Foldable Bicycle Pedal Structure for Thin Stable Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable bicycle pedals face challenges in achieving a compact folded size due to the limitations of bearing capacity and structural complexity, leading to interference with the crank and instability during folding and unfolding.

Innovation Solution

A labor-saving foldable pedal design featuring a labor-saving rod with bearing limiting structures at its longitudinal hinge ends, allowing the hinge shafts to bear minimal load, and utilizing the rod and footboard edges as bearing force arms, with adjustable nuts for stability, resulting in a thinner folded profile and stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the pedal axle is made longer to increase bearing capacity, then the bearing capacity is improved, but the transverse dimension of the folded pedal increases to about 50 mm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing capacityVSAvoidtransverse dimension of folded pedal

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pedal structure is divided into two separate components: the pedal body and the pedal axle, connected through bearing limiting structures. This segmentation allows the axle to be shortened while maintaining bearing capacity through the distributed bearing limiting structures at both ends of the axle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Bearing limiting structures are introduced as intermediary elements between the pedal axle and the pedal body. These structures distribute the bearing load across multiple contact points, enabling the axle to support sufficient load with a reduced length of approximately 25 mm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the limiting block is set far away from the hinge shaft to prevent excessive load, then the bearing capacity is improved, but the pedal becomes very thick

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing capacityVSAvoidpedal thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing limiting structures are designed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the pedal rather than increasing thickness. By distributing bearing limits along the length of the pedal body, the design achieves high bearing capacity while maintaining a thin profile suitable for folding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If positioning holes, steel balls, and spring components are added to stabilize the folded and unfolded states, then the stability is improved, but the structure becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of folded and unfolded statesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing limiting structures are designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the pedal's position. When the pedal is folded or unfolded, the bearing limits naturally align to provide stable positioning without requiring additional positioning holes, steel balls, or spring components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing limiting structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide bearing support, enable folding motion, and offer automatic positioning for both folded and unfolded states. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12606269B2Labor-saving foldable pedal

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 WANG XIANGJUN

AI summary

The labor-saving foldable pedal includes a footboard and a labor-saving rod. The labor-saving rod has a first end configured to be transversely hingedly connected to a bicycle driving crank, and a second end longitudinally hingedly connected to the footboard, and bearing limiting structures corresponding to each other are respectively provided at the second end of the labor-saving rod and a longitudinal hinge end of the footboard.