GB2612794A

GB2612794A - Grip pressure sensor for a handgrip on a handlebar for motorcycle

Info

Publication number: GB2612794A
Application number: GB2116211.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Damodharan Suchitra; Rao Aditya; Notani Vipul
Original assignee: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Current assignee: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2021-11-11
Filing date: 2021-11-11
Publication date: 2023-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-11
Also published as: GB202116211D0; GB2612794B

Abstract

A grip pressure sensor for a handgrip 2 on a handlebar for motorcycle is characterized in that there is at least one elastically deformable tube 2 enclosing fluid filled cavity and with at least one pressure sensor (PSAT) for measuring the pressure change within the cavity of the tube. Plural tubes with separate sensors may be used to allow grip pressure on different areas to be identified.

Description

Grip pressure sensor for a handurip on a handlebar for motorcycle

TECHNICAL FIELD

[1] The present disclosure relates in general to a grip pressure sensor for a handgrip on a handlebar for motorcycle and a handlebar with such sensor.

BACKGROUND

[2] Motorcycles, bikes, are primary means of land transport. A common factor between the above machines is handlebars. The above machines are operated by users using handlebars. As users hold the handlebars to operate the machines, users apply varying pressure at different situations. Often, the handlebars are provided with grip or grippers to enable the users to hold the handlebar with firm grip.

[003] Pressure applied by the users on the handlebars is studied and analyzed to control the machines. For example, a gripper of a motorcycle is fitted with pressure sensors to measure amount of pressure applied by riders on the handlebar. This data is used for various reasons. One of the main requirements in case of motorcycles is, safety of the riders. Currently, automated systems such as Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) are used to automatically control the motorcycle based on various parameters. One such control includes controlling the brakes of the motorcycle. While the ARAS controls the brakes, it is essential to know rider safety. Also, such controls are safety critical, less data points needs to be processed to timely detect rider safety and control the vehicle. However, existing handle grips provide huge datapoints for processing, thus, timely decisions cannot be taken based on such measurements. Also, huge datapoints consume more power. Hence, there is a need for a handle grip that solves one or more of the above problems.

[004] So, US 2010204874 Al, DE 102012221615 Al or DE 102019200195 Al describes motorcycles with a pressure sensor in the handlebar and controllers controlling the motorcycle in relation to the signals of such sensor. They use capacitive sensors to measure the capacitance between the human body and the sensor electrodes to determinate the driver grip or piezoresistive sensors -2 -transferring the contact of the surface into changes in the resistance. Such existing sensor systems are expensive.

[005] The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

[006] Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

[7] In one embodiment, the present disclosure discloses a grip pressure sensor for a handgrip on a handlebar for motorcycle, characterized in that there is at least one elastically deformable tube including a cavity inside and with at least one pressure sensor for measuring the pressure change within the cavity of the tube. Such tube can be very small and easily integrated in a handlebar and a pressure sensor detecting the pressure changes in such cavity can be very small and integrated in the handlebar too.

[8] In one embodiment, the cavity is filled with air or a liquid, preferable an organic liquid [9] In one embodiment, there is a handgrip for a handlebar with a grip pressure sensor described, wherein the elastically deformable tube is located with at least one loop around the handlebar. At least on one of the ends of the tube is the pressure sensor located, but in another embodiment, there can be pressure sensors on both ends to evaluate the position in more detail.

[0010] In another embodiment, there is the handgrip for a handlebar with a grip pressure sensor with at least two or more elastically deformable tubes located in parallel to the axis of the handlebar on different locations of the surface around the handlebar and each tube has at least one pressure sensor on its end. -3 -

[0011] In a further embodiment, the at least one tube of the sensor is located inside an elastically material of the handgrip. So, the tubes can be overmolded with the elastic material of the handgrip or otherwise integrated in such handgrip.

[0012] In a further embodiment a motorcycle is described with a handgrip with a grip pressure sensor in accordance with one of the foregoing claims on a handlebar of this motorcycle.

