Bicycle Pedal with Low-Rebound Elastomer and Delamination Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle pedal designs fail to effectively transmit muscular force from the rider's feet to the bicycle while providing adequate protection against delamination and wear, especially in challenging terrains.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle pedal with a main body featuring a low-rebound elastomeric material on the platform surfaces, optionally with protrusions and delamination shields, designed to enhance engagement with footwear studs and protect against wear and delamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a hard surface is used on the pedal platform, then force transmission is improved, but wear and delamination resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal platform uses a composite structure combining a rigid base (for structural integrity and force transmission) with an elastomeric material layer (for wear resistance and delamination protection). This composite approach allows the hard base to transmit force effectively while the elastomeric layer protects against wear and delamination, resolving the contradiction between force transmission and durability.
2Reliability
If elastomeric material is used on the pedal platform, then wear resistance is improved, but force transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with rigid base and elastomeric layer allows the elastomeric material to provide wear resistance while the rigid base maintains force transmission capability. The combination ensures neither property is compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pedal platform have different material properties: the base provides rigidity for force transmission, while the elastomeric surface layer provides wear resistance. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction by assigning each function to the most suitable material in the appropriate location.
3Ease of operation
If the elastomeric material layer is extended beyond the pedal platform base, then engagement with footwear studs is improved, but susceptibility to delamination and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delamination shield structure is designed in advance to prevent the harmful effect of delamination before it occurs. By providing this protective extension of the rigid base beyond the platform edge, the design preemptively counteracts the delamination risk created by the overhanging elastomeric material, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced engagement and increased delamination susceptibility.
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 pedal design improves force transmission and durability by engaging with footwear studs and shielding the elastomeric material from damage, enhancing performance in various biking conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the interface between a rider's feet and the pedals of the bicycle is of significant importance, as this is how the rider's muscular force is transmitted to the bicycle
Implementation Method 2
a layer of a low-rebound elastomeric material to form a pedal platform surface
Implementation Method 3
provide adequate protection against delamination and wear, especially in challenging terrains
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a bicycle pedal comprises a main pedal body adapted to rotatably receive an axle and defining at least one pedal platform base upon which is disposed a layer of a low-rebound elastomeric material to form a pedal platform surface. In another aspect, a bicycle pedal has a main pedal body adapted to rotatably receive an axle and defining at least one pedal platform base upon which is disposed a layer of elastomeric material to form a pedal platform surface. For each pedal platform base, the main pedal body defines a delamination shield that extends beyond the respective pedal platform base to shield a vanguard inferior edge of the respective layer of elastomeric material.