Bicycle Fork Protector Using Miniature Wheels and Axle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicycle forks are vulnerable to damage when a wheel is removed, as they can come into contact with surfaces during loading or unloading, and the exposed brake callipers are prone to damage and brake pad misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle fork protector system comprising miniature wheels and an axle that engages the fork, maintaining the fork's spatial arrangement and protecting it from damage, along with a stand for upright support, includes a brake pad separator to prevent brake pad misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the wheel is removed from the bicycle for ease of loading or storage, then the bicycle becomes easier to transport and store, but the exposed fork becomes vulnerable to damage from contact with surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of loadingVSAvoiddamage to fork

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective device is introduced as an intermediary between the exposed fork and the ground/vehicle surfaces. This protective device includes a support structure with a contact element that rests on the ground, and a protective element that extends between the fork legs to prevent direct contact and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective device is positioned beforehand to cushion and prevent potential damage to the fork. The support structure with ground-contacting element and protective element between the fork legs provides advance protection against surface contact damage during loading and storage operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the wheel is removed to allow the bicycle to be fitted into a vehicle, then the loading process is simplified, but the exposed dropout slots become vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fitting into vehicleVSAvoiddamage to dropout slots

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective element positioned between the fork legs acts as an intermediary that shields the dropout slots from direct contact with surfaces. This protective barrier prevents damage to the vulnerable dropout slots while allowing the wheel to be removed for easier vehicle loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the brake disc is removed with the wheel, then the wheel can be easily detached, but the brake pads can be inadvertently urged together causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of wheel detachmentVSAvoidbrake pad alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protective device is installed on the fork before the wheel and brake disc are removed. This preliminary action ensures that the protective element is already in place to maintain the spatial arrangement of the fork components and prevent brake pad misalignment during the wheel detachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10023253B2Bicycle fork protector

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 BOPWORX

AI summary

A bicycle fork protector and stand comprising a wheelset having at least one or two miniature wheels and an axle on the wheelset for engaging a bicycle fork at the bicycle dropouts to protect the fork from damage and maintain the fork blades in a correct spatial arrangement for storage and/or transport of the bicycle.