E-Bike Battery Locking Track for One-Handed Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric bicycle designs require holding the drive battery with one hand and operating a secondary latch with the other hand for removal, which is cumbersome and complex in terms of production technology due to the need for a second bolt.

Innovation Solution

An electric bicycle with a drive battery arrangement where the secondary lock is actuated into a removal position through a relative movement of the drive battery relative to the bicycle frame, allowing the battery to be completely unlocked and removed with one hand, eliminating the need for a second bolt by using a guide track or guide slot for the secondary bolt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secondary release lever with a second bolt is used to secure the drive battery in an intermediate position, then the drive battery can be prevented from falling out, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates because the rider must use one hand to hold the battery and the other to operate the release mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of drive battery falling outVSAvoidcomplexity of secondary locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the second bolt from the locking mechanism, replacing it with a guide track that guides a single bolt. This removes the complex secondary release lever mechanism while maintaining the intermediate position security function through the guide track's geometric constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide track is segmented into distinct zones: a receiving zone that secures the battery in the intermediate position, and a removal zone that allows easy extraction. This segmentation allows the single bolt to perform both security and release functions through different positional states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a secondary release lever is incorporated into the locking mechanism, then the drive battery can be secured in an intermediate position, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to the complex production technology required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecuring drive battery in intermediate positionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the second bolt and secondary release lever components entirely, replacing them with a guide track integrated into the frame. This simplification reduces the number of parts to manufacture and assemble, while the guide track's geometry provides the necessary intermediate position securing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide track combines multiple functions into a single component: it guides the bolt during insertion, secures the battery in the intermediate position through its receiving zone, and enables easy removal through its removal zone. This merging eliminates the need for separate secondary locking components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If a complex secondary locking mechanism with a second bolt is used, then the drive battery can be securely locked, but the device complexity increases and requires two-handed operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking strength of drive batteryVSAvoidease of drive battery removal
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide track provides dynamic functionality where the bolt's movement through different zones of the track creates different locking states. The receiving zone provides strong securing, while the removal zone enables easy one-handed extraction, allowing the system to adapt its locking strength based on the operational phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide track acts as an intermediary between the bolt and the drive battery, translating simple bolt movement into complex locking and release actions. The track's geometry mediates the interaction, providing secure locking during normal operation while enabling easy removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4335734A1Electric bicycle with a drive battery and a drive battery arrangement for an electric bicycle
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 SMARTSCALE NEWCO AG
  • EP4335734A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4335734A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4335734A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric bicycle with a bicycle frame and a drive battery that can be fixed to it, wherein a primary locking of the drive battery to the bicycle frame is effected by means of a lock, wherein the drive battery can be moved into an intermediate position after actuation of the lock, and with a secondary locking mechanism (16) which fixes the drive battery in the intermediate position, characterized in that the secondary locking mechanism (16) can be actuated to remove the drive battery by means of a relative movement of the drive battery relative to the bicycle frame into a removal position.