Bicycle Sprocket Supporting Member with Composite Ribs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in bicycle sprocket assemblies is to minimize stress during assembly while accommodating an increasing number of sprockets, which is typically addressed by using a spider supporting member made of light metals like aluminum, but this can lead to structural integrity issues with steel sprockets.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle sprocket supporting member with an outer peripheral surface featuring sprocket engaging splines and an inner peripheral surface with hub engaging splines, allowing for axial movement of sprockets and carriers to prevent undue stress, and a fastening mechanism that connects carriers to distribute torque effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a spider supporting member made of light metal (aluminum) is used to reduce overall weight, then the weight is reduced, but the structural integrity and strength are insufficient when supporting steel sprockets
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is constructed as a composite structure combining a light metal base body (aluminum) with steel reinforcing ribs. This composite design allows the supporting member to maintain low overall weight while the steel ribs provide the necessary strength and rigidity to support steel sprockets, resolving the contradiction between weight reduction and structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sprockets are installed on the rear hub to increase available speeds, then the number of speeds increases, but the complexity of the assembly and difficulty of attachment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is segmented into a base body and separate reinforcing ribs, allowing for modular construction. Additionally, sprockets can be independently installed onto the supporting member's outer peripheral surface, which is specifically designed with sprocket-engaging splines. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process while accommodating multiple sprockets for increased speed options.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting member acts as an intermediary component between the hub and the sprockets. It provides a standardized interface with sprocket-engaging splines on its outer peripheral surface, facilitating easy attachment of multiple sprockets while isolating the complexity of the multi-sprocket configuration from the hub assembly.
3Device complexity
If sprockets are directly attached to the hub, then the assembly is simplified, but undue stress is generated during assembly and operation
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member serves as an intermediary between the hub and sprockets, absorbing and distributing assembly stresses. Its composite structure with steel reinforcing ribs specifically addresses stress concerns, while its design with inner peripheral splines for hub engagement and outer peripheral splines for sprocket engagement simplifies the overall assembly process by providing standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle sprocket assembly is basically provided with a bicycle sprocket supporting member and at least one sprocket. The bicycle sprocket supporting member includes an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface includes at least one sprocket engaging spline. The inner peripheral surface includes at least one hub engaging spline. The at least one sprocket is configured to be axially movable on the outer peripheral surface of the sprocket supporting member before the bicycle sprocket assembly becomes an assembled state.