Cycle Shoe Locking Element Adjustment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for adjusting locking elements on cycle shoes are inefficient, often requiring trial and error, leading to misalignment and potential knee damage due to the difficulty in achieving precise positioning and maintaining identical positions on both shoes.
Innovation Solution
A locking element adjustment system comprising a base element with markings and a receiving element that allows for precise positioning of the locking element, using form-locking projections and adjusting elements like pedal lines and symmetry lines to ensure accurate placement and transfer between shoes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If locking elements are adjusted using traditional trial and error method, then adjustment flexibility is maintained, but positioning precision deteriorates leading to misalignment and potential knee damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device consisting of a transparent plate with marking elements that mediates between the locking element and the shoe. This plate provides reference markings (central marking, longitudinal markings, transverse markings) that enable precise positioning without complex adjustment procedures. The intermediary plate translates abstract positioning requirements into visible, actionable guidance for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical trial-and-error adjustment system with a visual guidance system. Instead of relying on repeated mechanical adjustments and physical testing, the invention uses optical markings and visual references on the transparent plate to guide precise positioning in a single operation, substituting mechanical iteration with visual information processing.
2Manufacturing precision
If locking elements are positioned by visual alignment from below, then adjustment simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to lateral offset of the shoe sole
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent plate serves as an intermediary alignment system that eliminates the need for direct visual alignment from below. The plate's marking elements provide reference frames that account for shoe sole offset, allowing accurate positioning to be achieved while maintaining operational simplicity. The intermediary translates the complex alignment problem into a straightforward visual matching task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes visual contrast and marking visibility (conceptually related to color/visual properties) to enable precise alignment. The marking elements on the transparent plate are designed to be visually distinct, allowing users to easily identify and align with the correct positions without complex procedures. The visual properties of the markings facilitate quick and accurate positioning.
3Measurement precision
If locking elements are adjusted frequently to achieve correct position, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but time consumption increases due to repeated readjustment steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing all necessary alignment information and reference markings before the actual positioning operation. The transparent plate with its various marking elements (central, longitudinal, transverse) is prepared in advance to guide the single-correct positioning operation. This eliminates the need for repeated readjustment steps, as all guidance is available upfront for accurate first-time positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The marking system provides immediate visual feedback during the positioning operation. The various markings on the transparent plate give real-time guidance to the user, allowing them to see whether the locking element is correctly positioned and make immediate corrections if needed. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning in a single operation rather than requiring multiple trial adjustments.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If heel is turned inward to avoid touching pedal crank, then clearance is improved, but locking element position changes unintentionally in longitudinal direction
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent plate with marking elements acts as an intermediary that decouples the heel positioning adjustment from the locking element position. The markings provide a stable reference frame that remains valid regardless of heel angle adjustments. This allows the user to turn the heel inward to avoid pedal crank contact while the marking system ensures the locking element position can be accurately re-established without unintended longitudinal changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual marking system provides stable reference indicators that remain reliable during heel angle adjustments. The markings' visual properties allow users to maintain awareness of the correct locking element position even when the heel position changes, preventing unintended position shifts during the adjustment process.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking element adjustment system for cycle shoes has a base element and a receiving element. The receiving element serves for the positionally exact arrangement of the locking element in relation to the base element. Adjusting elements are provided on the base element.