Bicycle Rotational Pairing Control Using Reverse Pedaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing human-powered vehicles lack a simple and reliable mechanism for pairing wireless communicators using the rotational device's reverse rotation to facilitate secure and accurate communication with additional electrical devices.

Innovation Solution

An electrical device for a rotational device in human-powered vehicles, comprising a wireless communicator and an electronic controller, controls pairing through reverse rotation of the rotational device, utilizing a position sensor and accelerometer to determine and execute pairing only when a rotation threshold is met and a determination time has elapsed, ensuring secure and accurate communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If pairing is executed through normal rotation operations, then pairing can be performed during regular vehicle operation, but pairing may be unintentionally executed and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing execution convenienceVSAvoidpairing execution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using reverse rotation (backward pedaling) as the trigger for pairing instead of normal rotation. This inversion ensures that pairing only occurs during intentional reverse rotation operations, eliminating accidental pairing during normal forward pedaling while maintaining ease of execution through a simple, deliberate user action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If reverse rotation is used to trigger pairing, then pairing can be executed with simple structure, but unintentional pairing may occur due to small reverse rotation amounts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing control structureVSAvoidpairing execution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotation threshold parameter that defines the minimum reverse rotation amount required to trigger pairing. This parameter change transforms the simple reverse-rotation-trigger mechanism into a more reliable system by filtering out small, unintentional reverse rotations while still allowing intentional reverse rotation operations to initiate pairing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic determination time period that activates the rotation threshold measurement only during specific operational states. This dynamic approach ensures that the threshold check is performed at appropriate moments, enhancing reliability without adding permanent complexity to the control structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If rotation threshold is set low for easy pairing, then pairing can be executed with minimal reverse rotation, but unintentional pairing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing execution easeVSAvoidpairing execution accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the rotation threshold parameter to balance ease of operation with reliability. By setting the threshold at an appropriate level, the system requires sufficient reverse rotation to trigger pairing (preventing accidental activation) while still allowing intentional reverse rotation operations to easily initiate pairing. The threshold is calibrated to distinguish between deliberate user actions and unintentional movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If determination time period is extended for accurate pairing detection, then unintentional pairing is restricted, but pairing execution time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing execution accuracyVSAvoidpairing execution time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic determination time period that is activated only during specific operational states (reverse rotation detection). This dynamic timing approach allows the system to extend the measurement period sufficiently to ensure accuracy and prevent unintentional pairing, while not continuously monitoring and thus avoiding unnecessary time loss during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables reliable and secure pairing of wireless communicators using the rotational device's reverse rotation, enhancing the accuracy and simplicity of communication with additional electrical devices.

Implementation Method 1

the position sensor includes an accelerometer. The accelerometer is configured to sense radial acceleration and rotational acceleration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial acceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

The accelerometer is configured to sense radial acceleration and rotational acceleration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotational acceleration sensing: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS12491959B2Electrical device and rotational device for human-powered vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 SHIMANO INC

AI summary

An electrical device of a rotational device for a human-powered vehicle comprises a wireless communicator and an electronic controller. The wireless communicator is configured to wirelessly communicate with an additional electrical device. The electronic controller is electrically connected to the wireless communicator to wirelessly communicate with the additional electrical device via the wireless communicator. The electronic controller is configured to control the wireless communicator to execute pairing in response to a reverse rotation of the rotational device.