Bicycle Support Tilt Locking for Passive Balance Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle balance assist devices either fail to challenge the rider's balance or require an electrical power supply, limiting their effectiveness for training and practical use.
Innovation Solution
A support device for bicycles that uses a liquid container with a float to detect the target inclination, preventing further deviation from the target inclination without active correction, allowing the rider to adjust their balance independently, and includes a locking mechanism to stabilize the bicycle, all without an electrical power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrical power supply is used to actively correct and hold the bicycle in an ideally aligned position, then the bicycle stability is improved and falls are prevented, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase, and the rider's balance sense is not challenged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the electrical power supply and active correction mechanisms from the system, extracting only the essential passive support function. The support device provides stability through its mechanical structure and gravity-based operation, eliminating batteries, motors, and control electronics while maintaining the ability to prevent falls and support riders with balance impairments.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device operates autonomously using passive mechanical principles and gravity. The counterweight mechanism automatically adjusts to maintain balance without requiring external energy sources or active control systems. The device serves itself by utilizing the natural forces of gravity and the rider's movements to provide stability support.
2Reliability
If an electrical power supply is used to automatically hold the bicycle in an ideally aligned position, then the bicycle stability is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the function and range are limited by battery capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely removes the electrical power supply system from the support device, eliminating batteries, motors, and control electronics. The device provides bicycle stability through passive mechanical mechanisms and gravity-based operation, requiring no external energy sources and enabling unlimited operation without energy constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device utilizes the natural forces of gravity and the rider's kinetic energy to maintain bicycle alignment and stability. The counterweight mechanism automatically adjusts to compensate for imbalances without consuming external energy, allowing the device to operate indefinitely without batteries or power sources.
3Manufacturing precision
If active actuators are used to adjust the tilting angle precisely, then the bicycle alignment is optimized, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes active actuators, motors, and control systems from the support device, replacing them with passive mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The tilting angle is optimized through gravity-based counterweight systems and mechanical linkages that automatically adjust to maintain proper bicycle alignment without requiring external power or complex control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device uses the rider's movements and the forces of gravity to automatically adjust the tilting angle and maintain optimal bicycle alignment. The mechanical counterweight system self-regulates to compensate for alignment deviations without requiring active actuators or external energy input, simplifying the device while maintaining precision.
4Device complexity
If a passive support device without active correction is used, then the device complexity and energy consumption are reduced, but the ability to prevent falls and maintain stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a counterweight mechanism that uses gravity to actively counterbalance the bicycle and rider system. The counterweight automatically adjusts its position to compensate for tilts and imbalances, providing active stability correction through passive mechanical means. This maintains bicycle stability and prevents falls without requiring electrical power or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device incorporates a feedback mechanism where the rider's movements and the bicycle's tilt angle automatically trigger counterbalancing actions through the mechanical counterweight system. As the bicycle tilts, the counterweight shifts to generate restoring forces that bring the system back to equilibrium, providing continuous passive stability control without electronic sensors or actuators.
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 continuous support and balance training by allowing riders to align the bicycle correctly, enhancing their balance skills without the need for batteries, thus providing a practical and effective solution for various riding conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the detection device comprises a liquid container with a liquid and a float suspended in the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a liquid container with a liquid and a float suspended in the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
Support device (1) for a bicycle (10) comprising: a base part (3); a pivoting element (4); a connecting element (9) arranged on the pivoting element (4) for connection with the bicycle (10); a tilting joint (5) connected to the base part (3) and the pivoting element (4); a locking device (21) for locking a tilt (ϕ) of the pivoting element (4);and a detection device (17) for detecting a target inclination (ϕtarget) of the pivoting element (4) relative to the base part (3), which is configured to control the blocking device (21) in the event of a deviation of an actual inclination (ϕactual) of the pivoting element (4) from the target inclination (ϕtarget) such that an inclination (ϕ) of the pivoting element (4) that leads to an increase in the deviation of the actual inclination (ϕactual) from the target inclination (ϕtarget) is blocked and an inclination (ϕ) that leads to a reduction in the deviation of the actual inclination (ϕactual) from the target inclination (ϕtarget) is enabled, wherein the detection device (17) comprises a liquid container (29) with a liquid (30) and a float (31) suspended in the liquid (30).