Bicycle Carrier Attachment for Spoiler Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle carriers attached to vehicles with rear spoilers using tensionable straps face issues due to the deflection and deformation of flexible spoilers, leading to inadequate tightening and carrier movement, resulting in potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle carrier attachment system that routes straps below the rear spoiler, utilizing recesses and brackets within the spoiler's interior for secure attachment, allowing sufficient tensioning without causing spoiler deflection, and includes optional covers for aesthetic and functional closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tensionable straps are used to attach bicycle carriers to vehicles with rear spoilers, then the carrier can be secured to the vehicle, but the flexible spoiler material deflects and deforms under strap tension, preventing sufficient tightening and causing carrier movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the attachment function from the spoiler surface by providing separate brackets that can be mounted to the vehicle body or trunk. These brackets serve as dedicated attachment points, removing the burden of strap tension from the spoiler material itself. The brackets are positioned to provide optimal leverage and attachment geometry without requiring the spoiler to bear structural loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets act as intermediary elements between the bicycle carrier and the vehicle. Instead of straps directly contacting and tensioning the spoiler, the brackets mediate this interaction by providing rigid attachment points. This intermediary structure allows the straps to be tightened sufficiently for secure carrier attachment while the brackets, not the flexible spoiler, bear the resulting forces.
2Reliability
If straps are tightened sufficiently to prevent carrier movement, then attachment stability improves, but the flexible spoiler material deforms and deflects, potentially causing cosmetic or severe damage
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of strap-induced spoiler deformation is eliminated by extracting the force-bearing function from the spoiler. Brackets mounted to rigid vehicle structures assume this role, allowing straps to be tightened to the necessary degree for secure carrier attachment without transferring damaging forces to the spoiler material.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets serve as protective intermediaries that shield the spoiler from harmful strap tensions. By providing dedicated attachment points on rigid structures, the brackets prevent the straps from directly loading the flexible spoiler, thereby eliminating the risk of cosmetic or structural damage while maintaining attachment security.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier is allowed to move repeatedly to accommodate spoiler flexibility, then spoiler deformation is reduced, but the carrier may displace from and return to contact with the rear closure, causing cosmetic or severe damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the source of carrier movement by extracting the attachment function from the flexible spoiler to rigid brackets. This eliminates the compatibility issue between spoiler flexibility and carrier stability, allowing the carrier to remain firmly positioned without repeatedly contacting and damaging the rear closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The brackets act as stable intermediaries that prevent carrier displacement. By providing fixed attachment points on rigid vehicle structures, the brackets eliminate carrier movement that would otherwise occur to accommodate spoiler flexibility, thereby preventing damage to the rear closure while maintaining spoiler integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle carrier attachment for a vehicle includes at least one bracket held within an interior of a vehicle spoiler. The at least one bracket is attached to a portion of the vehicle and held within the spoiler interior. Optionally, a cover is included that defines a flush surface with the spoiler body when in a closed configuration.