Vertical Bicycle Carrier Tilt Memory for Rear Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-mounted load carriers are cumbersome, unstable, and fail to securely fasten or balance bicycles, often limiting the size of wheels that can be secured and blocking access to vehicle trunks or rear doors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted load carrier with a hub, support member, tilt release mechanism, and tilt memory actuator, allowing for rotatable support members and adjustable wheel reception, along with tilt-assist devices to enhance stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a load carrier is attached to the rear of a vehicle, then it can transport equipment from one place to another, but it blocks access to trunks or rear vehicle doors
Solution Approach 1:
The load carrier is designed to rotate between a loaded position (extending rearward for transport) and an unloaded position (rotated forward clear of the vehicle). This dynamic repositioning allows the carrier to provide transport capability when needed while clearing the way for access to vehicle compartments when not in use
2Reliability
If conventional securing mechanisms are used, then the load carrier can be attached to the vehicle, but it is cumbersome and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical securing mechanisms with a magnetic attachment system. Magnets embedded in the hub provide automatic securing when the load carrier is positioned against the vehicle, eliminating the need for cumbersome straps, clips, or manual fastening mechanisms while providing stable attachment
3Volume of moving object
If the load support platform is transferred from use position to stowage position, then the carrier can be compacted, but the carried object no longer being visible or protruding in an unfavorable manner
Solution Approach 1:
The load carrier rotates in the horizontal plane rather than folding vertically. This dimensional change allows the carrier to maintain a consistent vertical profile (compact in the vertical dimension) while rotating to clear the vehicle rear (solving the visibility and access issue in the horizontal dimension)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle mounted load carrier can include a hub, a support member, a tilt release mechanism, and atilt memory actuator. The support member rotatably can couple to the hub. The tilt release mechanism can couple to the support member. The tilt release mechanism can include a locking arm configured to move between a locked configuration and a released configuration. In the locked configuration the support member can be fixed relative to the hub. In the released configuration the support member can rotate between a first position and a second position. The tilt memory actuator can moveably couple to the hub or the support member. The tilt memory actuator can be configured to maintain the locking arm in the released configuration when the locking arm is actuated from the locked configuration to the released configuration.