Bicycle Carrier Adjustable Support with Form-Fit Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle carriers do not optimally position bicycles relative to the support, leading to suboptimal support and potential instability during vehicle movement.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle carrier with adjustable supports that can be moved and fixed relative to the base support using a form-fitting contour system, allowing for optimal positioning and secure holding of the bicycle frame or bottom bracket, featuring a sliding and pivoting mechanism with locking elements to prevent rotation and displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support is fixed in a single position on the base support, then the structure is simple and stable, but the bicycle cannot be optimally positioned relative to the support for different bicycle types and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The support is made movable relative to the base support through a bearing, allowing it to be adjusted to different positions. The support can be moved along an adjustment axis and pivoted about this axis, transforming from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable one, thereby adapting to different bicycle types and sizes while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through the use of standard bearing components
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into separable components: the support itself, the bearing mechanism, and the fastening device. This segmentation allows the support to be independently positioned and adjusted relative to the base support, enabling versatile accommodation of different bicycles while keeping each component relatively simple in design
2Adaptability or versatility
If the support is made movable to achieve optimal positioning, then adaptability improves, but the stability and reliability of the support connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support transitions from a static to a dynamic state through the bearing mechanism, enabling movement along and pivoting about the adjustment axis. This dynamic capability allows the support to be positioned optimally for different bicycles while maintaining the ability to achieve stable connections when fastened
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device incorporates self-locking form-fitting contours that automatically engage to prevent displacement and rotation of the support once positioned. The anti-rotation contour and securing contour work passively to maintain stability without requiring additional active locking mechanisms, thereby ensuring reliable connection while preserving adjustability
3Reliability
If the support protrudes forward in use position, then optimal support of the bicycle is achieved, but the space required by the bicycle carrier increases when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed to be movable between a forward protruding use position, where it optimally supports the bicycle, and a retracted non-use position, where it minimizes space occupation. The bearing mechanism enables this dynamic repositioning, allowing the support to transition between functional and storage states
Solution Approach 2:
The support's position is changed along the adjustment axis, moving it between different spatial locations. In the use position, it protrudes forward to provide optimal support; in the non-use position, it is retracted closer to the base support, effectively utilizing the adjustment axis dimension to resolve the space conflict
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bicycle carrier (210) for arrangement on the rear of a motor vehicle (90), with a base carrier (211) on which parking areas (15) for parking a bicycle (80) are provided and which has a support body (212) on which at least one support is movably mounted by means of a bearing (218), wherein the at least one support in a use position (G1, G2) for supporting a bicycle (80) parked on the parking areas (15) projects upwards in front of the parking areas (15) and a mounting device (40; 140; 240) for detachably fastening the bicycle (80) is arranged on the support (230, 330).It is provided that the support (230, 330) is adjustable between at least two different support positions (G1, G2) on the support body (212) with respect to at least one positioning axis (S) by means of the bearing (218), wherein the at least one support (230, 330) can be fixed in place with respect to the support body (212) by means of a fastening device (270) of the bicycle carrier in the at least two support positions (G1, G2) by means of a fastening device (270), wherein the at least one support (230, 330) is secured against rotation and/or is non-displaceable in the support positions (G1, G2) with respect to the positioning axis (S) by means of at least one positive locking contour (275) assigned to the support (230, 330) and at least one counter-positive locking contour (225) assigned to the support body (212) with respect to the positioning axis (S).