Rotatable Annular Bicycle Sprocket Multi-Material Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle components, such as sprockets and disc rotors, lack optimal material combinations and structural designs that balance weight, rigidity, and engagement efficiency with bicycle hubs and chains, leading to suboptimal performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable annular bicycle component comprising multiple materials, including metallic and non-metallic materials like resin and fiber-reinforced plastic, with a multi-layered structure and concavo-convex structures for engagement, and featuring weight-saving openings and reinforcing ribs to enhance strength and adjustability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single material is used for the bicycle component, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the balance between weight and rigidity is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle component uses a multi-material composite structure consisting of a metallic outer annular member (providing rigidity and strength), a non-metallic intermediate supporting member (providing damping and weight reduction), and a metallic hub engaging member (providing precise engagement). This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to achieve optimal weight-rigidity balance while maintaining manufacturability through established joining techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The component is divided into three distinct segments (outer annular member, intermediate supporting member, hub engaging member), each made from materials optimized for its specific functional requirements. This segmentation allows each part to be manufactured independently using appropriate processes, then assembled through proven joining methods, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving superior overall performance.
2Weight of moving object
If weight is reduced by using lighter materials, then the component becomes more efficient, but the strength and durability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the component have different material properties tailored to their specific functional needs. The outer annular member uses metallic material for high strength where structural integrity is critical, the intermediate supporting member uses non-metallic material for weight reduction and vibration damping where these properties are beneficial, and the hub engaging member uses metallic material for precise engagement. This local quality approach reduces overall weight while maintaining necessary strength in critical areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotatable annular bicycle component comprises an outer annular member, an intermediate supporting member, and a hub engaging member. The outer annular member comprises a first material. The outer annular member is attached to the intermediate supporting member. The intermediate supporting member comprises a second material different from the first material. The hub engaging member is configured to be attached to the intermediate supporting member and is configured to engage with a bicycle hub assembly. The hub engaging member comprises a third material different from the second material.