Adjustable Height Foldable Frame for Bicycle Trailers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle trailers have limited height flexibility, especially when folding, which restricts their use for transporting larger animals or items requiring a consistent height, and existing solutions are not easily adaptable for different transport needs.

Innovation Solution

A foldable frame structure with at least four profile sections, where the distance between connection points can be adjusted and fixed, allowing for independent selection of profile section lengths and easy folding, using articulation, telescopic designs, and stiffening mechanisms to maintain structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the frame structure uses fixed-length profile sections connected by rigid joints, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability for different transport needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability for different transport needs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed-length profile sections with telescopic profile sections that can dynamically adjust their length. The telescopic mechanism allows the frame to change its dimensions while maintaining structural stability through locked positions, enabling adaptation to different transport needs such as varying cargo sizes and types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the profile section lengths to be variable rather than fixed. The telescopic design enables continuous adjustment of the frame's geometric parameters (lengths and heights), providing versatility for different transport requirements while maintaining structural integrity through controlled locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the profile sections are made telescopic to enable folding, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing each profile section into multiple telescopic segments that can slide relative to each other. This segmentation enables the folding functionality while distributing the mechanical complexity across standardized modular components, making the overall system more manageable and adaptable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the connection points are fixed in position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability for different heights deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection point positioningVSAvoidheight adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the connection points dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The telescopic profile sections allow connection points to change their positions along the profile length, enabling height adjustment for different transport needs while maintaining precise positioning when locked in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3431378A1Folding mechanism
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 CROOZER GMBH
  • EP3431378A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3431378A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3431378A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a foldable frame for a vehicle, in particular for a single- or two-track bicycle trailer, with at least one frame structure having at least four profile sections, wherein at least two connection points are provided on each profile section and adjacent profile sections are connected to each other at mutually assigned connection points in at least one operating position via articulated connecting means, so that they form a closed frame, and wherein means for stiffening the frame structure are provided, as well as a bicycle trailer equipped with such a frame.To provide such a frame structure, which allows for a spatial shape whose height in the direction of travel is freely selectable at the front and rear and, in particular, independent of the track width of the bicycle trailer, and which is simultaneously foldable flat, as is a single- or two-track bicycle trailer equipped therewith, it is proposed that at least one of the profile sections be a first profile section and the profile sections immediately adjacent to it be second profile sections, to which the first profile section is connected at least in the operating position, and that the distance between the connection points of the second profile sections, which are assigned to the connection points of the first profile section, is variable and can be fixed in the operating position. The object is also achieved with a bicycle trailer according to claim 12.