Bicycle Regenerative Brake Control Device for Harmonized Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional regenerative brake systems for electric bicycles with motor assistance often cause discomfort due to a discrepancy in the feeling between regenerative braking and mechanical braking, especially when only one brake lever is operated, leading to an uneven braking force.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle regenerative brake control device that includes first and second displacement amount detecting parts to monitor the displacement of the front and rear brake systems, and a control part that generates a regenerative braking force corresponding to the combined braking information from both systems, allowing for a more synchronized and comfortable braking experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If regenerative braking force is increased to improve energy recovery, then energy efficiency is improved, but the discrepancy between regenerative braking and mechanical braking sensation increases causing rider discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The regenerative braking force is made dynamic by varying it according to the operation amount of the mechanical brake. The control device adjusts the regenerative braking force in real-time based on the displacement amount detected by the brake sensor, ensuring the regenerative braking force increases gradually as the mechanical brake is applied more, rather than being fixed at a high level. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing high energy recovery when needed while maintaining smooth braking sensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by using the brake sensor to detect the operation amount of the mechanical brake and using this information to adjust the regenerative braking force accordingly. The control device receives feedback from the brake sensor about lever displacement and adjusts the motor's regenerative braking output in response, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains harmony between mechanical and regenerative braking sensations while optimizing energy recovery.
2Ease of operation
If regenerative braking force is made variable to improve braking harmony, then braking sensation consistency is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs multiple functions: it controls the motor for propulsion, manages regenerative braking, and adjusts braking force harmony all through a single control unit. The brake sensor serves dual purposes by detecting both brake operation for safety control and displacement amount for regenerative braking adjustment. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall system complexity despite the variable regenerative braking control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves variable regenerative braking by changing the electrical parameter (motor current/torque output) rather than adding mechanical complexity. The control device adjusts the electrical current supplied to or generated by the motor based on brake sensor input, using electrical control to achieve smooth variable braking force. This approach is simpler than mechanical variable brake systems while achieving the same harmony effect.
3Device complexity
If only one brake lever operation is detected to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but uneven braking force occurs causing rider discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The control device merges the control of front and rear brake systems into a single unified control approach. Instead of independently controlling each brake lever, the system combines the displacement information from both brakes (through the brake sensor) and adjusts the regenerative braking force as a unified output. This merging ensures that whether one or both levers are operated, the regenerative braking responds harmoniously, maintaining braking force uniformity without requiring complex separate control logic for each lever.
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 system reduces the likelihood of discomfort between regenerative and mechanical braking by varying the regenerative braking force in accordance with the displacement of both brake systems, ensuring a consistent and harmonized braking experience.
Implementation Method 1
a control part configured to control the motor using a first control process in response to the first and second displacement amounts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A bicycle regenerative brake control device (74) basically includes a first displacement amount detecting part (53f), a second displacement amount detecting part (53r) and a first control part (75). The first displacement amount detecting part (53f) is arranged to detect a first displacement amount a first brake system (117f). The second displacement amount detecting part (53r) is arranged to detect a second displacement amount of a second brake system (117f), which different from the first brake system (117f). The first control part (75) is configured to control a motor (60) using a first control process in response to the first and second displacement amounts of the first and second brake systems (117f, 117r) such that the first control part (75) generates a first regenerative braking force that corresponds with braking information obtained from the first displacement amount and the second displacement amount.