U.S. patent application number 15/078093 was filed with the patent office on 2017-09-28 for motorcycle hand control with optical sensor.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Geovani Felicilda.
Application Number | 20170274958 15/078093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59814182 |
Filed Date | 2017-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170274958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Felicilda; Geovani |
September 28, 2017 |
MOTORCYCLE HAND CONTROL WITH OPTICAL SENSOR
Abstract
A handlebar assembly for steering a vehicle includes a
handlebar, a grip positioned on the handlebar at a first end of the
handlebar assembly, and a hand control assembly positioned adjacent
the grip. The hand control assembly includes an optical sensor. The
optical sensor has a housing with a light transmissive section, a
light source configured to emit light, and a light sensor
configured to detect light. The light source and the light sensor
are positioned at least partially within the housing. The optical
sensor is operable to detect movement of a vehicle operator along
the light transmissive section of the housing by detecting
reflected light from the light source with the light sensor.
Inventors: |
Felicilda; Geovani;
(Mukwonago, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC |
Milwaukee |
WI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59814182 |
Appl. No.: |
15/078093 |
Filed: |
March 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62K 21/12 20130101;
B60Q 1/343 20130101; B62K 23/02 20130101; B62K 11/14 20130101; B62K
21/26 20130101; H03K 17/968 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62K 23/02 20060101
B62K023/02; H03K 17/968 20060101 H03K017/968; B60Q 1/34 20060101
B60Q001/34; B62K 21/12 20060101 B62K021/12; B62K 21/26 20060101
B62K021/26 |
Claims
1. A handlebar assembly for steering a vehicle, the handlebar
assembly comprising: a handlebar; a grip positioned on the
handlebar at a first end of the handlebar assembly; and a hand
control assembly positioned adjacent the grip, the hand control
assembly including an optical sensor having a housing with a light
transmissive section, a light source configured to emit light, and
a light sensor configured to detect light, wherein the light source
and the light sensor are positioned at least partially within the
housing, and wherein the optical sensor is operable to detect
movement of a vehicle operator along the light .sup.-transmissive
section of the housing by detecting reflected light from the light
source with the light sensor.
2. The handlebar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the housing
of the optical sensor includes a switch body that is movable, with
respect to the handlebar, between a first position and a second
position.
3. The handlebar assembly according to claim 2, wherein the switch
body is a rocker switch that is configured to pivot about an axis
between the first position, the second position, and a third
position.
4. The handlebar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light
source includes a light-emitting diode that emits infrared
light.
5. The handlebar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light
sensor includes one or both of an array of photodiodes and an image
sensor.
6. The handlebar assembly according to claim 1, wherein the grip is
a first grip and the hand control assembly is a first hand control
assembly, wherein the handlebar assembly further comprises a second
grip positioned on the handlebar at a second end of the handlebar
assembly and a second hand control assembly positioned adjacent the
second grip, wherein the second hand control assembly includes a
second optical sensor having a second housing with a second light
transmissive section, a second light source configured to emit
light, and a second light sensor configured to detect light,
wherein the second light source and the second light sensor are
positioned at least partially within the second housing, and
wherein the second optical sensor is operable to detect movement of
the vehicle operator along the second light transmissive section by
detecting reflected light from the second light source with the
second light sensor.
7. The handlebar assembly according to claim 6, wherein the second
housing includes a switch body that is movable, with respect to the
handlebar, between a first position and a second position.
8. The handlebar assembly according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle
includes a left turn indicator and a right turn indicator, wherein
one or both of the optical sensor of the first hand control
assembly and the second optical sensor of the second hand control
assembly is configured to initiate a signal to activate one of the
left turn indicator and the right turn indicator.
