Bicycle Control Device with Displacing Cover for Compact Handlebar Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hand-actuated control devices for bicycles are often bulky and not easily repositionable, limiting their adaptability to different handlebar orientations and configurations, and lack efficient mechanisms for controlling multiple bicycle components simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An electrical control device with a rigid protective housing and a displacing cover that generates control signals, secured to a bicycle handlebar via a coupler with securing features, allowing for compact integration and wireless communication with bicycle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hand actuated control devices are designed with bulky parts and assemblies, then they provide sufficient structural strength and protection, but they cannot be easily placed in alternate positions throughout handlebar orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is divided into separate functional components: a control mechanism housing, a protective housing, and a cover assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall bulk while maintaining structural integrity and protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is nested within the protective housing, which is in turn covered by the cover assembly. This nested structure maximizes space efficiency and protects the control mechanism without requiring additional bulky external structures.
2Reliability
If traditional control mechanisms are exposed, then they are easily accessible for operation, but they lack protection from unintended actuation and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing provides full protection to the control mechanism, while the cover assembly with its opening provides localized access only where needed. This ensures the control mechanism is protected from unintended actuation and environmental factors while remaining easily accessible for deliberate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly acts as an intermediary between the user and the control mechanism. It can be positioned to allow easy access when needed while providing protection when not in use, mediating between the conflicting requirements of accessibility and protection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control devices are designed with fixed mounting configurations, then they provide stable installation, but they cannot be easily repositioned to different handlebar orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be installed in multiple positions and orientations on the handlebar. The mounting structure can accommodate different configurations while maintaining stable installation through secure attachment features.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device may be configured so as to be integrated, or coupled, with a bicycle to control bicycle components. The control device may also be integrated with other control devices and system components to control bicycle components. The control device may interface with electromechanically controlled bicycle components so as to trigger an action when actuated. The control device may be dimensioned so as to have a mating surface contoured to matingly engage with a mounting surface of a bicycle, such as on a handlebar. The control device may also be dimensioned so as to have a compact and/or concealed appearance aided by a low profile relative to the bicycle mounting surface selected for the control device. The control device may be configured such that the control device is protected from actuation from unintended or other user inputs.