Handlebar Grip With Vibration Damping For Haptic Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handlebar grips for two-wheelers do not effectively provide haptic navigation signals without disrupting the driver's field of vision, increasing the risk of accidents due to the need to monitor road traffic.

Innovation Solution

A handlebar grip with a vibration generator, damping element, and vibration element, where the vibration generator is housed within the handlebar tube, generating mechanical vibrations for navigation instructions, warnings, and optical direction indicators, while the damping element prevents vibration transmission to the handlebar tube, ensuring the signals are only perceived by the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the vibration generator is mounted on the handlebar tube, then the haptic signal can be transmitted to the user, but the mechanical vibration is also transmitted to the handlebar tube, causing energy loss and reduced efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidvibration transmission loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A damping element is introduced as an intermediary between the handlebar grip and the handlebar tube. This damping element selectively blocks the transmission of mechanical vibrations to the handlebar tube while allowing the haptic signals to be effectively transmitted to the user's hand, thereby preventing energy loss to the handlebar structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The handlebar grip is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently mounted on the handlebar tube. This segmentation allows the vibration generator to be isolated within the grip assembly, enabling precise control over vibration transmission paths and improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the handlebar grip is mounted on the handlebar tube, then the haptic signal can be perceived by the user, but the grip becomes noticeable from the outside and occupies space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser perception of haptic signalVSAvoidvisibility and space occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The handlebar grip is designed to be partially inserted into the handlebar tube, with the vibration generator housed inside the tube. This nesting arrangement minimizes the external profile of the grip, making it less noticeable while maintaining full functionality for transmitting haptic signals to the user's hand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If the vibration generator is placed inside the handlebar tube, then the grip is compact and protected, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly structureVSAvoidprotection from environmental factors
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration generator is nested inside the handlebar tube, which provides inherent protection from environmental factors such as moisture and physical impacts. The damping element is positioned between the grip and the tube, creating a layered structure that simplifies the overall assembly while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Loss of energy

If the damping element is added to prevent vibration transmission, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration transmissionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element serves as a simple intermediary component that effectively prevents vibration transmission to the handlebar tube. Despite adding one component, the overall device complexity remains low because the damping element integrates seamlessly with the existing grip and tube structure, requiring minimal additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 handlebar grip provides efficient and perceivable haptic signals for navigation and warnings, reducing the risk of accidents by allowing drivers to maintain focus on the road without visual distractions, while being compact, durable, and energy-efficient.

Implementation Method 1

The damping element is set up to contact the handlebar tube after the handlebar grip has been fixed to a handlebar tube of the two-wheeler and to dampen a transmission of a mechanical vibration of the handlebar grip to the handlebar tube.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

The vibration generator is set up to generate a mechanical vibration, the handlebar grip being set up to be partially pushed into a handlebar tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3597520B1Handlebar grip with oscillations generator and bicycle comprising same
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3597520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3597520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3597520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Handlebar grip (200a, 200b) for a two-wheeled vehicle (100), comprising at least one vibration generator (210) which is configured to generate a mechanical vibration, wherein the handlebar grip (200a, 200b) comprises the following components: a damping element (280), wherein the damping element (280) is configured to contact the handlebar tube (110) of the two-wheeled vehicle (100) after the handlebar grip (200a, 200b) has been fixed to it and to dampen the transmission of a mechanical vibration from the handlebar grip (200a, 200b) to the handlebar tube (110); and a vibration element (260) which is connected to the vibration generator (210), wherein the vibration element (260) is configured to transmit a mechanical vibration generated by the vibration generator (210) to the hand when the handlebar grip (200a, 200b) is gripped by a user's hand.