9. A motorcycle comprising: a steering assembly coupled to a front
wheel of the motorcycle, the steering assembly including a
handlebar assembly having a handlebar, a grip positioned on the
handlebar at a first end of the handlebar assembly, and a hand
control assembly positioned adjacent the grip, the hand control
assembly including an optical sensor having a housing with a light
transmissive section, a light source configured to emit light, and
a light sensor configured to detect reflected light, wherein the
light source and the light sensor are positioned at least partially
within the housing such that the optical sensor is operable to
detect movement of an operator and output a corresponding output
signal; and a controller operable to track the output signal to
determine an amount and direction of movement of the operator
across the light transmissive section, such that the optical sensor
provides an interface for controlling at least one user operable
function of the motorcycle.
10. The motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the housing
includes a switch body that is movable, with respect to the
handlebar, between a first operational position and a second
operational position.
11. The motorcycle according to claim 10, wherein the switch body
is a rocker switch that is configured to pivot about an axis
between the first position, the second position, and a third
position.
12. The motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the grip is a
first grip and the hand control assembly is a first hand control
assembly, wherein the handlebar assembly further includes a second
grip positioned on the handlebar at a second end of the handlebar
assembly and a second hand control assembly positioned adjacent the
second grip, wherein the second hand control assembly includes a
second optical sensor having a second housing with a light
transmissive section, a second light source configured to emit
light, and a second light sensor configured to detect light,
wherein the second light source and the second light sensor are
positioned at least partially within the second housing such that
the second optical sensor is operable to detect movement of the
operator's hand and output a corresponding output signal, and
wherein the controller is further operable to track the output
signal of the second optical sensor to determine an amount and
direction of movement of the operator along the second light
transmissive section such that the second optical sensor provides
an interface for controlling at least one additional user operable
function of the motorcycle.
13. The motorcycle according to claim 12, wherein the second
housing includes a switch body, wherein the switch body of the
second optical sensor is movable, with respect to the handlebar,
between a first operational position and a second operational
position.
14. The motorcycle according to claim 12, wherein the optical
sensors of the first and second hand control assemblies are
integrated into respective turn signal switches of the motorcycle,
such that a secondary motorcycle function is controllable by each
turn signal switch via the corresponding optical sensor.
15. The motorcycle according to claim 9, wherein the motorcycle
further comprises a communication module operable to communicate
with a remote electronic device when the remote electronic device
is paired with the motorcycle, and wherein one or both of the
optical sensor of the first hand control assembly and the second
optical sensor of the second hand control assembly is configured to
prompt the controller to send a signal to the remote electronic
device through the communication module.
16. A method for providing an interface between a motorcycle and a
user of the motorcycle, the method comprising: providing a
motorcycle handlebar assembly including a grip and a hand control
assembly, wherein the hand control assembly includes an optical
sensor having a housing with a light transmissive section, a light
source configured to emit light, and a light sensor configured to
detect reflected light and emit an output signal indicative of
movement of an operator along the light transmissive section based
on the reflected light detected; tracking, with a controller, the
output signal of the optical sensor to determine an amount and
direction of movement of the operator along the light transmissive
section; emitting, from the controller to the at least one user
operable motorcycle system, an output signal in response to the
controller identifying that the movement of the operator exceeds a
threshold amount of movement in a predetermined direction.
17. The method according to claim 16, the method further comprising
activating one or both of the controller and the optical sensor
from an inactive state in response to actuating the hand control
assembly.
18. The method according to claim 16, further comprising navigating
a menu of a display of the motorcycle in response to the output
signal from the controller.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the housing includes
a switch body that is moveable, with respect to the handlebar,
between a first position and a second position, wherein the method
further comprises emitting, from the controller, a signal
corresponding to actuating the switch body from the first position
to the second position, and wherein the signal corresponding to
actuating the switch body selects a selection of the menu.
20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising
controlling a remote electronic device paired with the motorcycle
in response to the output signal from the controller.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic hand controls
for a motorcycle.
SUMMARY
[0002] In one aspect, the invention provides a handlebar assembly
for steering a vehicle. The handlebar assembly includes a
handlebar, a grip positioned on the handlebar at a first end of the
handlebar assembly, and a hand control assembly positioned adjacent
the grip. The hand control assembly includes an optical sensor. The
optical sensor has a housing with a light transmissive section, a
light source configured to emit light, and a light sensor
configured to detect light. The light source and the light sensor
are positioned at least partially within the housing. The optical
sensor is operable to detect movement of a vehicle operator along
the light transmissive section of the housing by detecting
reflected light from the light source with the light sensor.
