Bicycle Gear Ratio Calculation via Rider Power and Cadence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle transmission systems lack an efficient method to calculate optimal gear ratios based on rider power and cadence, leading to suboptimal pedaling efficiency and performance.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle setting calculating system that uses a drive-train calculating device to determine reference drive-train information, including target gear ratios, based on sustainable power, target cadence, and bicycle information, and selects the most recommended gear ratios from predetermined options to optimize pedaling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bicycle transmission system uses multiple shift positions with various gear ratios, then it can provide gear ratios suitable for different rider physical levels and environmental conditions, but it lacks an efficient method to calculate optimal gear ratios based on rider power and cadence, leading to suboptimal pedaling efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates optimal gear ratios by dynamically changing parameters including rider sustainable power, target cadence, bicycle information (wheel radius, weight), and environmental conditions (road grade, air resistance). The drive-train calculating device uses these parameters to determine the most efficient gear ratio from available shift positions, resolving the contradiction between having multiple gear options and achieving optimal pedaling efficiency.
2Productivity
If the system calculates target gear ratio based on sustainable power and target cadence, then it optimizes pedaling efficiency, but it requires complex calculations involving multiple rider information parameters and bicycle information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations by pre-establishing the relationship between rider sustainable power, target cadence, and optimal gear ratios. The drive-train calculating device uses predetermined calculation formulas that incorporate rider information (sustainable power, target cadence) and bicycle information (wheel radius, weight) to directly compute target gear ratios without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus optimizing pedaling efficiency while managing calculation complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the gear-ratio selector selects the most recommended gear ratio from predetermined selectable gear ratios, then it provides practical gear settings, but it may not always find an exact match for the calculated target gear ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The gear-ratio selector implements a selection strategy where it first attempts to find an exact match for the calculated target gear ratio among predetermined selectable gear ratios. When no exact match exists, it selects the closest available gear ratio that provides similar or better performance. This partial matching approach ensures practical gear selection from available options while maintaining sufficient precision for optimal pedaling efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle setting calculating system comprises a drive-train calculating device. The drive-train calculating device is configured to calculate reference drive-train information as a reference for a setting of a drive train based on bicycle information and rider information. The bicycle information relates to a bicycle configured to be equipped with the drive train. The rider information relates to a rider who is to ride the bicycle.