[0013] In one embodiment of such motorcycle the signal of the at least one pressure sensor is monitored and will be calibrated if a hand comes in contact with the handgrip and a non-adequate grip like handoff is detected by the change of the pressure signal.

[0014] In further embodiment of such motorcycle there is a data recorder storing at least for a defined period of time the pressure signal or and related evaluation result.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0015]The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which: Fig. 1 first embodiment with a tube wrapped in a number of loops around the 30 handlebar Fig. 2 second embodiment with a number of tubes in parallel to the axis of the handlebar on different locations of the surface around the handlebar -4 -Fig. 3 illustrates a common electronic circuitry to supply the pressure sensors and collect their data Fig.4 illustrates in general an applicable pressure sensor for such

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0017] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and may be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0018]Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment wherein the elastically deformable tube 2 is wrapped with at least one, here a number of 5 loops around the handlebar 1. The elastically deformable tube 2 has a cavity inside, which is filled with air or a liquid, preferable an organic liquid. In this embodiment on both ends of the tube are pressure sensors PSAT A and PSAT B for measuring the pressure change within the cavity of the tube.

[0019] Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment wherein at least two or more elastically deformable tubes (2a-2e) located in parallel to the axis of the handlebar (1) on different locations of the surface around the handlebar and each tube has at least one pressure sensor (PSAT A,.. PSAT E) on its end.

[0020] So there is a microtube grip pressure sensing system that can be used in two-wheelers/motorcycle handlebar grips to monitor rider engagement and detect rider hand position relative to the grip. Potentially, it could scaled up to other -5 -cylindrical surfaces where grip pressure needs to be monitored, like steering wheels, gear lever, etc. [0021] The microtube grip pressure sensing system can be designed in two ways with the following specifications. A fluid -filled pressure microtube (of diameter 1.5mm to 2mm) will be wound around the motorcycle handlebar in a mechanical spring like manner (refer to figure 1) or run longitudinally across the length of the motorcycle handlebar grip (refer to figure 2. The choice of fluid is based on required hydrostatic pressure range for the application. An air-filled microtube can be used where the air molecules exert pressure in all directions of the microtube when the handlebar is gripped.: Water and any other organic liquids with density>19/mL can be used if a higher pressure range is desired. The total spring wire length of the microtube in former design (figure 1) would be 20-25cm with 4 -5 coils and for the latter design (figure 2) would be 6-8cm for a standard motorcycle handle bar grip with the dimensions -14.8 x 7.8 x 6.2 cm.

[0022] Esp. for the design in figure 1 the preferred micro -diaphragm pressure sensors PSAT A and PSAT B are installed at both ends of the tube 2. These pressure sensors PSAT A and PSAT B can be of gauge or absolute type that modulates the output voltage in proportion to the applied pressure. The precision of the system varies directly with the number of coils.

[0023] For the design in figure 2 microtubes of length 6-8cm run longitudinally across the handlebar grip and the number of microtubes 2a...2e can be decided on a need basis. Preferably, a micro -diaphragm pressure sensor PSAT A...

PSAT E is attached to each of these microtubes 2a...2e and outputs a voltage proportional to the applied pressure.

[0024] The associated signal processing unit is shown in figure 3 and would contain but not limited to Differential amplifiers to amplify the analog voltage to introduce compatibility between the micro -diaphragm pressure sensor and filtering unit. There would be Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) to convert the analog information to a digital signal that can be processed and stored in another two-wheeler/motorcycle's Electronic Control Unit (ECU). Optionally, band pass -6 -filters might be used to minimize errors arising due to fluid expansion in high temperature and high pressure environments.

[0025] The functional flow might be in one embodiment as defined: When the rider's hands comes in contact with the motorcycle handlebar grips, the resulting pressure creates a typical waveform that is detected by the micro -diaphragm sensors at the end of the microtube. A hands-off metric can be determined or calibrated if minimal to no pressure is exerted on the fluid-filled microtube. Higher pressure detected on the microtube can be inferred as a hard grip and that the rider is in full control of the motorcycle. The position of the rider palm can be determined based on absolute pressure difference between two micro-diaphragm pressure sensors PSAT A and PSAT B in Fig. 1.

