Retractable Bicycle Cross Bar Adaptor With Simplified Locking Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable bicycle cross bar adaptors have complex designs with many parts, leading to high manufacturing costs and difficulty in competing with other products in the market due to their intricate shapes and numerous components.
Innovation Solution
A retractable bicycle cross bar adaptor featuring a simplified design with a control unit comprising a bar with non-circular sections, an oval-shaped inner part with a C-shaped cross section, and a pivotable switch mechanism that allows easy length adjustment by pressing a tongue to pivot the switch, removing the rod from holes in the second tube, enabling the second tube to move relative to the first tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable bicycle cross bar adaptor is designed with multiple notches, a movable unit with slide and stop, and a securing unit with springs, then the length adjustment function is achieved, but the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the movable unit and securing unit into a single integrated structure. The control unit includes an inner part with a C-shaped cross section that integrates the slide function and securing function, eliminating the need for separate movable unit and securing unit components. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining the length adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the movable unit that slides along the bar with notches and the securing unit that locks the position using springs. The inner part with C-shaped cross section simultaneously provides the sliding surface and the locking mechanism, making a single component perform what previously required multiple separate parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the movable unit and securing unit include many parts with different sizes and shapes, then the length adjustment capability is provided, but the manufacturing cost increases due to intricate shapes and numerous components
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the movable unit and securing unit into the control unit, the patent reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured with different sizes and shapes. The integrated design means fewer unique components are required, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing costs associated with producing multiple intricate parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses a uniform structural design where the inner part with C-shaped cross section provides both sliding and securing functions. This homogeneous approach within the control unit reduces the variety of part shapes and sizes compared to having separate movable and securing units, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Ease of operation
If a control unit with a pivotable switch mechanism is used, then the length adjustment operation becomes easy and effective, but the control unit structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit incorporates a pivotable switch mechanism that allows dynamic operation. The switch can pivot between different positions to engage or disengage the locking mechanism, providing easy operation for length adjustment. This dynamic element enables simple user interaction while the overall control unit structure remains integrated and relatively simple compared to having separate movable and securing units.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle retractable bicycle cross bar adaptor includes a bar having a first tube, a second tube and a control unit. The first tube has a first connection end and the second tube has a second connection end which is movably inserted into the first connection end. The second tube includes multiple holes. The control unit includes an inner part, a switch and a sleeve. A switch is pivotably connected to the inner part and the sleeve is mounted to the inner part and the switch. The sleeve includes a flexible tongue to pivot the switch. The switch includes a rod on one end thereof. When the switch is pivoted, the rod is inserted into one of the holes of the second tube to set the length of the bar. When the rod is removed from the hole, the second tube is moved relative to the first tube.