Control Your Motorcycle's Throttle

What you’ll learn:

The global motorcycle market is projected to grow from $298.58 billion in 2021 to $485.67 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 7.2.
As motorcycle technology continues to integrate more safety, comfort, and luxury systems, switch manufacturers will adapt and combine traditional electrotechnical products with new technologies to simplify integration and deliver custom solutions.
The importance of the electromechanical switch now that today’s motorcycles featuring more than 15 buttons/switches per motorbike.

The pandemic has changed the way people utilize transportation. Local buses, trains, and other public transport are prone to contamination, as they’re often crowded. As a result, many people have opted for private mobility options, with motorcycles and scooters being a preferred choice because of their affordability and convenience.

The motorcycle industry also is moving from the traditional combustible engine to electric motorcycles. Some governments have even worked to accelerate this change with tax incentives for the electric vehicles.

Motorbikes are becoming more and more complex. In addition to electric versions, motorcycle and scooter manufacturers are focusing on improving rider security/safety. Other features such as multifunction modules and controllers on the handlebar increase safety, comfort, and luxury. The throttle grip control has been enhanced as well, with more functionality integrated and adopted such as cruise control, automatic lights, and heated handles and seat (Fig. 1).

1. Features such as multifunction modules and controllers on the handlebar increase safety, comfort, and luxury.

With other setting changes, SOS buttons, and start buttons, riders can find more that 15 buttons/switches per motorbike. As such, the electromechanical switch is vital in motorcycle applications to ensure tight product tolerances, customized haptics, and acoustical adaptation.

Global Trend

A motorcycle is equipped with an engine and multiple electronic and mechanical components. The design of the motorcycle varies significantly to meet country specifications, as well as to suit a variety of different purposes including commuting, cruising, long-distance travel, sports activities, racing, as well as off-road riding. It’s increasingly seen as the ideal transportation in emerging cities (Fig. 2).

2. The motorbike is increasingly seen as the ideal transportation in emerging cities.

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global motorcycle market was US$278.07 billion in 2020. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with motorcycles witnessing a positive demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. The global market is projected to grow from $298.58 billion in 2021 to $485.67 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 7.2% in the forecast period of 2021-2028. The rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.¹

Innovative Technology

Motorcycle connectivity has been implemented and improved, including hands-free and Bluetooth options in helmets to improve communication with other riders and save the trouble of answering calls or navigating with smartphones. The throttle grip control is trying to look intuitive, but still forcing the technology to fit.

The technology started with the CAN bus network. The story begins in the early 1980s when Bosch developed the protocol for the CAN bus network. Ten years later, the automotive industry began to adopt it as the standard for future vehicles. Fast-forwarding again in the early 2000s, BMW is believed to be the first manufacturer to incorporate this technology into two wheels.

The term CAN (controller area network) bus usually refers to a network protocol in which a central computer, separate from the motorcycle electronic control unit (ECU), acts as a central communication hub between all other subsystems. For each subsystem, we’ll talk about everything from headlights and turn indicators to engine-management systems and ABS.²

The CAN bus network works with a signal rating, which means a few milliamps and low power consumption. Electromechanical switch manufacturers, like C&K, deliver products that fit with OEM requirements in terms of performance and integration.

Customized Haptics

The look, feel and method of interface interaction is one way that motorcycle manufacturers separate themselves from competing OEMs. Known in the industry as haptics, electromechanical switches play a large role in defining the touch, feel, and sound of interface actuation (Fig. 3).

3. Electromechanical switches play a large role in defining the touch, feel, and sound of interface actuation.

Haptic features, which are customized for specific vehicles and manufacturers, are often accomplished through advanced switch configurations. Haptics of a switch define the end-user experience, and the intrinsic value that a switch with superior haptic features enriches a motorcycle manufacturer’s brand image. With the evolution of motorcycle technology, the modern bike features customized electromechanical switches that maximize functionality and optimize comfort, safety, and more.

Keyswitches

One example such a switch is the electromechanical keyswitch, which is used underneath the buttons of throttle grip control. Switches, like the K12S keyswitch, can be customized to provide a precise tactual feel (haptic) to the user when activated (Fig. 4).

4. The C&K K12S keyswitch can be customized to provide a precise tactual feel (haptic) to a user when activated.

In addition to precise haptics, keyswitches can be branded via illuminated emblems. Keyswitches are offered in a range of illumination options including custom graphics, logos, textures, and finishes that can define the operational purpose of the switch for the rider.

Keyswitches offer exactly what the rider needs. A customized keyswitch can combine a long travel and a high force—this combination is totally adapted to ride the motorbike with gloves. Keyswitches also feature waterproof sealing, surface-mount technology (SMT), and low power consumption, and they’re designed to work in harsh environments.

Customizable keyswitches like the K12S are available in more than 300 configurations to meet most any motorbike application requirements. With a unique design, the keyswitch features gold-plated, self-cleaning contacts with low contact resistance and a 100N overload resistance.

Tactile Switches

Tactile switches are a common solution for motorcycle shifter and meter applications because they can be tailored for specific haptic feedback and sound. In motorcycle applications, a tact switch with a flat cage offers positive tactile feedback with a soft sound.

Available in illuminated, side- or top-actuated, sealed or unsealed, silver or gold contact material, SMT and through-hole versions, tact switches can be tuned to any application requirements. To achieve custom haptics, the actuators, domes, and housings may be mixed-and-matched to obtain the right look, feel, and performance.

5. The C&K TLS series tact switch can offer a soft or hard actuator, depending on the application.

As an example, the TLS series tact switch comes in a 8.6- × 8.4- × 3.95-mm package with a wide range of different actuation forces, including 4N, 7N to 10N (Fig. 5). Tactile switches can have a soft or hard actuator depending on the application. A soft actuation design offers easier tolerance management with possible pre-load, which is commonly designed into motorcycles applications as well as automotive consoles, panels, steering, and more.

Tact switches designed for harsh conditions often feature J terminations to ensure high reliability and long-life performance of up to 1 million cycles. In addition, a high sealing level that’s IP54 rated provides strong protection against dust and water ingress.

Side Actuation

Side-actuated tactile solutions deliver high-quality and performance to meet the needs of motorcycle-helmet Bluetooth accessory or in-helmet airbag applications (Fig. 6). Side-actuation tactile-switch versions provide design flexibility and are typically requested where miniaturized solutions are in demand.

Side-actuation tactile switches are available for standard SMT printed-circuit-board mounting processes, with multiply actuation forces from 80 to 160 to 250 gf, in a small 3.6- × 3.5-mm form factor and reduced height of 1.25 mm for PTS841, or a 4.5- x 3.4- x 3.3-mm size. The available options of small form factor, different actuation forces, and high quality and performance meet most motorcycle-helmet accessory requirements.

Conclusion

The motorcycle market is diverse and sophisticated. Each manufacturer has its own standard switch tactile feel, acoustics, and integration. Switch feedback, whether haptic or acoustic, can improve the motorcycle rider’s user experience. Features such as tight tolerances, haptic-on-demand, acoustical adaptation, environmental and process sealing, and mechanical or electrical interface integration are the core values of motorcycle switching.

As motorcycle technology continues to integrate more safety, comfort, and luxury systems, switch manufacturers will adapt and combine traditional electrotechnical products with new technologies to simplify integration and deliver custom solutions that meet the needs of next-generation motorcycles.