Wireless-Charging Rear Derailleur With Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear derailleurs face issues such as damage from external forces, large size, inconvenient battery placement, and susceptibility to water and sand ingress during charging, as well as excessive vibration leading to chain drops.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a clutch assembly to engage and disengage power transmission, reduces size by positioning the driving assembly on the linkage assembly, integrates a detachable battery module for reduced cable length, and employs wireless inductive charging, and includes a damping member to mitigate vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the moving frame is located on the outside of the bicycle frame to allow gear shifting, then the derailleur can function properly, but the moving frame is vulnerable to external forces that may damage the gear set or motor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the moving frame inside the bicycle frame rather than on the outside. The motor, gear set, and moving frame are nested within the frame structure, with the moving frame positioned in the interior space. This nesting arrangement protects the moving frame from external forces while maintaining the gear shifting function through internal component arrangement.
2Ease of operation
If the motor and gear set are disposed on the outside of the moving frame to enable gear shifting, then the derailleur can change chain position, but the overall size becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor, gear set, and moving frame into a single integrated assembly that fits within the bicycle frame. Rather than positioning components separately on the outside, they are combined and housed together in the frame interior, reducing the overall volume while maintaining gear shifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving frame is nested within the frame structure, and the motor and gear set are positioned in the interior space of the frame. This nested arrangement allows all components to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the overall size compared to external positioning.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the battery is installed on the frame and connected to the motor via a power cord, then the motor can be powered, but the layout causes inconvenience during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power cord connection from the system by making the battery detachable. The battery can be removed and reattached without complex wiring, eliminating the assembly inconvenience caused by fixed power cord layouts while maintaining continuous power supply capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is designed as a detachable module rather than a fixed component. This dynamic configuration allows the battery to be easily removed and reattached, improving assembly convenience while maintaining the power supply function through reusable electrical connections.
4Ease of repair
If a charging interface is provided on the rechargeable battery for outdoor use, then batteries can be reused, but sand or water may enter the interface causing poor contact or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a waterproof sealing structure around the charging interface. A flexible waterproof membrane or seal prevents sand and water from entering the charging port while allowing electrical contact, enabling battery reusability in outdoor conditions without damage from environmental contaminants.
5Reliability
If a torsional spring provides torque to the pivot shaft to maintain chain tension, then the chain and sprocket can mesh properly, but the derailleur arm shakes excessively on uneven roads or after external force release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a damping member that provides a damping force opposite to the motion of the derailleur arm. This counteracts the excessive oscillations caused by the torsional spring on uneven roads or after external forces are released, stabilizing the derailleur arm while maintaining chain tension through the combined action of the spring and damper.
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
Prevents damage from external forces, reduces size, simplifies battery placement, enhances charging convenience, and reduces chain drop occurrences by engaging power transmission and providing damping effects.
Implementation Method 1
The clutch assembly includes a first clutch member and a second clutch member which is abutted against the first clutch member in an axial direction of the clutch assembly. The first clutch member has a plurality of first clutch teeth extending toward the second clutch member; the second clutch member has a plurality of second clutch teeth extending toward the first clutch member. The second clutch teeth are meshed with the first clutch teeth.
Implementation Method 2
The moving portion includes a housing, a pivot shaft, and a damping member, wherein the housing has a receiving space. The pivot shaft is disposed in the receiving space and is connected to the chain guide assembly. The damping member is disposed between the pivot shaft and an inner wall of the receiving space.
Data Source
AI summary
A rear derailleur of a bicycle includes a fixing portion connected to a frame of the bicycle, a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the fixing portion, a moving portion pivotally connected to the linkage assembly, a chain guide assembly connected to the moving portion, a driving assembly, a rechargeable battery for providing an electrical energy required for the motor, a coil, and a wireless charging circuit for receiving an electric power of the coil for charging the rechargeable battery. The driving assembly includes a motor including and a driving gear assembly connected to the linkage assembly. The motor includes an output shaft for driving the driving gear assembly and for driving the linkage assembly to pivot via the driving gear assembly, thereby to drive the moving portion and the chain guide assembly to move. The coil receives an external charging power and is disposed on the fixing portion, the moving portion, or the linkage assembly.