[0003] In another aspect, the invention provides a motorcycle. The
motorcycle includes a steering assembly coupled to a front wheel of
the motorcycle. The steering assembly includes a handlebar assembly
having a handlebar, a grip positioned on the handlebar at a first
end of the handlebar assembly, and a hand control assembly
positioned adjacent the grip. The hand control assembly includes an
optical sensor. The optical sensor has a housing with a light
transmissive section, a light source configured to emit light, and
a light sensor configured to detect reflected light. The light
source and the light sensor are positioned at least partially
within the housing such that the optical sensor is operable to
detect movement of an operator's hand and output a corresponding
output signal. The motorcycle also includes a controller operable
to track the output signal to determine an amount and direction of
movement of the operator's hand across the light transmissive
section, such that the optical sensor provides an interface for
controlling at least one user operable system of the
motorcycle.
[0004] In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for
providing an interface between a motorcycle and a user of the
motorcycle. The method includes providing a motorcycle handlebar
assembly including a grip and a hand control assembly. The hand
control assembly includes an optical sensor. The optical sensor has
a housing with a light transmissive section, a light source
configured to emit light, and a light sensor configured to detect
reflected light and emit an output signal indicative of movement of
an operator along the light transmissive section based on the
reflected light detected. The method also includes tracking, with a
controller, the output signal of the optical sensor to determine an
amount and direction of movement of the operator along the light
transmissive section, and emitting, from the controller to the at
least one user operable motorcycle system, an output signal in
response to the controller identifying that the movement of the
operator exceeds a threshold amount of movement in a predetermined
direction.
[0005] Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle including hand
controls with an opticalsensor.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a center console and handlebar
assembly of the motorcycle of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a left hand control assembly
of the handlebar assembly of FIG. 2.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the left hand control
assembly of FIG. 3 including a hand of a rider shown by phantom
lines.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the left hand
control assembly of FIG. 3 with a switch body in a second
position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the portion of the left hand
control assembly of FIG. 5 with the switch body in a third
position.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the optical sensor, taken
along line 7-7 of FIG. 4.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a cross section view similar to FIG. 7, with a
rider covering a light transmissive section.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the optical sensor, taken
along 9-9 of FIG. 6 with a rider covering the light transmissive
section.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display of the center
console of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the following drawings. The disclosure is capable of
other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a motorcycle 10 that includes a frame 14,
a front wheel 18 positioned at a front end 22 of the motorcycle 10,
and at least one rear wheel 26 positioned at a rear end 30 of the
motorcycle 10. A longitudinal center plane A of the motorcycle 10
divides the motorcycle 10 into left and right sides. An engine 34
is configured to drive the at least one rear wheel 26 in a forward
direction of travel F along the longitudinal center plane A of the
motorcycle 10. A seat 38 is provided for a rider. The seat 38 is
coupled to the frame 14 between the front wheel 18 and the at least
one rear wheel 26 and is positioned generally above the engine 34.
Right turn indicators 46 are provided so the rider may signal an
impending movement to the right. Although not illustrated, the left
side of the motorcycle 10 includes left turn indicators so the
rider may also signal an impending movement to the left.
