Dynamic Seat Height Adjustment for Uphill Stopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Human-powered vehicles lack an effective mechanism to adjust seat height dynamically based on the traveling state, particularly when stopped uphill, which can affect rider comfort and pedaling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control device with an electronic controller that adjusts the seat height of human-powered vehicles by determining the traveling state through various sensors and actuators, lowering the seat height when stopped uphill and raising it when the vehicle is in a specific state to optimize pedaling conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the seat height is kept high for normal pedaling, then pedaling efficiency is improved, but the seat interferes with pedaling when stopped uphill
Solution Approach 1:
The seat height is made dynamically adjustable through an actuating mechanism that can change the seat position between a first position (higher) for normal pedaling and a second position (lower) when stopped uphill. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the seat height to different operating conditions rather than maintaining a fixed height.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of seat height is changed based on the vehicle's operating state. The electronic controller monitors whether the vehicle is stopped on an uphill slope and automatically adjusts the seat height parameter accordingly, switching between two discrete height values to optimize both pedaling efficiency and operational ease.
2Ease of operation
If the seat height is lowered when stopped uphill, then pedaling interference is eliminated, but pedaling efficiency decreases for resumed travel
Solution Approach 1:
The seat height adjustment system dynamically switches between two positions based on real-time detection of the vehicle's state. When the vehicle resumes movement from a stopped uphill position, the system automatically transitions the seat from the lower second position back to the higher first position, ensuring optimal pedaling efficiency is restored when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic controller uses feedback from sensors that detect the vehicle's motion state (stopped vs. moving) and the slope condition to automatically control the seat height adjustment. This closed-loop feedback system ensures the seat is in the correct position for the current operating condition without requiring manual intervention.
3Device complexity
If manual seat height adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different traveling states is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seat height adjustment system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The electronic controller automatically detects the vehicle's traveling state (including whether it is stopped on an uphill slope) and controls the actuating mechanism to adjust the seat height accordingly, making the system self-regulating and adaptive to different conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment system is replaced with an automated system that uses electronic sensing and actuation. Sensors detect the vehicle's state, the electronic controller processes this information, and an actuating mechanism (such as a motor or pneumatic device) automatically adjusts the seat height, substituting manual mechanical operation with an automated electromechanical system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device including an electronic controller for controlling a human-powered vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to control an adjusting device that is configured to adjust a seat height of the human-powered vehicle upon determining the human-powered vehicle is being stopped while traveling uphill.