Bicycle Pedal Cleat Spring Relocation for Mud Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clipless bicycle pedals face issues with mud accumulation around the pedal axle and difficulty in achieving an ideal spring force for secure cleat engagement and easy step-in operation, leading to potential accidental disengagement during riding.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a pedal axle, a main pedal body, a first cleat securing member, and a first biasing member, where the first cleat securing member is pivotally coupled relative to the main pedal body about a first pivot axis between clamping and release positions, with the biasing member supported farther from the pedal axle's center longitudinal axis, utilizing torsion springs to facilitate easy step-in and secure cleat engagement while minimizing accidental disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the spring is positioned close to the pedal axle to enable compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but mud accumulates on the spring and pedal axle area making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is extracted from its conventional position near the pedal axle and relocated to the pedal arm. This separates the spring from the mud-prone area (pedal axle), allowing the pedal axle to be cleaned more easily while maintaining the compact overall design through strategic component redistribution
2Reliability
If the spring biasing force is increased to prevent accidental disengagement during extreme riding, then the reliability improves, but the step-in operation becomes difficult for some riders
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal system is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow different operational phases to overcome different resistance levels. The spring biasing force creates a threshold effect where initial step-in requires overcoming spring pressure, but once engaged, the mechanical geometry provides stable retention even with high spring force, preventing accidental disengagement
Solution Approach 2:
The spring biasing force is set to be stronger than strictly necessary for normal operation, creating an excessively strong holding force that prevents accidental disengagement during extreme riding. This excessive force is compensated by the mechanical design that allows easy initial engagement through proper stepping technique
3Ease of operation
If the spring biasing force is decreased to facilitate easier step-in operation, then the ease of operation improves, but accidental disengagement may occur during extreme riding
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic mechanical geometry to compensate for reduced spring force. The pedal arm angle and cleat positioning create mechanical advantage that enhances retention during extreme riding conditions, allowing the use of lower spring biasing force while maintaining reliability
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
This design enhances mud clearance and provides a balanced spring force for secure cleat engagement, ensuring easy step-in operation while reducing the risk of accidental disengagement during riding.
Implementation Method 1
The second cleat securing member is forced in a direction of coupling with a cleat by a torsion coil spring or other force exerting member
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle pedal includes a pedal axle, a main pedal body, a first cleat securing member and a first biasing member. The main pedal body is rotatably supported on the pedal axle. The first cleat securing member is pivotally coupled relative to the main pedal body about a first pivot axis between a clamping position and a release position. The first biasing member biases the first cleat securing member toward the clamping position. The first biasing member is supported on the main pedal body at a distance farther from a center longitudinal axis of the pedal axle than the first pivot axis.