Bicycle Fork Support with Universal Switching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle fork support devices are unable to securely hold both conventional forks and through-axle forks with varying outer diameters, leading to increased complexity, cost, and weight, and lack an effective antitheft mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle-fork support device with a support-fork switching unit that accommodates conventional forks with inverse U-shaped or C-shaped grooves and through-axle forks, featuring interchangeable supporting bodies for different axle diameters and an antitheft mechanism using a guarding member and key mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fork support devices use a single support shaft design for conventional forks, then conventional bicycles can be secured, but through-axle bicycles with different outer diameters cannot be secured
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both conventional forks with inverse U-shaped grooves and through-axle forks with different outer diameters. The shaft includes a through-hole that allows passage of through-axles, and the outer peripheral surface has engagement portions that can interact with both groove portions of conventional forks and outer surfaces of through-axles, enabling one component to serve multiple functions
Solution Approach 2:
The support shaft is divided into functional segments: an engagement portion with multiple types of engagement portions for different fork types, a through-hole portion for through-axle passage, and a locking portion with a locking lever. This segmentation allows each part to specialize in specific functions while maintaining overall system simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple intermediate rods are used to accommodate different through-axle diameters, then various through-axle forks can be secured, but device complexity, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single support shaft performs the function of multiple intermediate rods by incorporating a through-hole for through-axle passage and engagement portions that can interface with different through-axle outer diameters. This eliminates the need for multiple separate intermediate rods, thereby reducing the weight of the stationary support device while maintaining compatibility with various through-axle fork types
3Reliability
If conventional fork support devices lack antitheft means, then the structure remains simple, but bicycles secured outside automobiles are vulnerable to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The support shaft includes a preliminary anti-theft design where the locking lever and locking portion create a mechanical lock that prevents unauthorized removal of the support shaft from the fork. The locking lever can be positioned to engage with the locking portion, creating a secure connection that requires deliberate action to release, thereby providing built-in antitheft protection without adding complex external mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle-fork support device configured to hold: a conventional fork, allowing insertion of a quick-release-skewer support shaft, in a lower end portion of the fork of a bicycle; a through-axle fork where a through-axle insertion hole for securing a through-axle hub formed in a lower end portion of the through-axle fork, and configured to deal with outer diameters of through-axle forks. The support-fork switching unit includes: a support-device main body where a hollow portion is formed; end portions formed in right and left end portions of the hollow portion; a conventional-fork-use supporting body including, a contacting portion formed with an internal shape that fits the support shaft; a through-axle-fork-use supporting body including, a contacting portion formed with an internal shape that fits the through axle; and a unit for removably mounting any of the supporting bodies on the right and left end portions.