Cargo Cycle ABS Actuator Layout for Variable Front-Wheel Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cargo bicycles face significant safety issues due to varying vertical load on the front wheel, affecting adherence and braking performance, especially under low load conditions, and existing ABS systems are not effectively adapted for these cycles.
Innovation Solution
An ABS hydraulic actuator device is positioned below the luggage compartment container, configured to adapt to both full and empty load conditions, with an electronic control unit mounted adjacent to the frame, ensuring safe braking regardless of load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a cargo cycle is equipped with conventional actuators (electric motors, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators), then the actuator can provide sufficient force for cargo transport, but the actuator increases in size, weight, complexity, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional actuators (electric motors, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators) with a mechanical advantage system consisting of a fixed pulley and a movable pulley. This mechanical substitution eliminates complex electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems while providing sufficient actuating force through pure mechanical advantage, directly resolving the contradiction between force output and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating system is segmented into distinct functional components: a fixed pulley attached to the frame and a movable pulley attached to the cargo carrier. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and independent, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to generate sufficient actuating force through their combined mechanical advantage
2Force
If a cargo cycle is equipped with conventional actuators (electric motors, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators), then the actuator can provide sufficient force for cargo transport, but the actuator increases in weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy conventional actuators with a lightweight mechanical advantage system using pulleys and a drawstring. This substitution dramatically reduces actuator weight while maintaining sufficient force output through mechanical advantage, directly resolving the contradiction between force provision and weight reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the heavy components of conventional actuators (motors, hydraulic pumps, pneumatic systems) and replaces them with a minimal mechanical system consisting of pulleys and a drawstring. This extraction of unnecessary heavy components directly addresses the weight issue while preserving the essential force-generating function
3Force
If a cargo cycle is equipped with conventional actuators (electric motors, hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators), then the actuator can provide sufficient force for cargo transport, but the actuator increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky conventional actuators with a compact mechanical advantage system using pulleys and a drawstring. This substitution dramatically reduces the volume occupied by the actuating system while maintaining sufficient force output, directly resolving the contradiction between force provision and size reduction
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a motor or pump to generate force and move the cargo, the system inverts the approach by using the rider's pedaling motion itself to generate the actuating force through the pulley system. This inversion eliminates the need for a separate actuator, reducing size while maintaining force capability
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
The solution provides enhanced safety and adaptability to varying loads without modifying the bicycle structure, maintaining accessibility and protection during maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a fixed pulley attached to the frame of the cargo cycle and a movable pulley attached to the cargo carrier of the cargo cycle
Implementation Method 2
The actuator utilizes a fixed pulley attached to the frame of the cargo cycle and a movable pulley attached to the cargo carrier of the cargo cycle
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A cargo cycle, in particular a pedal-assisted cargo bicycle, of the type including a front extension of the frame (15) which rotatably supports a front fork shaft (17) around an axis (19) spaced forward with respect to the rotation axis (4) of the bicycle handlebar, and a luggage compartment container (20, 159) mounted on said front extension of the frame (15). The cycle further comprises an ABS hydraulic actuator device (A) interposed in the connection between a master hydraulic cylinder associated with the lever (60) for actuating the front brake, and an actuator hydraulic cylinder of a brake caliper (221) associated with the front wheel unit. The ABS actuator device and the electronic control unit (E) associated therewith are mounted on a support plate (23) which is in turn mounted on a side wall of a lower portion (159) of the luggage compartment container, so as to be protected from impacts against the ground even in a condition of maximum lateral inclination of the bicycle.