Quick Release Axle Tensioning Mechanism for Bicycle Weight Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release devices for bicycles, particularly those used in mountain bikes, are heavy and require significant effort to operate due to their design, which includes a clamping component that needs to be partially pulled out for assembly and disassembly, leading to increased weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release device with a tensioning mechanism that allows the operating lever to be moved from an engagement position to a rotational position freely relative to the clamping component, enabling easier assembly and disassembly without the need for tools, and allowing the clamping component to be designed shorter, thus reducing weight and effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clamping component is made longer to allow partial withdrawal during assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release device is divided into separate functional components: a clamping component that remains fixed in the axle, and an operating lever that can be temporarily attached. This segmentation allows the operating lever to be shorter and lighter while still providing full operational functionality when engaged with the clamping component.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating lever is extracted as a separate, removable component from the clamping mechanism. During assembly, the lever is temporarily inserted into the clamping component to apply clamping force, then removed. This extraction allows the main clamping component to be shorter and lighter since it doesn't need to accommodate full lever rotation.
2Weight of moving object
If the clamping component is made shorter to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A detachable operating lever acts as an intermediary tool that temporarily connects to the clamping component during assembly. This intermediary allows the operator to apply full rotational force to the threaded portion without requiring the clamping component itself to be long, thereby maintaining ease of operation while reducing weight.
3Force
If a threaded connection is used to generate clamping force, then clamping force is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded connection in the clamping component automatically generates the required clamping force through the mechanical advantage of the threads when the operating lever is rotated. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional springs, cam mechanisms, or complex force multiplication devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high clamping force.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4b~13
AI summary
Quick-release device (1) for at least partially muscle-powered two-wheeled vehicles (100) such as bicycles, comprising an axle unit (2) and a clamping device (3). The axle unit (2) has an axially extending axle (5), a clamping device (6) at the first end (7) of the axle unit (2), and a fastening device (9) at a second end (10) of the axle unit (2). The clamping device (3) is suitable for mounting and dismounting the axle unit (2) on a two-wheeled vehicle (100). The clamping device (3) comprises an operating lever (12) and a clamping component (13) connected thereto. The clamping component (13) can be coupled to and uncoupled from the axle unit (2) in a rotationally fixed manner.The operating lever (12) of the clamping device (3) can be moved from an engagement position (14) which is rotationally fixed to the clamping component (13) to a rotary position (15) which is freely rotatable relative to the clamping component (13), while the clamping component (13) is rotationally fixed to the axis unit (2).