Bicycle Pedal Integrated Cable Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle theft is a significant deterrent to cycling due to inadequate locking practices, with conventional locks being inconvenient, impractical, and often insufficient to secure both wheels and the frame, leaving the front wheel vulnerable to theft.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle pedal with a retractable coiled cable and integrated locking mechanism, including a combination lock and optional GPS tracker, that secures the frame and at least one wheel, providing a convenient and secure locking solution that is inconspicuously stored and easy to use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional chain or cable and lock is carried separately, then the bicycle can be secured, but it creates inconvenience and hassle for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the security lock system with the bicycle pedal assembly, integrating the cable lock mechanism into the pedal body. This merging eliminates the need to carry a separate lock and chain, as the locking functionality is now built into the pedal that the user must already have with them to ride the bicycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly serves dual functions: it provides the primary propulsion function of a pedal while simultaneously housing a functional cable lock mechanism. The pedal body contains a spool and cable system that can be used to secure the bicycle to a fixed object, making the pedal a multi-functional component.
2Reliability
If a U-lock is used to lock the bicycle to an immovable object, then the rear wheel and frame are secured, but the front wheel remains vulnerable to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible cable lock system that can be segmented and routed around multiple components of the bicycle, including both wheels and the frame. Unlike a rigid U-lock, the cable can be configured to secure different parts of the bicycle simultaneously, providing comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable lock system transitions from the two-dimensional constraint of a U-lock to a three-dimensional flexible configuration. The cable can wrap around the bicycle frame, wheels, and other components in multiple directions and planes, enabling securement of areas that a rigid U-lock cannot reach.
3Ease of operation
If the lock is stored in a basket or saddle, then it is available for use, but it creates rattling noise and is tedious to remove and use
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is merged with the pedal assembly, which is a fixed, structured component of the bicycle. By integrating the cable lock into the pedal body rather than storing it loosely in a basket or saddle, the system eliminates rattling noise while maintaining ready accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable lock system is pre-configured and stored in a ready-to-use position within the pedal assembly. The cable is coiled on a spool mechanism that allows for quick deployment without requiring the user to retrieve and assemble separate components, reducing the steps needed to secure the bicycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking bicycle pedal includes a ratcheting coiled cable with a male locking plug that mates with a female locking port. A lock, such as a resettable combination lock, secures and releases a catch that secures and releases the plug in the port. When locked in the port, the plug depresses a plunger which constrains a pawl that engages teeth of a toothed wheel of the spool. An optional tracker wirelessly emits GPS location data if a theft is detected.