[0018] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the motorcycle 10 also includes a
center console 50 having a display 54 and a steering assembly 58
configured to steer the motorcycle 10 while the motorcycle 10 is
traveling. The steering assembly 58 is coupled to the front wheel
18 and includes a handlebar assembly 62. The steering assembly 58
is pivotably coupled to the frame 14, and more particularly, to a
front fork 16 of the frame 14 so that the rider may maneuver the
motorcycle while traveling. A front fairing 20 is supported by the
steering assembly 58 at the front end 22 of the motorcycle 22. The
center console 50 may be positioned inside the front fairing 20, as
further illustrated in FIG. 1. The center console 50 includes the
display 54 and may additionally include an instrument panel 56 for
displaying information about the motorcycle 10 to the rider 10,
such as a travelling speed, an amount of fuel in a fuel tank, among
other things. In other embodiments, the front fairing 20 may be
fixed relative to the frame 14 such that the steering assembly 58
pivots with respect to the front fairing 20. In yet other
embodiments, for example motorcycles without front fairings, the
center console 50 may be positioned elsewhere on the motorcycle 10
(e.g., the center console 50 may be positioned on the fuel tank,
positioned directly on the steering assembly 58, etc.).
[0019] Further illustrated in FIG. 2, the handlebar assembly 62
includes a left handlebar portion 70L and a right handlebar portion
70R of a single, unitary handlebar 66. In some embodiments the left
handlebar portion 70L and the right handlebar portion 70R are
separately formed pieces that are adjoined to the motorcycle 10 at
the front end 22. For example, the left handlebar portion 70L and
the right handlebar portion 70R may be adjoined to the motorcycle
10 at the front fork 16. The left handlebar portion 70L and the
right handlebar portion 70R of the handlebar 66 define respective
longitudinal handlebar portion axes (or "grip axes) B, B',
respectively. The handlebar assembly 62 also includes a left hand
control assembly 74L positioned on the left handlebar portion 70L,
a left grip 78L positioned at a distal end 82L of the left
handlebar portion 70L, a left lever 86L, a right hand control
assembly 74R positioned on the right handlebar portion 70R, a right
grip 78R positioned at a distal end 82R of the right handlebar
portion 70R, and a right lever 86R. Each grip 78L, 78R is
positioned outward, with respect to the longitudinal plane A, of
the hand control assembly 74L, 74R of the same side (e.g., the left
grip 78L is exterior to the left hand control assembly 74L). The
left lever 86L is configured to actuate the clutch of the
motorcycle 10, whereas the right lever 86R is configured to actuate
the front brake of the motorcycle 10. Each lever 86L, 86R is
positioned adjacent the respective grip 78L, 78R of the same
side.
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, the left hand control assembly
74L includes an optical sensor 90L, hand control switches 94L, and
a housing 98L that is positioned about the left handlebar portion
70L and is adjacent the left grip 78L. In the illustrated
embodiment of FIG. 3, the housing 98L is positioned close to the
left grip 78L to allow the rider to maintain their riding position
and operate the left hand control assembly 74L, as illustrated in
FIG. 4 and explained in further detail below. The optical sensor
90L is positioned at a lower end 102L of the housing 98L to
facilitate use by the rider, and more particularly, for the rider's
thumb. The housing 98L, 98R may be positioned next to the
respective grip 78L, 78R such that the optical sensor 90L, 90R is
not more than 3 inches away from the respective grip 78L, 78R.
[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the optical sensor 90L includes
a housing, a light source 110L configured to emit light, and a
light sensor 114L configured to detect light. The optical sensor
housing, which may include a switch body 106L as discussed below,
includes a light transmissive section 130L. The light source 110L
is arranged to emit light toward and through the light transmissive
section 130L, and the light sensor 114L is arranged to detect
reflected light as an operator moves their hand across the light
transmissive section 130L. The light sensor 114L may include one or
both of an array of photodiodes and an image sensor. The light
source 110L may include an LED that emits infrared light. In other
embodiments, the light source 110L may include an LED that emits
visible light or a combination of infrared and visible light. The
housing of the optical sensor 90L generally provides a space for
positioning at least part of the light source 110L and the light
sensor 114L therein. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-9,
the housing of the optical sensor 90L is provided by the housing
98L and a switch body 106L movably supported by the housing 98L, as
described in greater detail below. In other embodiments, the
housing of the optical sensor 90L may he provided solely by the
housing 98L or by the handlebar portion 70L. In yet other
embodiments, the optical sensor 90L may have a discrete housing
removably attached to the handlebar portion 70L, the left grip 78L,
or the hand control assembly housing 98L.
