Bicycle Control Apparatus Stabilizing Pedaling Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle control apparatuses experience fluctuations in manual drive force when the crank rotational speed is within a prescribed range, leading to instability, especially due to variations in road conditions and rider effort.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle control apparatus comprising a manual drive force detecting device, a rotation state detection device, and a controller that adjusts the auxiliary drive force and gear ratio of the electric transmission unit to maintain the manual drive force and crank rotational speed within a prescribed range, thereby stabilizing the pedaling effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the assist ratio is maintained at a constant maximum value when the crank rotational speed is in a prescribed range, then the driving unit operates efficiently, but the manual drive force fluctuates extremely due to road conditions and rider effort variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static constant assist ratio to a dynamic variable assist ratio that changes with crank rotational speed. The controller adjusts the assist ratio according to the detected crank rotational speed, increasing it when speed is low and decreasing it when speed is high, thereby maintaining manual drive force stability while preserving driving unit efficiency across different operating conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously detecting the crank rotational speed and manually applied drive force, then using this information to adjust the assist ratio in real-time. The controller receives feedback from the rotation detection device and drive force detection device, and modifies the auxiliary drive force accordingly to maintain the crank rotational speed within a target range, preventing extreme fluctuations in manual drive force
2Stability of the object's composition
If the assist ratio is increased to reduce manual drive force fluctuations, then manual drive force stability improves, but the driving unit power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamics to adjust the assist ratio dynamically based on crank rotational speed. At low speeds where manual drive force stability is most needed, the assist ratio is increased to provide stronger support. At high speeds where stability is less critical, the assist ratio is decreased to reduce power consumption, achieving an optimal balance between stability and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of assist ratio according to crank rotational speed. By varying this parameter dynamically rather than maintaining a constant value, the system optimizes the balance between manual drive force stability and power consumption, increasing assist when needed for stability and decreasing it when stability requirements are lower
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle control apparatus is basically provided with a manual drive force detecting device, a rotation state detection device and a controller. The manual drive force detecting device detects a manual drive force. The rotation state detection device detects a parameter relating to crankshaft rotation of a crankshaft. The controller is programmed to control at least one of a driving unit that generates an auxiliary drive force and an electric transmission unit so that the manual drive force and the parameter relating to the crankshaft rotation will be within a prescribed range.