Articulated Bicycle Frame Clamp for Multi-Bike Carrier Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bike carrier devices often struggle when transporting multiple bicycles, as the front bike can obstruct the mounting process to the yoke and frame of the bike carrier, requiring inadequate adjustment and alignment, which affects the secure fixing of bicycles during vehicle acceleration and braking.

Innovation Solution

A device with a rotatable joint arrangement between the bicycle-side and carrier-side base bodies allows for adjustable orientation and length, enabling the clamping elements to move around obstacles and adjust effectively to the bicycle frame, using a coupling mechanism that converts rotary motion into translational movement for secure clamping and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the device uses a straight tube base body design, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the front bike obstructs the mounting process when transporting multiple bicycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base body is designed with articulation points that allow it to change its configuration dynamically. The segments can pivot relative to each other, transforming the structure from a rigid straight tube to a flexible articulated mechanism, enabling the device to adapt to obstacles during mounting operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base body is divided into multiple segments connected by articulation points, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the device to navigate around obstacles by adjusting the relative positions of segments, solving the obstruction problem while maintaining manufacturing simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device allows angle adjustment between base bodies, then versatility and adaptability improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The joint arrangement incorporates pivoting mechanisms that enable dynamic angle adjustment between the carrier-side and bicycle-side base bodies. This allows the device to adapt to different mounting scenarios and obstacle configurations while using relatively simple mechanical joints rather than complex adjustment systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated joint arrangement serves multiple functions: it provides angle adjustment for adaptability, maintains structural integrity for secure mounting, and enables navigation around obstacles. This multi-functionality achieves high versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity

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

3Device complexity

If the clamping elements are positioned in a fixed straight line, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot accommodate obstacles between the yoke and bicycle frame

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates articulation points that allow the clamping elements and base body segments to change their relative positions dynamically. This enables the device to route around obstacles by adjusting the angle and position of segments, transforming the clamping path from a fixed straight line to a flexible articulated configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting path is divided into multiple segments connected by articulation points, allowing each segment to be positioned independently. This segmentation enables the device to navigate around obstacles by adjusting the relative positions of segments while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4357199A1Device for fixing a bicycle frame to a bike carrier
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 CARMAN ENTERPRISE
  • EP4357199A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357199A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4357199A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (11) for fixing a bicycle frame to a bike carrier, said device (11) comprising a central section with a bicycle-side base body (13) defining a longitudinal axis (X) and a carrier-side base body (14) defining a lengthwise axis (Y), wherein the bicycle-side base body (13) and the carrier-side base body (14) are connected to each other by means of a joint arrangement, a clamping device being arranged at the end region of the carrier-side base body (14) in order to connect the device to a yoke (9) of a bike carrier (2), and a tensioning device to connect the device (11) to the frame of a bicycle.