Rocker-Joint Bicycle Chain for Low-Wear Lateral Articulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle chains face issues with high wear rates and friction due to internal sliding surfaces, limited articulation, and inability to accommodate lateral sprocket misalignment, making them unsuitable for modern multi-gear bicycle drivetrains.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle chain design featuring a connecting pin assembly with a first rocker pin, a second rocker pin, and a center pin that allows for independent movement, enabling increased articulation and lateral flexibility while maintaining a narrow profile, which reduces friction and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If bushing-roller style chains are used, then power transfer is effective in certain scenarios, but wear rate is high due to internal sliding surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer effectivenessVSAvoidwear rate

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional bushing-roller mechanical system with a rocker-joint mechanism. The rocker joint eliminates internal sliding surfaces by using a different articulation mechanism, where the connecting pin assembly allows rotational movement without the sliding contact between bushings and rollers, thereby reducing wear while maintaining power transfer effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operational parameters of the chain joint by transitioning from sliding friction to rocking articulation. The connecting pin assembly with rocker joints enables the chain to accommodate lateral sprocket misalignment through angular movement, changing the motion parameter from linear sliding to rotational rocking, which reduces wear rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If bushing-roller style chains are used, then power transfer is effective, but friction is high due to sliding surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower transfer effectivenessVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the sliding friction mechanism with a rocker-joint mechanism that minimizes friction. The connecting pin assembly allows the chain links to articulate through rocking motion rather than sliding, significantly reducing energy loss to friction while maintaining effective power transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If existing silent chains with rocker pins are used, then friction is reduced, but articulation is limited and they cannot accommodate lateral sprocket misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefrictionVSAvoidarticulation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the chain joint dynamic by introducing the connecting pin assembly with rocker joints that can articulate through a range of angles. This dynamic capability allows the chain to adapt to lateral sprocket misalignment and varying operational conditions, increasing articulation capability while maintaining low friction through the rocking motion mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If external washers are added to stabilize the center pin, then chain stability is improved, but chain width increases and it cannot fit on multi-sprocket cassette

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecenter pin stabilityVSAvoidchain width

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the center pin and its stabilizing elements into an integrated connecting pin assembly. The rocker joints and connecting pin work together as a unified mechanism that provides stability without requiring external washers, thereby maintaining a narrow chain profile that can fit on multi-sprocket cassettes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances the chain's ability to accommodate lateral sprocket misalignment and reduces wear and friction, allowing for efficient power transfer in modern multi-gear bicycle drivetrains.

Implementation Method 1

a first rocker pin, a second rocker pin, and a center pin between the first rocker pin and the second rocker pin in a longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArticulation:

Data Source

PatentUS11608874B2Rocker joint roller chain

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 CERAMICSPEED SPORT AS

AI summary

A bicycle chain includes a pair of outer plates, a pair of inner plates, and a connecting pin assembly. The pair of outer plates defines a width of the bicycle chain in a transverse direction, and the pair of inner plates is positioned at least partially between the pair of outer plates. The connecting pin assembly connects the pair of outer plates with the pair of inner plates and includes a first rocker pin, a second rocker pin, and a center pin between the first rocker pin and the second rocker pin in a longitudinal direction. A length of the center pin in the transverse direction is less than the width of the bicycle chain.