Bicycle Shifter Support Plate Assembly Dynamics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle operating devices face challenges in ease of assembly and maintaining rigidity, particularly when used to control components like shift devices and brakes, due to complex structures and misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle operating device comprising a base member, an operating structure with a rotatable member, and a support plate that is movable relative to the base member, with carefully defined clearances and support surfaces to enhance assembly ease and structural rigidity, allowing for efficient operation of bicycle components such as shift devices and brakes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the operating structure is rigidly fixed to the base member, then structural rigidity is improved, but ease of assembly deteriorates due to misalignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed to be movable relative to the base member rather than rigidly fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment during assembly. The plate can move in the radial direction of the rotational axis to accommodate misalignment, then be secured in position, combining ease of assembly with maintained structural rigidity when assembled correctly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate acts as an intermediary element between the operating structure and the base member. It provides a flexible interface that absorbs misalignment issues during assembly while still transmitting forces effectively to maintain structural rigidity in the assembled state.
2Ease of manufacture
If the support plate is made movable relative to the base member, then ease of assembly is improved, but structural rigidity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate transitions from a movable state during assembly to a fixed state during operation. The movability is only required temporarily for assembly purposes, after which the plate is secured to maintain structural rigidity during bicycle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows preliminary movement and adjustment of the support plate during the assembly process, before final securing. This preliminary action enables easy alignment and installation, after which the structure is locked into a rigid configuration for normal use.
3Ease of manufacture
If the clearance between the support plate and base member is increased, then ease of assembly is improved, but operational precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clearance dimension is optimized to a specific range (5-10mm) that balances two competing requirements: large enough to facilitate easy assembly and alignment, but small enough to maintain operational precision. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and operational precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle operating device comprises a base member, an operating structure, and a support plate. The operating structure includes a rotatable member rotatable relative to the base member about a rotational axis to control a bicycle component. The operating structure includes a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is secured to the base member. The second axial end is opposite to the first axial end along the rotational axis. The support plate is attached to the second axial end to be movable relative to the base member and contactable with the base member.