Elastic Bicycle Pedal Spacer for Non-Slip and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle pedal spacers fail to provide a non-slipping effect without causing damage to the user's foot or shoe, as they either lack elasticity or deform the tread force receiving surface, leading to loss of driving force.
Innovation Solution
A detachable spacer made of elastic material, such as silicone foam or ethylene-vinyl acetate foam, that can be deformed to expose a stud pin for enhanced non-slipping when in use and return to a safe position when not in use, using a coiled spring or plate spring for vertical movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spacer made of elastic material is used to adjust height, then the non-slipping effect is improved and the sole can fit better, but the tread force receiving surface deforms causing power dissipation and loss of driving force
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid first spacer portion that maintains structural integrity and prevents energy loss, and an elastic second spacer portion that provides the non-slipping effect and sole conformity. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the spacer have different material properties - the first spacer portion is made of rigid material for structural support, while the second spacer portion is made of elastic material for non-slipping performance. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between rigidity and elasticity requirements.
2Reliability
If a stud pin with height exceeding 5 mm is used to achieve non-slipping effect, then the non-slipping effect is improved, but it may cause damage to the sole of shoe or leg of user when misstep occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The stud pin's exposure height is dynamically changed based on operational state. When no force is applied, the elastic second spacer portion maintains the stud pin at a retracted height that prevents damage. When tread force is applied, the stud pin protrudes to provide non-slipping effect. This parameter change resolves the safety contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer system transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the stud pin height adjusts automatically in response to applied force. The elastic material allows the stud pin to move between retracted and extended positions, providing both safety and non-slipping performance as needed.
3Loss of energy
If a rigid spacer is used to maintain structural integrity, then the driving force is preserved, but the non-slipping effect is insufficient and the sole cannot fit properly
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented into rigid and elastic portions, allowing the rigid first spacer portion to preserve driving force while the elastic second spacer portion provides the necessary non-slipping effect and sole conformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer uses a composite structure combining rigid material and elastic material in distinct portions. This composite approach allows the system to simultaneously exhibit both rigidity (for driving force preservation) and elasticity (for non-slipping performance).
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 spacer effectively fits the sole without causing damage and enhances the non-slipping effect by exposing the stud pin only when needed, while maintaining safety by retracting it when not in use, thus preventing damage and optimizing pedal performance.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer comprises an elastic material for adjusting a height from a deck surface, and by adding tread force to the elastic material, a tread force receiving surface is pushed down in the direction of thickness according to the tread force and the tip of a stud pin attached to the main body of the pedal is exposed more from the tread force receiving surface
Implementation Method 2
using a coiled spring or plate spring for vertical movement
Data Source
AI summary
A spacer is provided for adjusting the tread of a bicycle pedal. The sole can fit to its tread force receiving surface without causing damage to a user's foot or shoe. The non-slipping effect is high. A spacer is detachable from the main body of a bicycle pedal and includes an elastic material for adjusting a height from a deck surface and, when tread force is applied to the elastic material, is pushed down in the direction of thickness according to the tread force, and the tip of a stud pin attached to the main body of the pedal is exposed more from the spacer. The detachable spacer can cover and protect a large portion of the exposed part of the stud pin when no foot is placed on the pedal, and when a foot is placed on the pedal, a stud pin protrudes to provide the non-slipping effect.