Arm Powered Cycle with Dual Reverse Slip Clutch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-powered vehicles, such as bicycles and tricycles, primarily utilize leg and foot power, leaving the rider's arms underutilized for propulsion.
Innovation Solution
A human-powered vehicle with an arm-powered drive system that incorporates a hand yoke with fore and aft motion, coupled with a dual, reverse motion slip clutch and a linkage system, allowing both push and pull forces from the rider's arms to propel the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional leg-powered bicycle design is used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the rider's arms cannot be utilized for propulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle is designed to accept multiple input methods for propulsion - both leg power (traditional pedals) and arm power (hand yoke mechanism). The hand yoke assembly with fore-and-aft motion capability allows the rider's arms to perform propulsion functions traditionally reserved for legs, making the vehicle adaptable to different rider needs and exercise requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The hand yoke mechanism is integrated within the existing bicycle frame structure. The yoke assembly, including handles, linkages, and drive mechanism, is nested into the frame in a space-efficient manner that does not interfere with the traditional leg-powered pedaling system, thus adding arm propulsion capability without significantly increasing overall vehicle complexity
2Ease of operation
If arm cranks are positioned for hand operation, then arm exercise is enabled, but the peddling motion is difficult to execute efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The hand yoke is designed with fore-and-aft motion capability rather than fixed positioning. This dynamic adjustment allows the yoke to move forward during the pull phase and backward during the push phase of the arm cycle, optimizing the mechanical advantage throughout the motion range and making the arm peddling motion more natural and efficient
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage system acts as an intermediary between the hand yoke and the rear wheel drive mechanism. This linkage translates the complex fore-and-aft hand yoke motion into effective rotational force on the drive wheel, mediating the transformation of arm power into productive propulsion while maintaining ease of operation
3Power
If a hand yoke with fore and aft motion is used, then both push and pull forces are utilized effectively, but the drive system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system merges the hand-powered yoke mechanism with the traditional leg-powered pedal system into a single integrated propulsion system. Both input mechanisms drive the same rear wheel through the combined drive train, consolidating components and reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality of utilizing both push and pull forces from the arms
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 arm-powered drive system enables efficient propulsion of the vehicle using both push and pull motions, eliminating dead spots and enhancing the rider's ability to exercise their arms, thus providing a more comprehensive workout.
Implementation Method 1
dual, reverse motion slip clutch
Implementation Method 2
linkage system
Data Source
AI summary
An arm powered cycle has an arm drive with a hand bar. Oscillating fore and aft movement of the hand bar is converted to rotational movement to drive a driven wheel by a dual, reverse motion slip clutch. The hand bar can have a U-shaped yoke with a seat positioned between uprights of the yoke. The yoke can be combined with an integrated steering mechanism to both drive the driven wheel and turn a directional wheel. A combiner can combine motion from the arm drive and a leg drive.