Motor-Assisted Bicycle Alarm Buzzer Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor-assisted bicycles with speed alarm buzzers face issues such as remote placement of electric components, limited attention capture for pedestrians, and increased installation complexity due to the need for dedicated components and potential water ingress through sound radiating holes.

Innovation Solution

Integrating the alarm buzzer within the battery module and utilizing a case member with sound radiating holes in the head tube to direct the alarm sound forward, reducing the number of parts and enhancing protection against water ingress, while using sound insulating members to maintain sound directionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the alarm buzzer is disposed on the backrest within the body shell, then the alarm sound can be emitted in a rearward direction to remind the rider, but the electric component is placed remotely from other electric components requiring a dedicated component for installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealarm sound emissionVSAvoidinstallation structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm buzzer is integrated into the battery module housing, merging two separate components (alarm buzzer and battery module) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates the need for dedicated installation components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining the alarm function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the speed alarm buzzer is disposed on the backrest, then it can emit alarm sound to prompt the rider to brake, but it is remote from other electric components such as battery module

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealarm functionVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alarm buzzer is combined with the battery module into a single integrated assembly, placing electric components close to each other for easier wiring and maintenance while preserving the alarm functionality through strategic sound radiation hole placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If sound radiating holes are defined in the head tube, then alarm sound can be radiated in forward direction, but foreign matter may be introduced through these holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound radiationVSAvoidforeign matter ingress
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A waterproof cover is installed over the sound radiating holes in the head tube, creating a protective barrier that prevents foreign matter and water from entering the tube while still allowing alarm sound to radiate forward effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The waterproof cover acts as an intermediary element between the sound radiating holes and the external environment, blocking harmful factors (water, debris) while permitting the passage of alarm sound waves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If the alarm buzzer is integrated in the battery module, then the number of parts is reduced, but the alarm sound level may vary with battery module position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of partsVSAvoidsound level consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The head tube serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the steering mechanism and simultaneously acts as a sound radiation pathway for the alarm buzzer integrated in the battery module, ensuring consistent sound level regardless of battery module position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Efficiently captures the attention of pedestrians ahead by directing the alarm sound forward, reduces installation complexity, and maintains a consistent alarm sound level regardless of battery module position, while preventing water ingress and corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

an alarm sound generated by the alarm buzzer is emitted in a forward direction of the motor-assisted bicycle; said joint tube has an inlet opening defined therein for introducing the alarm sound generated by the alarm buzzer into the joint tube, and said head tube has sound radiating holes defined therein for radiating the alarm sound propagated through said joint tube into said head tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP2505465B1Motor-assisted bicycle
Publication Date: 2014.09.03 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2505465B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2505465B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2505465B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor-assisted bicycle (10A through 10E) includes an assistive motor (66) for generating a drive force to assist in a pedalling force applied by a rider to pedals (52L, 52R), a battery module (128, 240, 282, 312) including batteries (142) as a power supply for the assistive motor (66), and an alarm buzzer (22) mounted in the battery module (128, 240, 282, 312). An alarm sound generated by the alarm buzzer (22) is emitted in a forward direction of the motor-assisted bicycle. Thus, a rider of the motor-assisted bicycle can seek attention of people walking in the vicinity of the bicycle by producing an alarm sound. The buzzer can be provided on the frame of the bicycle, and the sound can be transmitted through the frame to sound radiating holes (110) in the head pipe.