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Electromagnetic Pedals
Bicycle pedals that use the power of electromagnets.
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Cycling shoes are often used in conjunction with special pedals to improve cycling performance. The shoes clip onto the pedals, this allows the cyclist to pedal with more effort, and pull as well as push the pedals.

A drawback to this technology is that the feet are connected to the pedals, and there is often some difficulty in removing them, especially when this has to be done suddenly and unexpectedly. It would be fantastic if the pedals released the feet when the bike stopped, for safety and comfort.

Another drawback is that it can often be difficult to reattach the cycling shoe to the pedal. Most of the time it pops right on, but there are always those unwelcome instances where cyclists can be seen wobbling clumsily through intersections kicking at their pedals.

Electromagnetic Pedals solve these issues! As the pedals are the recipients of most of the power that drives the vehicle, it is appropriate that some of this power be invested in the pedals themselves, with the purpose of yielding more.

These pedals contain standard iron cores with wire windings that are directly fed current from an armature located nearby at the base of the cranks. Because the current is fed directly, rotation will result in magnetization and attraction to the simple steel plates on cyclists' shoes.

When stopped, cyclists using Electromagnetic Pedals will be free to use their feet to support themselves comfortably. When they begin to pedal the current will progressively increase, providing limited attraction at the start and greatest attraction appropriately enough when riders gets up to speed and are pedalling hard. Breaking will stop the current, resulting in a loss of attraction that will safely free the feet of riders.


rcarty, May 05 2007


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       You want to add four lumps of iron wrapped in copper wire to a sport where men shave their legs to save weight? I don't think it will fly.

Galbinus_Caeli, May 05 2007
  

       The constant production of a strong magnetic field would be wasteful. How about a remotely activated clip; when you brake a signal is sent to the clip such that it releases.

xaviergisz, May 05 2007
  

       I think this is an excellent idea, but two points:   

       a) how much power would actually be needed? (I am not sure it would need to be so much - you are applying a force between pedal and shoe, but there should be no relative motion of the two - hence maybe not much power dissipation)   

       b) You said the holding power should be least when you are starting off. This is an error. It should be at least as large when you start to pedal, since this is when you need to apply greatest force to the pedals.   

       You may also be able to reduce power consumption by inverting the logic: have a strong permanent magnet in the pedal. To release your foot, just briefly activate an opposing electromagnet to cancel the permanent one (as in some magnetic door openers). Hence, power is consumed only briefly.

MaxwellBuchanan, May 05 2007
  

       Yeah, I think you're on to something, but permanent magnets would be better if you could get them to work.   

       As an aside, In normal riding I had absolutely no problem with clips except one slightly damp day in Bangkok when I hit some diesel on a corner. It was a classic hi-side manoeuvre, and it potato crisped by back wheel. There was no time to do anything or remember to hit a switch or brake (not that braking would have registered in my mind when the back wheel was trying to overtake the front wheel). Fortunately I fell correctly and, although winded, went to work as normal without a single graze.

Ling, May 05 2007
  


 
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