E-bike Display Light Window Stem Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrically assisted bicycle lighting systems face challenges in accurately detecting ambient illumination due to light reflectivity from the handlebar and obstruction by handle covers, leading to noise interference and untimely headlight activation.

Innovation Solution

The placement of a light-receiving window on the operation surface of the display/operation device, positioned closer to the stem than the center-of-gravity point of the handlebar, allows for unobstructed ambient light detection, reducing noise interference and ensuring accurate illumination sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the light-receiving window is formed in the lower case of the lighting device, then the device structure is simple, but ambient light cannot be accurately detected due to handlebar light reflectivity and handle cover obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidambient illumination detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light-receiving window is repositioned from the lower surface to the lateral surface of the housing, changing the spatial dimension of light reception. This dimensional shift allows the window to receive ambient light from the side rather than from below, avoiding interference from handlebar reflections and handle cover obstructions while maintaining simple device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral surface of the housing acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates ambient light entry. By positioning the light-receiving window on this intermediate surface rather than directly on the lower case, the system mediates between the simple structural design and accurate light detection requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the light-receiving window is positioned on the operation surface closer to the grip, then the device is easier to operate, but the window is masked by handle covers preventing light detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation device accessibilityVSAvoidambient light detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The light-receiving window is positioned on a specific local area of the lateral surface that is not obscured by handle covers. This localized positioning strategy allows the rest of the operation surface to remain accessible for user interaction while the light-receiving area maintains unobstructed access to ambient light

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the operation surface faces the handlebar, then the device layout is compact, but light reflectivity from the handlebar causes noise in detection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice layout compactnessVSAvoidhandlebar light reflection noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light-receiving function is extracted from the handlebar-facing operation surface and relocated to the lateral surface of the housing. This extraction separates the light detection function from the area affected by handlebar reflections, eliminating the harmful optical interference while maintaining compact device layout

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This configuration enables precise detection of ambient illumination, preventing untimely headlight activation and ensuring reliable automatic headlight control.

Implementation Method 1

an optical sensor and an illumination detection circuit for detection of ambient illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2868564B1Electrically assisted bicycle
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2868564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2868564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2868564B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an electrically assisted bicycle capable of accurately detecting illumination in the surrounding environment in an arrangement where an operation device attached to a handlebar includes a light-receiving window and an illumination detection section. An electrically assisted bicycle 10 includes a display/operation device 40 which has a device main body 86 and a mounting portion 88. The mounting portion 88 is attached to the handlebar 32 so as to hold an outer circumferential surface of the handlebar 32. The device main body 86 includes an operation surface 90 which does not face the handlebar 32; an operation section 94 for operating the drive assisting system 56; a light-receiving window 98 in the operation surface 90 for allowing ambient light to enter; and an illumination detection section 100 which detects illumination in the surrounding environment based on the light from the light-receiving window 98. The light-receiving window 98 is on a side closer to the stem than is a center-of-gravity point A of the operation surface 90 in an axial direction X of the handlebar 32 at a place where the mounting portion 88 is attached.