Indoor Exercise Bike Brake and Gear Unit for Realistic Hill Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional indoor exercise bicycles fail to accurately simulate the rotational force and bending effects of riding on uneven surfaces, limiting the realism of uphill and downhill modes.
Innovation Solution
An indoor exercise bicycle design incorporating a brake unit with a rotary motor, shaft, and gear unit to control rotational force, along with a solenoid coil and pin system to recreate the bending effect of uneven surfaces, allowing for real-time or sequential implementation of uphill and downhill modes using a single motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electromagnetic field generation or pulley systems are used to simulate uphill climbing, then some climbing effect is achieved, but the rotational force simulation is not accurate enough to match actual hill climbing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electromagnetic field generation systems or multi-component pulley systems with a direct mechanical brake control system. The brake unit applies friction force directly to the wheel to simulate uphill resistance, eliminating the need for electromagnetic coils or complex pulley arrangements while achieving accurate rotational force simulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the braking force by adjusting parameters such as brake pad pressure and contact area against the wheel. By varying these parameters, the system can accurately simulate different uphill gradients and climbing conditions, achieving reliable rotational force simulation through parameter adjustment rather than complex system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple motors or complex mechanisms are used to implement both uphill and downhill modes, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the single brake unit perform multiple functions by controlling it in different modes. The same brake mechanism can simulate uphill resistance by applying braking force and simulate downhill effects by releasing or reducing braking force, allowing one component to fulfill multiple exercise modes without requiring separate motors or mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using motors to actively drive the wheel for uphill and downhill simulation, the patent inverts the approach by using a brake to actively resist wheel rotation for uphill simulation and then releasing that resistance for downhill simulation. This inversion allows a single passive brake system to achieve what would traditionally require active multi-motor control.
3Reliability
If solenoid coils and pins are added to create bending effects for uneven surface simulation, then realism of road surface simulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wheel into multiple segments or sections, each equipped with its own solenoid coil and pin mechanism. By independently controlling the bending of each wheel segment, the system can simulate uneven road surfaces with localized bumps and irregularities, achieving high realism through segmented control rather than requiring a completely complex alternative system.
4Measurement precision
If separate systems are used for brake control and gear control, then control precision is improved, but device complexity and part quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the brake control system and gear control system into a single integrated control unit. The controller simultaneously manages both the brake unit and the gear unit's engagement with the lead screw, coordinating their operations to achieve precise rotational force control. This merging reduces the number of separate control systems while maintaining control precision through centralized management.
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
The design effectively controls rotational force and simulates the experience of riding on uneven surfaces, enhancing the realism and simplicity of the exercise bicycle's structure by integrating uphill and downhill modes with a single motor system.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a solenoid coil and a pin on a side surface of a wheel, in order to produce an effect of a curved uneven part of a road surface
Implementation Method 2
a brake unit for controlling a pressing force applied to a circumferential surface of a wheel by advance of a brake mounting connected to a lead screw rotating through a motor
Implementation Method 3
a brake mounting connected to a lead screw rotating through a motor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an indoor exercise bicycle capable of implementing an uphill mode and a downhill mode through a simple structure. An indoor exercise bicycle having uphill and downhill mode functions according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a brake unit that controls a pressing force applied to the circumferential surface of one side of a wheel, by means of forward movement of a brake mounting connected to a lead screw rotating through a motor; and a gear unit that is meshed with the brake unit of the lead screw while being spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance, and controls speed with respect to the rotational force of the wheel according to the rotation of the lead screw, wherein the brake unit may be operated in an uphill mode, and the gear unit may be operated in the downhill mode.