Multi-function Bicycle Pedal with Sloped Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior-art bicycle pedals often become unbalanced due to improper component arrangement, causing them to stand vertically on the ground, making it difficult to securely attach the small cleat of a racing shoe without manual adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function pedal design featuring a sloping first surface and a parallel second surface, with each surface hosting a pedal set for road-racing or cross-racing, ensuring the first surface remains horizontal due to gravity, allowing easy attachment of the cleat without manual modulation, and incorporating a hooked plate and spring mechanism for secure retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal components are arranged with different weights at each end, then the pedal can accommodate different racing sets (road-racing and cross-racing), but the pedal becomes unbalanced and stands vertically on the ground, making it difficult to attach the cleat without manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body employs asymmetric design with a first surface that is sloping at a predetermined gradient and a second surface that is approximately parallel to the bottom surface of the pedal body. This asymmetric configuration allows the pedal to be balanced when mounted on a bicycle, causing the first surface to remain approximately horizontal due to gravity, thereby facilitating easy cleat attachment without manual adjustment while still accommodating both road-racing and cross-racing sets
Solution Approach 2:
The sloping first surface is designed at a predetermined gradient so that when the pedal is installed on a bicycle, gravity causes the first surface to settle into an approximately horizontal position. This equipotential positioning eliminates the need for manual adjustment and makes it convenient for users to attach the small cleat of racing shoes between the clasps
2Ease of operation
If the pedal surface is made horizontal for easy cleat attachment, then the user can easily attach the cleat, but the pedal cannot accommodate multiple racing configurations with different component arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body incorporates two distinct pedal sets on different surfaces: a first pedal set (road-racing set) arranged on the sloping first surface and a second pedal set (cross-racing set) arranged on the parallel second surface. This multi-functional design allows the single pedal to accommodate both road-racing and cross-racing configurations while maintaining ease of cleat attachment through the horizontal positioning of the first surface
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
Enables convenient and secure attachment of the cleat to the pedal sets without manual adjustments, improving usability and reducing the effort required for users to switch between road-racing and cross-racing configurations.
Implementation Method 1
When the pedal is balanced on the pivot shaft of a bicycle, said first surface could be kept in a position approximately horizontal due to gravity
Implementation Method 2
said rear clasp 3 is provided with torsion by a torsion spring to normally keep fastened
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-function pedal includes a body, wherein a pivot hole is disposed in the center for connection to the crank of a bicycle; a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is sloping at a predetermined gradient while the second surface is approximately parallel to the body. The first surface includes a first pedal set for a road-racing purpose and the second surface includes a second pedal set for a cross-racing purpose.