LiControl JoyShift

Joystick style gear lever with integrated LiControl buttons.
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updated January 16, 2025

Description

PDF

This is an accessory for 1st generation Honda Insight. Specifically for the owner community developed Lithium Battery upgrade “LiBCM”: 

https://www.linsight.org/

https://www.insightcentral.net/threads/libcm-open-beta-47ah-fomoco-discussion.130378/?post_id=1511173#post-1511173

This design integrates the three control switches of mudder's LiControl-System into the gear lever. I tried to place the controls in the most ergonomic way:

With the right hand resting on top of the lever (for cruising)

  • The mode selector switch is accessible with your thumb
  • The potentiometer can be used with the middle finger like scrolling on a mouse
  • The push button to fix the assist/regen level sits right under the index finger.

Alternatively the gear lever can be gripped from the side, which is more natural during gear changes, especially for 1st and 2nd gear. From that position all buttons can be reached by the same fingers. Albeit a little less conveniently.

This is my 3rd prototype and the first version I publish. The cable routing is improved, but not perfect. I had to use a longer USB cable and crimp or solder mudder's connectors for the different switches to it. In order to avoid cable pinching the plastic ring in the leather cover should be notched out a little.

For assembly I used self-tapping plastic screws from an old Dyson DC20 vacuum cleaner, that I had on hand. Similar screws around 3 to 4mm or even dry wall screws should work.

All buttons sit in the left half. Therefore assembly starts there. Place the buttons, route the cables, fix the yoke, close up with the right half. Without pinching cables!

I am not happy yet with the overall shape and roundness of the lever. Gripped from the side it still feels quite clunky. I am including the Fusion design. If somebody wants to improve on any of those shortcomings, feel free!

I printed it in PLA and the yoke, which clamps on the threads of the metall lever,  gets loose over time and the knob rotates on the shaft. That makes it feel a lot more trashy than when it sits tight. Maybe I have to reprint the yoke in PETG or try an even tighter redesign. I tried to mitigate the problem by wrapping some electrical tape around the threads, but that did not hold up for very long.

Right hand drive users should be able to print all parts mirrored and use it with their left hand.

 

Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

License