Rotary Bicycle Sensor with Adjustable Reed Switch Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bicycle sensor devices have a high number of parts and are not easily adaptable to varying distances between sensors and the parts they detect, making them bulky and difficult to stabilize on bicycles with irregularly shaped frames.

Innovation Solution

A sensor device with a base member and a rotatable body member that includes both a first sensor for detecting movement of a wheel and a second sensor for detecting movement of a gear crank, allowing for adjustable distances and reduced part count, enabling the device to detect either running speed or cadence based on the configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the sensor device uses a three-piece structure with separate first sensor portion, second sensor portion, and transmitting portion, then the device can detect both cadence and running speed, but the number of parts increases and the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the first sensor portion, second sensor portion, and transmitting portion into an integrated sensor device with a single housing. The housing accommodates all three functional components, eliminating the need for separate mounting of multiple independent parts while maintaining the ability to detect both cadence and running speed simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated sensor device is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unit. The housing serves as both the structural enclosure and the mounting interface for all sensor components, enabling the device to function as a universal measuring device that can detect various bicycle parameters (cadence, speed, distance, time) without requiring multiple specialized components.

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

2Device complexity

If the sensor portion is fixed on the bicycle frame, then the device structure is simple, but the distance between the sensor portion and the target part cannot be adjusted to an appropriate distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structureVSAvoiddistance adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a rotatable body member that can rotate relative to the base member, transforming the static fixed mounting into a dynamic adjustable system. This rotation mechanism allows the sensor portions to be positioned at various distances and angles relative to the bicycle components (gear crank, rear wheel), enabling adaptation to different bicycle geometries and sensor performance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device is divided into separable rotational segments: a base member fixed to the bicycle frame, and a body member that rotates relative to the base member. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each segment's position, providing flexibility in setting the optimal distance between sensors and target parts while maintaining a relatively simple overall mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the body member is fixed relative to the base member, then the device structure is stable, but the distance between the gear crank and the cadence sensor cannot be varied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsensor positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rotatable connection between the base member and body member, allowing the system to transition from a fixed stable state to an adjustable state during installation and setup. Once the optimal position is achieved through rotation, the structure can be locked or maintained in that position, providing both adjustability and operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotational mechanism enables change in the spatial parameters (distance and angle) between the cadence sensor and the gear crank. By rotating the body member relative to the base member, the system can adjust these parameters to match the specific geometric requirements of different bicycles and sensor types, achieving precise positioning without compromising structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If separate mounting structures are used for different sensor portions, then each sensor can be optimally positioned, but the device cannot be stably fixed on frames with various cross-sectional shapes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor positioningVSAvoidframe shape compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The base member is designed with a universal mounting interface that can accommodate various frame cross-sectional shapes (circular, rectangular, elliptical). The rotatable body member with its integrated sensor portions can be positioned and oriented to work with different frame geometries, making the device compatible with multiple bicycle frame types without requiring frame-specific customization.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable connection between the base member and body member provides dynamic adjustment capability that allows the sensor device to adapt to different frame shapes. By rotating and repositioning the body member, the sensors can be optimally positioned relative to the frame and target parts regardless of the frame's cross-sectional geometry, achieving both stable fixation and precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1923302B1Sensor device with rotationally moving member
Publication Date: 2009.09.23 CATEYE CO LTD
  • EP1923302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1923302B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1923302B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A measuring device includes a speed sensor (200) rotatably attached to a base member (100) and having a reed switch (211) detecting movement of a rear wheel of a bicycle, and a cadence sensor (300) rotatably attached to the speed sensor (200) and having a reed switch (310) detecting movement of a gear crank of the bicycle. The speed sensor (200) includes a transmission circuit (212) transmitting signals detected by the reed switches (211, 310) to an outside of the speed sensor (200). The speed sensor (200) moves rotationally with respect to the base member (100) to vary a distance between the rear wheel of the bicycle and the reed switch (211), and the cadence sensor (300) moves rotationally with respect to the speed sensor (200) to vary a distance between the gear crank of the bicycle and the reed switch (310).