Fitness Bike Flywheel Braking for Automatic Lever Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fitness bikes lack the ability to automatically position the operation lever during flywheel braking and switch between non-freewheel and freewheel modes without manual intervention, and they do not allow for controlled braking through incremental magnetic force adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A fitness bike with a clutch gear unit, position detection, and a controller that automatically positions the operation lever at a preset exposure by adjusting the magnetic force of a stator, enabling switching between non-freewheel and freewheel modes, and allowing controlled braking through incremental magnetic force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual rotation of the flywheel is required to position the operation lever, then the structure can be simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically positions the operation lever at the exposure position when braking is activated, performing the positioning action in advance before the user needs to operate the lever. This eliminates the need for manual flywheel rotation and ensures the lever is readily accessible when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own braking mechanism to automatically position the operation lever without requiring external manual intervention. The braking force applied to the flywheel during deceleration is utilized to rotate the lever into the correct position, making the system self-servicing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If braking is applied suddenly to stop the flywheel, then the stopping time is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to sudden braking loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestopping speedVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The controller applies braking force in a controlled, progressive manner rather than suddenly. By gradually increasing the braking force during the deceleration process, the system achieves reliable operation while preventing sudden shock loads on the mechanical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller anticipates the need to stop the flywheel and applies braking force progressively before complete cessation is needed. This cushioning approach prevents sudden stops by gradually reducing speed, protecting the mechanical structure from impact loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of time

If the operation lever is not automatically positioned, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to manual positioning required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime lossVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation lever is automatically positioned at the exposure position before the user needs to operate it. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the time required for manual lever adjustment and ensures immediate readiness for operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The position detection unit continuously monitors the operation lever position and provides feedback to the controller. When braking is detected, the controller uses this feedback to automatically adjust and position the lever correctly, reducing the time users spend manually positioning it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If the flywheel cannot switch between non-freewheel and freewheel modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clutch gear unit dynamically switches between two operational states: non-freewheel mode where the pedals and flywheel are mechanically connected, and freewheel mode where they are decoupled. This dynamic adaptability allows the fitness bike to provide different exercise experiences and operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The clutch gear unit serves multiple functions by enabling both non-freewheel and freewheel modes within a single mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the fitness bike to adapt to different exercise requirements, combining the benefits of both driving modes in one device.

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

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

Enables the operation lever to be positioned automatically at a preset exposure during braking, allowing seamless mode transitions without manual intervention, preventing sudden braking loads, and facilitating easy operation in both modes.

Implementation Method 1

capable of braking a flywheel by increasing a magnitude of a magnetic force of a stator step by step

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a position detection unit installed on the flywheel to detect a rotation position of the operation lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4452426B1Fitness bike and controlling method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4452426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4452426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4452426B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a fitness bike and a method of controlling the same. The fitness bike according to the present invention includes an operation lever configured to restrict a clutch gear unit to a flywheel to allow the flywheel to operate in a non-freewheel mode and release the restriction between the clutch gear unit and the flywheel to allow the flywheel to operate in a freewheel mode, a position detection unit installed on the flywheel to detect a rotation position of the operation lever, and a controller configured to brake the flywheel by adjusting a magnitude of a magnetic force of a stator so that the operation lever stops at a preset exposure position when a pedal is stopped.