[0022] As further illustrated in FIGS. 2-9, the switch body 106L
may be a rocker switch that is configured to pivot about a rocker
axis C on the housing 98L of the left hand control assembly 74L.
The rocker axis C may be substantially perpendicular to the
longitudinal handlebar portion axis B. The switch body 106L is
configured to pivot or rock between a first (e.g., at-rest)
position, illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8, a second (e.g., left
depressed) position, illustrated in FIG. 5, and a third (e.g.,
right depressed) position, illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 9. In other
embodiments, the switch body 106L may be a push button (not
illustrated) that is movable between a first (e.g., at-rest)
position and a second (e.g., pushed-down) position. The left hand
control assembly 74L may also include a biasing member (not
illustrated) that urges the switch body 106L toward the first
position. Although the hand control assembly 74L is shown and
described above as including a switch body 106L movable relative to
the housing 98L, in other embodiments the switch body 106L, and
more generally the housing of the optical sensor 90L, may be fixed
on the hand control assembly 74L.
[0023] The switch body 106L has a first portion 118L and a second
portion 122L that are generally separated by the rocker axis C. The
light transmissive section 1301, of the switch body 106L is
provided at an outer surface 126L on the first portion 118L. The
light transmissive section 130L may be constructed as a piece of
light transmissive glass or plastic. As illustrated in the
embodiment of FIG. 3, the first portion 118L is positioned closer
to the center plane A than the second portion 122L. Accordingly,
the light transmissive section 130L is positioned farther away from
the left grip 78L than the second portion 122L of the switch body
106L.
[0024] The housing of the optical sensor 90L includes a cavity 134L
defined between the housing 98L and the switch body 106L. The light
source 110L and the light sensor 114L are each generally positioned
within the cavity 134L. The cavity 134L includes a first half 138L
and a second half 142L with a divider 146L positioned therebetween.
The divider 146L may be aligned with the rocker axis C so that the
first half 138L is generally defined between the first portion 118L
of the switch body 106L and the housing 98L, and so that the second
half 142L is generally defined between the second portion 122L of
the switch body 106L and the housing 98L, as shown in FIGS. 7-9. In
the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the light source 110L
and the light sensor 114L are positioned in the same half and at
the same side of the switch body 106L as the light transmissive
section 130L. The light source 110L is positioned such that at
least a portion of the light emitted by the light source 110L
projects through the light transmissive section 130L, as
illustrated in FIG. 7. In particular, the light source 11GL and the
light sensor 114L are positioned at opposite ends in a single half
of the switch body 106L.
[0025] It should be understood that although the right hand control
assembly 74R is not described in detail above, the right hand
control assembly 74R includes the same components and is generally
constructed in the same fashion as the left hand control assembly
74L, but as a mirrored opposite, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0026] The motorcycle 10 further includes a controller 150 and a
communication module 154. The controller 150 is electronically
coupled to the left hand control assembly 74L and the right hand
control assembly 74R and is configured to receive signals from the
left optical sensor 90L, the right optical sensor 90R, and the hand
control switches 94L, 94R of each hand control assembly 74L, 74R,
among other components. The controller 150 is also electronically
coupled to the communication module 154 so as to send signals to
and receive signals from the communication module 154, as explained
in further detail below. The communication module 154 may be
separate from or integrated as a part of the controller 150.
