Bicycle Pedal with Low-Rebound Elastomer and Delamination Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle pedal designs fail to effectively transmit muscular force from the rider's feet to the bicycle while providing adequate protection against delamination and wear, especially in challenging terrains.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle pedal with a main body featuring concave pedal platform surfaces made of low-rebound elastomeric material, optionally with protrusions, and delamination shields to protect the edges of the elastomeric layer, combined with studs on the footwear for enhanced engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a hard surface material is used on the pedal platform, then force transmission is improved, but wear and delamination resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal platform combines a rigid base structure with an overmolded elastomeric material layer. The rigid base provides structural support and force transmission, while the elastomeric layer provides wear resistance and delamination protection. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to perform its optimal function.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material is applied as an overmolded layer specifically on the pedal platform surface where contact with the rider's foot occurs. This localized application provides wear and delamination resistance exactly where needed, while the underlying rigid structure maintains force transmission capabilities throughout the entire pedal body.
2Ease of operation
If the pedal platform surface is made smooth, then comfort is improved, but traction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material provides a uniformly smooth surface across the entire pedal platform, ensuring consistent comfort and traction characteristics throughout the contact area. The material's inherent properties provide both comfort and reliable traction without the need for localized texture variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material's physical properties (hardness, elasticity) are optimized to provide both comfort and traction. By carefully selecting and tuning the material parameters, the design achieves a balance where the smooth surface provides comfort while the material's friction characteristics maintain reliable traction.
3Area of moving object
If the elastomeric layer extends to the edge of the pedal platform, then surface area is improved, but vulnerability to delamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design proactively addresses the delamination risk by incorporating specific structural features that prevent edge delamination before it can occur. The elastomeric layer is designed with proper adhesion to the rigid base, and the rigid base extends slightly beyond the elastomeric edge to provide mechanical support and prevent the elastomeric material from peeling away under stress.
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
Enhances force transmission and durability by maintaining pedal surface integrity and improving traction, especially in varied conditions, while allowing for versatile use in different weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of a low-rebound elastomeric material is disposed on each of the two opposed pedal platform bases to form two respective opposed pedal platform surfaces
Implementation Method 2
for each pedal platform base, the main pedal body defines a delamination shield that extends beyond the respective pedal platform base to shield a vanguard inferior edge of the respective layer of low-rebound elastomeric material
Implementation Method 3
each pedal platform surface is concave along a travel axis of the pedal
Implementation Method 4
each pedal platform surface comprises a plurality of spaced-apart protrusions
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a bicycle pedal comprises a main pedal body adapted to rotatably receive an axle and defining at least one pedal platform base upon which is disposed a layer of a low-rebound elastomeric material to form a pedal platform surface. In another aspect, a bicycle pedal has a main pedal body adapted to rotatably receive an axle and defining at least one pedal platform base upon which is disposed a layer of elastomeric material to form a pedal platform surface. For each pedal platform base, the main pedal body defines a delamination shield that extends beyond the respective pedal platform base to shield a vanguard inferior edge of the respective layer of elastomeric material.