Bicycle Lever with Dual Rotational Axes for Independent Brake and Shift Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle control devices often displace the shift control mechanism when actuating the brake control mechanism, and vice versa, leading to inconvenient and potentially confusing operations for riders.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle control device featuring a lever that is rotatable about a brake axis to actuate the brake control mechanism without affecting the shift control mechanism, and rotatable about a shift axis to actuate the shift control mechanism in both cable-release and cable-pull directions, with specific movements and mechanisms to prevent cross-activation between brake and shift operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lever is used to control both brake and shift mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-activation between brake and shift operations occurs leading to operational confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is segmented into two independent rotational degrees of freedom: rotation about the brake axis for brake control and rotation about the shift axis for shift control. This segmentation allows each function to be controlled independently without cross-activation, resolving the operational confusion while maintaining a compact single-lever structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a dimensional aspect to the lever control by enabling rotation about two different axes (brake axis and shift axis) rather than a single axis. This dimensional change allows independent control of brake and shift functions through distinct rotational movements, eliminating cross-activation while preserving device compactness.
2Ease of operation
If the lever is designed to actuate both brake and shift controls, then ease of operation is improved, but the shift control mechanism is displaced during braking operations
Solution Approach 1:
The lever's rotational movements are segmented into independent axes: rotation about the brake axis actuates only the brake control mechanism, while rotation about the shift axis actuates only the shift control mechanism. This segmentation prevents the shift mechanism from being displaced during braking operations while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device employs asymmetric rotational axes (brake axis and shift axis) that are oriented differently in space. This asymmetry ensures that braking operations (rotation about brake axis) do not interfere with shift mechanism position, while still allowing accessible control of both functions from the same lever.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lever is made movable in multiple directions for different functions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single lever is designed with multi-functionality by enabling it to rotate about two different axes (brake axis and shift axis), allowing one component to perform multiple control functions. This universality provides versatile control of both brake and shift operations without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle control device includes a lever for actuating a brake control mechanism and a shift control mechanism in a cable-release direction and a cable-pull direction. The lever is rotatable about a brake axis to actuate the brake control mechanism and rotatable about a shift axis to actuate the shift control mechanism in the cable-release direction and in the cable-pull direction. The bicycle control device is configured to not displace the shift control mechanism upon actuation of the brake control mechanism.