Adjustable Bicycle Axle Assembly for Multi-Fork Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of industry standards for bicycle axles leads to variability in diameters, lengths, and thread types, making it difficult to find compatible axles for different bicycle forks and dropouts, resulting in the need for manufacturers to hold large stocks of spare parts.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable axle assembly comprising a first axle member with a recess and a female threaded portion, and a second axle member with an insertion portion and protrusion, allowing the overall length to be adjusted by moving the male threaded portion along the female threaded portion, enabling compatibility with various fork geometries and including a torque limiting mechanism for easy installation and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed-length axle assembly is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot be compatible with multiple fork geometries requiring different axle lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The axle assembly is divided into multiple segments: a first axle member with a recess, a second axle member with an insertion portion and protrusion portion, and a fastening member. These segmented components can be adjusted relative to each other to achieve different effective lengths, allowing compatibility with multiple fork geometries while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The axle assembly transitions from a fixed-length design to an adjustable-length design. The second axle member can be inserted to different extents into the recess of the first axle member, and the fastening member can be positioned at different locations along the protrusion portion, enabling dynamic adjustment of the axle length to match various fork geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturers stock multiple axle types to cover all fork geometries, then all fork types can be supported, but inventory complexity and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable axle assembly serves as a universal solution that can accommodate multiple fork geometries. By adjusting the insertion depth of the second axle member and the position of the fastening member, a single axle assembly type can function in place of multiple fixed-length axle types, eliminating the need for manufacturers to maintain large inventories of different axle variants.
3Ease of manufacture
If a non-adjustable axle assembly is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but finding a compatible axle for a specific fork becomes difficult due to variability in dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The axle assembly incorporates adjustable elements that allow the effective length to be modified after manufacturing. The second axle member can be inserted to different extents into the recess, and the fastening member can be secured at different positions along the protrusion portion, enabling field adjustment to achieve compatibility without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each specific dimension.
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
The adjustable axle assembly facilitates the use of a single axle assembly with multiple bicycle forks and dropouts, reducing inventory needs and simplifying installation and removal processes by allowing for adjustable length and torque control.
Implementation Method 1
the male threaded portion of the second axle member configured to be engaged with the female threaded portion of the first axle member to form a threaded connection between the first axle member and the second axle member
Data Source
AI summary
An axle assembly may have a first axle member, including a recess with a female threaded portion, and a second axle member with an insertion portion and a protrusion portion. The insertion portion may be received in the recess and it may have a male threaded portion engaged with the female threaded portion of the first axle member. The protrusion portion protrudes out of the recess. An overall length of the axle assembly is adjustable by moving the threads of the male threaded portion of the second axle member along the threads of the female threaded portion of the first axle member, or vice versa. An axle and hub arrangement with the axle assembly is also disclosed.