Bicycle Shift Control Device Integrated Light Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle lighting systems are often large, heavy, cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to install, and they can reduce visibility at night if removed, while gear position indicators are hard to view and inefficiently lit.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle shift control device with a light structure that includes a shifter housing, shift control mechanism, and integrated bicycle light structure, featuring a location light and gear position indicator illumination, powered by a hub dynamo or battery, providing visibility and aesthetics without the need for separate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If separate bicycle lighting systems are installed, then night-time visibility is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function with the existing shift control device by integrating a light guide and light source into the shifter housing. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate lighting components while providing illumination for both the gear position indicator and external visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shift control device is designed to serve multiple functions: gear shifting control, gear position indication, and lighting/visibility. The integrated light structure provides both internal illumination for the indicator and external illumination for night riding visibility, making the single device universally functional.
2Illumination intensity
If separate bicycle lighting systems are installed, then night-time visibility is improved, but installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the lighting function into the existing shift control device that is already installed on the bicycle, the patent eliminates the need for separate installation procedures. The lighting components are integrated into the shifter housing and installed together with the normal shift control mechanism.
3Illumination intensity
If battery-powered lights are used, then illumination is provided, but battery life is drained
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously - illuminating the gear position indicator only when needed during shifting operations and providing intermittent visibility light. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption compared to continuous illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing power source already allocated for the shift control device, and the lighting operates automatically based on the device's normal operation cycles, eliminating the need for separate battery power management.
4Illumination intensity
If gear position indicators are illuminated, then visibility of gear position is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gear position indicator illumination is activated periodically only during shifting operations when the rider needs to view the gear position. The light guide illuminates the indicator at these specific moments rather than continuously, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining visibility when needed.
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 enhances night-time visibility, simplifies installation, and conserves battery life by integrating lighting into the shift control device, making it more practical and aesthetically pleasing while maintaining efficient operation.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide is arranged and configured to transmit light from the location light to illuminate the gear position indicator
Implementation Method 2
a reflector is arranged and configured to reflect light from the location light outwardly from the shifter housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A bicycle shift control device includes a shifter housing (20), a shift control mechanism (22) and a bicycle light structure (24). The shift control mechanism (22) is coupled to the shifter housing (20). The shift control mechanism (22) is configured and arranged to control a bicycle transmission component. The bicycle light structure (24) is coupled to the shifter housing (20). The bicycle light structure (24) includes a bicycle location light that is arranged and configured to project light outwardly from the shifter housing (20) at a location remote from a gear position indicator (26). Preferably, the bicycle light structure (24) is also configured and arranged to illuminate the gear position indicator (26) at a location remote from the light projecting outwardly from the shifter housing (20).