Automatic Power Connector for Telescopic Seat Post Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle seat post systems face challenges in automatically and easily connecting and disconnecting the seat post with the electric assist bicycle battery, particularly due to the battery's location in difficult-to-access internal frame locations.
Innovation Solution
The seat post assembly features a first tube that moves along an axis between two positions, with an electric actuator that automatically connects and disconnects from a power source as the tube moves. This system includes a positioning assembly and an electrical connector with a biasing member to facilitate automatic power coupling and decoupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the battery is housed in internal frame locations, then the battery is securely integrated into the bicycle structure, but the process of coupling and de-coupling the seat post to the battery becomes challenging and difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is nested within the receiver tube structure, with the connector positioned inside the tube and the terminal accessible through an opening in the tube wall. This allows the connector to be protected and integrated into the frame structure while remaining accessible for automatic engagement when the seat post is inserted or removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs automatic engagement of the electrical connector through the movement of the seat post itself. When the seat post is inserted into or removed from the receiver tube, the connector automatically couples or decouples from the battery terminal without requiring manual manipulation, making the system serve itself during the coupling/de-coupling process.
2Reliability
If manual manipulation of connectors is required, then precise control over connection is achieved, but user convenience and accessibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connector is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position of the seat post relative to the receiver tube. The connector moves with the seat post insertion/removal action, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while maintaining reliable electrical connection during the adjustment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connector is pre-positioned within the receiver tube structure, aligned with the battery terminal before the seat post adjustment begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that as soon as the seat post is inserted or removed, the connector is already in the correct position to automatically couple or decouple, streamlining the entire process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for effortless automatic connection and disconnection of the seat post with the bicycle battery by simply moving the seat post into or out of the receiver tube, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of connectors and enhancing user convenience and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing member, otherwise referred to as a force providing member, is configured to bias the end terminal away from the first end of the tube. In various embodiments, the biasing member may include one or more of a spring, a magnetic material and/or a ferromagnetic material.
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member, otherwise referred to as a force providing member, is configured to bias the end terminal away from the first end of the tube. In various embodiments, the biasing member may include one or more of a spring, a magnetic material and/or a ferromagnetic material.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat post assembly includes a first tube moveable along an axis between a first position and a second position and a second tube telescopically moveable along the axis relative to the first tube between a retracted position and an extended position. A positioning assembly configured to adjustably position the second tube relative to the first tube. An electric actuator is adapted to be automatically electrically connected to a power source when the first tube is moved from the first position to the second position, and automatically electrically disconnected from the power source when the first tube is moved from the second position to the first position. The electric actuator is movable to actuate the positioning assembly in response to an electrical current adapted to be transmitted from the power source when the first tube is in the first position to adjustably position the second tube relative to the first tube.