Adjustable Anti-Slip Buffer Cleat for Racing Bicycle Shoes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleat assemblies for bicycles lack an adjustable anti-slip mechanism to effectively compensate for gaps between the cleat and pedal, resulting in limited buffering strength and reduced service life.
Innovation Solution
A cleat design featuring a triangular cleat body with three fixing holes, a central hole with adjustable anti-slip buffer of a hat shape, and a support base that can be positioned in different directions to vary the protrusion height, providing adjustable anti-slip buffering strength and extendable service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-thickness pad is added to compensate gaps between cleat and pedal, then the anti-slip effect is improved, but the adjustability and service life are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-slip buffer is divided into multiple segments or layers with different thicknesses, allowing selective combination to achieve various compensatory heights. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to different gap conditions while maintaining reliable anti-slip performance through the cumulative effect of the selected segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-slip buffer system is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing users to change the buffer configuration based on wear conditions and gap variations. The buffer can be repositioned, reconfigured, or replaced to maintain optimal anti-slip performance throughout the service life of the cleat-pedal assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-thickness pad is used to compensate gaps, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the service life extension capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer system is segmented into multiple components that can be manufactured separately using simple processes, then assembled in different configurations. This segmentation allows for easy manufacturing of individual elements while enabling extended service life through varied configurations that distribute wear across multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer system is designed to be replaceable and rechargeable. When wear occurs, the buffer can be removed, replaced with a fresh or reconfigured buffer, and reused. This discarding and recovering approach extends the overall service life of the cleat-pedal assembly without requiring complex manufacturing of the entire assembly.
3Reliability
If gaps are left between cleat and pedal to allow for buffer, then the anti-slip effect is improved, but the stability and shake reduction are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-slip buffer acts as an intermediary element between the cleat and pedal, filling the gaps while maintaining stable contact. The buffer mediates the interaction between the hard cleat and pedal surfaces, providing both anti-slip functionality and shake reduction by creating a controlled interface that distributes contact forces evenly.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer system allows for parameter changes in terms of thickness, material properties, and configuration. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize both the anti-slip effect and shake reduction, finding the right balance between gap compensation and stability maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a cleat with an adjustable pad. The cleat includes a cleat body, an anti-slip buffer and a support base. The cleat body has three fixing holes and a central hole among the three fixing holes. A top side of the central hole is formed with a recess. The recess has a front portion and a rear portion. The central is located in the front portion. The anti-slip buffer is of a hat shape corresponding to the central hole and capable of selectively being placed in the central hole in different directions to form two protrudent heights. The support base is of a shape corresponding to the recess and capable of selectively being placed in the recess in different directions to adjustably support the anti-slip buffer.