Velocipede Pedal Assembly Lateral Movement Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pedal assemblies for velocipedes lack efficient mechanisms for lateral movement of the pedal body with respect to the axle, which affects pedaling efficiency and comfort, and there is a need for a system to determine optimal pedal configuration for users.
Innovation Solution
The pedal assembly incorporates a drive pin and actuator system that moves between inserted and withdrawn positions in response to user input, allowing lateral movement of the pedal body and includes sensors to detect spatial position data for determining optimal pedal configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional pedal assemblies are used without lateral movement mechanism, then the structure is simple, but pedaling efficiency and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one by incorporating a drive pin that can move between an inserted position (engaging the cam groove to enable lateral movement) and a withdrawn position (disengaging to lock the pedal). This dynamic positioning allows the pedal body to move laterally relative to the axle during pedaling, improving efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal assembly is divided into separable components: the drive pin, actuator, pedal body, and axle with cam groove. This segmentation allows the lateral movement function to be added as a modular feature rather than redesigning the entire pedal structure, thus improving pedaling efficiency without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a drive pin and actuator system is added for lateral movement, then pedaling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to be manually operated by the user through simple input (such as pressing or rotating), which automatically actuates the drive pin to move between engaged and disengaged positions. This self-service mechanism allows the user to control the lateral movement without requiring complex external control systems, improving comfort while limiting complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive pin acts as an intermediary element between the actuator and the pedal body-axle connection. It translates the actuator's motion into the lateral movement of the pedal body by engaging with or disengaging from the cam groove, thereby mediating the complexity between the control mechanism and the moving parts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are added to detect spatial position data, then personalized pedal configuration is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the pedal assembly to detect spatial position data of the pedal body relative to the axle. This feedback information is used to determine optimal pedal configuration and enable personalized settings. The feedback loop allows the system to adapt to user needs while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure by using straightforward sensing and data processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed to serve multiple functions: detecting lateral position, determining optimal configuration, and enabling personalized settings. This multi-functionality maximizes the adaptability benefit while minimizing the added complexity by using a single sensor system for multiple purposes rather than separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A pedal assembly for a velocipede is provided. The pedal assembly includes an axle, pedal body, a first drive pin and a first actuator. The axle includes a distal end and a proximal end. The axle defines a first cam groove. The proximal end is configured for releasable attachment to a crankshaft. The pedal body is rotatably coupled with the axle and is rotatable with respect to the axle about an axis. The axis resides in an imaginary plane. The first drive pin is movably coupled with the pedal and is movable between an inserted position and a withdrawn position. The first actuator is movably attached to the pedal body and is associated with the first drive pin. The first actuator is movable between a first position and a second position. An apparatus for determining a pedal configuration for a user is also provided.