Modular Bicycle Drive Device with Central Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bicycle drive systems are limited by standardized frame components, leading to restricted design variations and integration challenges, especially when incorporating electric auxiliary drives, resulting in a lack of harmonious integration across different bicycle designs.

Innovation Solution

A modular drive device that serves as a central unit, integrating essential components like a bottom bracket, gearbox, pinion, and brake, with optional electric drive units, housed in a single or multi-part housing, allowing for a robust structural support and adaptable design suitable for various bicycle types, including pedelecs and e-bikes, with a focus on modular structure and encapsulated design for durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standardized frame components are used, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified, but design freedom and integration capability are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is designed with universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection points that can accommodate multiple types of drive units (manual, electric, hybrid) and component configurations. The frame includes integrated mounting structures for battery units, control modules, and drive mechanisms that work across different bicycle variants, allowing the same frame platform to serve multiple functions and design requirements.

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

2Shape

If drive components are integrated into the frame structure, then design harmony and structural efficiency are improved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign harmonyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is divided into modular components including separate battery units, control modules, and drive mechanisms that can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the frame structure. The frame itself is segmented into sections with standardized interfaces, allowing different drive component configurations to be assembled onto the same frame platform without requiring complete frame redesign.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular drive device is used, then adaptability and design variety are improved, but device complexity and interface requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign varietyVSAvoidinterface requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular drive device incorporates universal mounting interfaces and standardized connection protocols that work across different bicycle frame types and drive configurations. The battery unit housing and drive mechanism use standardized attachment points and electrical connectors, reducing the number of unique interface requirements despite the variety of possible configurations.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2812233B1Propulsion device for bicycles
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 SWISSFLEET SERVICES GMBH
  • EP2812233B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2812233B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2812233B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a drive device (1) for a bicycle. The drive device (1) comprises a central housing (4), to which at least one swingarm (5, 6) is attached laterally which serves to hold a wheel (27) that is arranged such that it can rotate about a rotational axis (25). The at least one swingarm (5, 6) serves to receive at least one drive means (7, 8, 17, 18, 19).