Bicycle Remote Lever Spherical Joint Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control lever assemblies for bicycles have limited position adjustability, often interfering with brake levers and shifters, and are not easily mountable in desired positions due to obstructed fastener access and cable routing issues, with designs either being too high profile or lacking comfort in use.
Innovation Solution
A remote control lever assembly featuring a spherical joint for extensive angular and rotational adjustment, allowing the lever support to be positioned freely without interference, combined with a clamp system for secure mounting and a cable set screw to prevent cable interference with the user's fingers, enabling actuation from either thumb push or finger pull.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a remote control lever assembly is designed with fixed mounting positions, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different rider preferences and bicycle configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical joint mechanism that allows the lever assembly to be mounted at any angular position on the handlebar. The spherical geometry enables rotation and angular adjustment in multiple directions, providing continuous position variability rather than discrete fixed positions, thus achieving high adaptability without complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly incorporates a dynamic mounting system with a spherical joint and adjustable clamp that allows the mounting position to be changed easily by the user. The clamp can be loosened to reposition the lever and tightened to secure it, enabling the system to adapt to different rider preferences and bicycle configurations without requiring complex disassembly and reassembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lever assembly is designed to be low profile, then it fits better with trigger shifters, but it may collide with twist shifters that have higher profile
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical joint mechanism adds angular and rotational dimensions to the mounting options. By adjusting the mounting angle and orientation, the lever assembly can be positioned to clear high-profile twist shifters while maintaining a low profile design that is compatible with trigger shifters. This multi-dimensional positioning capability allows compatibility with different shifter types without compromising the low-profile design.
3Reliability
If the fastener is positioned for secure mounting, then the reliability of mounting is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to obstructed access
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into a clamp mechanism and a fastener. The clamp provides secure mounting through its gripping action on the handlebar, while the fastener is positioned separately to provide easy access for tightening and loosening. This segmentation allows the fastener to be accessible for operation while the clamp maintains reliable mounting security.
4Device complexity
If the cable exit is positioned for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but it may interfere with brake lever or shifter mounts
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical joint acts as an intermediary element between the lever assembly and the handlebar mounting. By positioning the cable exit through or near the spherical joint mechanism, the cable can be routed in a way that avoids interference with brake lever or shifter mounts. The spherical joint's geometry and positioning allow the cable to exit in a direction that clears other handlebar components while maintaining a compact overall design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A remote control lever assembly suitable to be mounted on bicycle handlebars and the like, comprising a coupling portion for fixing the assembly to the bicycle handlebar, a lever support, and a lever movably connected to said lever support; the assembly further comprises a spherical joint adjustably connecting said lever support to said coupling portion.