Exercise Bike Face Gear Switching for Safe Freewheel Mode Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise bikes lack easy and safe mode switching between non-freewheel and freewheel structures, often leading to accidents and operational errors due to manual mode switching and lack of accurate mode determination.
Innovation Solution
A mode switching system that uses sensors and a step motor to automatically determine the current power transfer mode, stop the crank and fly wheel rotations before switching, and switch between non-freewheel and freewheel modes using a face gear mechanism, with visual indicators and button controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual mode switching is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates and reliability worsens due to accidents and operational errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the current mode state through sensors (first and second limit sensors) and executes mode switching without manual intervention. The controller autonomously controls the step motor to switch between non-freewheel and freewheel modes, eliminating the need for manual crank rotation and improving ease of operation while maintaining acceptable complexity through automated control.
2Ease of operation
If automatic mode switching is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical mode switching with an automated system using limit sensors (first and second limit sensors) to detect mode state and a step motor controlled by a controller to execute switching. This substitution of manual operation with sensor-based detection and motor control achieves automatic mode switching while managing complexity through standardized sensor and motor components.
3Reliability
If mode switching occurs without stopping rotation, then productivity is maintained, but reliability worsens due to accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The controller executes preliminary actions by determining the current mode state before switching and controlling the step motor to complete the mode transition. The system checks sensor signals (first and second limit sensors) to confirm the current mode and ensures the step motor completes its switching action before allowing exercise continuation, thereby ensuring safety without significant interruption to productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are a mode switching system and an exercise bike comprising the same that switches a non-freewheel mode and a freewheel mode automatically, ensuring improvement in user convenience. The exercise bike comprise a step motor, a first limit sensor sensing a first part of the face gear and outputting a first sensing signal, a second limit sensor sensing a second part of the face gear and outputting a second sensing signal, and a controller determining a current power transfer mode by using the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and rotating the step motor forward or reversely, based on the current power transfer mode, to switch the power transfer mode to the non-freewheel mode or the freewheel mode, in a case where a mode switching signal is input.