Automatic Bicycle Pedal with Pivoting Hook Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic bicycle pedals lack a secure and ergonomic mechanism for attaching a cyclist's shoe, often requiring significant effort to engage and disengage, and may unintentionally detach during use.
Innovation Solution
The design features two engagement mechanisms with a first fixed attachment element and a second pivotally mounted attachment element, utilizing elastic return elements and stop systems to securely trap the shoe wedge, allowing for easy installation and secure retention without complex manipulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented to prevent unintentional detachment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is divided into two separate engagement mechanisms (front and rear) that work together to secure the cleat. Each mechanism independently engages with corresponding features on the cleat, distributing the security function across multiple simpler components rather than one complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically returns the second attachment element to its initial position after the cleat is inserted, providing self-service functionality. The user simply needs to insert the cleat, and the spring mechanism automatically completes the engagement without requiring additional manual operations.
2Reliability
If a complex engagement mechanism is used to ensure secure attachment, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment process is segmented into two simple sequential actions: inserting the front part of the cleat into the first engagement mechanism, then inserting the rear part into the second engagement mechanism. This segmentation breaks down a potentially complex operation into two simple, intuitive motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element performs the work of returning the attachment element to its engagement position automatically. The user only needs to insert the cleat, and the spring mechanism self-generates the force needed to complete the engagement, eliminating the need for the user to apply significant force or perform complex manipulations.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional attachment mechanisms are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but unintentional detachment may occur during use
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system uses two separate engagement mechanisms instead of one complex mechanism, allowing each to be manufactured independently using simple processes. The first mechanism provides a fixed stop while the second provides a rotating stop, and both can be produced with standard manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides automatic return functionality that ensures reliable engagement without complex control systems. This simple elastic mechanism reliably returns the attachment element to its engagement position, preventing unintentional detachment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
The solution provides a simple, ergonomic, and safe attachment system that securely fastens the shoe to the pedal, preventing unintentional detachment and allowing easy foot placement on the ground, while being easy to operate and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic return element suitable for holding the second hooking element against the first hooking element by means of a stop system
Implementation Method 2
The second attachment point then returns to its initial position under the force exerted by the pre-tensioned return element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic bicycle pedal (1, 100) comprising an elongated body (2, 102) from which emerge at least two arms (4, 5, 104, 105) located on either side of said body (2, 102), said pedal (1, 100) further comprising two engagement mechanisms (6, 106) each capable of being attached to one of said arms (4, 5, 104, 105). The main characteristic of a pedal according to the invention is that each engagement mechanism (6, 106) comprises a first fixed attachment element (7, 107) suitable for being mounted on an arm (4, 5, 104, 105), a second attachment element (8, 108) pivotally mounted on said first attachment element (7, 107) by means of a pivot axis (10, 110) passing through said two attachment elements (7, 8, 107, 108), and an elastic return element (9, 109) suitable for pushing the second attachment element (8, 108) against the first attachment element (7, 107), and in that the first (7, 107) and the second element (8,108) of latching are constituted by open parts each having a latching hook (13, 25, 123, 124), said two engagement mechanisms (6, 106) being arranged on the pedal (1, 100) so as to form two fastening devices, each fastening device including the latching hook (13, 124) of the first latching element (7, 107) of one engagement mechanism (6, 106) and the latching hook (25, 123) of the second latching element (8, 108) of the other engagement mechanism (6, 106).