Wireless Front Gear Changer With Integrated Power and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical bicycle gear changers are bulky, heavy, expensive, and difficult to install due to their wired communication and power supply requirements, necessitating the production of various cable lengths for different bike frame sizes.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electromechanical front gear changer with a base member, linkage, chain guide, motor, gear transmission, CPU, and power supply, where the CPU processes wireless signals and the motor moves the linkage via a gear transmission, housed in a compact and lightweight design with a radio for wireless communication, and a removable power supply to minimize frontal area and enhance installation ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired communication and power supply are used in electromechanical gear changers, then reliable power and signal transmission is achieved, but the device becomes bulky, heavy, and requires multiple cable lengths for different frame sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired system with a wireless electromagnetic system. The gear changer uses a wireless transmitter mounted on the handlebars and a wireless receiver integrated into the derailleur, eliminating the need for physical cable connections between components. This substitution of mechanical connections with electromagnetic communication resolves the contradiction by removing the weight and bulk of wiring while maintaining reliable power and signal transmission through wireless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the cable and connector components from the gear changer system. By taking out the wired communication infrastructure and replacing it with integrated wireless transceivers in the derailleur and transmitter units, the design eliminates the need for multiple cable lengths and connectors, thereby reducing overall system weight and simplifying installation across different bicycle frame sizes.
2Reliability
If wired communication and power supply are used in electromechanical gear changers, then reliable power and signal transmission is achieved, but the device becomes expensive and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired system with a wireless electromagnetic system. The gear changer uses a wireless transmitter mounted on the handlebars and a wireless receiver integrated into the derailleur, eliminating the need for physical cable connections between components. This substitution of mechanical connections with electromagnetic communication resolves the contradiction by removing the weight and bulk of wiring while maintaining reliable power and signal transmission through wireless protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless receiver in the derailleur is designed to be universal, capable of receiving signals and providing power wirelessly to any compatible gear changer system. This universal wireless interface eliminates the need to manufacture and stock multiple types of cables and connectors for different bicycle frame sizes and styles, thereby simplifying manufacturing and installation while maintaining reliable communication and power transmission.
3Weight of moving object
If compact and lightweight design is implemented, then ease of installation and reduced manufacturing complexity is achieved, but wireless communication capability must be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the wireless communication functions into the existing gear changer components. The wireless receiver is integrated directly into the derailleur mechanism, and the wireless transmitter is incorporated into the handlebar-mounted control unit. This merging of wireless communication capabilities with the mechanical gear shifting components achieves a compact and lightweight design while managing integration complexity through functional consolidation rather than adding separate wireless modules.
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 solution provides a lightweight, compact, and easy-to-install electromechanical front gear changer that reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by eliminating the need for multiple cable lengths, while maintaining effective gear shifting and chain alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a motor supported by the base member; a gear transmission driven by the motor to move the linkage
Implementation Method 2
a radio for receiving wireless signals and powered by the power supply, wherein the CPU is in operative with communication with the radio and processes the received wireless signals
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An electromechanical front gear changer (30) for a bicycle is provided, the bicycle having a chain (64), including a base member (34) attachable to the bicycle. A linkage (54) is movably coupled to the base member (34). A chain guide (60) is movably coupled to the linkage (54) for contacting the chain (64). A motor (226) is supported by the base member (34). A gear transmission is driven by the motor (226) to move the linkage. A CPU is provided for controlling the motor and a power supply (42) is supported by the base member to power the motor and the CPU.