Bicycle Chain Outer Link Plate Chamfer for Smooth Sprocket Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle chain outer link plates face challenges in smoothly engaging with sprocket teeth due to inadequate design features, leading to inefficiencies in shifting and potential strength reductions when chain width is reduced.
Innovation Solution
The bicycle-chain outer link plate design includes specific end portions, intermediate portions, and chamfers that ensure precise engagement with sprocket teeth, with varying distances and chamfer configurations to optimize smooth operation and strength retention, even with reduced chain width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the chain width is reduced, then the productivity and efficiency of the bicycle are improved, but the strength of the outer link plate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized reinforcement structure (protrusion) at the intermediate portion of the outer link plate. This protrusion extends in the width direction and provides localized strength enhancement without increasing the overall chain width, thus maintaining high productivity while preventing strength deterioration in the reduced-width design.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outer link plate design is simplified, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the smooth engagement with sprocket teeth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the intermediate portion of the outer link plate into distinct structural elements: a base portion and a protrusion extending from it. This segmented design allows for straightforward manufacturing processes while the protrusion specifically facilitates smooth engagement with sprocket teeth during chain operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle-chain outer link plate comprises a first outer-link end portion, a second outer-link end portion, and a first outer-link intermediate portion. The first outer-link end portion comprises a first outer surface, a first inner surface, a first outer-link opening, and a first outer-link end outermost edge. The first outer-link intermediate portion comprises a first intermediate outer surface, a first intermediate inner surface, a first outer-link intermediate outermost edge, a first additional outer-link intermediate outermost edge, and a first intermediate chamfer. The first intermediate chamfer has a first minimum distance defined between the first outer-link intermediate outermost edge and the first inner edge along a reference line. A distance defined between the first outer-link intermediate outermost edge and the first additional outer-link intermediate outermost edge on the reference line is minimum in the first outer-link intermediate portion. The first minimum distance is equal to or larger than 1 mm.