Bicycle Frame Fixing Element for Transport Box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transport boxes for bicycles fail to adequately protect individual bicycle parts during shipping, particularly the bicycle frame, from damage due to instability and the risk of slipping, which is a concern for meeting standardized drop test requirements.

Innovation Solution

A transport box equipped with a frame fixing element made of corrugated cardboard, featuring bottom bracket mounts with web elements that absorb impact and prevent slipping, allowing for secure positioning of the bicycle frame within the box.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a simple box structure is used for transporting bicycles, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the bicycle frame becomes unstable and may slip or be damaged during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidbicycle frame stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is divided into separate functional components: the outer box and the independent frame fixing element. This allows the simple box structure to be combined with a specialized stabilizing component that prevents frame movement, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame fixing element acts as an intermediary component between the bicycle frame and the outer box. It provides the necessary stabilization and impact protection without requiring the entire box structure to be complex, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the bicycle frame is tightly secured to prevent slipping, then stability is improved, but the risk of damage from impacts increases due to lack of cushioning space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe positioning stabilityVSAvoidimpact damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame fixing element incorporates cushioning features that are built-in before the bicycle frame is placed in the box. The element's structure provides both positioning stability and impact absorption, preventing damage by cushioning blows before they reach the frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame fixing element changes the physical parameters of the packaging system by introducing a compliant material or structure that can deform under impact. This allows the system to maintain tight positioning while absorbing impact energy, resolving the contradiction between stability and impact protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a reusable rigid frame holder is used, then frame protection is improved, but manufacturing cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe protection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame fixing element is designed as an inexpensive, potentially disposable component made from affordable materials. It provides adequate protection for the valuable bicycle frame while being economical enough to be replaced if necessary, resolving the contradiction between protection strength and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame fixing element likely uses composite materials or a combination of materials that provide high strength-to-cost ratio. This allows adequate frame protection to be achieved without requiring expensive materials, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Volume of stationary object

If the outer box dimensions are reduced to meet shipping requirements, then shipping cost is reduced, but the frame fixing element may not provide adequate protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebox volumeVSAvoidframe protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The frame fixing element uses a flexible or semi-flexible structure that can adapt to compact spaces. This allows adequate protection to be provided within reduced box dimensions, resolving the contradiction between compact volume and protection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The frame fixing element optimizes the use of three-dimensional space within the compact box. By strategically positioning protective features and utilizing vertical space, it provides adequate protection without increasing the overall box volume, maintaining reduced shipping dimensions while improving strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 frame fixing element effectively prevents damage to bicycle frames by stabilizing them during transport, meeting the criteria for drop tests and accommodating various bicycle types, while being cost-effective and easily disposable.

Implementation Method 1

The web elements are designed in such a way that the pedal bearing element of the bicycle frame is held at a distance from a base element of the frame fixing element... These are used to dampen the bottom bracket element, so that damage to the bottom bracket element is avoided when impacts or impacts occur.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP1849717B1Transport box for bicycles and element for holding the bicycle frame
Publication Date: 2008.07.23 CANYON BICYCLES
  • EP1849717B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1849717B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP1849717B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The cardboard has a frame fixing unit received by an external cardboard for holding a frame of a bicycle, and bottom bracket retainers (10, 12), where a bottom bracket unit of the frame is inserted into the retainers. Two rod units (22), where each rod unit has a bottom bracket recess for forming the retainers, and has two rod parts, which run at acute angle to each other. The rod units extend in a longitudinal direction (16) of the frame of the bicycle. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a wheel cardboard for transporting wheels of different sizes and breadths (2) a bicycle accessory cardboard with a retainer for accessories.