Foldable Bicycle Crank Assembly for Compact Pedal Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing bicycle crank assembly design results in a protruding pedal that complicates packaging, increases assembly difficulties, and leads to high transportation costs due to large packaging volume and potential damage during shipping.
Innovation Solution
A crank assembly with a rotatable pedal mechanism that allows the pedal to fold along the transmission shaft, utilizing a locking mechanism with a slider and elastic member to secure the pedal in place during transportation and easily rotate it back into position for assembly without specialized tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the pedal is fixedly connected to the crank assembly, then the pedal structure is stable during operation, but the packaging volume increases and assembly becomes difficult when transported separately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing the pedal connection as a rotatable joint rather than a fixed connection. The pedal can rotate 180 degrees to fold against the crank arm during packaging, reducing volume, and can be locked into position during operation for stability. This dynamic reconfigurability resolves the contradiction between operational stability and packaging compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pedal assembly into separable components with a rotatable connection mechanism. The pedal arm, crank arm, and locking mechanism are divided into movable segments that can be reconfigured. This segmentation allows the pedal to be folded during transport and easily reassembled at the destination, addressing both packaging volume and assembly difficulty issues.
2Volume of moving object
If the pedal is assembled separately before shipping, then the packaging volume is reduced, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the spring-loaded locking mechanism that automatically engages and disengages without requiring external tools. The user simply needs to press the release button to unfold or fold the pedal, making the assembly and packaging process tool-free and straightforward. This resolves the contradiction between reduced packaging volume and assembly ease.
3Ease of operation
If the pedal protrudes during transportation, then the pedal can be easily accessed for assembly, but the packaging footprint increases and transportation cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the dynamics principle by enabling the pedal to rotate 180 degrees and fold against the crank arm during packaging. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the pedal to be compact during transport, reducing packaging footprint, while remaining easily accessible and simple to unfold at the destination for assembly.
4Device complexity
If the pedal is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the pedal cannot be folded to reduce packaging volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a rotatable joint with locking capability between the pedal and crank arm. This allows the structure to transition between fixed and folded positions. The added complexity is minimal, involving only a hinge and spring-loaded lock, while achieving significant packaging volume reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the rigid pedal-crank connection into movable components with a hinge joint. This segmentation enables the pedal to fold against the crank arm, reducing packaging volume, while the modular design keeps the overall structural complexity manageable through standardized connection elements.
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
This design reduces packaging costs and footprint, simplifies assembly, and minimizes the risk of pedal damage during shipping, while allowing for efficient loading and unloading.
Implementation Method 1
a locking mechanism, wherein the first handle is rotatable with respect to the second handle when the locking mechanism is in the first state, and the locking mechanism limits the relative rotation of the first handle and the second handle when the locking mechanism is in the second state
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to the field of bicycle manufacturing technology, and in particular to a bicycle and a crank assembly thereof, comprising a first handle and a second handle, wherein one of the handles is connected to a transmission shaft and the other of the handles is connected to a pedal, the first handle and the second handle are rotatably connected, and the axis of rotation coincides with the extending direction of the crank; and further comprising a locking mechanism, wherein the first handle is rotatable with respect to the second handle when the locking mechanism is in the first state, and the locking mechanism limits the relative rotation of the first handle and the second handle when the locking mechanism is in the second state.