Foot Clamping Mechanism with Auto-Release Trigger
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot securing mechanisms, such as toe clips and clipless pedals, are difficult to release quickly and easily, posing a risk in emergency situations where rapid disengagement is necessary to avoid falls or injuries, and they require special shoes with matching cleats.
Innovation Solution
A foot clamping and locking mechanism with an auto-release, comprising a pedal base, an arm, a cuff, and a trigger, allows for secure foot attachment without special shoes, enabling easy release by pulling the foot sideways or rearward, utilizing a rotatable arm and trigger mechanism to lock and unlock the cuff.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional foot securing mechanisms (toe clips with straps or clipless pedals) are used to secure a user's foot to a pedal, then the foot is held securely in place, but it becomes difficult to release the foot quickly and easily in emergency situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically releases the foot by detecting lateral or rearward foot movement, eliminating the need for manual release operations. The foot's own movement triggers the release mechanism through the sensor system, making the system self-serving during emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical release mechanisms (straps, cleats, springs) with an electronic sensor-based detection system that automatically triggers release. This substitution enables faster, more reliable emergency release by using electronic sensing rather than mechanical actuation.
2Reliability
If conventional foot securing mechanisms are used, then the foot is secured to the pedal, but special shoes with matching cleats are required to connect to the pedals
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff-based design can accommodate various types of footwear including regular shoes, boots, and athletic shoes without requiring specialized cleats. The universal cuff structure adapts to different shoe types, making the system versatile and compatible with standard footwear.
Solution Approach 2:
The cuff acts as an intermediary component between the foot/shoe and the pedal mechanism. This intermediate element provides a standardized interface that works with various shoe types, eliminating the need for shoe-specific mounting mechanisms and enhancing adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a trigger mechanism is used to activate the cuff locking mechanism, then the user can easily step on the trigger to lock the cuff, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects foot insertion and lateral/rearward movement, eliminating the need for manual trigger activation. The foot's own actions trigger the locking and releasing sequences, making the system self-serving and reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical trigger mechanisms with electronic sensor-based detection and actuation. This substitution simplifies the mechanical structure by using electronic sensing and motorized actuation instead of complex mechanical linkages and springs.
Data Source
AI summary
A foot clamping and locking mechanism with an auto-release for releasably securing a user's foot to a pedal may include a pedal comprising a pedal base having a top plate; an arm extending from the pedal; a cuff attached to the arm, the cuff sized to wrap over top of a user's foot; and a trigger extending upward from the top plate, the trigger operatively attached to the arm such that, when the user steps on the trigger, the arm causes the cuff to lock down onto the user's foot.