Motorcycle Handlebar Vibration Sensor for Hands-Free Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
User control of vehicle components often requires direct hand contact, leading to diminished vehicle control and potential accidents when hands are removed from the steering wheel or handle.
Innovation Solution
A control system that uses sensors to detect vibrations caused by user contact with a vehicle handle, communicating these alterations to a controller to perform predetermined functions associated with the vehicle components, allowing for hands-free operation and enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If direct hand contact is used to control vehicle components, then ease of operation is improved, but vehicle control stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact control with a sensor-based vibration detection system. The sensor detects vibrations on the handlebar caused by user contact, and the controller interprets these vibration patterns to trigger component functions. This substitution allows users to control vehicle components through subtle handlebar vibrations rather than direct contact, maintaining vehicle control stability while achieving ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If hands are removed from the steering wheel to contact components, then ease of operation is improved, but vehicle control stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the handlebar vibration as an intermediary between user intent and component control. Instead of requiring direct hand contact with components, the system uses vibrations transmitted through the handlebar as a mediator. The sensor detects these intermediary vibrations, and the controller translates them into component activation, allowing users to control components while maintaining hand contact with the handlebar for stable vehicle control.
3Reliability
If vibration detection is used for hands-free operation, then vehicle control stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the existing handlebar structure as a multi-functional element. The handlebar serves both its traditional steering function and as a vibration transmission medium for control input detection. By reusing the existing handlebar and integrating a sensor into the control system, the patent achieves hands-free operation capability without adding significant structural complexity, as the handlebar itself becomes part of the sensing mechanism.
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
Enables safe and efficient control of vehicle components without removing hands from the steering wheel, reducing the risk of accidents by allowing hands-free operation and intuitive control through machine learning-based association of user contact patterns with specific functions.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor detecting vibrations of the vehicle, and alterations to the vibrations resulting from user contact with a steering handle of the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for a vehicle and method for controlling a vehicle component. The control system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor senses vibrations of the vehicle and senses alterations to the vibrations that result from user contact with a handle of the vehicle. The alterations are associated with a particular vehicle component and/or a particular predetermined function to be performed by the vehicle component. The controller receives an indication of the vibrations and the alterations from the sensor, and then causes the vehicle component to perform the predetermined function that is associated with the alterations.