Composite Bicycle Sprocket Structure for Smooth Chain Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle sprockets lack a design that simultaneously enhances shifting performance, reduces weight, and improves abrasion resistance while maintaining rigidity, particularly in configurations with varying gear ranges and tooth counts.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle sprocket design featuring a chain engaging member made of a metallic material and a bicycle attachment member made of a non-metallic material, with a shifting facilitation area extending between them, and a unique tooth configuration that includes both driving and non-driving surfaces, facilitating both upshifting and downshifting with a lightweight and rigid structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the sprocket is made of metallic material to improve abrasion resistance and rigidity, then the abrasion resistance and rigidity are improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sprocket combines metallic chain engaging members (for abrasion resistance and rigidity) with non-metallic bicycle attachment members (for weight reduction), creating a composite structure that achieves both durability and lightness simultaneously
2Strength
If the sprocket is made of metallic material to improve rigidity, then the rigidity is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sprocket combines metallic chain engaging members (for rigidity) with non-metallic bicycle attachment members (for weight reduction), creating a composite structure that achieves both rigidity and lightness simultaneously
3Ease of operation
If the shifting facilitation area is provided to improve shifting operation, then the shifting performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shifting facilitation area introduces localized geometric features (such as modified tooth profiles or surface textures) in specific regions of the sprocket teeth, improving chain engagement and shifting performance without fundamentally changing the overall sprocket structure
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle sprocket comprises at least one chain engaging member constituting at least a part of at least one sprocket tooth of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is configured to contact a bicycle chain in a state where the bicycle chain engages with the bicycle sprocket. The at least one chain engaging member is made of a first material. At least one bicycle attachment member constitutes at least a part of a sprocket body of the bicycle sprocket. The at least one bicycle attachment member is configured to be coupled to a bicycle. The at least one bicycle attachment member is made of a second material that is different from the first material. At least one shifting facilitation area is provided in the at least one chain engaging member to facilitate a shifting operation of a bicycle chain.