Pedal-Drive Vehicle Frame with Segmented Bottom Bracket
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedal-drive vehicle designs make it difficult to access and remove the battery and drive assembly from the frame, requiring complex disassembly and increasing maintenance time.
Innovation Solution
A frame design with an open channel in the bottom bracket shell allows for non-axial removal of the drive assembly and battery, featuring mechanical fixture points and a pivoting mechanism for easy access and maintenance, along with internal bushes for vibration and noise dampening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the battery is located within a hollow tube of the frame (seat tube or down tube), then the battery is securely positioned and integrated into the frame structure, but the battery becomes difficult to access and requires removal of the electric motor and gearing from the bottom bracket shell for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom bracket shell is segmented into a first portion and a second portion that can be separated from each other. The battery is accessible from the first portion when the two portions are separated, eliminating the need to remove the electric motor and gearing for battery replacement. This segmentation allows independent access to the battery while maintaining secure positioning when assembled.
2Device complexity
If the electric motor and gearing are located within the bottom bracket shell with the battery inside a hollow tube, then the components are compactly integrated, but accessing the battery requires complex disassembly of the bottom bracket shell
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom bracket shell is divided into separable first and second portions, allowing the battery to be accessed by simply separating these portions rather than performing complex disassembly. This maintains compact integration during operation while enabling quick access during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery access function is extracted from the main bottom bracket shell structure by creating a separate access path through the first portion. This allows the battery to be removed independently without affecting the electric motor and gearing components.
3Strength
If the bottom bracket shell defines a closed annular profile, then the frame structure is strong and rigid, but the drive assembly and battery cannot be easily removed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The closed annular bottom bracket shell is segmented into separable first and second portions. This segmentation creates an open access path while maintaining structural strength through proper design of the portions and their connection, allowing easy removal of the drive assembly and battery for maintenance.
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
Facilitates quick and easy access to internal components, reducing maintenance time and preventing damage to the frame, while maintaining the assembly's robustness and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
internal bushes for vibration and noise dampening
Data Source
AI summary
A frame for a pedal driven vehicle, the frame having a first portion that defines an open channel. The frame includes fixture points for releasably securing a drive assembly having a crank axle to the frame, such that the drive assembly can be secured in the open channel, via the fixture points, so as to define an operational crank axis of the drive assembly. The frame defines one or more compartments for receiving a battery, so that the battery can be arranged in communication with the drive assembly for the transfer of motive power from the battery to the drive assembly (i.e. for driving the crank axle) whilst the battery is located in the compartment. The drive assembly is moveable in and out of the open channel in a movement which is in a non-axial direction of the channel.