Bicycle Derailleur Chain Guide Deceleration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle shifting systems face challenges in smoothly transitioning between gear positions due to interference between the bicycle chain and sprockets, particularly during shifting operations, leading to inefficient gear changes.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle shifting control apparatus that includes a transmission controller which temporarily decelerates the chain guide at a deceleration position between adjacent gear positions, allowing the chain to engage or disengage from sprockets with a shift assist structure before completing the shifting operation, thereby reducing interference and enhancing smooth gear transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the chain guide moves directly between adjacent shift positions without deceleration, then the shifting operation is faster, but the bicycle chain interferes with the sprockets during shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The chain guide is temporarily decelerated at a deceleration position located between adjacent sprockets before completing the shift. This preliminary deceleration action allows the bicycle chain to clear the interfering sprocket and engage with the target sprocket's shift assist structure, preventing chain-sprocket interference while maintaining efficient shifting speed
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the chain guide is temporarily decelerated at the deceleration position, then chain-sprocket interference is reduced, but the shifting operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deceleration is applied locally and temporarily only at the specific deceleration position between adjacent sprockets, rather than throughout the entire shifting range. This localized deceleration minimizes the time penalty while effectively clearing the chain from interfering sprockets, allowing the chain to engage with the target sprocket's shift assist structure
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle shifting control apparatus comprises a transmission controller configured to control a guide actuator of a derailleur to move a chain guide of the derailleur between a plurality of shift positions in response to an input shifting signal. The transmission controller is configured to control, in a shifting operation of the chain guide between adjacent two shift positions of the plurality of shift positions, the guide actuator to temporarily decelerate the chain guide at a deceleration position defined between the adjacent two shift positions so that the bicycle chain engages with and/or disengages from one of the sprockets having a shift assist structure prior to completion of the shifting operation of the chain guide.