Clipless Pedal Support Plate Layout for Lower Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clipless pedals are often bulky and heavy, which can lead to increased material and manufacturing costs, susceptibility to damage, and a less premium appearance, while also not fully addressing the need for thinner and lighter designs that enhance performance and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle pedal assembly with a cleat binding assembly and support plates that are removable and independently replaceable, allowing for a thinner and lighter design that securely engages the cleat, featuring a pedal body with a cleat region and support plates that are detachable for easy maintenance and weight reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clipless pedal designs are used, then secure cleat engagement is achieved, but the pedal becomes bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body is divided into a first portion and a second portion, with the cleat binding assembly positioned in the first portion and the cleat support assembly positioned in the second portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining engagement security through distributed functional zones.
2Reliability
If traditional clipless pedal designs are used, then secure cleat engagement is achieved, but material usage and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pedal body into distinct portions and using removable support plates, the design reduces overall material usage. Each segment can be manufactured separately with optimal material distribution, eliminating unnecessary material in non-critical areas while maintaining engagement security through strategically positioned binding and support assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plates are positioned locally within the pedal body to provide cleat support only where needed, rather than using solid construction throughout. This local quality approach maintains engagement security at critical points while reducing material usage in areas where full support is not required.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional clipless pedal designs are used, then engagement mechanism is provided, but pedal thickness and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support plates are nested within the pedal body structure, with the first support plate positioned in the first portion and the second support plate positioned in the second portion. This nesting arrangement provides complete cleat engagement capability while minimizing pedal thickness, as the support structures are integrated into the pedal body's internal volume rather than extending externally.
4Ease of repair
If removable support plates are used, then ease of maintenance and weight reduction are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body is segmented into portions that can be independently accessed, with removable support plates that can be taken out for maintenance. This segmentation provides ease of repair by allowing direct access to specific components without disassembling the entire pedal, while the modular nature actually reduces complexity compared to integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plates are designed to be removable and replaceable, providing dynamic maintenance capability. This allows the pedal to transition between operational and maintenance states easily, with the removable plates enabling quick access to internal components without permanent structural modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle pedal assembly may include a pedal body with a rotation axis and a cleat region. A cleat binding assembly may include a first binding portion disposed at a first portion of the cleat region and a second binding portion longitudinally spaced apart from the first binding portion on a second side of the rotation axis. The cleat binding assembly may releasably retain a cleat A cleat support assembly may include a first support plate covering a first portion of the pedal body to bear against and support a first portion of the cleat when the cleat is retained. A second support plate may be disposed between the rotation axis and the second binding portion and spaced from the first support plate and may be configured to bear against and support a second portion of the cleat when the cleat is retained by the cleat binding assembly.