Bicycle Regenerative Braking Control via External Authority
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle braking systems cannot be controlled by anyone other than the user, limiting the ability to set and enforce braking conditions for safety, such as speed limitations in specific areas.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle braking device with a control unit that receives and enforces braking conditions set by others, using a communication unit to transmit the bicycle's state and position information, and a regenerative braking system to manage speed without hard braking, allowing external control of the bicycle's speed and position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user himself sets various types of bicycle functions on the smartphone screen, then the user has full control over bicycle operations, but the bicycle cannot be braked on the basis of information set by other than the user
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple authority levels: user control for normal operations and external controller control for safety-critical braking functions. This allows the bicycle to respond to different control sources depending on the operational context, resolving the contradiction between user autonomy and external control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that receives commands from both the user's smartphone and external controllers (such as guardians). It prioritizes external braking commands when safety conditions are met, while still allowing user control for other functions, thus enabling both user operation and external intervention.
2Reliability
If a guardian sets braking conditions externally, then the bicycle can be operated at a set speed to prevent accidents, but the user loses independence in controlling the bicycle
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the level of external intervention based on operational context. The user maintains independence for normal riding, but the guardian's braking conditions are activated dynamically when safety risks are detected or in predetermined situations, balancing user independence with safety control.
Solution Approach 2:
External control is applied locally to specific functions (braking) rather than globally to all bicycle operations. The user retains full independence for acceleration, steering, and other functions, while external control is selectively applied to braking based on guardian-set conditions, maintaining user independence while ensuring safety.
3Loss of information
If the bicycle transmits traveling state information to the outside when braking, then guardians and insurance companies can ascertain the situation, but additional communication equipment and data transmission are required
Solution Approach 1:
The existing smartphone application and communication unit are made multi-functional: they serve both as the user's control interface and as the channel for transmitting braking information to guardians and insurance companies. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining information transparency.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the braking unit is a rotating electrical machine capable of regenerative braking, then speed limitation can be performed without hard braking, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical friction braking system is replaced with a rotating electrical machine that provides regenerative braking. This substitution eliminates the need for separate mechanical brake components, reducing overall system complexity while providing smoother, more comfortable speed limitation through electrical control.
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
Enables safe operation of the bicycle by enforcing speed limits set by guardians or others, reducing the risk of accidents and providing data for accident prevention and insurance purposes.
Implementation Method 1
The braking unit is a rotating electrical machine capable of regenerative braking, and the control unit performs regenerative control of the rotating electrical machine
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle braking system includes a server, a portable device such as a smartphone, a display unit, a control unit, a power supply unit, a rotating electrical machine, and a bicycle. The portable device includes an image display unit, a braking condition transmitting unit, and a braking condition setting unit. The control unit regeneratively brakes the bicycle using the rotating electrical machine in accordance with the braking condition set by the braking condition setting unit. The braking system enables a non-user to set braking conditions for the bicycle and to perform braking based on the conditions set by the non-user.