FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of providing heat through a steering mechanism of a vehicle, such as the handlebars of a motorcycle.

SUMMARY

Heated handgrips for motorcycles may include a single temperature feedback sensor contained at one location on the handlebars. In some cases, the sensor may be located within one of the handgrips. This setup may present a temperature gradient between the left side grip and the right side grip due to the fact that the temperature of the other grip is unknown.

Accordingly, embodiments described herein provide temperature sensing and heating of a handgrip to solve these and other problems. For example, one embodiment provides a heated handgrip system including a first handgrip and a second handgrip. The first handgrip includes a first electronic processor, a first heating element, and a first temperature sensor configured to produce a first temperature signal indicative of a temperature related to the first heating element. The second handgrip includes a second electronic processor, a second heating element, and a second temperature sensor configured to produce a temperature signal indicative of a temperature related to the second heating element. The first electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the first handgrip and is configured to receive a first temperature signal from the first temperature sensor, compare the first temperature signal to a first predetermined temperature threshold, and adjust power supplied to the first heating element via the first electronic processor based on the comparison of the first temperature signal to the first predetermined threshold. The second electronic processor communicatively coupled to the second handgrip and is configured to receive a second temperature signal from the second temperature sensor, compare the second temperature signal to a second predetermined temperature threshold, and adjust power supplied to the second heating element via the second electronic processor based on the comparison of the second temperature signal and the second predetermined threshold.

Another embodiment provides a method of heating a first handgrip and a second handgrip. The method includes providing power to a first temperature sensor associated with the first handgrip, receiving a first temperature signal from the first temperature sensor, comparing, via a first electronic processor associated with the first handgrip, the first temperature signal to a first predetermined temperature threshold, and adjusting power provided to a first heating element associated with the first handgrip via the first electronic processor based on the comparison of the first temperature signal and the first predetermined temperature threshold. The method further includes providing power to a second temperature sensor associated with the second handgrip, receiving a second temperature signal from the second temperature sensor, comparing, via a second electronic processor associated with the second handgrip, the second temperature signal to a second predetermined temperature threshold, and adjusting power provided to a second heating element associated with the second handgrip via the second electronic processor based on the comparison of the second temperature signal and the second predetermined temperature threshold.

Other aspects will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

