Adjustable Bicycle Carrier with Angular Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitch-mounted bicycle carriers are cumbersome to align and mount, often require partial disassembly of bicycles, are not adjustable for different bike sizes, expose bikes to heat damage from vehicle exhaust, and limit hitch receiver usage for other purposes.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, easily adjustable bicycle carrier with angularly extending arm members and a three-point securing mechanism, allowing for various bike sizes and shapes, and enabling the carrier to be positioned away from vehicle exhaust heat, while allowing hitch receiver use for other accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hitch mounted carrier is made sturdy and secure, then it can reliably transport bicycles, but it becomes heavy and difficult to mount
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple components: a base unit that attaches to the hitch receiver, and separate arm assemblies that can be attached and removed as needed. This segmentation allows the main heavy structural components to remain with the base unit while lighter arm assemblies are used for actual bicycle transport, reducing the effective weight during mounting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier incorporates adjustable and movable components including telescoping arms with locking mechanisms and rotating clamps. These dynamic features allow the carrier to adapt to different bicycle configurations while maintaining structural integrity, providing reliability without requiring excessive fixed weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a hitch mounted carrier is designed to accommodate different bicycle types, then it becomes adjustable, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier employs universal mounting features including standardized hitch receiver attachment, adjustable arm lengths, and versatile clamping mechanisms that can secure various bicycle frame types (mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes). This multi-functionality allows a single carrier design to handle multiple bicycle types without requiring separate specialized carriers for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier uses dynamic adjustment mechanisms including telescoping arms with position locks, rotatable clamps, and adjustable strap configurations. These dynamic features enable the carrier to adapt to different bicycle sizes and shapes through simple positional adjustments rather than complex reconfigurations, maintaining relatively low device complexity while achieving high adaptability.
3Area of stationary object
If the carrier is positioned close to the vehicle for compact storage, then it saves space, but the bicycle is exposed to heat damage from exhaust
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier incorporates height adjustment capability through telescoping arms and adjustable mounting positions on the base unit. This dynamic height adjustment allows the carrier to be positioned at different vertical levels, enabling users to move the bicycle carrier away from the hot exhaust area while maintaining compact storage when positioned lower.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier design adds vertical dimensionality to the storage problem by utilizing the height adjustment range. Instead of only horizontal positioning near the vehicle, the carrier can be positioned at multiple height levels, creating a vertical separation between the bicycle and the exhaust source while maintaining space efficiency.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier structure is made rigid for stability, then it provides secure transport, but it is awkward to align and mount
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier employs locking mechanisms that transition components from a mobile alignment state to a fixed stable state. The arms can be easily adjusted and positioned during mounting, then locked into place to provide rigid stability during transport. This dynamic locking system allows easy alignment and mounting while maintaining transport stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier divides the structure into modular segments with individual locking mechanisms. Each segment can be independently aligned and secured, making the overall mounting process more manageable and easier to align compared to a single rigid structure. The segmented design maintains stability through multiple locked connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight bicycle carrier that is easily adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of bicycles and other equipment. The bicycle carrier of the present invention is easily assembled and installed onto the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The bicycle carrier can also be partially disassembled to allow access into the rear of the vehicle without interfering with the vehicle tailgate. The bicycle carrier includes adjustable angular support arms to support bicycles during transport.