Hollow Cylindrical Bicycle Stem with Integrated Cable Receptacles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle designs face challenges in routing operating signals within the frame, leading to visual disturbances, increased accident risk, and vulnerability to weather and mechanical damage, while also limiting customization and repair options due to specialized components.

Innovation Solution

A hollow-cylindrical component with curved line receptacles integrated into the bicycle stem and frame, allowing for internal routing of signals and protection from external influences, while enabling the use of standardized elements and facilitating customization and repair.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cables are routed outside the bicycle frame, then cable routing is simple and accessible, but the cables are exposed to mechanical stress, weather, and create visual distractions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing simplicityVSAvoidcable protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable receptacles are nested within the hollow cylindrical component's wall structure, allowing cables to be routed inside the frame through integrated pathways. The receptacles extend through the cylinder wall, creating protected channels that guide cables from external control elements to internal electronic controls while shielding them from environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow cylindrical component acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between external cable routing needs and internal component protection. The cable receptacles serve as intermediate pathways, transitioning cables from exposed external routing to protected internal routing without requiring complete frame integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a fork with a specially shaped steerer tube is used for internal cable routing, then cable protection is improved, but the possibilities for individual customization and repair are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protectionVSAvoidcustomization and repair options
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hollow cylindrical component serves multiple functions: it provides structural support as a stem or bushing, enables internal cable routing through integrated receptacles, and maintains compatibility with standardized fork steerer tubes. This multi-functionality allows the same component design to be used across different bicycle configurations without requiring specialized fork geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable routing function is segmented into separate receptacles within the hollow cylindrical component, allowing individual cable management independent of the fork structure. This segmentation enables the use of standardized forks while still providing protected cable routing pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If cable receptacles are positioned close to the outer shell for easy access, then cable installation is simplified, but the mechanical stability of the component is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable installation easeVSAvoidcomponent mechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cable receptacles are positioned at optimal locations within the cylinder wall, balancing accessibility with structural integrity. The receptacles extend through the wall thickness to provide cable access while maintaining adequate material distribution to preserve the component's mechanical stability and resistance to external influences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3676164B1Hollow cylindrical component and stem for a bicycle, and bicycle
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 MYSTROMER
  • EP3676164B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3676164B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3676164B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a hollow cylindrical component (10) for a bicycle (30), a stem (20) having a hollow cylindrical component (20) for a bicycle (30), and a bicycle (30) having a hollow cylindrical component (10) or a stem (20). In order to be able to install cables of the bicycle in a simple, secure and protected manner, the hollow cylindrical component (10) has at least one cable receiving means (15) in the cylinder wall thereof.