Bicycle Crank Electrical Unit Integrating Wireless and Power Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle systems lack an integrated and efficient solution for housing wireless communication units, battery units, and sensors on crank arms, which limits the ability to effectively transmit pedaling force and cadence data to riders and controllers.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle electrical unit is designed to be mounted on a crank arm, incorporating a housing that encloses a wireless communication unit, a battery unit, and sensors such as strain and cadence sensors, with a charge receiver port for power management, allowing for wireless data transmission and efficient power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components (wireless communication unit, battery unit, sensors) are integrated into a housing on the crank arm, then functionality and data transmission capability are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the wireless communication unit, battery unit, and sensors into a single housing that is disposed on the crank arm. This merging of multiple functional components into one unified structure improves versatility while managing complexity through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it encloses and protects the wireless communication unit, accommodates the battery unit, and provides mounting for sensors. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component (the housing) to perform several roles, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a housing is mounted on the crank arm to enclose electronic components, then protection and integration are improved, but the available space and mounting flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communication unit is enclosed within the housing, which itself is mounted on the crank arm. This nested arrangement protects the electronic components while utilizing the existing space on the crank arm structure, minimizing the impact on available space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If sensors are integrated on the crank arm with wireless communication capability, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but power management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidpower management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery unit is integrated into the same housing as the wireless communication unit and sensors, creating a unified power management system. This combination simplifies power distribution to multiple components while enabling efficient wireless data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10300984B2Bicycle electrical unit for bicycle crank assembly
Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SHIMANO INC
  • US10300984B2 patent drawing
  • US10300984B2 patent drawing
  • US10300984B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A bicycle electrical unit is provided for a bicycle crank assembly. The bicycle electrical unit includes a housing, a wireless communication unit and a charge receiver port. The housing is mounted on a crank arm. The wireless communication unit is enclosed in the housing. The charge receiver port is provided on the housing.