Bicycle Transport Trolley with Mast and Ascender Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trolleys lack efficient and safe methods for loading and unloading bicycles, often resulting in instability during transport, which can lead to oscillation and damage.
Innovation Solution
A trolley design featuring a tray with wheels, a mast with a hollow gutter, and an ascender with a movable plastron and elastic member to securely suspend bicycles by their front wheel, with the rear wheel and saddle being stabilized, allowing for easy loading and unloading by tilting the carriage between nominal and loading/unloading positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional trolley design is used for transporting bicycles, then the structure is simple, but the bicycle becomes unstable during transport and may oscillate
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is divided into distinct functional segments: a tray for support, a mast for suspension, and an ascender mechanism for securing. Each segment performs a specific function to stabilize the bicycle, with the mast and ascender working together to prevent oscillation while keeping the overall structure manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The ascender mechanism is nested within the mast structure, with the movable plastron sliding along the mast's longitudinal axis. This nested arrangement allows the securing mechanism to be integrated into the suspension structure, providing stability without adding significant external complexity
2Reliability
If a secure suspension system is implemented to prevent oscillation, then transport safety improves, but loading and unloading becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ascender mechanism features a movable plastron that can dynamically adjust its position along the mast. During loading, the plastron is positioned to engage the bicycle saddle; during unloading, it can be moved away to release the bicycle. This dynamic adjustability maintains transport safety while enabling easy operation
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically returns the plastron to its engaged position after being moved during loading or unloading operations. This self-returning mechanism reduces the effort required for operation while maintaining secure engagement during transport
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bicycle is firmly secured to prevent movement, then transport stability improves, but the complexity of the securing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing function is extracted from complex locking mechanisms and simplified to a friction-based engagement between the plastron and the bicycle saddle. The elastic member provides the necessary holding force without requiring intricate locking components, achieving firm immobilization through a simple contact interface
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member's force characteristics are optimized to provide sufficient engagement force for stability while allowing easy release when needed. By adjusting the elastic properties and geometric parameters of the plastron-mast assembly, the system achieves firm securing with minimal structural complexity
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 trolley provides secure and stable transport and storage of bicycles, minimizing oscillation and facilitating easy handling, ensuring safe and convenient loading and unloading processes, even for heavy bicycles.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a member for resisting the plastron moving away from the mast
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
This cart has a plate (11); a pole extending transversely to the plate and delimiting a hollow in the form of a trough; a hook (17) fastened at the distal end of the pole (16); and a blocker (18) having a panel (30) that is movable along a predetermined path on which the panel moves towards or away from the pole, and having a member (32) for resisting any movement of the panel away from the pole; the cart (10) being configured to hold a bicycle between the pole and the blocker, the bicycle being hung on the hook (17) by its front wheel (37), the wheels (38, 37) of the bicycle being fitted in the hollow in the pole and the panel (30) pressing against the saddle (39).