Bicycle Operating Device with Offset Biasing Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle operating devices often require complex configurations to manage both hydraulic and electrical components, leading to increased complexity and potential reliability issues when integrated with various types of handlebars.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle operating device comprising a bracket, an operating member, an actuation cam, and a biasing element, where the biasing element biases the operating member and actuation cam to facilitate hydraulic and electrical operations, with adjustable components to accommodate different handlebar configurations and operations, such as braking and gear shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a bicycle operating device integrates both hydraulic and electrical components to operate multiple bicycle components, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydraulic and electrical operating mechanisms into a single integrated bicycle operating device. The housing contains both a hydraulic piston assembly and an electrical motor assembly, allowing the device to control both hydraulic brakes and electric drivetrain components through one unified interface on the handlebar, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The operating device is designed with multi-functional capability to operate different types of bicycle components through a single device. It can control hydraulic brakes via the piston assembly and electric drivetrain components via the motor assembly, making it a universal operating device that adapts to various bicycle configurations without requiring separate operating mechanisms for each component type
2Force
If the biasing element uses a coil spring configuration with offset axis, then the biasing force is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coil spring acts as an intermediary biasing element that translates rotational movement of the operating member into linear biasing force. The offset axis configuration of the coil spring allows it to efficiently convert the pivoting motion about the first axis into the necessary biasing force while maintaining a compact structure, serving as a mechanical mediator between the operating member's rotation and the hydraulic/electrical actuation mechanisms
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
The solution simplifies the integration of hydraulic and electrical operations, enhancing reliability and ease of use by providing a versatile configuration that can operate multiple bicycle components efficiently, regardless of handlebar type, while maintaining a compact and ergonomic design.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing element includes a coil spring with a coil portion disposed around a third axis that is offset from the first axis. The coil spring applies a biasing force to the operating member and actuation cam.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle operating device is basically provided with a bracket, an operating member, an actuation cam and a biasing element. The bracket is configured to be coupled to a handlebar. The operating member is pivotally mounted to the bracket about a first axis. The actuation cam is pivotally mounted to the bracket about a second axis. The biasing element includes a coil portion disposed around a third axis that is offset from the first axis. The biasing element biases the operating member relative to the bracket about the first axis toward the actuation cam. The biasing element biases the actuation cam relative to the bracket about the second axis toward the operating member.