Bicycle Stand with Sloping Wheel Support and Angled Fork Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle stands are not adaptable to various types of bicycles with different dimensions, leading to improper parking and potential damage due to mismatched wheel and fork sizes.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle stand with a sloping wheel support surface and angled support elements forming a converging receiving opening, allowing for load-bearing support of the front wheel and fork, ensuring proper alignment and clamping of bicycles regardless of size, using a wheel support surface with an inclination angle between 5-25 degrees and support elements extending 20-40 cm, accommodating different fork widths and preventing tipping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-dimensional bicycle stand is used, then it can securely park bicycles of a specific size, but it cannot accommodate bicycles with different dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of different bicycle sizesVSAvoidsecure clamping of front fork
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed with different lengths to accommodate various front fork dimensions. By varying the length parameter of the support elements, the stand can adapt to different bicycle sizes while maintaining secure clamping. The support elements extend different distances from the block, allowing smaller bicycles to be properly clamped without being too large for the stand's capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the bicycle is too large for the stand, then the front fork contacts support members prematurely, but the wheel cannot move over the threshold

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel movement over thresholdVSAvoidaccommodation of large bicycles
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple components: a block with a threshold, support members extending from the block, and additional support elements. This segmentation allows the threshold to be positioned at an optimal height for wheel movement, while the support elements can be adjusted in length to accommodate larger front forks without interfering with the wheel's path over the threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the bicycle is too small for the stand, then the wheel moves over the threshold, but the front fork is not properly clamped

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproper clamping of front forkVSAvoidaccommodation of small bicycles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support elements are designed with variable lengths to match different front fork sizes. For smaller bicycles, shorter support elements ensure that the front fork is properly clamped between the support members and the support elements, preventing the bicycle from tipping over. This parameter adjustment allows small bicycles to be securely held without requiring the stand to be redesigned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If a single-type bicycle stand is used, then it provides secure parking for that type, but it cannot handle the variety of modern bicycle types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various bicycle typesVSAvoidstand structure design
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bicycle stand is designed as a universal structure that can accommodate multiple bicycle types including regular bicycles, electric bicycles, sports bicycles, touring bikes, mountain bikes, racing bikes, and child's bikes. The block with threshold and support members provides a base structure, while variable-length support elements enable the same stand to securely hold different bicycle types without requiring multiple specialized stands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables stable, centered, and automatic clamping of a wide range of bicycle types, preventing damage by ensuring the front fork is securely positioned against the support elements, regardless of wheel diameter or fork width.

Implementation Method 1

the wheel support surface for load-bearing support of the front wheel extends sloping substantially continuously downward between the front side and the rear side of the bicycle stand over a length of 20 to 40 cm. Owing to the continuously downward sloping character of the wheel support surface and the resulting effect of the force of gravity on the front wheel, in the placed position of the bicycle the front wheel will at all times undergo a force directed toward a rear side of the bicycle stand.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2646311B1Bicycle stand and bicycle parking facility with such a bicycle stand
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 MPB CONCEPTS
  • EP2646311B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2646311B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2646311B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a bicycle stand (1) for a bicycle, wherein the bicycle stand is accessible from a front side thereof by a bicycle for the purpose of placing the bicycle in a parked position. The bicycle stand comprises a wheel support surface (3) for load-bearing support of a front wheel of the bicycle in the parked position of the bicycle. The bicycle stand comprises two support elements (5a, 5b) placed higher relative to the wheel support surface for supporting a front fork of the bicycle in the parked position. Each of the support elements extends between a front side of the bicycle stand and a rear side of the bicycle stand. The support elements are placed at an angle relative to each other such that, as seen from above, a substantially converging receiving opening (20) for the front fork of the bicycle running between the front side and the rear side is formed between the support elements. The wheel support surface for load-bearing support of the front wheel extends sloping substantially continuously downward between the front side and the rear side of the bicycle stand.