Bicycle Load Carrier Adjustable Pivoting Angle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load carriers for bicycles attached to camping trailers often result in the bicycle touching the towing vehicle due to a fixed pivoting angle, leading to potential damage during transport.

Innovation Solution

A load carrier design with a base frame and platform that can pivot, featuring a connecting element with adjustable attachment points and a flexible area, allowing for variable pivoting angles to match the distance between the towing vehicle and camping trailer, preventing contact and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed pivoting angle is used in the load carrier, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the bicycle may touch the towing vehicle causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddamage to towing vehicle and bicycle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the pivoting angle adjustable rather than fixed. The connecting element allows the platform to pivot at variable angles, enabling the system to adapt dynamically to different distances between the towing vehicle and camping trailer. This resolves the contradiction by sacrificing manufacturing simplicity for the ability to prevent damage through angle adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the pivoting angle to be varied within a range. The connecting element with its specific geometric configuration enables the platform to achieve different angular positions, transforming the fixed parameter into a variable one. This allows optimization of the pivoting angle to prevent contact between the bicycle and towing vehicle while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the pivoting angle is increased to avoid contact with the towing vehicle, then damage is prevented, but the platform becomes less stable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidplatform stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the pivoting angle parameter within a specific range rather than maximizing it. The connecting element's geometric parameters are designed to provide sufficient angle variation for damage prevention while maintaining platform stability. This balanced parameter selection resolves the contradiction between damage prevention and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic adjustment of the pivoting angle based on operating conditions. The platform can pivot to an optimized angle that prevents contact with the towing vehicle while maintaining adequate stability for bicycle transport. This dynamic optimization resolves the contradiction by adapting the angle to specific operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable attachment points are implemented, then the pivoting angle can be adapted to individual distances, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to individual distanceVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves adaptability through parameter changes in the connecting element's geometric configuration rather than through complex mechanical adjustments. The specific dimensions and arrangement of the connecting element allow the pivoting angle to be optimized for different distances while maintaining a relatively simple structure. This resolves the contradiction by using parameter optimization instead of complex adjustable mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2842809B1Load carrier
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 THULE NV
  • EP2842809B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2842809B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP2842809B1 patent drawingFigure 4c~4f

AI summary

A load carrier (1), particularly for bicycles, comprises a base frame (2) that can be connected to a vehicle, a platform (3) that is pivotably arranged on the base frame (2) about a pivot axis (A) of a joint (4), and a connecting element (5) with at least two points of application (5a, b) and a flexible area (5c) between the points of application. A first point of application (5a) is arranged on the base frame (2) and a second point of application (5b) is arranged on the platform (3). At least one of the points of application (5a, b) is displaceable along a predetermined path.