It all comes down to simulating the operation of an internal combustion motorcycle. And it is not something new within the two-wheeled electric segment. Honda’s new patent, around a electronic clutch equipped with haptic actuators, It gives us a dimension of the desire that brands put into the aspect of the sensations that a plug-in frame can transmit in the short and medium term.
Electronic clutch with haptic actuators in detail
It is nothing new that leading brands in the sector work on different “simulated clutch” systems with which to give their electric models a little more soul. We have the latest example in this sense with the recently launched Segway Xaber 300, which includes a virtual electronic clutch that simulates the operation of a mechanical one, offering a plus to the piloting experience.
Previously, we have also known some interesting patents related to the subject such as that of Yamaha, composed of using a clutch and a flywheel to control the power. Later, they even dared to create a fake clutch lever for their electric motorcycles. This, instead of acting on the clutch, would act on power delivery and regeneration under braking.
Now Honda goes one step further with its electronic clutch with haptic actuators. For those who do not know, the latter are “devices that recreate the tactile sensation through mechanical stimuli, such as vibrations or controlled forces. Their objective is to provide realism to digital interactions, allowing us, for example, to “feel” when pressing a button on a screen without physical elements or perceive the resistance of a virtual object in a virtual reality environment.”
That is, they are responsible for simulating those sensations that occur naturally in other mechanically operated systems. This is where this patent for an electronic clutch with haptic actuators makes sense. Well, at least if what you are looking for is precisely to attribute a series of qualities to an electric model that it does not have as standard given its initial technical configuration.
In the images provided along with the description in the patent office, we can affirm that Honda relies on its CR-E electric prototype, officially presented by the brand at the Tokyo Motorcycle Show in Japan in 2019. At that time it did not have a clutch lever or gear lever. However, now in addition to including it as standard equipment, it would have a real effect on the operation of the engine itself.
As explained by Australian Motorcycle, “Pulling the lever halfway will reduce the engine power by half. If it is fully engaged, the power will be completely cut off, regardless of how much the throttle is turned.” But this is just the beginning of the functionalities that this electronic clutch with haptic actuators would offer. It would also provide an increase in torque when opening the throttle. “with the clutch lever engaged and then quickly released, replicating the effect of a combustion engine motorcycle.”
The electronic equipment responsible for providing this response would consist of three haptic vibration motors installed on the handlebars, working independently with the accelerator and clutch. That is, they would produce the same vibrations in the grips that are created on a motorcycle of this type when we open the gas fully. Something similar would happen when it comes to detecting the “fictitious engagement” of the clutch.
In short, in addition to having a real function in the operation of the motorcycle itself, this electronic clutch with haptic actuators would offer a sensory bonus once we used it. An idea that is not new in this field, but that studies new ways to increase the sensations at the controls of an off-road motorcycle.
