Bicycle Control Device Power Management via Switching Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle control devices consume power continuously to maintain a ready state, leading to inefficiencies in electrical power usage, as detecting members are always active even when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle control device design that includes a detecting member and a switching member, where the switching member switches the detecting member from a power-off to a power-on state only when the operating member is activated, conserving power by keeping the detecting member in a power-off state until operation, using non-contact detecting members like magnetic sensors or force sensors to monitor the position of the operating members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the detecting member is maintained in a power-on state continuously, then the detecting member can always detect operation of the operating member, but electrical power is consumed unnecessarily when the operating member is in a rest position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidelectrical power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detecting member is switched between power-on and power-off states periodically based on the operational state of the operating member. A switching member detects whether the operating member is in use and accordingly activates or deactivates the detecting member, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining detection capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the detecting member is switched to power-off state when operating member is at rest, then electrical power is conserved, but detection capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical power consumptionVSAvoiddetection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A switching member provides feedback control by detecting the state of the operating member and automatically switching the detecting member between power-on and power-off states. This feedback mechanism ensures that the detecting member is activated only when the operating member is in use, maintaining detection capability while conserving electrical power during rest periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design significantly reduces power consumption by ensuring that the detecting members are only active when the operating members are in use, thereby optimizing electrical power usage and extending battery life or reducing the need for continuous power supply.

Implementation Method 1

using non-contact detecting members like magnetic sensors or force sensors to monitor the position of the operating members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic sensing: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

using non-contact detecting members like magnetic sensors or force sensors to monitor the position of the operating members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentUS9056651B2Bicycle control device

Publication Date: 2015.06.16 SHIMANO INC

AI summary

A bicycle control device includes a base member, an operating member, a detecting member and a switching member. The operating member is movably mounted relative to the base member along an operating path. The detecting member detects operation of the operating member. The switching member is electrically connected to the detecting member so that the detecting member is switched from a power-off state to a power-on state in response to operation of the operating member.