Omnidirectional Roller Base for Bicycle Steering Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stationary cycling systems lack a mechanism to accommodate varying trail during virtual cycling, leading to instability and difficulty in steering, especially when using gradient adjustment devices that simulate hills and slopes, resulting in an unsatisfactory user experience.
Innovation Solution
An omnidirectional base or platform that supports the front end of a bicycle, equipped with omnidirectional roller assemblies, allowing it to move in various arcuate and linear paths to compensate for changes in trail, ensuring stable steering and simulation of real-world cycling experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed base is used to support the front end of the bicycle, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate varying trail conditions during gradient adjustment, leading to steering instability
Solution Approach 1:
The base is transformed from a fixed static structure to a dynamic mobile structure with roller assemblies that enable movement in multiple directions. This allows the base to automatically adjust its position to accommodate changing trail conditions when the gradient adjustment device simulates hills and slopes, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base is divided into multiple functional components including roller assemblies, a platform, and support structures. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions (movement, support, stability) while working together to provide overall adaptability to varying trail conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gradient adjustment device is added to simulate hills and slopes, then the virtual cycling experience is enhanced, but trail varies during operation causing steering difficulty and potential tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile base acts as an intermediary between the gradient adjustment device and the ground. It absorbs and compensates for the trail variations caused by gradient changes, preventing these variations from directly affecting steering stability. The roller assemblies serve as the intermediary mechanism that translates gradient changes into appropriate base movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The base dynamically responds to gradient adjustments by moving in real-time to maintain proper trail geometry. This dynamic adaptation ensures that steering stability is maintained even as the gradient simulation changes during virtual cycling operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base is constrained to prevent movement, then steering stability is maintained, but it cannot simulate real-world cycling experiences with varying terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The base provides controlled mobility that allows terrain simulation while maintaining operational ease. The roller assemblies enable smooth, guided movement that naturally follows steering inputs, making the system easy to operate while simultaneously providing realistic terrain simulation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameters of the base in response to steering inputs and gradient adjustments. This parameter change allows the base to simulate terrain variations while maintaining steering control through predictable, controlled movement patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering assembly for a mounted bicycle is disclosed herein. The steering assembly includes a support base and at least one omnidirectional roller assembly extending from a bottom surface thereof. The at least one omnidirectional roller assembly is operatively disposed in direct contact with a ground surface and is structured to facilitate movement of the support base along the ground surface in a plurality of different arcuate and linear paths to accommodate varying trail measurements of a bicycle. The varying trail measurements of the bicycle are defined by varying angles of the bicycle relative to the ground surface during operative use of the steering assembly.