Bicycle Control Module with Monomanual Sensing Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle systems lack an efficient method for a user to control multiple bicycle actuators, such as gearshifters and lighting, while bicycling, requiring separate controls for each function.
Innovation Solution
A control module that includes a memory with multiple control programs for various bicycle actuators and a sensing arrangement that allows user-actuation to selectively activate and deactivate these programs, enabling control of multiple actuators with a single, monomanual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate controls are provided for each bicycle actuator (front derailleur, rear derailleur, lighting, seat post), then each actuator can be controlled independently and reliably, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates as the user must manage multiple separate controls
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing arrangement is designed as a universal control interface that can activate multiple different control programs through a single actuation mechanism. The sensing arrangement responds to different actuation patterns (single press, double press, long press, rotational direction) to trigger different actuators, eliminating the need for separate dedicated controls for each function while maintaining reliable independent control of each actuator
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated control buttons are provided for each actuator function, then each function can be controlled with a dedicated switch, but the device complexity increases and requires more components
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensing arrangement serves multiple actuator functions by interpreting different actuation patterns. The sensing arrangement can detect single presses, double presses, long presses, and rotational directions, with each pattern mapped to different control programs for various actuators including front derailleur, rear derailleur, lighting, and seat post adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing arrangement incorporates dynamic actuation modes including single-direction rotation, bi-directional rotation, and multi-press sequences. This dynamic interaction allows one static physical component to control multiple different actuators, reducing the number of physical controls needed while maintaining full adaptability across all bicycle functions
3Device complexity
If a single sensing arrangement controls multiple actuators through multiple control programs, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the user's intended action increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control module provides feedback to confirm which control program is currently active or being activated. This feedback mechanism helps the user understand which actuator will respond to their input, reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring the intended action. The system can display or indicate the current control program state, allowing the user to verify their input before execution
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a control module (10) for controlling a plurality of bicycle actuators (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) of a bicycle (1000). The control module (10) comprises a set of a plurality of control programs for controlling the plurality of bicycle actuators (20.1, 20.2, 20.3), and a sensing arrangement (3) configured for detecting a user-actuation thereof, the control module (10) being so arranged that each of the plurality of control programs is selectively activatable and/or deactivatable on a user-actuation of the sensing arrangement (3), wherein the sensing arrangement (3) is configured to be monomanually actuatable by a single hand of a user while bicycling.