Foldable E-Bike Latch Sensor Safety Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foldable electric bicycles face operational safety concerns due to improper unfolding and securing processes, which can lead to incorrect states and accidents during riding.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electric bicycle design incorporating sensors to determine the engagement of a latch with the bicycle frame, ensuring the motor is turned off when the bicycle is folded and only activated when the frames are in a safe, unfolded state with the latch securely engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the foldable electric bicycle uses a folding mechanism to save storage space, then the volume reduction is achieved, but the operational safety deteriorates due to improper unfolding and securing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor detects the latch engagement state before the motor is allowed to operate. The control unit checks whether the latch is properly engaged with the frame, and only permits motor operation when the latch is confirmed to be secured. This preliminary detection prevents accidents by ensuring proper assembly before operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor continuously monitors the latch engagement state and provides feedback to the control unit. When the latch engagement status changes (e.g., disengaged during riding), the sensor detects this change and the control unit responds by disabling the motor. This closed-loop feedback ensures the motor only operates when the bicycle is properly assembled.
2Ease of operation
If the motor is allowed to operate freely without state detection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to accidental motor activation during folded state
Solution Approach 1:
Before the motor can be activated, the sensor must first detect that the latch is properly engaged with the frame. The control unit checks this condition in advance and only permits motor operation when the latch is confirmed secured. This preliminary detection prevents accidental motor activation during folded or improperly assembled states.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor continuously monitors the latch engagement state and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. When the latch engagement status changes (e.g., disengaged during riding), the sensor detects this change and the control unit responds by disabling the motor. This feedback mechanism ensures the motor only operates when the bicycle is properly assembled.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable electric bicycle (10) includes a foldable body (12), a first sensing object (26), a motor (14), a motor controller (16), and a first sensor (20). The foldable body (12) includes a first frame (22), a second frame (24), and a latch (28). The first frame (22) is foldably connected to the second frame (24) to make the first frame (22) operably unfolded to a safe state or folded to a folded state relative to the second frame (24). The first sensing object (26) is disposed on the latch (28). The latch (28) is disposed on the second frame (24). The first sensor (20) is disposed on the first frame (22). When the first sensor (20) cannot sense the first sensing object (26), the motor controller (16) turns off the motor (14). As such, the present invention can greatly enhance the operational safety of the foldable electric bicycle (10).