Bicycle Pedal Split Body Design with Replaceable Steel Pins
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle pedal designs face challenges with complex and costly manufacturing, inferior grip due to slippery plastic materials, and vulnerability of steel pins, as well as inconsistent performance from loose or sealed bearing arrangements that are prone to damage and require maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A split-body bicycle pedal design with interchangeable steel gripping pins and a tapered pedal axle, utilizing roller and thrust bearings to enhance strength, durability, and traction, while eliminating the need for an access port and allowing for easy replacement of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional die-cast body design is used, then strength is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body is divided into two separate halves that are molded independently and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each half to be manufactured using simpler, less expensive molding processes without requiring complex one-piece die-casting tooling, while still achieving the necessary structural strength through proper joint design and assembly
2Weight of moving object
If plastic body material is used, then weight is reduced, but grip performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal combines plastic body material with steel gripping pins to create a composite structure. The plastic body provides weight reduction and corrosion resistance, while the steel pins embedded in the plastic surface provide enhanced grip performance. This composite approach allows the pedal to achieve both lightweight construction and reliable traction without compromise
3Reliability
If steel pins are used for grip, then traction is improved, but pin vulnerability to damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steel gripping pins are designed as separate, replaceable components that can be independently removed and replaced without damaging the plastic body. The pins are embedded in recesses within the plastic body, allowing them to be pulled out and replaced through simple extraction and insertion operations, significantly improving ease of repair compared to traditional integrated steel pins
4Ease of manufacture
If access port is provided for assembly, then assembly ease is improved, but damage vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access port is completely eliminated from the pedal design. Instead, assembly is accomplished by inserting components through the existing opening at the crank interface, which is already necessary for pedal installation on the bicycle. This removes the vulnerable access port while maintaining assembly capability through the existing functional opening
5Reliability
If sealed bearing arrangement is used, then performance consistency is improved, but bearing size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing system is segmented into two separate functional components: a deep groove ball bearing for radial loads and a thrust bearing for axial loads. This segmentation allows each bearing to be optimized for its specific function, achieving reliable performance consistency without requiring oversized or overly complex sealed bearing assemblies
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 design simplifies construction, reduces production costs, provides improved grip and durability through adjustable traction pins, and minimizes damage from impacts, while ensuring reliable performance without the need for frequent maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The tapered pedal axle with a flanged head minimizes any type of radial or axial movement
Implementation Method 2
two types of bearings can be utilized, roller bearings, such as needle bearings; and thrust bearings, such as bushings or cartridge ball bearings, to further minimize radial and axial movement
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle pedal apparatus is provided formed from two identical halves comprising a plurality of holes. A bolt secures the two halves through the holes and projects out beyond the surface of the pedal, thereby performing a dual role of securing the two halves together and serving as a traction mechanism. The pedal bodies rotate about a pedal axle either directly on the axle or on bearings. In embodiments utilizing bearings, two different bearings are used, roller bearings to bear the rotational load and thrust bearings to bear any axial load. The pedal axle can be tapered with a flanged head and resides in a cavity in the pedal body that substantially conforms to the shape of the pedal axle so as to minimize movement of the pedal axle within the pedal body.