Bicycle Luggage Adapter With Pivotable Spring-Loaded Locking Hooks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for attaching luggage containers to bicycle luggage racks are not universally adaptable and often fail to securely hold the containers in place, especially during cornering or when there are slight misalignments.
Innovation Solution
A container adapter with pivotable bolts and spring-loaded locking hooks that can be adjusted to fit various luggage rack widths, featuring a compact design with a slide that serves as a handle and provides secure attachment through a cam mechanism, ensuring the adapter is insensitive to misalignments and prevents slipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spring elements are positioned above the luggage rack platform, then the locking mechanism has better leverage, but the adapter height increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spring elements are repositioned from a vertical arrangement (above the platform) to a horizontal arrangement (below the platform), utilizing the unused space in the vertical dimension to maintain compact overall height while preserving locking strength
2Device complexity
If fixed bolts are used for attachment, then the structure is simpler, but the adapter cannot accommodate misalignments between containers and racks
Solution Approach 1:
The bolts are designed to pivot around a horizontal axis, transforming them from fixed rigid elements to dynamic adjustable elements that can automatically adapt to misalignments while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable bolts can change their angular position to accommodate variations in alignment between containers and racks, effectively adjusting the attachment parameters to fit different configurations
3Reliability
If multiple separate locking components are used, then the locking is more secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slider integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the handle for operating the locking mechanism and as a structural element that guides the bolt's pivoting motion, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining security
4Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter is designed for universal use, then versatility is improved, but the locking mechanism becomes less precise for specific rack types
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with adjustable crossbar spacing and pivotable locking mechanisms that can accommodate various rack widths and configurations, enabling universal application across different bicycle rack types while maintaining secure locking through the adjustable pivot mechanism
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 adapter securely attaches luggage containers to bicycle luggage racks, allowing for easy operation and handling, maintaining stability during cornering and accommodating slight misalignments, while preventing the container from slipping off.
Implementation Method 1
The latch hooks are spring-loaded in the direction of the tensioning of the adapter and luggage carrier, with the spring(s) being/being arranged below the luggage carrier platform
Implementation Method 2
the slider is guided over a cam against the force of the spring element during the locking pivoting movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container adapter (10) for bicycle luggage carriers (11) with at least one one- or multi-part crossbar (13, 14) bridging the luggage carrier (11), and with at least two latches (15, 16) with latch hooks (17) on the adapter (10) for connecting one of the two outermost longitudinal struts (19, 20) of the luggage carrier (11) to the adapter (10). The latch hooks (17) are spring-loaded in the direction of tension between the adapter (10) and the luggage carrier (11), with the spring(s) (21) being/being arranged below the luggage carrier platform (22). The latches (15, 16) are pre-adjustable in their spatial position; in the locked state, the latch hooks (17) engage one longitudinal strut (19, 20) of the luggage carrier (11) from above. The bolts (15, 16) are rotatably mounted on at least one physical axis (23) and each has a handle (24, 25) for actuating these bolts (15, 16).