Hub Assembly Bearing Spacer for Sensor Integration and Freewheel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hub assemblies for human-powered vehicles lack efficient integration of additional components, such as electric circuit boards and sensors, while maintaining durability and compactness, and do not effectively accommodate freewheel functionality for one-way torque transmission.
Innovation Solution
A hub assembly design featuring a bearing spacer with an axial opening and a compact arrangement of an electric circuit board and sensor, allowing for the integration of additional components like a sprocket support structure and a one-way clutch, while maintaining durability and reducing weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the hub assembly uses a solid bearing spacer structure, then the durability is maintained, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing spacer is designed with an axial opening that passes through its structure, creating a porous-like configuration. This opening reduces the amount of material used and consequently the weight of the bearing spacer, while the strategic placement of the opening ensures that structural integrity and durability are maintained in critical load-bearing regions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components like sensors and circuit boards are added to the hub body, then the functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hub body is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as a structural support element, a mounting platform for sensors and circuit boards, and a protective housing. This integration allows the hub assembly to perform multiple functions (structural support, sensing, power generation, data collection) without proportionally increasing complexity, as these functions are incorporated into a single unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board is positioned to be disposed within the hub body, and the sensor is arranged within the axial opening of the bearing spacer, creating a nested arrangement where smaller components are housed within or on the structure of larger components. This nesting minimizes the overall space required and reduces the complexity of assembly and integration.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is positioned within the axial opening of the bearing spacer, then the detection capability is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axial opening in the bearing spacer is pre-formed during the manufacturing process with predetermined dimensions and positioning. This preliminary action ensures that when the sensor is installed within the axial opening, it automatically achieves the optimal detection position without requiring complex post-assembly adjustments or extremely tight tolerances during sensor installation.
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 design enables efficient accommodation of additional components, enhances detection capabilities, and provides power to the electric circuit board even when the vehicle is stopped, while ensuring reliable rotation support and freewheel functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an electric power generator, configured to generate electric power by rotation of the hub body
Implementation Method 2
The electric circuit board is electrically connected to a capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A hub assembly is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The hub assembly includes a hub axle, a hub body, a bearing spacer and a first hub body bearing. The hub body is rotatably mounted on the hub axle to rotate around a rotational center axis of the hub assembly. The bearing spacer has an inner peripheral end provided to the hub axle and an outer peripheral end spaced radially outward of the inner peripheral end in a radial direction with respect to the rotational center axis. The first hub body bearing is disposed at the outer peripheral end of the bearing spacer and rotatably supporting the hub body.