Bicycle Fork Mount with Integrated Skewer Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quick release fork mount assemblies designed for conventional bicycle forks are unable to securely attach through-axle type forks, leading to instability and increased complexity when securing mountain and off-road bicycles, as they require adapters that can be cumbersome and prone to misalignment, especially when used on elevated surfaces like vehicle roofs.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle fork mount with a hollow body to accommodate through-axle forks, featuring an adapter with a translational skewer and a bi-directional spring mechanism that extends the skewer ends beyond the fork mount body, allowing easy alignment and secure attachment of both through-axle and conventional forks, enhancing stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional quick release fork mount assemblies are used, then conventional forks can be secured easily, but through-axle type forks cannot be secured at all
Solution Approach 1:
The fork mount assembly is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both conventional forks with U-shaped slots and through-axle forks with closed apertures. The hollow body structure with internally threaded aperture accepts different fork types directly without requiring separate adapters for each fork type.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow body structure acts as an intermediary element that interfaces between the through-axle fork and the load carrier. It provides a standardized mounting interface that translates different fork types into a common securing mechanism, eliminating the need for multiple specialized adapters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are used to secure through-axle forks to conventional fork mount assemblies, then through-axle forks can be secured, but the process becomes difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adapter function from a separate component and integrates it directly into the fork mount assembly structure. The hollow body with internal threading is built-in, eliminating the need for separate adapters that require threading and wrench operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fork mount assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the hollow body for receiving forks, the internally threaded aperture for securing, and the skewer mechanism for clamping. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables quick assembly without complex adapter operations.
3Device complexity
If single skewers are loosely held within the fork mount body, then the structure is simple, but alignment of prongs with skewer becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The skewer is designed with features that enable self-alignment during the securing process. As the fork prongs are inserted into the hollow body, the skewer automatically positions itself relative to the prongs through the interaction of its surfaces with the fork components, eliminating the need for manual centering.
Solution Approach 2:
The skewer is pre-positioned within the hollow body at a predetermined location before the fork is secured. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the fork prongs are inserted, they naturally align with the skewer's clamping surfaces, facilitating easy and quick securing without manual adjustment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are used to secure through-axle forks, then through-axle forks can be mounted, but the number of connection points increases reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the adapter function with the primary fork mount structure. Instead of having separate adapter and mount components that create multiple connection points, the hollow body with internal threading integrates both functions into a single unified structure, maintaining stability with fewer connection points.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a stable and user-friendly method to secure various fork types on load carriers, reducing the complexity of adapter usage and increasing the stability of the bicycle during transport, especially on rough terrain, by ensuring proper alignment and secure attachment without the need for additional adapters.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing assembly is disposed between the adapter and the skewer to urge the skewer toward an ends-extended configuration in which each of a pair of fork receiving ends of the skewer are oppositely disposed beyond lateral sides of the fork mount body.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4a
AI summary
A bicycle fork mount for receiving and securing a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle type front bicycle wheel, but which is also temporarily adaptable for receiving a fork of a skewer type front bicycle wheel includes a fork mount body having a hollow for insertably receiving a front axle hub assembly of a through-axle front bicycle wheel. An adapter is received in the hollow and has a fork receiving skewer associated therewith that is configured for translational movement relative to the adapter. A biasing assembly is disposed between the adapter and the skewer and urges the skewer toward an ends-extended configuration in which a pair of fork receiving ends of the skewer are oppositely disposed beyond the lateral sides of the fork mount body and are configured for receiving and releasably securing the fork of a bicycle having a skewer type front wheel to the bicycle fork mount.