Bicycle Shifter Lever Noise Reduction via Elastic Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle operating devices experience noise due to intermittent contact between components under vibration, which existing designs fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle operating device comprising a base structure, an operating member, an adjustment member, a receiving member, and an elastic member, where the elastic member maintains clearance between the adjustment and receiving members in the rest state and allows contact in the operated state to transmit operation forces effectively, with biasing members ensuring consistent contact and durability through metallic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adjustment member and receiving member are kept in contact to ensure force transmission, then the operation force is effectively transmitted, but noise is generated due to intermittent contact under vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an elastic member (spring) between the adjustment member and receiving member that maintains a predetermined clearance in the rest state. This beforehand cushioning prevents direct contact and impact between the adjustment member and receiving member during normal operation, thereby eliminating noise while still allowing force transmission when needed during braking operations.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If clearance is maintained between adjustment member and receiving member in rest state, then noise is reduced, but force transmission may be insufficient without proper biasing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a biasing member (spring) that dynamically adjusts the clearance between the adjustment member and receiving member. In the rest state, the spring maintains a predetermined clearance to prevent noise. During braking operations, the spring compresses and allows the adjustment member to contact the receiving member, ensuring effective force transmission when required.
3Ease of operation
If the operating member is made adjustable to improve ergonomics, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustment mechanism that allows the rest position of the operating member to be changed by rotating an adjustment screw. This parameter change approach enables ergonomic customization of the operating member position without requiring complex reconfigurable mechanisms, achieving ease of operation with relatively simple structural modifications.
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 significantly reduces noise caused by vibrations by maintaining clearance in the rest state and ensuring effective force transmission in the operated state, enhancing the durability and operational efficiency of the bicycle operating device.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member to keep a predetermined clearance between the adjustment member and the receiving member in a rest state where the operating member is in the rest position
Implementation Method 2
the elastic member deforms so as to bring the adjustment member and the receiving member in contact with each other in an operated state where the operating member is in the operated position
Implementation Method 3
a first biasing member to bias the adjustment member toward the receiving member
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle operating device comprises a base structure, an operating member, an adjustment member, a receiving member, and an elastic member. The adjustment member is attached to one of the base structure and the operating member to change a rest position of the operating member relative to the base structure. The receiving member is provided to the other of the operating member and the base structure to be movable with the adjustment member in response to a pivotal movement of the operating member relative to the base structure. The elastic member is provided between the adjustment member and the receiving member to keep a clearance between the adjustment member and the receiving member in a rest state where the operating member is in the rest position.