Stepped Rear Hub Thru-Axle for Wireless Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear hub thru-axle designs for human-powered vehicles do not efficiently accommodate varying sizes of components and electronic elements, limiting the integration of batteries and sensors for wireless communication without the use of wires.
Innovation Solution
A rear hub thru-axle with a stepped design featuring a first axle portion with a larger interior and exterior dimension for accommodating larger components and a second axle portion for smaller components, allowing for the integration of batteries and electronic components, including sensors and wireless communication units, with a frame attachment structure for easy mounting and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional single-diameter thru-axle design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot efficiently accommodate components of varying sizes (batteries, sensors, electronic elements)
Solution Approach 1:
The thru-axle is divided into multiple axial sections (first axial section with larger bore, second axial section with smaller bore), each capable of accommodating different sized components. This segmentation allows the axle to host both large components (batteries) and small components (sensors, electronic elements) simultaneously within its hollow interior, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the axial dimension of the thru-axle to create multiple accommodation zones along its length. By varying the bore diameter across different axial positions, the design creates a multi-dimensional accommodation space that can host components of different sizes without increasing radial or lateral complexity, thus achieving versatility while maintaining relatively simple structure.
2Ease of operation
If wires are used for sensor connection and power supply, then the system is reliable and easy to maintain, but it increases device complexity and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the wire management aspect from the system by providing wireless power and data transmission capabilities. Power is supplied inductively through the hub axle, and data is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth or other wireless protocols, completely removing the need for physical wire connections between sensors, batteries, and the control system, thus achieving ease of operation without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If larger batteries are integrated into the hub axle, then the vehicle has extended range and improved performance, but it increases the weight of the moving object
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the battery housing with the hub axle structure itself, eliminating the need for separate battery compartments and mounting structures. The hollow interior of the thru-axle is directly utilized as the battery housing, integrating multiple functions (structural support, power storage, sensor mounting) into a single component, which reduces overall weight compared to having separate battery housings and mounting structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear hub thru-axle is provided for a human powered vehicle. The rear hub thru-axle is basically provided with a first axle portion and a second axle portion. The first axle portion has a first hollow interior passage defining a first interior dimension. The second axle portion has a second hollow interior passage defining a second interior dimension. The first axle portion is connected to the second axle portion in an axial direction with respect to the rear thru-axle. The first interior dimension of the first hollow interior passage is larger than the second interior dimension of the second hollow interior passage.