Bicycle Mudguard Snap-Fit Shield Attachment for Fast Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle mudguards face issues with slow and often irreversible attachment and detachment of the shield to the rod, which prolongs installation and removal times.
Innovation Solution
The mudguard features snap-fit interconnection means with first and second elements that couple through a through opening, allowing for rapid fixation and detachment via a snap-lock mechanism, utilizing tabs and cavities for interference fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional interconnection means are used to fix the shield to the rod, then the shield is securely attached, but the fixing process takes a long time
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection means is divided into separate elements: a first element with tabs and a second element with cavities. This segmentation allows for rapid assembly by simply aligning and inserting the elements through the through opening, eliminating complex fastening procedures and significantly reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems (screws, bolts, clips) with a snap-fit interference fit mechanism. The tabs insert into cavities and create an interference fit that securely attaches the shield to the rod without requiring tools or complex operations, thus improving fixing speed while maintaining secure attachment.
2Productivity
If traditional interconnection means are used to attach the shield, then the shield is firmly fixed, but detaching the shield is very slow and sometimes irreversible
Solution Approach 1:
The interconnection means provides dynamic attachment characteristics: during installation, the tabs snap into the cavities with an interference fit for secure fixing; during removal, the elements can be easily separated by applying slight force. This dynamic behavior allows the system to provide strong attachment during use while enabling rapid detachment when needed, making the process reversible and time-efficient.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a secure interference fit is used to fix the shield, then the attachment is stable, but the fixing process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The tabs and cavities are pre-formed during manufacturing with precise geometry and interference fit characteristics. This preliminary action ensures that during assembly, the user only needs to align and insert the elements through the through opening, and the pre-designed interference fit automatically provides stable attachment. This eliminates the need for additional fastening steps while maintaining attachment stability.
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 snap-fit interconnection enables faster and reversible attachment and detachment of the shield to the rod, enhancing installation efficiency and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The interconnection means comprise a first element and a second element configured to be coupled together by interference
Data Source
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention concerns a bicycle mudguard (10) comprising: - a shield (20) configured to be installed on a bicycle in such a way as to stop the debris raised by a wheel of this bicycle from being projected outwards while the latter is moving; - a rod (30) having a curved section (30a) along its longitudinal extension and at least one free end (30b) configured to be fixed to the frame of said bicycle; - interconnection means (40) configured to fix the shield (20) to the rod (30) in such a way as to define a coupled configuration for the mudguard (10); said shield (20) having a through opening (21) defined between said outer side (20a) and said inner side (20b), said interconnection means (40) comprising a first element (40a) and a second element (40b) configured to be coupled together by interference, said coupled configuration being defined by the coupling of said first element (40a) and said second element (40b) through said through opening (21), with said first element (40a) arranged at said outer side (20a), said second element (40b) arranged at said inner side (20b) and said curved section (30a) interposed between said second element (40b) and said inner side (20b), said first element (40a) comprising at least one first pair of tabs (41), each of which is provided with a first groove (41a), said second element (40b) having at least one pair of cavities (42) inside each of which a protrusion (42a) is defined, said coupled configuration being defined by the insertion of said first pair of tabs (41) into said pair of cavities (42), with said protrusion (42a) inside said first groove (41a), in such a way that said first element (40a) and said second element (40b) are coupled together by interference, each tab of said first pair of tabs (41) is provided with a second groove (41b), said coupled configuration being defined by the insertion of said first pair of tabs (41) into said through opening (21) with the perimeter edge of said through opening (21) arranged inside said second groove (41 b).