[0026] Fig. 3 illustrates a common electronic circuitry to supply the pressure sensors PSAT A, PSAT B,... with a common supply voltage and collect their data by a common sub-ecu, evaluating, filtering and digitalizing the signals in a common Controller SUB ECU and submitting these data the a central ECU to control the motorcycle.

[0027] Fig. 4 illustrates the inner structure of such a pressure sensor generally known in the prior art. So, such pressure sensor has an entrance 41 for the pressure connected to the cavity of the tube 2, through which the air of the liquid can come into the sensor and bring its pressure against a diaphragm, which is connected with a crystal transfering the movement of the diaphragm into an electrical signal.

[0028] Such grip pressure sensor can be integrated in a handgrip for a handlebar so that at least one tube is located inside an elastically material of the handgrip. As such handgrip is made from elastically material anyway it is very easy possible to integrate this and get relevant pressure signal through this elastically material of the handgrip into the cavity of the tube.

[0029] As described before such grip pressure sensor can be used for a handgrip on a handlebar for a motorcycle. The signal of the at least one pressure sensor is -7 -in one embodiment monitored and will be calibrated, if a hand comes in contact with the handgrip and a non-adequate grip like handoff is detected by the change of the pressure signal. In another embodiment there is a data recorder storing at least for an defined period of time the pressure signal or and related evaluation result.

[0030] So, such non-intrusive and inexpensive technology for two-wheelers/ motorcycle handlebars can be used to indicate hands-on/hands-off metric and grip pressure to other Electronic Control Units (ECUs), thereby giving information about rider attentiveness and grip levels. When the two-wheeler / motorcycle is running such a prolonged hands-off metric can indicate that the rider is using a smartphone thereby indicating high distraction levels and the same can be informed to the traffic law enforcement. Some rider assist technologies such as Emergency Brake Assist(EBA) or Adaptive Cruise Control(ACC) require the rider to be fully attentive. The determined grip levels can be used to determine the rider attentiveness and grip on the motorcycle to control it in case of an eventuality. Furthermore, grip levels can be used to optimize the amount of intervention by the aforementioned rider assist technologies.

[0031]An Event Data Recorder (EDR) also called the Accident Data Recorder (ADR) is an automotive black box installed in automobiles to record information related to traffic collisions. The hands-on-metrics and grip levels determined at the time of crash can be recorded using this Event Data Recorder (EDR). This data correlated with other information can indicate the rider attentiveness at the time or just before the crash. Event Data Recorder (EDR) data with rider attentiveness information can be used as a metric to either show a genuine insurance claim or one where the rider is at fault due to distracted riding. -8 -

Claims

Claims 1) grip pressure sensor for a handgrip on a handlebar (1) for motorcycle, characterized in that there is at least one elastically deformable tube (2) including a cavity inside and with at least one pressure sensor (PSAT) for measuring the pressure change within the cavity of the tube.
2) grip pressure sensor in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the cavity is filled with air or a liquid, preferable an organic liquid.
3) handgrip for a handlebar with a grip pressure sensor in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastically deformable tube (2) is located with at least one loop around the handlebar (1).
4) handgrip for a handlebar with a grip pressure sensor in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there are at least two or more elastically deformable tubes (2a-2e) located in parallel to the axis of the handlebar (1) on different locations of the surface around the handlebar and each tube has at least one pressure sensor (PSAT A, .. , PSAT E) on its end.
5) handgrip for a handlebar with a grip pressure sensor in accordance with claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one tube is located inside a elastically material of the handgrip 6) motorcycle with a handgrip with a grip pressure sensor in accordance with one of the foregoing claims on a handlebar.7) motorcycle in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the signal of the at least one pressure sensor is monitored and will be calibrated, if a hand comes in -9 -contact with the handgrip and a non-adequate grip like handoff is detected by the change of the pressure signal.8) motorcycle in accordance with claim 6 or 7, characterized in that there is a data recorder storing at least for a defined period of time the pressure signal or and related evaluation result.