system (310) relative to the base part (301) to make a first input, and in an opposite second direction along the x-axis (311) relative to the base part (301) to make a second input.The control element (300) further comprises an actuating element (304) that at least partially encloses the carriage (302) and is configured to be moved by the user (120) relative to the carriage (302) in a first direction along a y-axis (312) of the coordinate system (300) to make a third input, and relative to the carriage (302) in an opposite second direction along the y-axis (312) of the coordinate system (300) to make a fourth input. The control element (300) also comprises a control unit (111) configured to generate an input signal dependent on the user's input.