Twist Grip Rotary Actuator With Spring-Loaded Pressure Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary control elements for vehicles are susceptible to environmental influences such as moisture and dirt, which can impair their function.
Innovation Solution
A rotary control element with a spring-elastic pressure element that moves transversely to the axis of rotation, acting on a scanning path within a non-rotatable functional unit, allowing for mechanical scanning of electrical control variables without electrical contact, thus protecting the scanning mechanism from environmental interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable, potentiometer, or Hall sensor is used to actuate the rotary actuator, then the control element can function, but it becomes susceptible to environmental influences such as moisture and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is divided into two separate functional units: a rotatable actuating section with the pressure element and a non-rotatable housing containing the scanning path. This segmentation allows the scanning mechanism to remain stationary and protected while only the actuating section rotates, reducing exposure to environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
A spring-elastic pressure element serves as an intermediary between the rotatable grip element and the stationary scanning path. The pressure element transmits mechanical force from the rotating grip to the scanning mechanism without requiring direct electrical contact or rotational movement of the scanning components themselves.
2Measurement precision
If electrical contact is made with the pressure element to detect the control variable, then the control variable can be read, but the system becomes susceptible to environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical contact measurement with a mechanical pressure-based scanning system. The pressure element's position is detected mechanically through the scanning path as it rotates, converting the measurement into a mechanical rather than electrical process, thereby eliminating susceptibility to moisture and dirt.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning path creates a mechanical copy or representation of the pressure element's position through the rotation of the actuating section. Instead of directly reading electrical signals from the moving pressure element, the system scans the position mechanically through the housing, creating a protected indirect measurement.
3Ease of operation
If the scanning path is arranged outside the housing, then it is accessible, but it is exposed to environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the actuating section that rotates and the housing containing the scanning path that remains stationary. The scanning path is placed inside the non-rotatable housing, protecting it from environmental factors while the external actuating section remains accessible for operation.
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
This design enhances the functional reliability of the rotary control element by isolating the scanning mechanism from environmental factors, allowing for reliable operation even in adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating section has at least one pressure element that can be moved on a path about the axis of rotation and is acted upon in a spring-elastic manner in a direction transverse to the path
Implementation Method 2
the resilient element is formed by a torsion spring
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to improve a rotary actuating element for a vehicle with handlebar steering, in particular rotary actuating element for controlling the operating state of the vehicle, comprising a gripping element (20) which is mounted on a handlebar (12) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (18) and has a gripping portion (22), on which an operator's hand rests, and an actuating portion (32), which is arranged in a rotary actuating housing (40) held non-rotatably on the handlebar, in such a manner that the operation of said actuating portion cannot be impaired by environmental effects, such as moisture, dirt or the like, it is proposed that the actuating portion (32) has at least one pressure element (124, 126, 128) which is movable on a path about the axis of rotation (18) and is pressurized spring-elastically, and that a non-rotatably arranged functional unit is arranged in the housing (40), said functional unit having at least one sensing path (146, 148) which extends in an interior of the functional unit and in an area and along which, by pressurization by means of the pressure element (124, 126, 128) and depending on the location of the pressurization by the pressure element (124, 126, 128), various values of an electric control variable can be sensed.