Battery-free pedal lights way to safe ride
Canadian Plastics
After six years in development, the Pedalite battery-free flashing bicycle pedal, made from three DuPont engineering polymers, is helping keep cyclists safe in dark and adverse weather conditions...
After six years in development, the Pedalite battery-free flashing bicycle pedal, made from three DuPont engineering polymers, is helping keep cyclists safe in dark and adverse weather conditions
Designers working with Pedalite Ltd., of Kingston-upon-Thames, U.K., looked to polymer distributor Distrupol for materials that were lightweight and yet impact- and temperature-resistant. They chose DuPont’s glass-reinforced Zytel nylon 6,6 for the pedal body, its Delrin ST acetal resin for the bearing support and spindle pulley, and a low-friction grade of Delrin for the gearbox drive train.
The pedal’s light is activated by the simple action of pedaling, which converts the energy created when the spindle rotates to electrical energy. Plus, residual energy can keep the light flashing for up to 12 minutes after pedaling stops.
E.I. du Pont Canada Co.; www.dupont.com; 800-263-3943