Interchangeable Rear Hub Coupling for Faster Bicycle Wheel Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle wheel hub systems require time-consuming and labor-intensive wheel changes due to the need for careful disengagement and re-engagement of drive and brake components, leading to increased downtime during competitions, and they are not compatible with different brands, resulting in the need for multiple spare wheels and potential damage during handling.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle hub system with a locking mechanism featuring matching coupling faces on rear and front hub assemblies, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling of wheels without disengaging drive and brake components, enabling quick wheel changes and compatibility with standard components across brands, and utilizing larger bearings for increased durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hub attachment systems are used, then drive and brake components remain attached to the hub during wheel changes, but this requires careful disengagement and re-engagement movements, increasing wheel change time and risk of component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the wheel hub from the drive and brake components by allowing the hub to be detached while the components remain mounted on the frame. The hub is segmented into a removable portion that can be independently exchanged without moving the attached components.
Solution Approach 2:
A frame-mounted adapter or mounting structure serves as an intermediary, providing attachment points for drive and brake components that are independent of the hub. This mediator allows components to stay on the frame while the hub is removed and replaced.
2Ease of operation
If drive components are attached to the hub for traditional wheel changes, then the wheel can be removed with components attached, but this requires careful lining up and placement movements, increasing complexity and time of wheel change procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wheel assembly into separable components: the hub can be removed independently from the drive and brake components. This segmentation allows the hub to be exchanged without complex manipulation of the attached components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub is extracted from the wheel assembly as a separate removable element. By taking out the hub independently while leaving drive and brake components mounted on the frame, the system simplifies the wheel change procedure by eliminating the need to handle and reposition these components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spare wheels are stocked for different brands and configurations, then compatibility with various components is ensured, but this increases storage space requirements and financial outlays
Solution Approach 1:
The hub design implements universality by creating a standardized interface that can accommodate different drive and brake components from various brands. A single hub type can serve multiple functions and be compatible with different component configurations, eliminating the need for brand-specific spare wheels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system promotes homogeneity through standardized hub dimensions, mounting interfaces, and component attachment points. This uniformity across different wheel assemblies allows interchangeable use of hubs and components regardless of brand or specific configuration.
4Ease of operation
If drive components are attached to the hub, then the wheel assembly is complete for immediate use, but this requires gearing down before removal and gearing up after insertion, increasing wheel change time and disrupting cyclist's selected gear
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the hub from the drive components, allowing the hub to be removed and replaced without involving the drive train. This segmentation eliminates the need to change gear configurations during wheel changes, as the drive components remain mounted on the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub is extracted as a separate removable component while the drive components remain on the frame. This extraction allows wheel changes to occur without touching the drive train, eliminating the time-consuming gear adjustment process.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle hub system, method and device including rear and front hub assemblies. Both the rear and front hub assemblies include locking mechanisms with matching undulating splined coupling faces that correspond to complementary undulating splined coupling faces of a wheel hub.