[0027] The controller 150 is operable to track an output signal of
the light sensors 114L, 114R to determine an amount and a direction
of movement of the rider across the optical sensors 90L, 90R. The
output signals of the light sensors 114L, 114R correspond to the
light detected by the light sensors 114L, 114R. The controller 150
is configured to recognize and track patterns of light detected by
the light sensors 114L, 114R to determine the amount and direction
of movement of the rider, so as to determine an output signal to
emit and when to do so. The controller 150 may be programmed to
include preconfigured thresholds generally corresponding to two
perpendicular axes. Thus, the controller 150 converts continuous
motion to a discrete signal. The two perpendicular axes may further
correspond to a `left`, `right`, `up`, and `down` action. The
controller 150 is then operable to determine if the movement of the
rider has surpassed the threshold in the programmed direction. In
the example shown by FIG. 4, the rider moves their thumb
predominantly to the left, but the thumb may include some upward
and downward movement detected by the controller 150 The controller
150 determines that the motion performed by the rider was not
beyond a threshold in the `up`, `down`, and `right` directions, but
was beyond a threshold in the `left` direction. Accordingly, the
controller 150 may emit an output signal corresponding to a `left`
action. In other embodiments, the controller 150 may be configured
to include a plurality of thresholds for any operable direction not
limited to the two perpendicular axes, but still include `left`,
`right`, `up`, and `down`.
[0028] The controller 150 and the communication module 154 may be
coupled to a plurality of different devices and to a plurality of
user operable motorcycle systems by wired connections, wireless
connections, or a combination of the two. In general, the
controller 150 and the communication module 154 may be coupled to
the different devices and/or systems such that the left and right
hand control assemblies 74L, 74R, and accordingly each of the
optical sensors 90L, 90R provides an interface for controlling one
or more motorcycle functions operable by the rider. These functions
can include basic operational functions of the motorcycle 10 (e.g.,
flashers, horn, etc.) or optional convenience functions (e.g.,
cruise control, radio, etc.), some of which may be user
configurable for desired operational characteristics. Furthermore,
one or both optical sensors 90L, 90R can be operable to control a
remote electronic device paired with the motorcycle 10. In one
example, the controller 150 may be coupled to the display 54 of the
center console 50. As illustrated by FIG. 10, the display 54
includes an indicator 158 for highlighting one of a plurality of
discrete menu items 162. The controller 150, via the communication
module 154, is configured to emit signals to the display 54 to move
the indicator 158 to different menu items 162 on the display 54 in
response to the movement of the user's finger across one of the
optical sensors 90L, 90R. For instance, if the controller 150 emits
a `right` action output signal, the indicator 158 moves from the
"Fav" menu item 162 to the "Com" menu item 162 of the display 54.
If the controller 150 then emits a `down` action output signal, the
indicator 158 will move from the "Com" menu item 162 to the
"SatelliteRadio" menu item 162. The rider may make a menu item 162
selection by depressing the switch body 106L to one of the second
or third positions, as explained in further detail below. As
described above, the discrete outputs of the controller 150 prevent
the rider from having to navigate a pointer across the display
54.
[0029] The controller 150 may also be coupled to other user
operable motorcycle systems, such as the left and right indicators
46 and a cruise control system. For instance, if the controller 150
emits a `right` action output signal, the right indicators 46 may
begin to flash. If the controller 150 emits a `left` action output
signal, the left indicators may begin to flash. If the right
indicators 46 are already flashing and the controller 150 emits a
`right` action output signal, the right indicators 46 may stop
flashing. If the controller 150 emits a `down` action output
signal, the cruise control system may lower the set cruise control
speed. Similarly, if the controller 150 emits an `up` action output
signal, the cruise control system may raise the set cruise control
speed.
[0030] The communication module 154 may be wirelessly coupled to
one or to a plurality of remote electronic devices (not
illustrated) that are paired with the motorcycle 10. For example,
the remote electronic devices can include a heads-up display on a
helmet, a smart phone, a smart watch, a Bluetooth headset, an App
for a smart phone or smart watch, various heated rider apparel, a
camera, a communication radio or intercom, a siren, an amplifier,
ground effects lighting, a garage door opener, or an electronic
door lock, among other things.
