Bike Carrier Support Arm Reconfiguration for Easier Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load carriers, such as bike carriers, are not user-friendly, robust, and cost-effective, and often result in damage to bicycles during loading and unloading.
Innovation Solution
A bike carrier with reconfigurable bicycle support arm members that can pivot, telescope, and translate, allowing for easier loading and unloading, and a ratchet buckle with a user-friendly actuation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional fixed bicycle support arm members are used, then the structure is simple and robust, but the loading and unloading process is slow and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle support arm member is designed to be reconfigurable between a first configuration (extended position) for loading bicycles and a second configuration (retracted position) for securing bicycles. This dynamic transformation allows the arm member to adapt its structure during operation, improving ease of loading and unloading while maintaining operational security.
Solution Approach 2:
The bicycle support arm member is divided into multiple segments or sections that can move relative to each other. This segmentation enables the arm member to transform between configurations through controlled movement of individual segments, facilitating easier bicycle loading and unloading operations.
2Reliability
If fixed bicycle support arm members are used, then the device structure is simple, but the service life is reduced due to damage risk during loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable bicycle support arm member dynamically adjusts its configuration to provide optimal protection during different operational phases. During loading, the extended configuration allows controlled engagement, and during securing, the retracted configuration provides stable support, thereby reducing damage risk and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the bicycle support arm member in advance by positioning it in the appropriate configuration before loading or securing operations begin. This preliminary positioning prevents sudden movements or improper engagement that could cause damage to bicycles or the carrier structure.
3Productivity
If reconfigurable bicycle support arm members are implemented, then loading and unloading becomes faster and easier, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle support arm member incorporates dynamic reconfiguration capability that allows rapid transformation between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic feature enables faster loading and unloading operations by allowing the arm member to be positioned optimally for each operation phase, improving overall productivity despite increased structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~51
Figure 2a~3a
Figure 3b
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a bike carrier (1) adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, wherein the bike carrier (1) extends in a length extension (L), a width extension (w) and a height extension (h), the bike carrier (1) comprising: - a platform support arrangement (10) for supporting at least one bicycle, the platform support arrangement (10) comprising at least one wheel receiving member (12, 14, 16) for receiving one or more wheels of the at least one bicycle, thereby supporting, such as laterally supporting, the bicycle; - at least one bicycle support arm member (20, 24, 26) which is configured to hold and secure the at least one bicycle when being received in the at least one wheel receiving member (12, 14, 16), wherein the at least one bicycle support arm member (20, 24, 26) is reconfigurable between a bicycle support state and a bicycle loading state, and wherein at least one bicycle support arm member (20, 24, 26) comprises a pivotable head (354).