Bicycle Cable Routing via Hollow Frame Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycles with integrated electric motors and batteries face challenges in efficiently routing and securing cables, particularly hydraulic and electrical cables, which can be prone to rupture or damage during assembly and use, due to the lack of adequate cable management systems.
Innovation Solution
The bicycle features an elongated hollow frame member with longitudinal grooves and ports that allow cables to be routed internally, providing a secure pathway from the exterior to the interior of the bottom bracket shell, with a detachable door covering the access opening and a lock mechanism to secure the battery pack, ensuring cable protection and easy routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are routed externally on the bicycle frame, then cable routing is simple, but cables are prone to rupture or damage during assembly and use
Solution Approach 1:
The cable routing system nests cables within the hollow frame member structure. The frame member itself serves as a protective conduit, with cables positioned inside the hollow interior rather than externally mounted. This nesting approach provides protection while utilizing the existing frame geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary cable routing system that includes ports, access openings, and internal pathways within the frame member. These intermediary structures facilitate safe cable transition from external to internal routing, providing a controlled pathway that prevents direct exposure to damaging elements.
2Reliability
If cables are routed internally through the frame member, then cable protection is improved, but accessibility for assembly and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The frame member is segmented with discrete access openings and ports at specific locations. These segmentation points provide controlled access to internal cable pathways without requiring complete disassembly of the frame. The access openings are positioned to allow cable routing and maintenance operations at convenient locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Access openings and ports are pre-positioned within the frame member structure during manufacturing. These preliminary features are built into the frame design, allowing cables to be routed internally while maintaining predetermined access points for assembly and maintenance operations without requiring structural modification.
3Reliability
If a detachable door is added to cover the access opening, then cable protection is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable door is designed to be self-contained with integrated fastening mechanisms that allow it to be independently attached and removed from the frame member. The door structure includes its own mounting features that enable it to serve as a self-sufficient protective element without requiring additional complex support structures or multiple separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle including a frame that has an elongated hollow frame member, a fork rotationally coupled to the frame, a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork, and a handlebar coupled to the fork for steering the wheel. The frame has an interior surface that defines a longitudinal groove with a groove width. The bicycle also includes a cable that is positioned in the longitudinal groove and that has a cable width less than the groove width.