Bicycle Shifter Lever Reach Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle shifters do not accommodate varying hand sizes of riders, as the lever reach is not adjustable, limiting ergonomic operation for different rider hand sizes.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle shifter with adjustable lever reach, featuring a cable spool and lever mechanisms with rotatable cable pull and release levers, and a clamp system that allows for mounting adjustments relative to the handlebar, ensuring ergonomic operation regardless of hand size or brake lever layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shifter is secured to the handlebar with a fixed fastener, then the shifter structure is simple and stable, but the lever reach is not adjustable for various rider hand sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The cable pull lever is made rotatable about the cable spool axis, allowing the lever reach and orientation to be dynamically adjusted by the rider to accommodate different hand sizes and positions, transforming a static structure into an adaptable one
Solution Approach 2:
The shifter components (cable spool, cable release lever, cable pull lever) are segmented to allow independent adjustment of the cable pull lever position relative to the cable release lever, enabling customized lever reach without redesigning the entire shifter assembly
2Ease of operation
If the cable pull lever contact surface is shaped and sized differently from the cable release lever, then ergonomic operation is improved for different hand sizes, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable pull lever contact surface is specifically shaped and sized to match the thumb's operational needs, with the contact surface of the cable pull lever preferably facing toward a rearward direction and disposed behind the cable release lever, optimizing local ergonomics without requiring complete redesign of all lever components
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle shifter configured to be adjustable to accommodate a variety of sized hands. The shifter includes a housing, a cable spool for pulling and releasing a control cable, pull and cable release lever mechanisms and a clamp for mounting the shifter to a handlebar. The cable pull lever mechanism includes a cable pull lever and a driver element operatively connected to the cable spool. The release mechanism includes a cable release lever. The cable pull lever is attachable to the driver element at various orientations to vary the position of the cable pull lever relative to the cable release lever. The clamp is attachable to the shifter housing at different positions to vary the pull and cable release levers relative to the handgrip element on the handlebar.