Battery-Assisted Bicycle Range Display Update

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery-assisted bicycles face a time lag in displaying the remaining assistable travel distance, which can lead to uncertainty when changing the proportion of electric motor assistance, potentially making it difficult to reach destinations.

Innovation Solution

A battery-assisted bicycle system that includes a motor control part, battery control part, and assistable distance calculating part, capable of promptly displaying the assistable travel distance based on the remaining battery level and changed assistance proportion, using an electricity consumption rate calculated according to the assistance mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the remaining assistable travel distance is calculated based on actual battery consumption over time, then the calculation accuracy is improved, but the response time increases causing a time lag in display updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremaining assistable travel distance calculation accuracyVSAvoidtime lag in display update
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores electricity consumption rates for multiple assistance modes before actual riding occurs. When a rider selects an assistance mode, the corresponding pre-calculated consumption rate is immediately retrieved and used for real-time distance calculations, eliminating the need to wait for actual consumption data to accumulate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different electricity consumption rates based on the selected assistance mode. Each mode has its own characteristic consumption rate stored in advance, allowing the calculation system to adapt instantly to changing riding conditions without requiring retraining or recalculation periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the proportion of electric motor assistance is increased, then the rider's travel capability is improved, but the remaining assistable travel distance shortens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetravel capabilityVSAvoidremaining assistable travel distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The display unit provides real-time feedback to the rider showing both the remaining assistable travel distance and the current assistance level. This allows riders to understand the trade-off between assistance intensity and range, enabling them to make informed decisions about when to adjust assistance levels to optimize both travel capability and remaining distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows riders to change the assistance parameter (proportion of motor support) based on real-time feedback about remaining distance. By dynamically adjusting this parameter, riders can optimize their travel strategy - using higher assistance when needed and lower assistance to conserve battery when the destination is within reachable distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2562027B1Battery-assisted bicycle
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2562027B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2562027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2562027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A battery-assisted bicycle capable of promptly displaying, when the proportion of assistance is changed, the remaining assistable travel distance corresponding to the changed proportion of assistance is provided. Abattery-assisted bicycle 1 includes a motor control part 111a that controls driving of the electric motor 61 in accordance with a pedal effort, a battery 36, a battery control part 37 that determines the remaining level of the battery 36, and an assistable distance calculating part 111b that calculates the assistable travel distance of the electric motor 61 based on the remaining level of the battery 36. The motor control part 111a is configured so as to be capable of changing the proportion of the assistance of the electric motor 61 to the pedal effort. The assistable distance calculating part 111b calculates the assistable travel distance of the electric motor 61 in accordance with the change of the proportion of assistance in the motor control part 111a.