Bicycle Component Control via Packet Count Differentiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle electronic shifting systems and control systems require multiple buttons on ergonomically superior locations, leading to complexity and safety issues for riders, as they need to determine which button is pressed without looking, and add cost and complexity to the controller.
Innovation Solution
The system uses an abbreviated button press to initiate one action and an extended button press to initiate another, with a controller that receives and processes data packets to determine the type of button press, reducing the number of buttons needed and simplifying user interaction by identifying button presses based on packet counts and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are included on the handlebar to control each electrically actuated component, then the functionality and control capability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single controller on the handlebar is designed to control multiple electrically actuated components (front derailleur, rear derailleur, brake levers, shifters) through a unified control interface. The controller receives data streams from multiple sensors and actuators, processes packet information to determine button press types (abbreviated vs extended), and initiates appropriate actions for different components, allowing one controller to perform functions that would traditionally require multiple separate controls
Solution Approach 2:
The system differentiates between abbreviated button presses (fewer packets received) and extended button presses (more packets received) by monitoring the number of packets in the data stream. This parameter change in press duration allows a single button to trigger different actions - for example, a brief press might initiate a first gear shift while a prolonged press initiates a second gear shift in the opposite direction, enabling multiple functions from a single control element
2Ease of operation
If multiple buttons are placed on ergonomically superior locations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the rider safety deteriorates due to the need to determine which button is pressed without looking
Solution Approach 1:
A single controller location is designed to handle multiple control functions through differentiated press patterns. The controller can distinguish between various button press types (abbreviated vs extended, different packet counts) and map them to different component controls, allowing the rider to access multiple functions from one ergonomic location without needing to identify multiple separate buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic press duration detection to differentiate control actions. By monitoring the temporal characteristics of button presses (number of packets received within a time window), the controller dynamically interprets rider intent - short presses for one set of functions, extended presses for another set - enabling multiple controls from a single static button location
3Device complexity
If the number of buttons is reduced, then the device complexity and cost are reduced, but the functionality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The controller monitors packet count parameters in the data stream to differentiate between abbreviated button presses (fewer packets) and extended button presses (more packets). This parameter-based differentiation allows a single button to trigger multiple distinct actions - for example, initiating gear shifts in different directions or controlling different components - thereby maintaining full functionality while reducing the physical number of buttons
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic data packet transmission during button presses to encode control information. By counting the number of packets received within a specific time window, the controller can distinguish between different press durations and map them to different functions, enabling multiple control operations from a single button through temporal modulation of the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electrically actuated component of a bicycle includes a first controller configured to receive a data stream from a second controller. The data stream includes one or more packets received by the first controller. For each of the one or more packets received by the first controller, the first controller is configured to identify a number of the one or more packets of the data stream received by the first controller, and compare the identified number of packets to a predetermined threshold number of packets. After all packets of the one or more packets of the data stream have been received by the first controller, the first controller is configured to initiate, based on the respective comparison, an action of the electrically actuated component or another electrically actuated component of the bicycle when the identified number of packets is less than the predetermined threshold number of packets.