Ergonomic Clipless Pedal with Spherical Cleat and Flexible Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle pedals are inadequate in providing ergonomic adjustments, particularly in Q-factor alignment, leading to stress on joints and inefficiency due to limited lateral adjustment and friction issues between the shoe and pedal.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic clipless bicycle pedal system with an adjustably connected pedal body, a flexible rear blade, and a cleat member with spherical portions for smooth movement, allowing real-time ergonomic fit adjustment, easy Q-factor adjustment via spacers, and a simplified rear retention mechanism, reducing wear and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal body is fixed on the axle, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the Q-factor alignment and lateral adjustment are limited causing joint stress
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body is made movable relative to the axle through a slider mechanism that allows lateral adjustment along the axle. This dynamic positioning enables Q-factor adjustment to optimize ankle-knee-hip alignment while maintaining structural integrity through the guided movement path.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal is divided into separable components: the axle, the pedal body, and the slider mechanism. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of the pedal body position along the axle while keeping the overall structure modular and manageable.
2Reliability
If the friction between shoe and pedal is high, then the foot attachment is secure, but the freedom of movement for micro-movements is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The friction parameter is optimized by using a flexible rear blade made of elastomeric material that provides controlled friction. The material properties are selected to maintain secure attachment during pedaling while allowing necessary micro-movements for ergonomic foot positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The rear blade is constructed as a flexible elastomeric element that can deform to accommodate foot movements. This flexibility allows the blade to maintain contact and provide friction for secure attachment while simultaneously permitting the foot to move freely within ergonomic limits.
3Reliability
If a traditional helicoidal spring mechanism is used for rear retention, then the retention is reliable, but the manufacturing complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex helicoidal spring mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead, a simple flexible blade made of elastomeric material is used to provide the rear retention function, eliminating the need for springs and associated mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible rear blade is made from inexpensive elastomeric material that can be easily replaced if worn. This simple, low-cost component replaces the expensive and complex helicoidal spring mechanism, reducing both manufacturing cost and maintenance complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the pedal body is fixed laterally, then the structure is stable, but the lateral adjustment for personalized foot positioning is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal body is equipped with a slider mechanism that enables dynamic lateral movement along the axle. This allows the pedal to be positioned at different lateral locations for personalized foot alignment, while the guided slider path ensures positional stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider mechanism acts as an intermediary between the fixed axle and the movable pedal body. It transmits the adjustment motion while maintaining a stable connection, allowing lateral repositioning without compromising the structural integrity or stability of the pedal assembly.
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 system ensures secure foot attachment, easy entry/exit, reduced joint stress, improved pedaling efficiency, and longer component lifespan by allowing micro-movements and flexible cleat interchangeability, while maintaining a firm and smooth force transfer.
Implementation Method 1
This also involves friction level between the shoe and the pedal so as to allow a level of freedom of movement between the human parts and the mechanical bicycle parts
Implementation Method 2
The pedal body and the cleat member have complementary spherical portions, such that the cleat member is capable of rotational movement in only two axial dimensions with respect to the pedal body
Data Source
AI summary
An ergonomic adjustment system for clip-less bicycle pedal has the cleat and pedal body are so shaped that they form exactly complementary shapes that are based on parts of spherical shapes such that both spherical members and complementary spherical members have similar diameters so as to allow for perfect mating between the two which allow for smooth fluidic movement along axes X and Z. The cleat and pedal body have polymer lining. A rigid front receptacle and a rear flexible blade or traditional rear mechanism. Both the rigid receptacle and the rear section flexible blade or traditional rear mechanism are attached to the exterior periphery of the pedal's body and are used in conjunction with a cleat which is mechanically attached to a shoe.