Bicycle Rack Perpendicular Rail and Rotational Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle racks face challenges in securely accommodating bicycles of varying sizes and types, often causing damage due to improper clamping, and are cumbersome and difficult to maneuver, especially when multiple bicycles need to be loaded.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle rack design featuring a central frame with perpendicular rails, a rear wheel connector, and a front wheel stop with a rotational connector that prevents excessive rotation, allowing for secure attachment of bicycles without damaging the frame or brake callipers, and an adjustable clamp system for accommodating different wheel sizes, along with a compact and lightweight construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frame clamping type bicycle racks are used, then bicycles can be secured to the rack, but paint rubbing occurs and frame damage can happen due to improper clamping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frame contact pad as an intermediary element between the clamp and the bicycle frame. This pad is made of soft, non-marring material that prevents direct contact between the hard clamp surfaces and the bicycle frame, thereby eliminating paint rubbing and frame damage while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates an adjustable mechanism that allows users to modify the clamping force and position parameters. This enables the clamp to adapt to different frame shapes, sizes, and materials, providing secure attachment without excessive force that could cause damage
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bicycle racks are designed to accommodate various bicycle sizes, then versatility is improved, but the rack becomes heavier and more difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The rack employs adjustable and movable components including height-adjustable arms, rotating clamps, and telescopic posts. These dynamic elements allow the rack to adapt to different bicycle sizes without requiring a heavy, fixed-configuration structure, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing weight and improving maneuverability
3Quantity of substance
If multiple bicycles are loaded onto a single rack position, then carrying capacity is improved, but the complexity of securing each bicycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed as a universal, multi-functional device that can securely hold multiple bicycles at the same rack position. The same clamp mechanism used for single-bicycle attachment can be applied repeatedly to multiple bicycles, allowing two or more bicycles to be carried without increasing the complexity of the securing mechanism
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4a
AI summary
Apparatus 10 is for connecting to a motor vehicle 12 and for carrying one or more bicycles 14. The apparatus 10 comprises a central frame 16 for connecting to the motor vehicle 12, a rail 18 connected to the central frame 16 and aligned perpendicular to the central frame 16, a rear wheel connector 20 connected to the rail 18 at one end thereof and for connecting to a rear wheel 22 of a bicycle 14, a front wheel stop 24 connected to the rail 18 for bracing against a front wheel 26 of a bicycle 14, and a front wheel connector 28 rotationally connected to the rail 18 at an opposite end of the rail 18 to the rear wheel connector 20 and for connecting to a front wheel 26 of a bicycle 14. The apparatus 10 also comprises a stop 36 connected to the front wheel connector 28 and for preventing rotation of the front wheel connector 28 beyond a specific point.