Segmented Bicycle Operating Device for Brake-Shift Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional derailleur devices for bicycles are prone to unexpected gear shifts during braking or shifting due to their actuation mechanisms, which can be dangerous or lead to misoperation.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle operating device with a housing, derailleur structure, brake lever, and two independent operation assemblies that allow for precise gear shifting by preventing interference between shift and brake cables, enabling individual actuation of the assemblies to upshift or downshift without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lever is used for both braking and gear shifting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to unexpected gear shifts during braking or unexpected braking during shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is segmented into two independent operation assemblies: a first operation assembly for gear shifting and a second operation assembly for braking. Each assembly has its own actuating surface and operates independently, eliminating the interference that occurs in single-lever systems. The first operation assembly includes a first lever rotatable about a first rotational axis, while the second operation assembly includes a second lever rotatable about a second rotational axis, ensuring that braking and shifting operations can be performed without unexpected interactions.
2Device complexity
If a button is disposed on the side of the handle for gear shifting, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety deteriorates since the user cannot stably grip the handle during pressing
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is segmented into two independent operation assemblies: a first operation assembly for gear shifting and a second operation assembly for braking. Each assembly has its own actuating surface and operates independently, eliminating the interference that occurs in single-lever systems. The first operation assembly includes a first lever rotatable about a first rotational axis, while the second operation assembly includes a second lever rotatable about a second rotational axis, ensuring that braking and shifting operations can be performed without unexpected interactions.
3Ease of operation
If a control lever is used for gear shifting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to easy misoperation resulting in unexpected upshifting or downshifting
Solution Approach 1:
The operating device is segmented into two independent operation assemblies: a first operation assembly for gear shifting and a second operation assembly for braking. Each assembly has its own actuating surface and operates independently, eliminating the interference that occurs in single-lever systems. The first operation assembly includes a first lever rotatable about a first rotational axis, while the second operation assembly includes a second lever rotatable about a second rotational axis, ensuring that braking and shifting operations can be performed without unexpected interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a housing as an intermediary structure that separates and organizes the two operation assemblies. The housing provides distinct mounting locations for the first and second levers, and the patent specifically positions the first actuating surface and second actuating surface at different locations on the housing. This intermediary structure prevents misoperation by ensuring that actuation of one lever does not inadvertently trigger the other operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle operating device includes a housing, a derailleur structure, a brake lever, a first operation assembly and a second operation assembly. The derailleur structure is disposed on the housing and includes a wire reel and a mandrel. The brake lever is rotatably disposed on the housing. The first operating assembly is disposed on the housing and is reversibly rotatable relative to the housing to drive the wire reel to rotate and pull a shift cable. The first operating assembly has a first actuating surface disposed thereon. The second operating assembly has a second actuating surface disposed thereon.