Low-Profile Bicycle Control PCB for Flexible 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 versatility and compatibility with different handlebar orientations and placements.

Innovation Solution

An electronic control device with a compact, low-profile design featuring a planar printed circuit board, power source, and strategically placed antenna, allowing for wireless communication and integration with various bicycle components, including gear shifting and braking systems, while being adaptable to different handlebar configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional hand-actuated control devices are designed with bulky parts and assemblies, then they can provide sufficient structural strength and housing for components, but they cannot be easily placed in alternate positions throughout handlebar orientations or in other locations of the bicycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement flexibilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional three-dimensional bulky mechanical assemblies to a planar two-dimensional PCB-based electronic control device. The control device is mounted on a substantially planar surface of the handlebar, utilizing the surface area rather than occupying volumetric space, thereby enabling flexible placement across different handlebar orientations and positions without increasing device volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control mechanisms (levers, cables, mechanical linkages) with an electronic control system based on a PCB with electronic components. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky mechanical parts while maintaining control functionality, allowing the device to be compact and adaptable to various mounting locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional control devices are specifically designed for particular handlebar orientations, then they can provide optimized control mechanism geometry, but they cannot be easily repositioned or adapted to different handlebar configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandlebar configuration compatibilityVSAvoiddesign customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal electronic control device that can be mounted on handlebars of various orientations and configurations. The planar PCB design with wireless communication capabilities allows the same device to function across different bicycle types and handlebar styles, eliminating the need for multiple specialized designs while maintaining optimized control performance through electronic rather than mechanical means

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250010941A1Bicycle electronic control device and system

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 SRAM LLC

AI summary

An electronic control device may be configured to be integrated, or coupled, with a bicycle to control bicycle components. The electronic control device may wirelessly control bicycle components to trigger an action when actuated. The electronic control device may be dimensioned to have a mating surface contoured to matingly engage with a mounting surface of a bicycle, such as on a handlebar. The electronic control device may also be dimensioned to have a compact and/or concealed appearance aided by a low profile relative to the bicycle mounting surface selected for the control device.