Foldable Pedal With Engagement Device For Compact Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable bicycle pedals do not effectively reduce the overall volume of the bicycle when folded, as the distance between the rotation pillar and the crank remains long, affecting packaging and transportation, and the folding structure is prone to wear due to pedaling forces, with a shorter shaft providing inadequate support.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pedal design featuring an engagement device on the connection member that switches between engagement and release positions, allowing the pedal body to fold closer to the crank, with a shaft that pivots and a longer length for enhanced support, positioning the engagement device to avoid direct pedaling force impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the folding structure is placed within the rotation member range, then the pedal can be folded, but the distance from the rotation pillar to the crank remains long and the overall volume is not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is divided into separable components: the pedal body can be detached from the connection member by releasing the engagement device. This segmentation allows the pedal body to be completely separated and stored, effectively reducing the overall volume of the bicycle when not in use, rather than just folding it to a limited extent.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement device uses a slot-shaped through groove extending in the axial direction of the shaft, allowing the connection member to move along the shaft axis. This dimensional change enables the pedal body to be positioned at different distances from the crank, achieving both compact storage (reduced volume) and extended riding position (increased distance) as needed.
2Reliability
If the folding structure is within the rotation member range, then the pedal can be folded, but the service life of components is easily affected by repeatedly imposed pedaling force
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement device is extracted from the rotation member and placed on the connection member instead. This relocation means the engagement device is no longer subjected to the repeated pedaling forces that act on the rotation member, significantly extending its service life while maintaining the ease of folding operation through the same engagement/disengagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection member acts as an intermediary between the pedal body and the rotation member. By placing the engagement device on the connection member rather than directly on the rotation member, the harmful pedaling forces are isolated from the engagement device, protecting it from wear while still enabling the folding function.
3Strength
If the shaft length is relatively shorter, then the pedal structure is more compact, but it fails to provide optimal supporting force to the pedal
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is designed with non-uniform properties: it has a longer first section (first length) for optimal supporting force when the pedal is in the riding position, and can be positioned to extend beyond the pedal body when folded. This local variation in length provides both structural strength during use and compactness during storage, resolving the contradiction between strength and compactness.
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
The design reduces the overall volume of the bicycle for easier transportation, extends the service life of components by shielding the engagement device from pedaling forces, and provides sufficient support through a longer shaft, enhancing structural strength.
Implementation Method 1
The first end is pivotally connected with the second connection end along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, so that the shaft is allowed to pivot with respect to the connection member
Implementation Method 2
The pedal body comprises a shaft bore for receiving the second end of the shaft, and the shaft rotates with respect to the shaft bore
Implementation Method 3
the rotation pillar compresses the elastic member, such that the cross bolt leaves the cross-shaped groove, and the rotation member is rotated to the needed angle
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable pedal includes a connection member, a shaft, a pedal body, and an engagement device. The connection member includes a first and a second connection ends along a first axis. The shaft includes a first and a second ends. The first end is pivotally connected with the second connection end along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, so that the shaft pivots with respect to the connection member. The pedal body includes a shaft bore receiving the second end. The engagement device is on the connection member and switches between engagement and release positions. At the engagement position, the engagement device is engaged with the first end, and the shaft is coaxial with the first axis. At the release position, the pedal body is foldable to the crank, preventing direct effect of pedaling force and reducing distance between the pedal and the crank.