E-Bike Control Circuit Power Lock Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically power assisted bicycles can inadvertently turn off when a child presses the power button, disrupting the assist force and vehicle speed, which is unintended by the rider.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control circuit in the operation panel that differentiates between normal and specific operations, preventing the power from being turned off unintentionally by entering a power lock mode when certain conditions are met, such as prolonged button presses, thereby maintaining the assist force and vehicle speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the power button is placed within easy reach on the operation panel for convenient operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a child can inadvertently press it and turn off the power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the power button have a different function depending on the operational context. In normal mode, it functions as a power switch. In power lock mode, the same button becomes insensitive to short presses (preventing accidental shutdown) while remaining responsive to long presses (allowing intentional shutdown). This contextual differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users while preventing harmful accidental presses by children.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by introducing a power lock mode that changes the operational characteristics of the power button. The control unit dynamically switches between normal operation mode and power lock mode based on specific conditions (such as detecting a long press or simultaneous press of multiple buttons). This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt its response to user input, maintaining convenience while preventing accidental power-off events.
2Ease of operation
If the power button responds to every press to ensure responsive control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability worsens due to unintended power shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the temporal parameter of button press detection. The control unit distinguishes between short presses (below a threshold duration) and long presses (above the threshold). In power lock mode, short presses are ignored while long presses are recognized as intentional shutdown commands. This parameter-based differentiation maintains system responsiveness for legitimate operations while filtering out accidental brief presses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a power lock mode before potential accidental presses can occur. The system proactively enters this protective state based on predetermined conditions (such as detecting a long press sequence or simultaneous button presses), thereby preventing future accidental shutdowns while preserving the ability to perform intentional shutdowns when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the system allows easy power shutdown for user convenience, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates when power is accidentally turned off during riding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a power lock mode that preemptively prevents accidental power shutdowns during active riding. The control unit monitors operational conditions and activates the protective lock state when the bicycle is in use, thereby counteracting potential harmful actions (accidental presses by children) before they can disrupt productivity. The lock can be intentionally released through prolonged button presses when the rider genuinely needs to shutdown the system.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrically power assisted bicycle (1) includes a driving system including an electric motor (33) generating an assist force assisting human power of a rider and including a control unit (32) controlling an operation of the electric motor (33); and an operation panel (60) including buttons (64A,64b,66,68,70) and a control circuit (62). The buttons (64A,64b,66,68,70) include a power button (70) usable to turn on or off a power of the driving system, and an assist force setting button (64A,64B) usable to set an assist force of the electric motor (33). The control circuit (62) accepts a press on each of the buttons (64A,64b,66,68,70) to execute a predefined process. When the control circuit (62) accepts a specific operation different from a normal operation on at least one button among the buttons (64A,64b,66,68,70) while electric power is supplied to the driving system and the control circuit (62) is operated in a normal operation mode, the control circuit (62) prohibits the power from being turned off.