Bicycle Frame Plate Adapter for Universal Drive Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bicycle frames for electric bicycles with central motor drives require separate mounting devices for different drive units, limiting adaptability and aesthetics, and lack a uniform electrical interface, making them inefficient for sporty and lifestyle-oriented cyclists.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle frame with a plate-shaped adapter having first and second adapter legs, which connects the frame-side receiving device to the drive unit, providing a unified mechanical and electrical interface, allowing for a modular design that minimizes space and enhances aesthetics, and supports various drive and battery arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate mounting devices are provided for different drive units, then each drive unit can be securely mounted, but the frame complexity increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidframe complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal receiving device with standardized mounting interface that can accommodate multiple types of drive units (e.g., different bottom bracket drives). The adapter plate serves as an intermediary component that enables different drive units to interface with the standardized receiving device, eliminating the need for separate mounting devices for each drive type while maintaining secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate mounting devices are provided for different drive units, then each drive unit can be securely mounted, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By providing a single standardized receiving device that can accommodate multiple drive unit types through adapters, the manufacturer reduces the number of unique components that need to be produced and inventoried. This standardization approach lowers production costs through economies of scale while maintaining secure mounting capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a standardized mounting device is provided on the frame side with an adapter, then adaptability to different drive units is improved, but the frame integration becomes structurally incomplete

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidframe integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plate functions as an intermediary component that bridges the standardized receiving device on the frame and the various drive unit types. This mediator enables adaptability to different drive units while maintaining stable frame integration, as the adapter is specifically designed to interface with both the standardized mounting points on the frame and the mounting features of different drive units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If adapters with larger cross section are used to improve structural completeness, then frame integration improves, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe integrationVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter plate is designed with optimized local geometry that provides sufficient structural completeness for frame integration only where needed. Rather than using a uniformly large cross-section, the adapter's dimensions and shape are tailored to match the specific mounting requirements, minimizing the overall space requirement while ensuring stable integration with the frame and drive unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3732094B1Bicycle frame, electric bicycle and adapter set
Publication Date: 2021.10.20 BIKETEC
  • EP3732094B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3732094B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3732094B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention discloses a bicycle frame 1 having a receiving device 6 for a drive unit 16, 35, 46, in particular for a bottom bracket drive, wherein an adapter 8, 34, 40 for connecting the receiving device 6 to the drive unit 16, 35, 46 is provided, wherein the adapter 8, 34, 40 is designed in a plate-like manner with a first adapter flange 20, 44 and a second adapter flange 22, 42 and is arranged between the frame-side receiving device 6 and the drive unit 16, 35, 46. The invention further discloses an electric bicycle having a vehicle frame of this kind, and an adapter set having a plurality of adapters.