Bicycle Carrier Rotatable Arm Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle transport devices for motor vehicles fail to easily maintain a bicycle in a vertical position during fastening, obstructing the user's ability to rotate the rotatable arm and secure the bicycle with both hands free.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a rotatable arm with a curved lower part for easy grasping and an inclined intermediate part, combined with catching means that include a first and second jaw for secure vertical positioning and locking of the bicycle, allowing the user to rotate the arm and fasten the bicycle to the carrier with both hands free.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the bicycle is rested onto the device, then the bicycle is kept in a vertical position, but the bicycle obstructs the user from easily rotating the rotatable arm and fastening the catching means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebicycle vertical positioningVSAvoidrotatable arm rotation and fastening operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable arm is divided into two separate parts: a lower part that the user grasps for rotation, and an upper part connected to the catching means. This segmentation allows the user to rotate the lower part without obstruction from the bicycle, while the upper part remains positioned to properly engage the bicycle frame for secure fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower part of the rotatable arm acts as an intermediary element between the user and the upper part connected to the catching means. By grasping and rotating the lower part, the user can indirectly position the upper part and catching means without the bicycle obstructing the direct interaction, thus enabling easy operation while maintaining reliable vertical positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the rotatable arm is positioned to fasten the catching means to the bicycle tube, then the bicycle can be secured, but the user cannot easily rotate the arm while the bicycle is in place

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebicycle fastening securityVSAvoidrotatable arm rotation during fastening
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the rotatable arm into lower and upper parts enables the user to rotate the lower part freely for positioning, while the upper part with catching means is positioned to securely engage the bicycle frame tube, achieving both ease of operation and fastening security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower part of the rotatable arm is designed to be grasped and rotated first to position the upper part and catching means in the correct orientation before the actual fastening operation, allowing preliminary positioning without obstruction from the bicycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3713792B1Device for transporting bicycles on motor vehicles
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 AURILIS GROUP ITALA
  • EP3713792B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3713792B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3713792B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A device (10) is described for transporting bicycles on motor vehicles, comprising: a small channel (12) connectable through supporting means to the roof of a motor vehicle, an arm (14) connected rotating to the small channel (12), and catching means (15) connected to the rotatable arm (14) to catch the bicycle and keep it in a vertical position when its wheels are abutted onto the small channel (12), the rotatable arm (14) comprising a lower part (18) connected rotating to the small channel (12) and arranged laterally thereto, in order to find itself, with respect to a longitudinal direction (L) of the small channel (12), on the loading part (C) of the bicycle on the device (10).