Bicycle Pedal Retaining Member with Composite Flex Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic bicycle pedals are heavy, bulky, and have complex assembly processes, requiring longer times to assemble and comprising numerous components.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle pedal design featuring a U-shaped retaining member with a flex plate made of composite materials, such as glass or carbon fibers, and a cap with a metal bracket for immobilization, allowing for reduced weight and size while maintaining robustness and ease of assembly, utilizing a flex plate that works in bending on three points and an adjustable preload mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional automatic bicycle pedal design is used, then the pedal provides reliable automatic engagement and detachment, but the weight and size of the pedal are relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the elastic return means directly into the pedal body structure, eliminating separate components. The flex plate is integrated with the pedal body through in-building connection, reducing the total number of parts and overall weight while maintaining the automatic engagement function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials for the flex plate, combining materials with different properties to achieve both weight reduction and structural integrity. This allows the pedal to be lighter while maintaining the reliability needed for automatic engagement and detachment
2Device complexity
If traditional automatic bicycle pedal design is used, then the pedal functions properly, but the number of component parts is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The elastic return means is merged with the pedal body, and the flex plate serves both as the elastic element and as a structural component, reducing the number of parts from traditional designs while maintaining robustness through careful integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pedal into functional zones with the flex plate working in bending on three points, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall complexity. The modular segmentation enables simpler assembly
3Productivity
If traditional automatic bicycle pedal design is used, then the pedal provides sufficient strength, but the assembly process takes relatively long time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the flex plate and pedal body with pre-configured in-building connections that facilitate rapid assembly. The components are prepared in advance with alignment features and connection points that enable quick assembly without complex fastening operations, while maintaining structural strength
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the elastic return means into the pedal body structure, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps. The integrated design eliminates the need to assemble separate elastic components, speeding up production while maintaining pedal strength through the unified structure
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 results in a lighter, more compact pedal with simplified assembly, maintaining robustness and reducing the number of components, while allowing for adjustable preload to enhance performance.
Implementation Method 1
a flex element immobilized at one end in the pedal body, the mean longitudinal direction of which is orthogonal to the pedal spindle and the other end of which rests against the retaining member
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle pedal with automatic attachment and detachment, the pedal having a body (2) rotating on a spindle (3) with a front stop (4) suitable for engaging with a mating stop surface (5) located on a cleat (6) fixed to the sole of the shoe of the user, and a retaining member (9) rotating about a hinge axis parallel to the pedal axis and able to be applied by an elastic return to the cleat to lock the cleat to the pedal. The elastic return means comprises a flexing element (B, 18), one end of which is housed in the pedal body, and the other end of which bears against the retaining member (9).