Bicycle Crank Quick-Connection Structure with Elastic Pressing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle crank connection systems require tools for assembly and disassembly, making them cumbersome and costly, particularly for users like females, elderly, and children, and result in increased manufacturing costs due to complex tooling and locking screw requirements.
Innovation Solution
A crank quick-connection structure featuring an adapter with a cooperating cavity and a connecting assembly that has locking and releasing positions, allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly by using limiting members and a pressing assembly with elastic components, enabling one-key operation and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking screws and assembling tools are used to connect cranks to the main shaft, then the connection strength and reliability are improved, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a connecting assembly with limiting members for positioning, and a pressing assembly with elastic members for applying force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing assembly uses elastic members that automatically apply the necessary pressing force when the limiting members are positioned correctly. The system self-regulates the connection force without requiring external tools or complex manual operations, enabling tool-free assembly while ensuring reliable connection.
2Ease of operation
If locking screws and assembling tools are provided with the bicycle, then the crank assembly can be performed, but the number of appendant parts increases and manufacturing costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting assembly and pressing assembly are merged into a single integrated component structure. The limiting members and elastic members work together as one unit, eliminating the need for separate locking screws and assembling tools. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting assembly serves multiple functions: positioning (via limiting members), applying force (via elastic members), and securing the crank connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized components, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while maintaining operational ease.
3Reliability
If locking screws are rotated to engage with internal threads, then the crank is firmly fixed to the main shaft, but the assembly process becomes tedious and requires strength and skills
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional threaded fastening mechanism is replaced with a elastic member-based pressing system. The elastic members provide consistent pressing force through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for rotational tightening operations. This substitution maintains connection strength while dramatically simplifying the assembly process, making it accessible to users with limited manual dexterity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If assembling tools and locking screws are lost, then the crank cannot be assembled or disassembled, but with the quick-connection structure, the crank can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing assembly with elastic members automatically provides the necessary connection force when the limiting members are positioned correctly. The system self-regulates the connection process without requiring external tools or specialized skills, enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly while maintaining connection reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates quick and convenient assembly and disassembly of cranks, improving user experience and reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for specialized tools and simplifying the assembly process, while being accessible to a wider range of users.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing assembly, an accommodating cavity is provided inside the adapter, the limiting members penetrate a wall of the accommodating cavity in a radial direction of the accommodating cavity, the pressing assembly is disposed in the accommodating cavity and cooperates with the limiting members, and the pressing assembly enables the limiting members to move from the locking position to the releasing position
Data Source
AI summary
A crank quick-connection structure is used for connecting a crank with a main shaft, and includes an adapter and a connecting assembly. The adapter is connected to the main shaft, one end of the crank is provided with a cooperating cavity extending in a thickness direction thereof, and the adapter penetrates the cooperating cavity from one end of the cooperating cavity. The connecting assembly is connected to the adapter, and the connecting assembly has a locking position and a releasing position. In the locking position, the crank cooperates with the connecting assembly so that the cooperating cavity and the adapter are locked and connected; and in the releasing position, the crank is disengaged from the connecting assembly so that the crank can be disengaged from the adapter in an axial direction of the adapter.