Bicycle Shifting Mechanism With Rotating Biasing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle operating devices lack efficient mechanisms for selectively positioning bicycle components in multiple predetermined positions, particularly in gear shift and derailleur systems, which can be cumbersome and require significant user effort.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle operating device featuring a positioning structure and a maintaining member that rotates about a rotational axis, with positioning teeth and a maintaining tooth that engages to establish predetermined positions, applying a rotating force to facilitate easy shifting and braking operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional gear shift operating device is used, then the bicycle component can be positioned in multiple stages, but the user effort and complexity of the shifting mechanism increase
Solution Approach 1:
The maintaining member is designed to automatically engage with the positioning teeth and maintain the positioning structure in each predetermined position without requiring continuous user input. The biasing element automatically pushes the maintaining member into engagement, making the system self-servicing once the shift is initiated.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintaining member is designed to dynamically transition between engaged and disengaged states based on the position of the positioning structure. It rotates about a rotational axis and can freely rotate to disengage when needed, providing dynamic adaptability to the shifting operation.
2Force
If the maintaining member applies rotating force through the contact surface, then the input force required for shifting is reduced, but the design complexity of the positioning teeth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is designed with a specific slant angle (5-60 degrees) relative to the radial direction, creating an inclined plane geometry. This angular configuration allows the maintaining member to apply rotating force efficiently along the slanted surface, reducing the input force needed while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a radial dimension to the force application by having the maintaining member apply force through a slanted contact surface rather than purely tangential or axial force. This dimensional approach to force application optimizes mechanical advantage without complicating the basic tooth structure.
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
Enhances the ease and efficiency of shifting and braking operations by reducing the input force required for shifting, allowing for smoother transitions between gear positions and improved user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The maintaining member contacts the positioning structure. The positioning structure and the maintaining member are configured such that the maintaining member applies a rotating force on the positioning structure in the first direction as the maintaining member moves from the second position to the first position.
Implementation Method 2
The maintaining member applies a rotating force on the positioning structure in the first direction as the maintaining member moves from the second position to the first position. The contact surface has a slant angle with respect to a line extending from the rotational axis to the top portion between five degrees and sixty degrees.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle operating device includes a bicycle component positioning unit that basically includes a positioning structure and a maintaining member. The positioning structure is configured to be movable in a first direction and a second direction that is opposite the first direction. The maintaining member is configured to move between a first position that maintains the positioning structure in one of a plurality of predetermined positions and a second position that releases the positioning structure to move to another one of the predetermined positions. The maintaining member contacts the positioning structure. The positioning structure and the maintaining member are configured such that the maintaining member applies a rotating force on the positioning structure in the first direction as the maintaining member moves from the second position to the first position.