Bicycle Pedal Spindle Force Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle pedals lack accurate detection of pedaling force distribution, leading to incomplete data on pedaling power and efficiency, as current sensors only measure shear and bending forces without considering their spatial components effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle pedal design incorporating multiple shear and bending force sensors strategically positioned on the pedal spindle, along with a controller to calculate pedaling power by analyzing data from these sensors, providing comprehensive force analysis and pedaling efficiency metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple shear and bending force sensors are strategically positioned on the pedal spindle to detect spatial components of pedaling force, then measurement precision of pedaling force detection is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and their arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal spindle is segmented into multiple sensor mounting locations, with shear force sensors and bending force sensors positioned at different locations to detect different spatial components of the pedaling force. This segmentation allows comprehensive force measurement while distributing the complexity across modular sensor units.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-axis force measurement to multi-dimensional force detection by strategically positioning sensors to detect shear components and bending components in different spatial directions. This dimensional expansion enables accurate three-dimensional characterization of pedaling force vectors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the pedal spindle with circumferential spacing, then comprehensive force component detection is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for accurate sensor positioning
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the pedal spindle's outer peripheral surface are assigned specific sensor types based on local quality requirements. Shear force sensors are positioned at specific circumferential locations to detect tangential components, while bending force sensors are positioned to detect radial components, optimizing each sensor's measurement capability for its specific location.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor support part is designed in advance with pre-defined mounting locations and orientations for all sensors. This preliminary design of the support structure establishes precise reference geometries that guide sensor installation, reducing the need for high-precision field adjustments during assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a sensor support part is axially disposed between the crank arm mounting part and pedal body support part to support multiple sensors, then device modularity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor support part merges multiple functions into a single axial component: it provides structural support for the pedal body, mounting surfaces for multiple sensors, and a reference geometry for sensor alignment. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining sensor integration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor support part is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different sensor types and configurations. Its axial positioning between the crank arm mounting part and pedal body support part allows it to serve multiple functions: structural support, sensor mounting, and force transmission, making the system adaptable to various sensor arrangements.
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
Enhances the accuracy of pedaling force detection by accounting for spatial components, offering a more precise calculation of pedaling power and efficiency, enabling better performance monitoring and feedback for cyclists.
Implementation Method 1
The first shear force sensor is arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect a first shear component of a pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis. The second shear force sensor is arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect a second shear component of the pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis.
Implementation Method 2
The first bending force sensor is arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect a first bending component of the pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis. The second bending force sensor is arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect a second bending component of the pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle pedal is provided with a pedal spindle, a pedal body, a first shear force sensor, a second shear force sensor, a first bending force sensor and a second bending force sensor. The pedal spindle includes a crank arm mounting part. The pedal body is rotatably mounted on the pedal spindle about a center spindle axis. The first and second shear force sensors are arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect first and second shear components of a pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis. The first bending force sensor is arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect a first bending component of the pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis. The second bending force sensor is arranged relative to the pedal spindle to detect a second bending component of the pedaling force with respect to the center spindle axis.