Bicycle Control Body Layout for Separate Battery Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle controls with electrically operated gearshifts complicate access to the electronic board and battery, necessitating simultaneous removal during maintenance or replacement, which is inconvenient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

An integrated control system with two distinct openings in the control body allows separate access to the electronic board and battery, facilitating independent installation and maintenance by enabling independent placement and connection of these components without requiring simultaneous removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the battery and electronic board are housed in the same cavity with a single opening, then the control body structure is simplified, but access to components for maintenance and replacement becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol body structureVSAvoidaccess to battery and electronic board
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The single opening in the control body is segmented into two separate openings: a first opening for accessing the electronic board and a second opening for accessing the battery. This segmentation allows independent access to each component, enabling maintenance personnel to replace the battery without removing the electronic board and vice versa, thereby significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the battery and electronic board are accessed through the same opening, then the number of openings is minimized, but maintenance time and downtime increase due to simultaneous removal requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of openingsVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The access opening is segmented into two distinct openings positioned at different locations on the control body. The first opening provides access to the electronic board while the second opening provides access to the battery. This segmentation eliminates the need to remove both components simultaneously, reducing maintenance time and operational downtime while adding minimal structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery is positioned and secured in the cavity before the electronic board during assembly. This preliminary placement allows the battery to be pre-installed and connected, so that during maintenance, only the electronic board needs to be accessed through the first opening while the battery remains accessible through the second opening, thereby reducing the time required for maintenance operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4707147A1Integrated bicycle control with easy access to the battery
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 CAMPAGNOLO SRL
  • EP4707147A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707147A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4707147A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The integrated control comprises: - a control body (11), - a rear abutment zone (12) of the control body (11), intended to be in contact with a handlebar of the bicycle when the control is mounted on the handlebar, - a brake lever (18) pivoted to the control body (11) according to a pivot axis (X) transverse to the control body (11), spaced from the rear abutment zone (12), - an actuator (35) for driving the gearshift, - a cavity (20) formed inside the control body (11), - a gearshift drive electronic board (32), housed inside the cavity (20) in a first seat (31), - a battery (53) for powering the electronic board (32), housed inside the cavity (20), - a first opening (30) of the cavity (20), through which access to the electronic board (32) is possible, - a second opening (50) of the cavity (20), distinct and separate from the first opening (30), through which access to the battery (53) is possible.