Quick-Release Bicycle Pedal With Dual-Lever Safety Latch
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release bicycle pedals can accidentally unlatch during riding due to foot-based release mechanisms, posing safety risks, and lack clear visual feedback on latching status, complicating user understanding.
Innovation Solution
A pinch-based pedal latching system that requires simultaneous hand pressure on both sides of a latch for release, combined with visible latching status indicators, ensuring secure attachment and easy visual confirmation of the latching state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a quick-release pedal latch uses a release mechanism based on pushing, pulling, sliding, or twisting motions, then the pedal can be quickly removed from the crank arm, but the pedal may accidentally release during normal biking operation due to foot-based actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second lever as an intermediary component between the foot and the release mechanism. The first lever is actuated by foot motion, but requires coordination with the second lever (actuated by hand motion) to actually release the pedal. This intermediary lever system prevents direct foot-based accidental release while maintaining quick removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism is segmented into two separate levers with distinct functions. The first lever responds to foot motion and initiates the release sequence, while the second lever must be independently actuated by hand to complete the release. This segmentation divides the release action into discrete steps that cannot be accidentally triggered by foot motion alone.
2Reliability
If a complex pedal latch system combines multiple release actions to prevent accidental release, then safety improves, but the system complexity increases and user understanding becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback indicators that clearly show whether the pedal is in a secured or release-ready state. The indicators provide immediate visual confirmation to the user about the latch status, eliminating the need to understand complex mechanical states. This feedback mechanism simplifies user interaction while maintaining the multi-lever safety system.
3Reliability
If a pedal latch system uses multiple release actions, then accidental release is prevented, but clear visual feedback on latching status becomes difficult to provide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators to communicate the latching status. Different colors or color patterns indicate whether the pedal is securely attached or in a release-ready state. This color-based feedback system provides immediate, intuitive information to riders of all skill levels without requiring them to understand the complex multi-lever mechanism.
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
Prevents accidental unlatching during riding and provides clear visual feedback, enhancing safety and simplicity for all riders, particularly in mountain biking and other activities where pedal release is critical.
Implementation Method 1
a first spring disposed between first lever and the latch body, the first spring for biasing the first lever in the locked position and a second spring disposed between second lever and the latch body, the second spring for biasing the second lever in the locked position
Implementation Method 2
The lip of each of the first and second lever is engageable with the circumscribed groove wherein the pedal is secured to the bicycle crank arm when the first and second lever are in a locked position
Implementation Method 3
a pedal bearing disposed in the elongated cavity and the pedal spindle has a circumscribed groove disposed toward a shaft first end and a shaft threaded end opposite the shaft first end, wherein the shaft threaded end is securable to the pedal bearing and allows the pedal to spin around the pedal spindle
Data Source
AI summary
A quick release bicycle pedal assembly including a bicycle pedal and a pedal spindle rotatably securable to a bicycle pedal. The pedal spindle has a circumscribed groove disposed toward a shaft first end and a shaft threaded end opposite the shaft first end, wherein the shaft threaded end is securable to the pedal bearing and allows the pedal to spin around the pedal spindle when the shaft threaded end is secured to the pedal bearing. The quick release bicycle pedal assembly includes a pedal adapter including a latch body having male adapter threads disposed on a first body latch end for securing the pedal adapter to a bicycle crank arm, an opening extending through the latch body, the opening aligned axially with the male adapter threads, a first lever disposed pivotally on the latch body and a second lever disposed pivotally on the latch body.