Bicycle Control Cable Radial Protrusion Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle control cables experience increased sliding resistance over time due to contamination of lubricants, requiring regular maintenance for smooth operation.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle control cable design featuring a central wire with a radial protrusion, where the radial protrusion is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction, such as a fluorocarbon or olefin polymer, spirally wound around the central wire to reduce sliding resistance within the outer case.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lubricant is provided between the inner wire and the outer case to aid sliding, then the sliding efficiency is improved, but the lubricant becomes contaminated over time requiring regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lubricant from the system entirely. Instead of using a lubricant that degrades and requires maintenance, the inner wire surface is modified with a low-friction coating or treatment that provides self-lubricating properties without any consumable lubricant, thereby eliminating contamination and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the inner wire by applying a special coating or treatment that alters the coefficient of friction. This parameter change enables the wire to slide smoothly without requiring traditional lubricants, thus improving ease of operation while eliminating the maintenance issue
2Ease of operation
If the outer diameter of the inner wire is made sufficiently small relative to the inner diameter of the outer case to allow sliding, then the sliding movement is enabled, but the contact area is increased leading to higher friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a low-friction coating or surface treatment specifically to the outer surface of the inner wire where contact with the outer case occurs. This local modification reduces the coefficient of friction at the contact interface, enabling smooth sliding movement while maintaining the necessary geometric clearance
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 design enhances sliding efficiency by minimizing contact between the inner wire and the outer case, reducing friction and the need for frequent maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The radial protrusion is made of a material with a lower coefficient of friction, such as a fluorocarbon or olefin polymer, spirally wound around the central wire to reduce sliding resistance within the outer case
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle control cable is provided with a central wire and at least one resin string. The at least one string made of resin is spirally wound onto the radially outermost surface in a direction intersecting with a center longitudinal axis of the central wire with a pitch less than or equal to 1 millimeter. The at least one resin string defines a spiral gap between adjacent windings of the at least one resin string. The at least one resin string defines an outer sliding surface for reducing a sliding resistance of the central wire. The central wire and the at least one resin string define an inner wire configured to slidably move in an axial direction with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the central wire within an outer case to operate a bicycle component.