Pedal Cuff Locking Mechanism for Foot Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foot pedals lack mechanisms for efficient engagement and disengagement, often requiring customized footwear and failing to prevent injury by not allowing disengagement at critical moments.
Innovation Solution
A pedal system with a switchable mode between locked and released positions, utilizing a plunger to prevent or allow rotation relative to the main drive shaft, and a cuff system with a lever and trigger for intuitive foot retention and release, accommodating different foot sizes and forms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pedal system uses a fixed locking mechanism, then foot retention is improved, but the ability to disengage at critical moments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system transitions from a static locking mechanism to a dynamic one that can switch between locked and unlocked states. The release mechanism allows the pedal to change its retention characteristics in real-time, enabling both secure foot retention during normal operation and rapid disengagement when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the retention parameter from a constant locked state to a variable state that can be switched between locked and unlocked. This parameter change is achieved through the release mechanism that alters the engagement between the pedal components.
2Reliability
If a pedal system requires customized footwear for engagement, then foot retention is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system is designed to work with multiple types of footwear rather than requiring specialized customized footwear. The engagement mechanism accommodates different footwear forms, making the system universal and accessible to users with various footwear preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal system separates the retention function from the footwear requirements by using a cuff-based retention mechanism that can accommodate different footwear types, rather than integrating retention directly into the footwear.
3Device complexity
If a pedal system lacks an intuitive release mechanism, then structural simplicity is maintained, but user control and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is designed to be actuated by the user's foot itself, allowing the system to serve itself in the release function. When the user's foot applies force in a specific manner, it automatically triggers the release mechanism without requiring additional controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism uses an intermediary element that translates the user's foot motion into the unlocking action. This intermediary allows for an intuitive release operation while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a pedal system having a cuff for retaining a foot or footwear at the pedal in a manner that supports different sizes and form factors of feet or footwear. The pedal system has a rod secured to a pedal in a rotatable manner and the cuff is coupled to the rod. A lever may be coupled to the rod in a manner where engagement of the lever by the user's foot or footwear affects the rod and thus, a position of the cuff relative to the user's foot or footwear. The lever and the cuff may retain the user's foot or footwear at the pedal in an engaged mode and release the user's foot or footwear from the top surface in a disengaged mode. The pedal system is switchable between the engaged mode and the disengaged mode.