Motorcycle Drive Recorder Switch Layout for Grip-Safe Operation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Saddle-riding vehicles, such as motorcycles, face usability challenges with drive recorder switches due to vibrations and wind, making it difficult for drivers to operate them while maintaining control of the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A drive recorder switch arrangement is implemented on saddle-riding vehicles with the switch positioned on one handlebar where accessory controls are located, allowing drivers to actuate the switch without releasing their grip, improving usability by separating it from high-frequency vehicle body control operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the drive recorder switch is arranged on the handlebar where vehicle body control devices are located, then the driver can easily access the switch, but the driver cannot operate the switch without releasing grip on the handlebar, reducing safety and usability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility of drive recorder switchVSAvoidDriver control safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control devices into two groups: vehicle body control devices (high-frequency operations) on one handlebar and accessory control devices (low-frequency operations) on the other handlebar. The drive recorder switch is placed on the accessory control side, allowing independent operation without compromising vehicle control grip.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the drive recorder switch is arranged on the handlebar with vehicle body control devices, then the switch is easily accessible, but the switch is exposed to higher vibrations and wind impact, reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSwitch accessibilityVSAvoidVibrations and wind impact on switch
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by placing the drive recorder switch in a specific location (accessory control side) that has different environmental characteristics compared to the vehicle body control side. This location experiences fewer vibrations and less wind impact, improving switch reliability while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the drive recorder switch is integrated with vehicle body control devices, then the control system is unified, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIntegrated control functionalityVSAvoidControl system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into distinct functional areas: vehicle body control and accessory control. This segmentation prevents complexity from propagating throughout the entire system while maintaining unified control through the dual-handlebar configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4428020A1Drive recorder switch arrangement for saddle-riding vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD
  • EP4428020A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4428020A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4428020A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A drive recorder switch arrangement is equipped in a saddle-riding vehicle with left and right handlebars 12L, 12R. The arrangement includes a drive recorder switch 50 of a drive recorder that records video images taken by a camera 30 mounted on the vehicle. The arrangement also includes a vehicle body control device 32 arranged at the right handlebar 12R to allow control of a vehicle body of the vehicle, and an accessory control device 34 arranged at the left handlebar 12L to allow control of an accessory of the vehicle. The drive recorder switch 50 is arranged at the left handlebar 12L.