Bicycle Brake Lever Sensitivity Adjustment via Magnetic Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric bicycle brake operating devices lack adjustable brake sensitivity, leading to inconsistent response times, which can be either too long or too quick, affecting safety and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic type brake sensitivity adjustment arrangement is introduced, utilizing a hollow threaded fastener to adjust the distance between a magnetic member and a conductor, allowing riders to modify the brake sensitivity by changing the position of the conductor relative to the magnetic member, thereby altering the current generation and brake lamp activation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between the magnetic member and the conductor is fixed, then the brake operating device is simple in structure, but the brake sensitivity cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake sensitivity adjustmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the previously fixed distance between the magnetic member and conductor adjustable by introducing a movable conductor that can be positioned at different distances from the magnetic member. This allows the brake sensitivity to be dynamically adjusted by changing the magnetic coupling strength, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of distance between the magnetic member and conductor to adjust brake sensitivity. By allowing the conductor to be positioned at different distances, the magnetic coupling parameter can be varied, enabling sensitivity adjustment without fundamentally changing the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the brake response time is too long, then the brake system is safe and controllable, but the braking efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking efficiencyVSAvoidbrake response time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent allows adjustment of the brake response time by changing the distance parameter between the magnetic member and conductor. When faster braking is needed, the conductor is positioned closer to the magnetic member to increase magnetic coupling and reduce response time, thereby improving braking efficiency without sacrificing controllability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the brake response time is too quick, then the braking efficiency is high, but the brake sensitivity cannot be controlled and may activate unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking efficiencyVSAvoidbrake activation control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides control over brake activation by allowing the user to adjust the distance parameter between the magnetic member and conductor. By optimizing this distance, the system achieves the right balance between quick response time for high braking efficiency and sufficient magnetic coupling threshold to prevent unintentional activation, thereby improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enables riders to optimize brake sensitivity by adjusting the brake lever travel angle required to activate the brake lamp, enhancing safety by allowing customizable response times, either increasing or decreasing the sensitivity as needed.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic member 5 mounted in the cylinder 32... A cylindrical conductor 6 is slidably mounted in the cylindrical member 33... Current will be generated on the conductor 6 in response to moving the magnetic member 5 relative to the conductor 6 according to Faraday's law of induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2230129B1Brake operating device with magnetic brake sensitivity adjustment arrangement for bicycles
Publication Date: 2012.10.17 TEKTRO TECH
  • EP2230129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2230129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2230129B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A brake operating device (1) for bicycles includes a hydraulic fluid cylinder (32) secured to a housing (3), a parallel cylindrical member (33) on the cylinder (32) and comprising a hollow threaded fastener (B) at one end, a rod (4) in a right portion of the cylinder (32) and having one end connected to a brake lever (2); a spring biased magnet (5) in the right portion of the cylinder (32); a plunger (51) interconnecting the magnet (5) and the rod (4); a spring biased conductor (6) in the cylindrical member (32) and urged by the fastener (B); and an electric wire (W) interconnecting the conductor (6) and a connector (P) which is connected to a brake lamp. For decreasing a turn-on time of the brake lamp a loosening of the fastener (B) will push the conductor (6) away from the brake lever (2) to decrease a current generated on the conductor (6) due to a movement of the conductor (6) relative to the magnet (5). Tightening of the fastener (B) can increase the turn-on time.