Actuated Bicycle Rack Arm for One-Handed Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle racks require the use of both hands to manipulate pivoting arms for securing and adjusting bicycle position, making it difficult to load and unload bicycles independently.
Innovation Solution
The bicycle rack features an actuated arm mechanism with an actuator that allows single-handed operation, automatically pivoting from a closed to an open position and securing the bicycle with a latch mechanism, enabling one-handed adjustment and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pivoting arms are used to secure bicycles, then the rack can hold and retain bicycles, but both hands are required to manipulate the arm for securing and adjusting, making it difficult to load and unload bicycles independently
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is equipped with an actuator that enables it to pivot automatically between open and closed positions without requiring manual manipulation. The actuator activates the arm to move to the closed position when the bicycle is placed on the platform, and can reopen the arm when activated, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring user operation for each positioning action.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of pivoting the arm is replaced with an actuated mechanical system. The actuator converts electrical or mechanical energy into automated mechanical motion, substituting the need for human hands to manually manipulate the arm with an automated actuation mechanism that performs the pivoting action independently.
2Ease of operation
If the arm is kept in the open position to load bicycles, then bicycles can be placed on the rack, but the arm is vulnerable to damage and increases wind resistance and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator automatically moves the arm to the closed position as a preliminary action immediately when the bicycle is placed on the platform. This preliminary automatic closing action occurs before the vehicle enters high-speed travel conditions, ensuring the arm is already in the protective closed position to minimize wind resistance and noise during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm transitions from a static manual positioning system to a dynamic automated system that can quickly move between open and closed positions. The actuator enables the arm to dynamically adjust its position based on operational needs, automatically closing to reduce wind resistance and noise when the bicycle is loaded and the vehicle is in transit.
3Reliability
If the arm requires two hands to manipulate for securing and adjusting, then the retention mechanism can be engaged, but it is difficult to hold the bicycle while performing these operations
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves the function of positioning and securing the arm automatically without requiring user manipulation. The system performs the retention securing action itself through automated actuation, allowing the user to simply place the bicycle on the platform while the actuator handles the arm positioning and retention engagement independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical operation of two-handed arm manipulation is replaced with automated actuation. The actuator substitutes for human hands in manipulating the arm, converting the need for two-handed manual operation into an automated mechanical system that secures the bicycle retention without requiring user hand manipulation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.