Resilient Bicycle Chain Damper for Mid-Span Deflection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicycle chains experience unwanted lateral and vertical deflection on rough terrain, leading to noise, wear, and potential damage due to the lack of effective engagement with unsupported sections between the chainring and rear cassette.

Innovation Solution

A chain damper with a deformable and resilient material that contacts the chain only when it deviates from its intended path, absorbing energy and urging it back to the path, positioned along the chain length between the chainring and rear cassette to minimize friction and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional chain-engaging devices are used near the chainring and cassette, then chain engagement is improved at these locations, but the long unsupported sections of chain between these components remain prone to lateral and vertical deflection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain engagement stabilityVSAvoidchain deflection control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chain management system is divided into multiple segments: conventional chain-engaging devices at the chainring and cassette, and intermediate dampers positioned at specific intervals along the chain path. Each segment handles a specific portion of the chain, with the intermediate dampers addressing the unsupported sections that conventional devices cannot control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate dampers are positioned in the vertical dimension above or below the chain path, allowing them to engage the chain from a different spatial perspective. This vertical positioning enables the dampers to control chain deflection in the lateral dimension without interfering with the horizontal chain movement between sprockets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If chain tension is increased to limit chain movement, then chain deflection is reduced, but friction and wear increase requiring extra user energy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain position stabilityVSAvoiduser energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The damping function is extracted from the chain tensioning system. Instead of maintaining high chain tension to control deflection, the intermediate dampers provide localized damping forces only where and when needed, allowing the chain to maintain lower overall tension while still controlling deflection in unsupported sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate dampers act as intermediary elements between the chain and the frame, providing a mediating damping force that controls chain deflection without requiring increased chain tension. This intermediary mechanism absorbs energy from chain vibrations and redirects it through the damper body to the frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If continuous contact with the chain is maintained to control deflection, then chain stability is improved, but friction and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain path controlVSAvoidchain wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate dampers engage the chain periodically rather than continuously. The dampers are positioned to contact the chain only when the chain passes through the unsupported section between the chainring and cassette, providing control during the critical deflection-prone portions of the chain's path while remaining disengaged during other phases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The dampers provide partial action by engaging only the specific sections of the chain that are prone to deflection, rather than continuously engaging the entire chain. This partial engagement is sufficient to control the problematic unsupported sections without the excessive friction that would result from continuous contact along the entire chain path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 chain damper reduces chain deflection, noise, and wear by absorbing energy and maintaining the chain on its intended path, thereby extending chain life and reducing the risk of damage to the bicycle.

Implementation Method 1

absorbing at least some of the energy in the chain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

resiliently deformable damping material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResilient deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11479322B2Chain damper for a bicycle

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 STFU BIKE INC

AI summary

A chain damper for use with a bicycle may include a base having an attachment region that is configured to be attached to a bicycle and a chain receiving portion extending from the base in a first direction. The chain receiving portion can include a chain damping surface that includes a resiliently deformable damping material and at least partially bounds a chain receiving aperture. The chain receiving aperture may extend in an axial direction and may be configured so that when the chain damper is attached to the bicycle the axial direction is substantially aligned with the primary chain direction and the chain damping surface is spaced apart from the chain travel path.