[0031] Other operable actions for the optical sensors 90L, 90R
include actuating one or both of the switch bodies 1061, 106R by
movement relative to the respective housing 98L, 98W FIG. 5
illustrates the switch body 106L of the left hand control assembly
74L is actuated to the second position, whereas FIG. 6 illustrates
the switch body 106L of the left hand control assembly 74L is
actuated to the third position. As similarly described above for a
directional action, a depressing action may correspond to different
commands depending on the device or motorcycle system that is being
controlled. For example, if the left optical sensor 90L is
configured to control the display 54, as briefly described above,
actuating the switch body 106L to the third position may cause the
controller 150 to emit a `select` action output signal. When
actuating the switch body 106L to the second position, the
controller 150 may emit a `back` action output signal, which
returns to a previous or higher level menu screen on the display
54. If, continuing from the example above, the indicator 158 is
highlighting a "SatelliteRadio" menu item, and the rider actuates
the switch body 106L to the third position (FIG. 6), the display 54
may progress to the "SatelliteRadio" submenu. If the switch body
106L is then depressed to the second position (FIG. 5), the display
54 may go back to the previously displayed information.
[0032] If the optical sensors 90L, 90R or the controller 150 have
been inactive for some predetermined amount of time (e.g., no user
commands from one or both of the left hand control assembly 74L and
the right hand control assembly 74R), the optical sensors 90L, 90R
may default to a non-operational sleep mode. In sleep mode, a
number of conditions may be inactive. For example, the controller
150 may not be configured to recognize and track patterns of light
detected by the light sensors 114L, 114R, the light sensors 114L,
114R may not be configured to detect light, and/or the light
sources 110L, 110R may not be emitting light.
[0033] The motorcycle 10 also includes a wake-up operation
configured to bring the optical sensors 90L, 90R out of the
non-operational sleep mode. The wake-up operation may notify a
component of the optical sensors 90L, 90R or the controller 150 to
begin to detect a command of one or both of the optical sensors
90L, 90R. For example, the rider may depress the switch body 106L,
as illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, so that afterward, the
controller 150 detects a first pattern of light from the light
sensor 114L. The first pattern may be stored by the controller 150
so as to be used as a basis for determining the thresholds for
emitting an output signal. In other embodiments, the wake-up
function may be triggered by another operation, such as actuating
one of the hand control switches 94L, 94R, initiation of a
predetermined menu item 162 of the display 54, or initiation of a
remote electronic device paired with the motorcycle 10. As
mentioned above, the light sources 110L, 110R and the light sensors
114L, 1148 may not always be electrically powered. The light
sources 110L, 110R may not always be emitting light and the light
sensors 114L, 114R may not always be detecting light. Therefore,
the wake-up operation may cause the controller 150 to emit an
output signal to begin powering one or both of the light sources
110L, 110R and/or the light sensor 114L, 1148.
[0034] The motorcycle 10 may include default operations of the left
hand control assembly 74L and the right hand control assembly 74R.
For example, the left hand control assembly 74L may be initially
set to control the indicator 158 for the display 54 and the right
hand control assembly 74R may be initially set to control the left
indicators, the right indicators 46, and a cruise control setting
for the motorcycle 10. For example, as described above, the left
optical sensor 90L may control the position of the indicator 158,
while actuating the switch body 106L controls selecting the
highlighted menu item 162. In other embodiments, the left hand
control assembly 74L may control the left indicators, the right
indicators 46, and the cruise control setting for the motorcycle
10, while the right hand control assembly 74R is initially set to
control the indicator 158 for the display 54. For example, as
described above, the right optical sensor 90R may control the
position of the indicator 158, while actuating the switch body 106R
controls selecting the highlighted menu item 162. In other
embodiments, the left hand control assembly 74L and the right hand
control assembly 74R may be initially set to control another
feature or function of the motorcycle 10 or one of the plurality of
remote electronic devices.
[0035] After being initially set, the motorcycle 10 may include a
menu option 162 (not illustrated in FIG. 10) for reconfiguring the
operations of the optical sensors 90L, 90R for each hand control
assembly 74L, 74R to something of the rider's choosing.
Accordingly, the rider is operable to control a plurality of remote
electronic devices, the display 54 of the motorcycle 10, and
different user operable motorcycle systems through the optical
sensors 90L, 90R. While the motorcycle 10 may include default
operations for the left hand control assembly 74L and the right
hand control assembly 74R, the operations of the left hand control
assembly 74L and the right hand control assembly 74R are variable
so that the rider may configure the operations of the motorcycle 10
for their preference.
