Strain Gauge Handlebar Control for Electric Kick Scooter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional kick scooters require significant physical effort on uphill paths, and electric kick scooters lack intuitive control methods for accelerating, decelerating, and braking, increasing user fatigue and risk during emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
An electric kick scooter equipped with a strain gauge attached to the steering tube or handle bar to sense user input, transmitting strain signals to a controller that controls the motor for smooth acceleration, deceleration, and braking, enhancing user safety and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional grip or foot plate control methods are used, then the scooter can achieve speed control, but the manipulation requires complex coordination that not every user can handle skillfully
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical grip twisting or foot plate stepping mechanisms with a strain gauge-based sensing system. The strain gauge detects force applied to the handle bar, and the controller automatically translates this into motor control signals, eliminating the need for complex hand-foot coordination and making the scooter easier to operate for users of all skill levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the user's physical input (force on handle bar) and the motor response. The controller processes the strain gauge signal and automatically adjusts motor power, serving as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between user intent and vehicle response, removing the need for direct mechanical coordination.
2Reliability
If traditional grip or foot plate control methods are used, then speed control is achieved, but in emergency situations the user cannot appropriately react immediately, increasing risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where the strain gauge continuously monitors force applied to the handle bar and provides real-time signals to the controller. In emergency situations, when the user applies sudden force to the handle bar, the strain gauge immediately detects this input and the controller responds by adjusting motor power without delay, creating a rapid feedback loop that reduces reaction time and improves safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces slow mechanical transmission systems (grip twisting, foot plate stepping) with an electronic sensing and control system. The strain gauge and controller provide immediate electronic signal transmission and motor response, eliminating mechanical lag and significantly reducing the time between user input and vehicle response in emergency braking situations.
3Ease of operation
If electric power assistance is added to reduce uphill effort, then user convenience on uphill sections is improved, but the control mechanism becomes more complex requiring grip twisting or foot plate stepping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms (grip twisting, foot plate stepping) with a simple force-sensing system. The strain gauge detects any force applied to the handle bar, and the controller automatically modulates motor power to provide electric assistance on uphill sections, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control operations while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the scooter to automatically adjust motor power based on the force detected by the strain gauge. The system serves itself by interpreting user intent through handle bar force and autonomously controlling motor output, eliminating the need for complex user-motor coordination mechanisms and providing automatic electric assistance on uphill sections.
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 solution allows for intuitive control of the scooter, reducing user fatigue and improving safety by enabling precise motor control based on user input, ensuring safer and more convenient operation, especially on uphill paths and during emergency braking.
Implementation Method 1
The strain gauge is attached to the steering tube or handle bar of the scooter body to sense the strain generated on the steering tube or handle bar when the steering tube or handle bar receives a force and then generate and transmit a strain signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electric kick scooter including a scooter body, a drive device and a strain gauge is provided. The scooter body has a foot plate, a steering tube and a rear wheel respectively provided at front and rear ends of the foot plate, and a handle bar and a front wheel respectively provided at top and bottom ends of the steering tube. The drive device has a motor installed in the front wheel or rear wheel, and a battery installed with the scooter body and electrically connected to the motor. The strain gauge is attached to the steering tube or handle bar of the scooter body to sense the strain generated on the steering tube or handle bar when it receives a force. The strain signal of the strain gauge is transmitted to a controller for enabling the controller to control an action of the motor accordingly.