Bicycle Handlebar Assembly with Integrated Electronic Read-Out Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle handlebar assemblies with integrated electronic displays are prone to damage, detachment, and theft due to poor protection against external objects and vibrations, and require additional operations and tools to maintain readability during handlebar rotation.

Innovation Solution

The electronic read-out unit is integrated into the handle of the coupling piece, allowing for tool-free and seamless rotation of the handlebar without affecting display orientation, enhancing protection and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the display is attached to the handlebar with a clamping ring, then the display can be mounted on the handlebar, but the display becomes susceptible to damage, detachment, and theft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay mountingVSAvoiddisplay protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the read-out unit directly into the handle of the coupling piece, merging the display mounting function with the handle structure. This eliminates the separate clamping ring and secures the display through the handle's integrated design, preventing detachment and reducing susceptibility to damage and theft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the handlebar is rotated relative to the coupling piece, then the handlebar can be adjusted to different positions, but the read-out display becomes difficult to read

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandlebar rotationVSAvoiddisplay readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the rotation function from the display orientation. The handlebar can rotate relative to the coupling piece for position adjustment, while the read-out unit remains fixed in the handle of the coupling piece, maintaining constant orientation and readability regardless of handlebar rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the read-out unit is attached to the handlebar, then the display can be mounted, but additional operations and tools are required to maintain readability during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay attachmentVSAvoidorientation adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the read-out unit with the handle of the coupling piece, the patent eliminates the need for separate orientation adjustment operations. The display maintains its orientation automatically during handlebar rotation, removing the time loss associated with realigning the display after rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the clamping ring is used to attach the display, then the display can be secured to the handlebar, but the handlebar tube can become damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay securingVSAvoidhandlebar tube integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the display mounting function from the handlebar tube and relocates it to the handle of the coupling piece. The display is secured to the handle rather than directly to the handlebar tube, eliminating the risk of damage to the handlebar tube from clamping rings and twists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP1752371B1Bicycle handlebar assembly
Publication Date: 2010.11.24 BATAVUS BV
  • EP1752371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1752371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1752371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bicycle handlebar assembly comprises a handlebar (2) and a coupling piece (3; 23; 43; 63) for coupling the handlebar (2) to an attachment element (5), attachable to a head part of a front fork, wherein, with the coupling piece in coupled condition, at least the handlebar is rotatable relative to the coupling piece, while the coupling piece is provided with an operating structure comprising at least one handle (6; 26; 46; 66), one of which is designed for having the coupling piece in coupled condition release and secure different rotation positions of at least the handlebar (2) relative to the coupling piece (3; 23; 43; 63). The assembly further comprises an electronic read-out unit (4; 24; 44; 64) provided with a read-out display (10) for representing information for the benefit of the cyclist. The read-out unit (4; 24; 44; 64) forms an integral part of one of the at least one handles (6; 26; 46; 66).