Bicycle Shock Absorber with Terrain-Aware Sensor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle shock absorbers for mountain bikes struggle to adapt damping characteristics effectively in unknown or varying terrain, requiring rider attention and concentration, especially on challenging paths, due to limitations in sensor technology and energy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle component with a controllable damper device and identification device, featuring a sensor system that captures signals non-contactually and adjusts damping characteristics in real-time based on identified hazards, allowing for rapid adaptation to terrain conditions without diverting the rider's attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment of shock absorbers is implemented, then damping characteristics can be optimized for specific terrain, but rider concentration is diverted from challenging riding situations
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorber system automatically adjusts damping characteristics without rider intervention. Sensors detect terrain conditions and the control unit modifies damping parameters autonomously, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring the rider to manually adjust settings during challenging riding situations
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors terrain conditions through sensors and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust damping characteristics. The control unit receives real-time data about ground conditions and automatically modifies shock absorber settings to optimize performance for the detected terrain type
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent adjustments during ride are enabled, then damping requirements can be adapted to varying terrain, but rider attention is continuously diverted
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated electronic control system. Sensors, control units, and actuators work together to electronically adjust damping parameters without requiring mechanical intervention by the rider, substituting automated systems for manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The shock absorber system autonomously monitors terrain variations and self-adjusts damping characteristics without rider involvement. The system serves itself by detecting terrain changes and automatically modifying settings, eliminating the need for the rider to divert attention to manual adjustments
3Loss of information
If sensor systems with wide capturing range are implemented, then terrain ahead can be detected, but data analysis complexity and computing capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential terrain features and parameters needed for damping adjustment from the captured sensor data. Rather than analyzing all detected information, the control unit identifies and processes only the critical elements relevant to shock absorber optimization, filtering out unnecessary data
Solution Approach 2:
The system focuses analysis on specific local terrain features that directly impact shock absorber performance rather than uniformly processing all detected data. The control unit identifies critical zones and parameters within the captured field that require detailed analysis while reducing processing of less relevant areas
4Reliability
If real-time damping adjustment is implemented, then terrain conditions can be matched precisely, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs damping adjustments at periodic intervals based on detected terrain changes rather than continuously. The control unit monitors terrain conditions and triggers adjustments only when significant changes are detected, using periodic sampling and event-driven updates to reduce unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining effective terrain matching
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
Enables seamless and automatic adjustment of damping characteristics to match prevailing terrain conditions, enhancing riding comfort and safety by reducing the need for frequent manual adjustments and improving handling on unpredictable terrain.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor device (403) comprises at least one receiving unit for non-contact capturing of at least one signal
Implementation Method 2
The damper device (1) comprises a magnetorheological medium (9) and a controllable magnetorheological damping valve (8)
Implementation Method 3
At least one field generating device (11) is provided for generating a field intensity with which the magnetorheological damping valve (8) is controllable
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle component for an at least partially human-powered bicycle has a shock absorber device. The shock absorber device includes a damper device which can be controlled by a control device. A detection device is provided with a sensor device for receiving a signal. The sensor device is arranged on at least one component of the bicycle which is pivoted in the case of a steering movement. The detection device is suitable for detecting, and is designed to detect, the difficulty in the terrain as a function of the acquired signal, and is configured to control the damper device as a function of the detected difficulty in the terrain, with the result that a damping property of the damper device can be adjusted by way of a signal of the detection device.