Multiway Bike Mount Adapter for Mixed Axle Standards

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing bike mount adapters are not versatile enough to accommodate multiple bike axle mount types, often leading to adapters being lost due to their small size and the need for multiple adapters for different dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A multiway adapter with at least two adapter sections that can be rotated about a central axis to change the bike mount's dimensions, allowing it to support both thru axle and quick release skewer mount types, with adjustable lengths and diameters to fit various bike axle sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distinct adapters are provided for different bike axle mount types, then the bike mount can support various bike axle mount types, but the complexity of the device increases and the risk of losing adapters increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebike mount adaptabilityVSAvoidadapter set complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed as a multiway adapter with multiple adapter sections (first, second, and third adapter sections) that can be selectively positioned, allowing a single adapter to support multiple bike axle mount types including thru axle and quick release skewer mount types. This eliminates the need for multiple separate adapters while maintaining versatility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple adapter sections that would traditionally require separate adapters are merged into a single integrated adapter body. The coupling portion connects these adapter sections in different configurations, allowing one adapter to perform the functions of multiple distinct adapters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple distinct adapters are provided for different bike axle mount types, then the bike mount can support various bike axle mount types, but the ease of operation decreases due to managing multiple adapters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebike mount adaptabilityVSAvoidadapter management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single multiway adapter integrates multiple adapter sections that can be selectively positioned to accommodate different bike axle mount types. Users only need to manage one adapter instead of multiple separate adapters, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining the ability to support various bike types.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If small-sized adapters are used to adapt bike mount dimensions, then the bike mount can be adapted to different dimensions, but the reliability decreases due to the risk of losing adapters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebike mount dimension adaptabilityVSAvoidadapter retention reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple small adapter sections are merged into a single larger adapter assembly with a central coupling portion. This increases the overall size and visibility of the adapter, reducing the risk of loss, while the modular adapter sections maintain the dimension adaptation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter sections can be positioned in different spatial configurations around the coupling portion, allowing the same adapter to provide different dimensional adaptations. This dimensional flexibility maintains adaptability while the single integrated structure improves reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3932744B1Adapter for a bike mount
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 THULE SWEDEN AB
  • EP3932744B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3932744B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3932744B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Disclosed is an adapter (100) fixable to a bike mount (200) of a bike supporting unit (300) for changing the dimension of said bike mount such that a predetermined bike axle mount type of several bike axle mount types, for example a thru axle mount type of different sizes or a quick release skewer mount type, may be supported on the bike mount. The adapter is configured as multiway adapter comprising at least two different adapter sections (111,115,121,125,131) each provided to adapt the bike mount to a specific one of the different bike axle mount types so that by means of the adapter, the bike mount can be adapted to at least two different bike axle mount types. Furthermore, a bike mount (200) for receiving the adapter and a bike mount system (300) is disclosed.