Bicycle Gear Shifter Control Device Adjusting Communication Period
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electronic gear-shifting system for bicycles faces power consumption challenges due to the limited battery capacity in compact designs, particularly in battery packs, where the communicable connection between the MCU and SCU for rapid responses is the most power-consuming part, necessitating strategies to conserve energy.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a master controller that switches between working and idle modes, adjusting the communication period to conserve power by sending broadcast signals with a shorter period in working mode and a longer period in idle mode, using a trigger sensor to detect activity and switch modes accordingly, without turning off the antenna or transceiver, thus maintaining connectivity while reducing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the master controller maintains continuous communicable connection with SCU for rapid responses, then the gear-shifting operation responsiveness is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master controller dynamically adjusts its operational state between working mode and idle mode based on trigger signals. In working mode, it maintains frequent communication (first period) for rapid responsiveness. In idle mode, it reduces communication frequency (second period greater than first period) to conserve power. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic broadcast signals with two distinct periods: a first period when in working mode and a second period (longer than the first) when in idle mode. This periodic action with variable intervals allows the system to maintain responsiveness when needed while reducing power consumption during idle periods, effectively resolving the contradiction.
2Volume of moving object
If the battery volume is reduced to fit compact bicycle frame designs, then the device compactness is improved, but the battery capacity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the communication period parameter between working and idle modes. By extending the communication period in idle mode (second period greater than first period), the system reduces power consumption, which compensates for the lower battery capacity resulting from reduced battery volume. This parameter adjustment allows compact design while maintaining operational duration.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the master controller switches to idle mode to conserve power, then the power consumption is reduced, but the communication response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master controller dynamically switches between working mode and idle mode based on received trigger signals. When a trigger signal is detected, it transitions to working mode with shorter communication periods for rapid response. When no trigger is detected, it enters idle mode with longer periods to conserve power. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction between power consumption and response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses trigger signals as feedback to determine when to switch between working and idle modes. The trigger signal provides information about whether gear-shifting operation is needed, allowing the master controller to adjust its communication frequency accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures rapid response when needed while conserving power during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device with adjustable communication period is configured for an electromechanical gear shifter of a bicycle. The control device comprises a master controller and a trigger sensor. The master controller sends a broadcast signal with a first period when the master controller is in a working mode. The master controller sends the broadcast signal with a period selected from an idle period set when the master controller is in an idle mode. The trigger sensor is in communicable connection with a master controller, and the trigger sensor detects a trigger state to send a trigger signal. The master controller switches to the working mode when the master controller receives the trigger signal. The master controller switches to the idle mode selectively when the master controller does not receive the trigger signal.