Electric Bicycle Navigation Unit Automatic Route Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric bicycles lack an efficient method to automatically select and display navigation information tailored to their specific data and operational conditions, leading to suboptimal navigation experiences.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a navigation unit that automatically selects and displays navigation information based on electric bicycle data and operating data, using a control unit to provide relevant information to the navigation unit, which can be connected to a computing network for further data import and user input for route planning, with adaptive display features and alerts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If navigation information is manually selected and displayed, then users can choose routes according to their needs, but navigation efficiency and optimization are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual route selectionVSAvoidnavigation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation unit automatically selects and displays navigation information based on electric bicycle data and operating data without requiring manual user input. The system serves itself by autonomously processing data from sensors and the control unit to generate optimized route guidance, eliminating the need for users to manually search and select routes while maintaining navigation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If generic navigation information is displayed, then navigation can be provided to any bicycle, but navigation is not optimized for specific electric bicycle capabilities and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation applicabilityVSAvoidnavigation optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation unit tailors navigation information to the specific characteristics of each electric bicycle by utilizing electric bicycle data (such as bicycle type and installed components) and operating data (such as drive unit performance and power supply charge level). This localized adaptation ensures that route recommendations are optimized for each bicycle's unique capabilities and current condition, rather than providing generic guidance applicable to all bicycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously provides operating data to the navigation unit, creating a feedback loop where the navigation system monitors and responds to the electric bicycle's real-time status. This feedback mechanism allows the navigation unit to adjust route recommendations based on current operating conditions, ensuring reliable and optimized navigation that adapts to changing bicycle performance and environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple navigation information items are provided, then users have more route options, but automatic selection and optimization become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroute optionsVSAvoidautomatic selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation unit autonomously evaluates multiple navigation information items and automatically selects the most appropriate route without requiring complex user interaction or manual comparison. The system's automatic selection process simplifies the user experience by presenting optimized route options and automatically choosing the best route based on electric bicycle data and operating conditions, reducing the apparent complexity for users while maintaining multiple route alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4411321A1Electric bicycle and method for displaying navigation information for an electric bicycle
Publication Date: 2024.08.07 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP4411321A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4411321A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4411321A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an electric bicycle comprising a drive unit and a power supply unit for supplying the drive unit with energy, a control unit for controlling or regulating the electric bicycle, and a navigation unit for determining a set of navigation information and/or for displaying navigation information, wherein the control unit of the electric bicycle is configured to provide electric bicycle data and/or operating data to the navigation unit. It is proposed that the navigation unit be configured such that, based on the electric bicycle data and/or the operating data, navigation information is automatically selected and displayed from the set of determined navigation information.