Bicycle Pedal Quick-Release Mechanism Using Sliding Bushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle pedals require the use of a hand tool for assembly and disassembly, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A quick-release device for a bicycle pedal featuring a pedal body with inserting sockets, an axial shaft with a work portion, a slide bushing that moves between two positions to engage or disengage protrusions with the sockets, and a spring to facilitate tool-free assembly and disassembly by allowing the pedal to be easily attached or detached from the crank arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand tool is used to rotate the work portion or insert into the hexagonal socket, then the pedal can be assembled or disassembled, but the operation becomes inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The slide bushing is designed to be movable along the axial shaft between a first position (disengaged) and a second position (engaged). This dynamic movement allows the inserting protrusions to transition between engaging and disengaging the inserting sockets, enabling quick-release assembly and disassembly without tools by simply sliding the bushing to the first position for removal and to the second position for attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The quick-release device is divided into separate functional components: the slide bushing with inserting protrusions, the pedal body with inserting sockets, the spring mechanism, and the axial shaft. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the slide bushing handling the engagement/disengagement action while the spring provides the resetting force, enabling tool-free operation through coordinated movement of these segments
2Ease of operation
If a quick-release mechanism is introduced with inserting protrusions and sockets, then tool-free assembly is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide bushing combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the inserting protrusions for engagement, serves as a movable element for quick-release operation, and works with the spring to provide automatic resetting. This merging of functions into one component reduces the number of separate parts needed compared to having separate engagement mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving tool-free assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The slide bushing acts as an intermediary element between the axial shaft and the pedal body. It mediates the connection through its inserting protrusions that engage with the inserting sockets, and its sliding motion mediates the quick-release action. This intermediary component simplifies the overall system by providing a single element that handles both engagement and disengagement functions
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
Enables the bicycle pedal to be assembled or removed without the need for a hand tool, enhancing convenience and ease of use while maintaining secure attachment to the crank arm.
Implementation Method 1
a spring sleeved on the axial shaft and located between the inner lateral surface of the pedal and the slide bushing to push the slide bushing to the first position
Data Source
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AI summary
A quick-release device for a bicycle pedal includes: a pedal body (20); an axial shaft (30) rotatably disposed in the pedal body; a slide bushing (40) sleeved onto the axial shaft and movable between a first position and a second position; and a spring (50). When the slide bushing is in the first position, inserting protrusions (42) of the slide bushing are disengaged from the inserting sockets (23) of the pedal body, and when the slide bushing is in the second position, the inserting protrusions are inserted in the inserting sockets. The spring is sleeved on the axial shaft and located between the inner lateral surface of the pedal and the slide bushing to push the slide bushing to the first position.