Bicycle Drive Guide Element Merging Bearing Bolt and Spacer Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle drive guide systems, particularly those using chains or belts, require complex and costly additional components with increased weight and assembly work to prevent chain slippage and jamming, which complicates installation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A guide element featuring a main bearing bolt and spacer sleeve arrangement that reduces the distance between the drive wheel and the bicycle frame, utilizing a rotatable spacer sleeve with a collar and extension to securely position the drive means and prevent slippage or jamming, allowing for simple installation and retrofitting without additional fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a chain guide is attached to the bicycle frame using clamps or fasteners, then the chain is prevented from derailing, but the device complexity, weight, and assembly effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain derailment preventionVSAvoidadditional components with fasteners
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is merged with the main bearing bolt, combining two separate functions (guiding the chain and securing the bearing) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate chain guides and fasteners, reducing device complexity while maintaining derailment prevention functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The main bearing bolt is designed to serve multiple functions: securing the bearing and simultaneously acting as a chain guide. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional dedicated chain guide components, reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional chain guides with fasteners are used, then chain derailment is prevented, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain derailment preventionVSAvoidadditional components weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the guide function with the main bearing bolt, the patent eliminates the need for separate chain guide components and their fasteners. The guide element is formed as an integral part of the bearing assembly, removing redundant material and reducing overall weight

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the guiding function from separate chain guide components and integrates it directly into the main bearing bolt. This extraction eliminates the need for additional heavy components while maintaining the derailment prevention function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If chain guides with multiple fasteners are installed, then chain derailment is prevented, but assembly effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain derailment preventionVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element and main bearing bolt are merged into a single component, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps involving multiple fasteners. The bearing bolt itself provides the guiding function, simplifying assembly to a single fastening operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is designed as a modular component that can be independently positioned and secured. The segmentation allows the guide function to be achieved through the bearing bolt's structure itself, requiring minimal assembly steps without additional fasteners

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3539858B1Guide element for bicycle propulsion means
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 CANYON BICYCLES
  • EP3539858B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A guide element for bicycle drive components (40) has a main bearing bolt (10) for fixing a swingarm bearing (20). Furthermore, a spacer sleeve (12) is provided, which is arranged on the main bearing bolt (10) to reduce the distance between a drive blade and a bicycle frame element.