E-bike Display Device for Secure Performance Attribute Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric bicycles lack a user-friendly and secure method to change performance attributes, such as classification, without violating regulatory requirements, and there is a need for a system that ensures compliance with geographical and legal performance attributes.

Innovation Solution

The electric bicycle is equipped with a display device and a human machine interface (HMI) that allows users to change performance attributes only after a restart of the bicycle, within a predetermined time frame, and displays feedback on successful changes while ensuring compliance with legal and geographical regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users can freely change performance attributes at any time, then user control and adaptability are improved, but regulatory compliance and security are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control over performance attributesVSAvoidregulatory compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires users to perform a restart action before changing performance attributes. This preliminary action ensures that attribute changes only occur at defined transition points, maintaining regulatory compliance while still allowing user control. The restart requirement prevents arbitrary changes during operation that could violate regulations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts when attribute changes are permitted based on the operational state of the e-bike. Changes are only allowed after a restart and within a specific time window, creating a dynamic control mechanism that balances user adaptability with regulatory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If performance attributes can be changed quickly without restrictions, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to detect and prevent misuse is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of changing performance attributesVSAvoiddetection of attribute switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The display device provides feedback to users about the timing and status of attribute changes. It shows when the e-bike has restarted and whether the current time is within the permissible change window, making the system easy to operate while creating an audit trail for detection purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary timing measurements from the restart event to establish a predetermined time frame. This creates a measurable, detectable window for attribute changes that can be monitored and verified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system monitors and restricts performance attribute changes, then regulatory compliance is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidsystem complexity for monitoring and controlling attributes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device serves multiple functions: it displays operational information, tracks restart events, monitors time elapse, and controls attribute change permissions. By making the display a multi-functional component, the system achieves regulatory compliance monitoring without adding separate dedicated hardware for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines the timing measurement, restart detection, and attribute change control functions into a single integrated control logic. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4570636A1Electric bicycle classification display and switching
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS INC
  • EP4570636A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4570636A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4570636A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electric bicycle (50) includes a frame (56), a front wheel (52) supporting the frame (56), a rear wheel (54) supporting the frame (56), a motor (60) coupled to the frame (56), a crankset (93) coupled to the motor (60), and a display device (102a) coupled to the frame (56). The display device (102a) is configured to display a performance attribute of the electric bicycle (50), and is further configured to display how long the electric bicycle (50) has been set to the performance attribute.