Bicycle Carrier Structure for Tire Storage and Multi-Position Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle transportation devices fail to efficiently remove and store the front tire, facilitate loading in a horizontal or near-horizontal position, protect bicycle components during transport, and allow seamless switching between upright and horizontal storage positions without reattachment.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle carrier apparatus with a carrier trough, adjustable struts, and tethers that allows for the secure storage and transport of bicycles in various positions, including horizontal, vertical, and angled, while providing mechanisms for front tire removal and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bicycle is transported in an upright position using existing devices, then the front tire can be captured, but the device cannot accommodate horizontal positioning and lacks tire storage capability
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle stand is designed to perform multiple functions: it can hold the bicycle in both upright and horizontal positions, capture the front tire, and store the removed tire. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single device adaptable to various transportation scenarios without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand incorporates adjustable features including an adjustable support surface that can be positioned at different angles, and a movable tire storage component. These dynamic elements allow the device to transition between upright and horizontal positioning modes while maintaining structural integrity.
2Volume of moving object
If the bicycle is laid on its side for horizontal transport, then space utilization improves, but the front tire cannot be secured and components are exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The stand captures the front tire before the bicycle is positioned horizontally, preventing the tire from rolling away. Additionally, the support structure is designed to cradle sensitive components like the derailleur and handlebars, providing preliminary protection against damage during the positioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The front tire is stored within a dedicated compartment of the stand structure, nesting the tire inside the overall device framework. This nested arrangement secures the tire while maintaining compact space utilization during horizontal transport.
3Volume of moving object
If the front tire is removed for vertical storage, then space efficiency improves, but there is no provision for storing the removed tire
Solution Approach 1:
The tire capture mechanism and tire storage compartment are merged into a single integrated structure. When the tire is removed from the bicycle, it is transferred to the adjacent storage compartment without requiring separate handling equipment or additional device components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bicycle is loaded horizontally, then fitting in cargo area is improved, but the loading process becomes more difficult without proper assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The stand is positioned and configured before the bicycle is loaded, with the support surface already adjusted to the appropriate angle and the tire capture mechanism in place. This preliminary preparation simplifies the loading process by eliminating the need for complex adjustments during the actual loading operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved bicycle carrier is suitable for holding and facilitating the storage and transport of a bicycle in a horizontal or vertical position. The disclosed embodiments each include a structure to not only reliably secure the bicycle's components, but also to protect critical components such as a derailleur.