Bike Rack Positioning Frame Locking Structure Against Wobble

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bike racks suffer from instability and wobbling during vehicle movement due to integrated limiters in the positioning frame, which can distract the driver.

Innovation Solution

A bike rack design featuring a base with a U-shaped bar and a support frame, equipped with quick-release devices and limiters that secure the positioning frame using levers and connection shafts, ensuring stability through vertical and horizontal grooves and pins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If integrated limiters are used to fix the positioning frame, then the structure is simple, but the positioning frame wobbles during vehicle movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidpositioning frame stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The limiter is divided into multiple independent components: a body portion, a positioning portion with vertical and horizontal grooves, and a fastening portion with connection holes. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the grooves provide multi-directional constraint while the connection holes enable secure fastening, thereby improving stability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning portion acts as an intermediary between the limiter body and the positioning frame. The vertical groove accommodates the positioning frame extension while the horizontal groove receives the connection shaft, creating an intermediate structure that enables stable connection while allowing controlled movement during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If quick-release devices are added to secure the positioning frame, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning frame stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening portion of the limiter is merged with the quick-release device components. The connection shaft passes through both the horizontal groove of the limiter and the positioning frame, while the connection hole in the limiter body aligns with holes in the positioning frame, creating an integrated fastening system that reduces the need for separate fastening components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The quick-release mechanism incorporates a dynamic lever that can pivot between locked and unlocked positions. The lever with its protruding flange engages with the connection shaft, providing a simple operational mechanism that dynamically adjusts the stability of the positioning frame based on user input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4613561A1Bike rack with positioning frame folding and securing structure
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 KING RACK INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
  • EP4613561A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4613561A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4613561A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A bike rack includes a base with a U-shaped bar and a support frame. The support frame is mounted a top of the U-shaped bar. A positioning frame is pivotably connected two connection plates on the support frame. Each connection plate is connected to a limiter by a quick-release device. Each limiter includes a vertical groove and a horizontal groove. The vertical groove accommodates one of two extensions of the positioning frame when the positioning frame is positioned upright. By operating the quick-release devices, the positioning frame is either fitted in the vertical groove or the horizontal groove. The bike rack can securely fasten bicycles and is not wobble or unstable while driving.