Bicycle Fitting System Using Motion Capture for Rider Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bicycle fitting systems face challenges in determining a suitable riding posture for riders due to variations in rider body characteristics, bicycle types, and riding types, making it difficult to achieve optimal comfort and performance.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle fitting system that includes a controller programmed to assess the rider's flexibility level using a motion capturing apparatus, measuring rider body parameters, and adjusting bicycle components such as the seat and handlebar based on these parameters and category information like bicycle and riding types to determine appropriate positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional bicycle fitting systems measure rider body sizes and adjust bicycle components based on body sizes, then basic fitting can be achieved, but suitable riding posture cannot be determined due to variations in rider body characteristics, bicycle types, and riding types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability of riding posture for different ridersVSAvoidaccuracy of fitting assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from measuring only static body sizes to measuring dynamic body parameters including flexibility levels through motion capturing apparatus. This parameter expansion allows the system to account for variations in rider body characteristics, bicycle types, and riding types, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining measurement precision through comprehensive data collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting assessment is segmented into multiple independent measurements: body size parameters, flexibility levels, and dynamic movement parameters. Each parameter is measured and evaluated separately, then integrated to provide a comprehensive fitting assessment that addresses individual rider characteristics accurately

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If bicycle components are adjusted based on rider body sizes alone, then fitting process is simple, but rider comfort and performance cannot be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of fitting processVSAvoideffectiveness of fitting result
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic measurement of multiple parameters including flexibility levels and dynamic body parameters through motion capturing apparatus. This self-service capability reduces manual intervention while comprehensively assessing rider characteristics, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving the reliability and effectiveness of fitting results

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where measured parameters (body sizes, flexibility levels, dynamic parameters) are used to automatically adjust bicycle component positions. This feedback mechanism ensures that adjustments are based on comprehensive rider characteristics, improving fitting effectiveness while maintaining operational simplicity through automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2837329B1Bicycle fitting system
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SHIMANO INC
  • EP2837329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2837329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2837329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bicycle fitting system includes a controller programmed to determine whether a current rider position of a rider is appropriate based on a flexibility level of a rider body of the rider.