Motorcycle Dashboard Interface Using a Smartphone Instrument Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current motorcycle on-board instruments are prone to rapid obsolescence and pose organizational challenges due to varying customer demands and technological advancements, especially in smaller vehicles where space and cost are concerns.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a mobile device housing with an electronic interface on the handlebar, allowing the mobile device to supplement dashboard instruments, providing additional functions and data visualization while enabling interaction with the vehicle's electronic control unit without requiring a touch screen, using a graphical user interface and interaction members like buttons or a joystick for safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If on-board instruments are integrated into the handlebar with a mobile device housing, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it displays vehicle information, provides a graphical user interface for controlling vehicle functions, and acts as a supplementary instrument panel. This multi-functionality approach allows a single device to replace or supplement multiple traditional instruments, improving adaptability while managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic interface acts as an intermediary between the electronic control unit and the mobile device. This mediator layer manages the complexity by providing a standardized communication protocol, allowing the mobile device to interact with various vehicle systems without requiring direct integration with each individual component.
2Illumination intensity
If instruments are provided on a dashboard fixed to the frame, then visibility is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens due to organizational and logistic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument system is segmented into two parts: traditional instruments remain on the dashboard fixed to the frame for visibility, while additional functions are provided through a separate mobile device mounted on the handlebar. This segmentation allows manufacturers to offer enhanced functionality without complicating the core manufacturing process, as the mobile device can be added as an optional accessory.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a housing for mobile device is integrated with the handlebar, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device is housed within a dedicated housing that is integrated into the handlebar structure. This nesting approach allows the mobile device to be securely mounted and protected while maintaining a compact overall design. The housing integrates the mobile device into the vehicle's existing structure, providing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The vehicle is provided with a dashboard and with a housing in which a mobile device, for example a mobile phone or smartphone, can be inserted. An electronic control unit of the vehicle co-acts with the mobile device by means of an electronic interface, so as to provide the mobile device with information relating to the operation of the vehicle. In this way, the mobile device provides an integration of the on-board instruments of the vehicle, which completes the instruments available on the dashboard.