Bicycle Handlebar Control Lever Transmission for Insulated Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic control devices for bicycles face issues with complex mechanics due to dual articulation of control levers and inadequate electrical insulation and durability of wires, particularly in integrated devices for curved handlebars.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a motion transmission device with a guide element and a filiform body that slides within the guide element, allowing the switch to be housed within the support body for better insulation and ergonomic placement, eliminating the need for dual articulation of control levers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the switch is housed within the support body for better electrical insulation, then electrical insulation is improved, but the control lever requires dual articulation which increases mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A motion transmission device acts as an intermediary between the control lever and the switch. This device includes a guide element with a filiform through cavity and a filiform body that slides within it, transmitting motion from the lever to the switch housed inside the support body, thereby resolving the contradiction between electrical insulation and mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional components: the control lever outside the support body, the motion transmission device as a separate mechanism, and the switch housed within the support body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the switch enjoying good electrical insulation while the lever maintains ergonomic positioning
2Ease of operation
If the control lever is positioned for ergonomic placement, then ease of operation is improved, but the wires connecting the switch to external components suffer from inadequate insulation and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The switch is extracted from its traditional position near the control lever and housed within the support body. This extraction eliminates the need for wires to span the distance between the lever and switch, as the switch is now positioned within the protected environment of the support body, significantly improving wire durability and insulation
Solution Approach 2:
The motion transmission device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the ergonomically positioned control lever and the switch housed within the support body, allowing the lever to maintain its optimal external position while the switch enjoys the protected internal environment
3Measurement precision
If the filiform body is made rigid for precise motion transmission, then measurement precision is improved, but the device cannot accommodate vibrations and involuntary actuations
Solution Approach 1:
The filiform body's mechanical properties are optimized by selecting appropriate material parameters and dimensional parameters. The body is designed with sufficient rigidity to transmit motion precisely but with characteristics that allow it to filter out high-frequency vibrations, achieving a balance between precision and vibration resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element and filiform body configuration provides inherent cushioning against vibrations. The sliding fit between the filiform body and guide element cavity creates a damping effect that prevents vibrations from being transmitted to the switch, preventing involuntary actuations before they can occur
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 configuration provides improved electrical insulation, reduces mechanical complexity, and enhances ergonomic design by allowing large enough movements of control levers to be perceived by the cyclist while preventing involuntary actuations due to vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a filiform body (117, 118) substantially longitudinally incompressible and slidingly guided within the guide element (113, 114)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
An electronic control device for a bicycle, comprising a support body for attachment to the handlebars, at least one push-operated switch housed within the support body, and at least one manual actuation member (10, 11) for switching the switch (90, 91); it comprises a motion transmission device (25, 26) operatively interposed between the manual actuation member (10, 11) and the switch (90, 91), which comprises: - a guide element (113, 114) provided with a filiform through cavity (115, 116) and having a first end (119, 120) fixed at a driven region (121, 122) of the manual actuation member (10, 11) and a second end (123, 124) fixed in proximity to the switch (90, 91), and - a filiform body (117, 118) substantially longitudinally incompressible and slidingly guided within the guide element (113, 114), the filiform body (117, 118) having a first end (125, 126) directly or indirectly pushed by the driven region (121, 122) of the manual actuation member (10, 11) during actuation thereof and a second end (127, 128) which acts by directly or indirectly pushing on the switch (90, 91).