Bicycle Chain Automatic Return Mechanism for Detachment Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycles experience sudden slowdown or stop due to chain detachment, requiring riders to manually upshift, which is time-consuming, inconvenient, and can cause delays in competitions.
Innovation Solution
An automatic return structure for chain detachment, comprising a crank, sprocket, stopper block, and guide block, where the stopper block blocks the chain and the guide block lifts it to the sprocket's arced guide surface for automatic upshifting when the chain detaches, allowing continuous pedaling for automatic shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual upshifting is performed after chain detachment, then the chain can be re-engaged with the sprocket, but the rider must stop and get off the bicycle, causing time loss and sudden slowdown
Solution Approach 1:
The chain detachment device enables automatic upshifting through self-service mechanism. When the chain detaches, the spring automatically pushes the chain back onto the sprocket teeth without requiring rider intervention. The guide block and stopper block work together to guide the chain back into position, allowing the bicycle to continue moving without stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded in advance to store elastic potential energy. When chain detachment occurs, this pre-stored energy is immediately released to push the chain back onto the sprocket, eliminating the need for delayed manual intervention and ensuring continuous motion.
2Reliability
If manual upshifting is performed after chain detachment, then the chain can be re-engaged with the sprocket, but the rider's hands become dirty and it becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs the dirty manual task of chain re-engagement automatically through the spring-driven mechanism and guide blocks, freeing the rider from direct contact with the chain and eliminating the need to stop and manually adjust the chain.
3Reliability
If manual upshifting is performed after chain detachment, then the chain can be re-engaged with the sprocket, but serious delays occur during competition affecting competition result
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic chain return mechanism ensures continuous competition performance by eliminating stoppages. When the chain detaches during competition, the spring automatically pushes it back onto the sprocket, allowing the rider to maintain speed and continue racing without any interruption to competition progress.
Data Source
AI summary
In an automatic return structure of a bicycle, a stopper block is mainly disposed on the other end of a crank different from a pedal, and a guide block is disposed on an inner surface of a middle portion of the crank. The stopper block may be formed with a groove on the other end of the crank. The guide block has an arced guide surface. Upon chain detachment, the stopper block blocks the chain, and then the pedal being pedaled makes the guide block lift up the chain to a location above the sprocket, so that the chain slides downward to teeth of the sprocket along the arced guide surface to perform automatic upshifting. The danger of chasing caused by the sudden slowdown or stop upon chain detachment can be avoided, the rider needs not to get off to perform manual upshifting, and riding convenience can be significantly enhanced.