Bicycle Electronic Shifting With Two-Switch Mis-Shift Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic shifting systems for bicycles require four buttons to operate front and rear gear changers, leading to accidental mis-shifts as riders often need to use both hands to control these buttons, increasing the risk of unintended gear changes while focusing on the road.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing two handlebar-mounted switches, allowing each hand to control either the front or rear gear changer independently, with concurrent operation of both switches shifting the front gear changer, reducing the risk of accidental shifts and simplifying the shifting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If four buttons are employed to control front and rear gear changers, then all necessary gear shifting functions are available, but the risk of accidental mis-shifts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear shifting functionVSAvoidaccidental mis-shift risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control functions of front and rear gear changers into a single integrated shifter unit with only two buttons. The first button controls rear gear shifts, while the second button controls front gear shifts. This merging of control functions reduces the total number of buttons from four to two, eliminating the need for each hand to operate separate buttons and thereby reducing accidental mis-shifts while maintaining full gear shifting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If each hand operates two buttons for front and rear gear changers, then comprehensive gear control is achieved, but the complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear control capabilityVSAvoidshifting operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single integrated shifter unit makes each hand universally capable of controlling both front and rear gear changers. Either hand can operate either button, providing multi-functional control capability. This universal design simplifies operation by allowing the rider to use whichever hand is more convenient or less fatigued, rather than requiring specific hands for specific buttons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If four separate buttons are used for front and rear gear changers, then precise gear control is possible, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegear control precisionVSAvoidnumber of buttons

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control of front and rear gear changers into a single integrated shifter unit with only two buttons. The control unit processes signals from these two buttons and appropriately activates either the front or rear gear changer based on the button pressed and current gear state. This merging maintains precise gear control capability while reducing device complexity by eliminating three buttons and their associated mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11807335B2Bicycles with electronic shifting systems and methods

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 SRAM LLC

AI summary

Electronic shifting systems, mechanisms and methods of using and/or controlling the systems to operate a bicycle that allows front and rear gear changer mechanisms to be controlled with only two switches. The switches can be arranged so that each hand is only required to operate one switch to shift the bicycle.