Pedal Locking Mechanism with Plunger and Cuff for Secure 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 users to disengage at critical moments.
Innovation Solution
A pedal system with a switchable mode between locked and released positions, featuring a plunger that engages or disengages with the main drive shaft, and a cuff mechanism that retains the foot or footwear through a rotatable rod and lever system, allowing intuitive and efficient engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pedal system uses a fixed locking mechanism to retain the user's foot, then foot retention security is improved, but the ability to disengage at critical moments is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system employs a dynamic locking mechanism that can transition between locked and unlocked states. The release mechanism includes a movable component (such as a release lever or trigger) that, when actuated by the user, causes the locking element to disengage from the pedal body, allowing the pedal to rotate independently and enabling foot release. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction by providing both secure retention during operation and rapid disengagement when needed.
2Reliability
If a pedal system requires customized footwear for engagement, then foot retention security is improved, but device complexity and user accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system employs a universal engagement mechanism that can accommodate various types of footwear and foot configurations. The engagement interface includes a broadly compatible structure (such as a flat engagement surface, adjustable straps, or a universal cleat design) that works with multiple footwear types without requiring custom-molded or specialized shoes. This universal design resolves the contradiction by providing secure retention across different user populations while eliminating the need for customized footwear.
3Ease of operation
If a pedal system lacks an efficient engagement mechanism, then ease of operation worsens, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system employs a preliminary action engagement mechanism where the locking element is pre-positioned or pre-loaded in a manner that enables rapid engagement. When the user approaches the pedal, the engagement components are already configured to snap or click into place with minimal user effort (such as a simple downward step or light pressure). This preliminary configuration resolves the contradiction by providing efficient engagement while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, as the complexity is minimized through pre-positioning rather than complex active control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to a pedal system having a pedal coupled to a main drive shaft having a locked mode where the pedal does not rotate relative to the main drive shaft and a released mode where the pedal can rotate relative to the main drive shaft. In the locked mode, rotation of the pedal relative to the main drive shaft is prevented by a plunger that engages the main drive shaft. In the released mode, rotation of the pedal relative to the main drive shaft is enabled by having the plunger disengage from the main drive shaft. The pedal system is switchable between the locked and released modes. When a user's foot or footwear is engaging the pedal, the pedal is placed in the released mode, and when the user's foot or footwear is disengaged from the pedal, the pedal is placed in the locked mode.