Adjustable Pedal Joint for Foot Position Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle pedals are inefficient and cause joint stress for individuals with everted or inverted foot positions, as they require unnatural foot positioning, and existing adjustment solutions often necessitate pedal modification.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable pedal connector system comprising an outer tube with locking holes and an inner rod with locking pins, allowing the pedal to tilt about an axis parallel to the bicycle's long axis, attachable to existing crank arms and pedals without modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard pedal is used, then the device structure is simple, but it causes joint stress and inefficiency for users with everted or inverted foot positions
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is divided into separate functional components: a fixed mounting portion attached to the crank arm and an adjustable pedal platform that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the pedal platform to be tilted to accommodate different foot positions while keeping the mounting structure simple and compatible with standard crank arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly incorporates adjustable and movable elements that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the pedal platform angle. Users can adjust the pedal tilt to match their foot position (everted or inverted), transforming a static pedal into a dynamic system that adapts to different user anatomies and reduces joint stress.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing pedals are modified to accommodate foot position, then foot position accommodation is achieved, but pedal modification is required
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable pedal assembly is designed as a universal interface that can be attached to various types of standard crank arms and pedals without requiring modification of the original components. The mounting mechanism accommodates different crank arm configurations, making the solution broadly applicable while preserving the original pedal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary adjustable pedal assembly that mediates between the fixed crank arm and the user's foot. This intermediate component provides the necessary adjustment capability without requiring modification of either the crank arm or the original pedal, serving as a compatible adapter that enables foot position accommodation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a pedal tilting mechanism is added, then foot position accommodation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tilting mechanism is segmented into discrete adjustment positions with corresponding locking features. Rather than a continuous complex mechanism, the system divides the adjustment range into specific angular positions, each maintainable by simple locking elements, reducing overall mechanism complexity while providing sufficient adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal adjuster which may be used with a pedal device such as a bicycle or stationary bicycle and which allows a user to tilt pedals relative to the horizontal plane in order to accommodate a foot that is everted or inverted relative to the vertical midline of the user's body. The illustrated embodiment of this invention includes an outer tube with a plurality of locking pin holes and a means for attachment to a crank arm, an inner rod housed coaxially within the outer tube and having a means for attachment to a pedal and a means for adjustably positioning the inner rod within the outer tube.