Retractable Training Wheel Lift for Real-Time Balance Practice

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Solution Overview

Problem

Riders learning to balance on bicycles with training wheels face instability when the wheels are removed, leading to a risk of falling and injury, as they lack the experience of balancing on two wheels without additional support.

Innovation Solution

A real-time retractable training wheel system that includes a lift activation assembly connected to a wheel mount assembly via a cable, allowing the training wheels to be raised or lowered while the bicycle is in motion, providing a backup for balance and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If training wheels are attached to the bicycle, then stability is improved, but the rider cannot learn to balance on two wheels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebicycle stabilityVSAvoidbalance learning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The training wheel system is made dynamically adjustable through a lift activation assembly that allows the training wheels to be raised or lowered during motion. This enables the system to transition between providing stability (when lowered) and allowing balance practice (when raised), resolving the contradiction between stability and balance learning capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elevation parameter of the training wheels is changed in real-time through cable actuation mechanisms. By adjusting the vertical position of the training wheels, the system can modify its stability characteristics dynamically, allowing the rider to experience both stable and unstable conditions as needed for learning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If training wheels are removed to learn balancing, then balance learning is improved, but the risk of falling and injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalance learning capabilityVSAvoidfalling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides beforehand cushioning by having training wheels that can be quickly deployed or lowered during motion. This creates a safety net that is ready to prevent falls or reduce fall severity, allowing the rider to practice balancing on two wheels without excessive risk of injury

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If training wheels are raised during motion, then balance practice is improved, but stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebalance practice capabilityVSAvoidbicycle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system embraces the dynamic nature of the contradiction by allowing the rider to control the training wheel elevation during motion. The rider can raise the training wheels to practice balancing when feeling confident, and lower them when needing stability, creating a dynamic learning experience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11001322B2Real-time retractable training wheels system and method

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 ROBERTSON PEYTON WEBB

AI summary

A training wheel apparatus for learning to ride a bicycle includes a lift activation assembly, wherein the lift activation assembly includes a grip. The training wheel apparatus further includes a wheel mount assembly configured to operatively connect to a wheel. The training wheel apparatus further includes a cable configured to operatively connect to the lift activation assembly and the wheel mount assembly via the grip. When activated by rotation of the grip in a first direction, the lift activation assembly is configured to use the cable to change an elevation of the wheel between a first position.