Bicycle Chain Bushing Link Ridge for Bushing Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle chains with traditional bushing links suffer from clearance fit issues that can lead to bushings falling out of apertures in a non-hooked up state, compromising the chain's integrity and performance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of at least partial ridges on the outer face of internal link plates surrounding the apertures, which prevent bushings from falling out by extending from the outer circumference into the inner circumference, providing a secure fit and enhancing the stability of the chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If clearance fit bushings are used in traditional bicycle chains, then the bushings can be easily manufactured and installed, but the bushings can fall out of apertures in a non-hooked up state
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into two functional zones: an upper clearance fit portion that allows easy bushing installation, and a lower ridge portion that prevents bushing drop-out. This segmentation maintains manufacturing ease while solving the reliability issue of bushings falling out.
Solution Approach 2:
A ridge structure is introduced as an intermediary element within the aperture. This ridge acts as a mediator that provides both the clearance needed for bushing installation and the mechanical barrier that prevents bushing drop-out, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Reliability
If ridges are added to apertures to prevent bushing drop-out, then bushing retention is improved, but the complexity of the link plate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ridge structure is applied locally at the critical aperture region rather than modifying the entire link plate. This localized modification provides the necessary bushing retention while minimizing the increase in overall link plate complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding external retention mechanisms to hold bushings in place, the solution inverts the approach by modifying the aperture itself to inherently prevent bushing drop-out through the integrated ridge structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle chain which includes inner link plates which are formed to act as both a rotating joint for the pin and a supporting surface for the roller. Two internal links together form an internal link assembly, along with rollers and bushings. A device can be used to prevent clearance fit bushings from falling out of the apertures of inner link plates when the bicycle chain is in non-hooked up state. The device is present on an outer face of the inner link plates surrounding each of the apertures. The device is a partial ridge of non-continuous nodes or a ridge that surrounds that the aperture in its entirety. The device extends from the outer face and into the inner circumference of the aperture.