Bicycle Cable Adjustment Device with Radial Spring Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment devices for Bowden cables in bicycles lack a cost-effective and reliable mechanism to securely adjust cable length under load, often requiring complex locking mechanisms that provide limited torsional fixing and small latching strokes.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped spring element with inwardly directed, parallel legs is snapped onto a housing extension, providing a large latching stroke and stable fixation, while the design allows for adjustable spring rate and tactile feedback during adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional locking mechanism with a long fixing leg and small effective radius is used, then the adjustment element can be secured against twisting, but only relatively small forces are available for torsional fixing and the latching stroke is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear fixing leg arrangement to a radially extending finger arrangement on a rotatable locking element. This dimensional change allows the locking mechanism to operate in the rotational dimension rather than linear displacement, enabling a large latching stroke while maintaining reliable torsional fixing through the radial fingers engaging with the adjustment element's locking contour.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to be rotatable relative to the housing, transforming the static locking mechanism into a dynamic one. The spring element provides continuous rotational force to drive the locking element, allowing the fingers to sequentially engage different positions on the adjustment element's locking contour, thereby achieving both large stroke and reliable fixation.
2Reliability
If a complex locking mechanism with multiple components is used, then reliable torsional fixing can be achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated locking element: the fingers provide both the locking action and the torsional fixing, the spring element serves both to return the locking element and to provide the driving force for rotation, and the rotatable locking element itself acts as both the actuating mechanism and the locking mechanism. This consolidation reduces component count while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lever for the spring element, provides the locking fingers that engage the adjustment element, transmits the rotational motion, and provides the tactile feedback through clicking. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a U-shaped spring element with both legs connected to fixed parts is used, then twisting is prevented, but only a small latching stroke is achieved combined with high spring preload
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is segmented into multiple radial fingers instead of a continuous U-shaped structure. This segmentation allows each finger to independently engage with the locking contour at different positions, enabling a larger cumulative latching stroke while the distributed finger arrangement maintains anti-twist stability through multiple contact points.
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 solution enables a reliable, cost-effective adjustment device with a large spring deflection and stable fixation, preventing unintentional twisting and unscrewing, suitable for various applications beyond bicycles.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element which is supported on a fixed component and which acts on the latching contour with inwardly directed resilient legs
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The adjusting device (1) has a catching mechanism. The adjusting device supports a ring shaped spring element (2) at a fixing component, and is equipped with a fixing journal (5) that directed inward. The fixing journal attaches the adjusting device under pre-stressing at a catching contour (8) to fix the actual adjusting position.