Bicycle Splash Guard with Flow Channels and Divider

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing splash guards for bicycles are inadequate in preventing splash water from dripping back onto the bicycle or rider, and they often fail to effectively discharge water away from sensitive components, leading to potential damage from abrasive dirt and water.

Innovation Solution

A protective profile with two flow channels and a central flow divider that directs tangentially detaching spray and dirty water into the channels, reducing kinetic energy and preventing backflow, while also incorporating a water-discharging device to ensure efficient drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional splash guard is used, then the structure is simple, but the splash water is insufficiently drained off and drips directly onto the bicycle or rider

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against splash waterVSAvoidstructure of splash guard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The splash guard is divided into multiple functional segments: a protective profile with flow channels, a flow divider, and a water-discharging device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while collectively providing comprehensive protection against splash water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow divider acts as an intermediary element that redirects splash water into flow channels before it can reach the bicycle or rider. This intermediary structure enables controlled water diversion without requiring complex active drainage systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the splash guard design is compact, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the water drainage efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing conditionsVSAvoidwater drainage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective profile, flow channels, flow divider, and water-discharging device are merged into an integrated assembly that can be manufactured as a single piece or pre-assembled unit. This merging maintains compact dimensions while ensuring efficient water drainage through the combined functionality of all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the flow channels are designed to reduce kinetic energy, then the backflow is minimized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of backflowVSAvoidflow channel design

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow channels are designed with specific geometric parameters including cross-sectional area variations, inclination angles, and lengths that collectively reduce the kinetic energy of splash water. These parameter optimizations enable effective backflow prevention through controlled water flow dynamics rather than complex mechanical restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively reduces the risk of splash water hitting the bicycle or rider, minimizes backflow, and ensures efficient drainage, providing improved protection against dirt and moisture while maintaining a compact and stable design.

Implementation Method 1

splash water on a wet road surface, which detaches tangentially from the running surface of the rotating wheel in the direction of a wet region formed between the splash guard and the wheel due to centrifugal force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

the flow conditions set by the flow divider according to the invention create the prerequisite that the respective partial flow into the flow channel transverse to the longitudinal direction of the profile along the inner wall of the channel towards a collecting region viewed from the cross-section of the flow channel is favored, whereby, depending on the geometric design of the flow channels, a reduction of the kinetic energy of the spray water is subsequently promoted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectKinetic energy reduction through geometric flow design:

Data Source

PatentUS20250196959A1Splash guard for partially covering a wet region surrounding a rotating component

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAT GRAZ

AI summary

A splash guard partially covers a wet region (2) surrounding a rotatable component (1), and a bicycle (19) may be equipped with such a splash guard. The splash guard comprises a protective profile (3), which forms two flow channels (4, 5) extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile and being closed with respect to the wet region (2). Between the flow channels (4, 5) an inflow opening (6) is provided, in the region of which a flow divider (7) is arranged for dividing a liquid from the wet region (2) into the two flow channels (4, 5).