[0036] The above scenarios are listed only as examples for user
operable motorcycle systems, remote electronic devices, and
operations of the hand control assemblies 74L, 74R and do not
exhaust the possibilities of the present disclosure.
[0037] In operation, a rider positions their left and right hands
over the left grip 78L and the right grip 78R, respectively, while
riding. The position of the grips 78L, 78R with relation to the
respective left lever 86L or right lever 86R and respective left
optical sensor 90L or right optical sensor 90R allows the rider to
maintain control of the motorcycle while actuating one or both of
the levers 86L, 86R, the optical sensors 90L, 90R, or all of the
optical sensors 90L, 90R and the levers 86L, 86R. In particular,
the rider may place their fingers over the left grip 78L and the
left lever 86L, while the rider's thumb is positioned over the left
light transmissive section 130L for operating the left optical
sensor 90L. Because the light sensors 114L, 114R detect
reflections, the optical sensors 90L, 90R are configured to
function the same if the rider is wearing gloves or is
barehanded.
[0038] To operate the optical sensor 90L, first, a rider positions
their thumb over the light transmissive section 130L so that when
light is emitted by the light source 110L, the light passes through
the light transmissive section 130L and is reflected by the rider's
thumb back through the light transmissive section 130L toward the
light sensor 114L, as shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9. As described
above, the optical sensor 90L may first need to be activated from
an inactive state. The rider depresses the switch body 106L to the
third position, as illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 9, which sends a
signal to the controller 150 to wake the motorcycle 10 from the
inactive state. The light source 110L begins to emit light and the
light sensor 114L begins to detect light and emit an output signal
to the controller 150. At least some of the light emitted by the
light source 110L is reflected by the rider's thumb and is detected
by the light sensor 114L. The light sensor 114L sends the detected
light patterns in the output signal to the controller 150 which,
after being activated, has begun tracking the output signal of the
light sensor 114L. The rider moves their thumb to the left, as
illustrated by the phantom lines of FIG. 4, which causes the light
pattern detected by the light sensor 114L to change. Accordingly,
the output signal emitted by the light sensor 114L is also changed.
The controller 150 tracks the output signal of the light sensor
114L to determine if the threshold in any of the preconfigured
directions is passed. When the controller 150 detects that the
thumb has moved beyond the `left` action threshold, the controller
150 emits the `left` action output signal to either the user
configurable system of the motorcycle 10 or to the communication
module 154 to deliver the `left` action signal. Thus, an output
signal is generated without physical movement of the optical sensor
90L relative to the housing 98L. The rider may then move their
thumb back to cover the light transmissive section 130L so that the
controller 150 may again detect a first light pattern. As described
above, further outputs may be generated by other movements across
the optical sensor 90L and/or physical displacement of the switch
body 106L relative to the housing 98L.
[0039] Although not described in detail herein, the right side of
the handlebar assembly 62 may function similarly to the left side
of the handlebar assembly 62 that is described above.
[0040] In other embodiments (not illustrated), the left hand
control assembly 74L may not include a switch body 106L. Therefore,
the light transmissive section 130L may be disposed directly on the
housing 98L, with the light source 110L and the light sensor 114L
positioned so as to be operable by the rider as described above.
Accordingly, the optical sensor 90L may be positioned throughout
other areas of the steering assembly 58, such as on the handlebar
66 (e.g., directly on or at least partially within the handlebar
66).
[0041] In some constructions, the invention may provide an optical
sensor integrated into a vehicle other than a motorcycle, such as a
bicycle or an automobile. In the case of an automobile, the optical
sensor can have a similar construction and function as described
above, but may be provided in a steering wheel, armrest, gearshift
lever, or other location within the vehicle interior.
[0042] Thus, the disclosure provides, among other things, a
handlebar assembly for a motorcycle including an optical sensor.
Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in
the following claims.
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