Bicycle Freehub Adapter for Mixed Cogset Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cyclists face the challenge of needing to replace the sprocket-carrying body to accommodate different types of cogsets, especially when switching between those with small, monolithic groups of sprockets and conventional sprockets, limiting flexibility and convenience.

Innovation Solution

A sprocket-carrying set that includes a short sprocket-carrying body and an adapter with axially extending grooves and teeth, allowing the adapter to extend the axial reach of the sprocket-carrying body, enabling the mounting of both cogsets with small, grouped sprockets and those with individual sprockets without requiring the sprocket-carrying body to be changed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a short sprocket-carrying body is used to accommodate cogsets with small monolithic groups of sprockets, then the axial extension is reduced, but the ability to mount conventional cogsets with individual sprockets is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaxial extension of sprocket-carrying bodyVSAvoidcompatibility with different cogset types
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The solution divides the sprocket-carrying system into two independent parts: a short sprocket-carrying body and a separate adapter. The adapter can be selectively attached to extend the axial reach when needed, allowing the system to adapt between short and long configurations without permanently changing the base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fixed-length sprocket-carrying body to a dynamic configuration where the axial extension can be changed on-demand by attaching or removing the adapter, enabling flexibility to match different cogset requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If different sprocket-carrying bodies are used to accommodate different cogset types, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity and number of replacement parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different cogset typesVSAvoidnumber of sprocket-carrying body variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves multiple functions: it extends the axial reach of the short sprocket-carrying body, enables mounting of conventional cogsets, and can be selectively attached or removed. This single component replaces the need for multiple specialized sprocket-carrying bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the short sprocket-carrying body and conventional cogsets. It provides the necessary axial extension and mounting interface without requiring modification of the base sprocket-carrying body or the cogset itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the sprocket-carrying body axial extension is increased to mount individual sprockets, then compatibility with conventional cogsets is improved, but the advantage of using compact monolithic groups is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to mount individual sprocketsVSAvoidaxial extension of sprocket-carrying body
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The extension function is separated from the base sprocket-carrying body and placed in a detachable adapter. This allows the extension to be added only when needed for conventional cogsets, preserving the compact design for monolithic group cogsets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3771628B1Adapter for a sprocket-carrying body for a bicycle rear wheel
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 CAMPAGNOLO SRL
  • EP3771628B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3771628B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3771628B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This adapter (50) is intended for a sprocket-carrying body (14) for a bicycle rear wheel. The adapter (50) comprises an annular body (51) adapted to abut at the sprocket-carrying body (14) as an extension thereof in an axially outer direction and to receive sprockets (20, 70) in a radially peripheral position; it also comprises a coupling element (52) formed on the annular body (51) to establish a shape coupling with the sprocket-carrying body (14) that makes the adapter rotate as a unit with the sprocket-carrying body (14), and at least one sprocket-receiving seat (56, 59) formed on the annular body (51) of the adapter and adapted for coupling with at least one sprocket (76, 77, 78), so as to make the adapter rotate as a unit with the sprocket (76, 77, 78). The adapter (50) can be coupled with a short sprocket-carrying body (14), of the type suitable for cogsets (20) in which the smallest sprockets are grouped in a monolithic group (26); once coupled with the sprocket-carrying body (14), it extends the axial extension thereof, thus making it possible to receive cogsets (70) in which the smallest sprockets (76, 77, 78) are separated and can be mounted singularly on the sprocket-carrying set (60) formed by the assembly of the sprocket-carrying body (14) and the adapter (50).