Electronic Controller Mode Switching for Human-Powered Vehicle Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-powered vehicles with electric assist systems lack effective control mechanisms to manage electric power supply, particularly when the vehicle is carried, leading to unintended actuation and operational limitations.
Innovation Solution
A human-powered vehicle control device with an electronic controller that switches between modes to manage electric power supply based on specific actions, operations, and connections, ensuring limited actuation when the vehicle is carried and convenient operation when in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the human-powered vehicle device is allowed to actuate freely when operated, then the device functionality is improved, but unintended actuation occurs when the vehicle is carried
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic mode switching between first mode (full actuation allowed) and second mode (actuation limited) based on vehicle state. The electronic controller dynamically adjusts the responsiveness of the human-powered vehicle device to operating portion inputs, preventing unintended actuation during carrying while maintaining full functionality during normal use.
2Reliability
If the electronic controller limits electric power supply to prevent unintended actuation, then reliability is improved, but device functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic controller dynamically adjusts power supply levels based on operational mode. In the first mode, full electric power is supplied to the human-powered vehicle device for complete functionality. In the second mode, power supply is limited to prevent unintended actuation. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing different power levels for different operational contexts.
3Ease of operation
If the operating portion is made responsive to all operations, then ease of operation is improved, but unintended operations are more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The responsiveness of the operating portion is dynamically adjusted based on the current mode. In the first mode, the operating portion is fully responsive to all user inputs for complete device control. In the second mode, the operating portion becomes less responsive, limiting which operations can be executed. This dynamic responsiveness adjustment prevents unintended operations while maintaining ease of use during appropriate modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A human-powered vehicle control device includes an electronic controller and a first operating portion. The first operating portion operates a human-powered vehicle device. The electronic controller controls a supply of electric power from a battery to the human-powered vehicle device in a first mode. The electronic controller controls the electric power supplied from the battery to the human-powered vehicle device in a second mode to be less than the electric power supplied in the first mode. The electronic controller switches the first mode to the second mode upon determining the first operating portion has been operated by a first action while in the first mode. The electronic controller does not switch from the second mode to the first mode upon determining the first operating portion has been operated by the first action while in the second mode.