Bicycle Pedal Pin Internal Chambers for Sensor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle pedal measurement systems face damage risks due to external placement of electronic components, which are susceptible to accidental impacts.
Innovation Solution
The pedal pin is designed with internal chambers to house electronic and battery components, utilizing the pedal pin as a protective container, ensuring all necessary components are securely enclosed and protected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electronic measurement devices are placed outside the pedal pin, then ease of assembly and manufacturing is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to damage from accidental impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the electronic measurement device inside the hollow interior of the pedal pin, which itself is nested within the pedal body structure. This nested arrangement protects the electronic device from external impacts while maintaining integration with the pedal system, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the electronic measurement device with the pedal pin structure by integrating it into the hollow interior of the pin. This combination eliminates the need for separate external mounting structures, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while simultaneously providing protection against damage through the structural integration.
2Reliability
If electronic components are housed inside the pedal pin, then protection from damage is improved, but device complexity increases due to internal chamber requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal pin serves multiple functions: it acts as the mechanical connection element between pedal and crank, provides structural support, and simultaneously serves as a protective housing for the electronic measurement device. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate protective housings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the protective housing function with the existing pedal pin structure. By utilizing the hollow interior of the pedal pin already required for mechanical functionality, the design avoids adding separate protective structures, thereby minimizing increases in device complexity while maximizing protection.
3Volume of moving object
If batteries and electronic components are placed outside the pedal pin, then space requirements are reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to external exposure to impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the batteries and electronic components within the hollow interior of the pedal pin, utilizing the existing internal volume of the pin structure. This nested arrangement provides protection from impacts while occupying the same spatial envelope as the pedal pin itself, thereby maintaining compact dimensions without compromising reliability.
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
This design effectively protects the electronic components from damage while maintaining the structural integrity of the pedal pin and providing sufficient space for batteries and circuits, allowing for extended operation without external encumbrance or weakening.
Implementation Method 1
sensor means coupled to said pedal pin and designed to detect an electric parameter indicative of the mechanical deformation thereof
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
A pedal (1) for bicycles (4) comprising: a pedal pin (2) which extends along a reference axis (A) and has a first axial end (2a) structured to be coupled to a pedal crank (3) of a bicycle (4) and a second axial end (2b) opposite to said first end (2a), a pedal body (5) that comprises a hub (6) coupled in a freely rotatable manner to said pedal pin (2) so as to be able to rotate around said reference axis (A). On said pedal pin (2) there are at least two inner chambers (11) (12) having a circular section and extending along said reference axis coaxial thereto, a sensor circuit (8) coupled to the pedal pin (2), an electronic circuit (9) configured to determine the mechanical deformation of the pedal pin (2), an electric storage device (10) arranged in an inner chamber.