Two-Part Brake Lever Clamp for Non-Round Bicycle Handlebars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping elements for attaching brake and shift lever units to bicycle handlebars are limited in their ability to accommodate non-round handlebar cross sections and cannot be installed in closed areas or over grip tape, restricting their versatility and application.
Innovation Solution
A clamping element comprising two detachable parts with a connecting mechanism using screws and bolts, allowing for secure attachment without needing to be pushed over the handlebar end, and an optional adapter element for adapting to non-round handlebar contours, enabling use on various handlebar designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-contained clamp-like clamping element is used to attach brake and shift lever units to handlebars, then the attachment is simple and secure, but the clamping element cannot be attached to handlebars with non-round cross-sections or in closed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is divided into two separate clamping parts that can be attached independently to the handlebar. This segmentation allows each part to adapt to different handlebar cross-sections and enables installation in closed areas where the parts can be positioned on opposite sides of the handlebar and secured with bolts passing through the handlebar material.
Solution Approach 2:
Bolts serve as intermediary elements that connect the two clamping parts through the handlebar. These bolts act as mediators that transmit clamping forces across the handlebar, enabling secure attachment without requiring the clamping element to be slid over the handlebar end, thus allowing installation on various handlebar types including those with grip tape.
2Device complexity
If a self-contained clamp-like clamping element is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be retrofitted on handlebars with existing grip tape or grip elements
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the clamping element into two separate parts that attach on opposite sides of the handlebar, the design allows installation without sliding over the handlebar end. This segmentation enables retrofitting on handlebars with grip tape, as the clamping parts can be positioned around the existing grip elements and secured with bolts through the handlebar material.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism (bolts) is extracted from the traditional slide-over approach and implemented as a through-bolt system. This extraction allows the clamping element to be installed independently of the handlebar end configuration, enabling retrofitting on handlebars with existing grip tape or grip elements.
3Reliability
If a closed clamping element is used, then it provides secure clamping, but it cannot be installed in closed areas of handlebars
Solution Approach 1:
The closed clamping element is segmented into two separate clamping parts that can be independently positioned on opposite sides of the handlebar in closed areas. This segmentation allows installation in locations where the handlebar is surrounded by other components, as each part can be accessed and secured with bolts without requiring access to the handlebar end.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of sliding the clamping element over the handlebar end from the outside, the two-part design allows installation by approaching the handlebar from opposite sides and securing with bolts from the inside or accessible external locations, effectively inverting the traditional installation sequence and enabling access in closed areas.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamping element for attaching bicycle components, such as a brake/shift unit, to a bicycle handlebar, such as a racing handlebar, comprises a first clamping part (10) and a second clamping part (20). The first clamping part (10) serves to connect to the bicycle component, for example, by means of a screw. The second clamping part (20) is detachably connected to the first clamping part (10). This makes it possible to design the clamping element according to the invention in such a way that it is also suitable for non-round handlebars and/or can be arranged on closed sections of a handlebar.