Roof Bike Rack Wheel-Clamping Structure for Easier Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing car-mounted bike racks are laborious to install and require alignment of bike wheels, which can lead to damage and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A car-mounted bike rack design featuring a connecting beam with rotatable arc-shaped support plates and clamping mechanisms that simplify the installation process by allowing easy alignment and locking of bike wheels, along with a detachable support plate for ground contact and a folding mechanism for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the bike is placed on the roof rack, then the carrying capacity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need to lift and align wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The bike rack is divided into separate wheel fixing assemblies (front and rear) that can independently secure each wheel, allowing the bike to be loaded without lifting the entire bike. Each assembly handles a specific portion of the loading task, improving ease of operation while maintaining carrying capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
Wheel aligning guides are introduced as intermediary elements between the bike wheels and the fixing assemblies. These guides automatically align the wheels during the loading process, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing the physical effort required to operate the rack.
2Reliability
If manual alignment of wheels with fixing assemblies is required, then the reliability of wheel fixing is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to laborious alignment process
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel aligning guides are pre-positioned on the support beams before the bike is loaded. This preliminary arrangement of alignment elements ensures that when the bike is placed on the rack, the wheels automatically align with the fixing assemblies without requiring manual intervention, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-alignment of the bike wheels with the fixing assemblies through the guide structures. The geometry of the guides and support beams works together to automatically position the wheels correctly during loading, eliminating the need for manual alignment and reducing operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the arc support plate is used for wheel alignment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential damage from misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped support plate is designed with a curved surface that gradually guides the wheel into proper alignment, cushioning the transition and preventing sudden impacts or misalignments. This pre-engineered alignment path protects the plate from damage while maintaining ease of operation during bike loading.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the bike rack is designed with fixed support beams, then the stability of the structure is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The bike rack is segmented into modular components including the connecting beam, support beams, wheel fixing assemblies, and aligning guides. These segmented modules can be manufactured separately and then assembled together, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the structural stability of the complete assembly through precise connection interfaces.
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 design enhances the ease and convenience of bike rack installation, reduces the risk of damage, and allows for efficient use and storage of the bike rack.
Implementation Method 1
the convex arc surface of the arc-shaped support plate is rotatably connected to an upper surface of the support beam... when the front wheel of the bike is pushed forward into the arc-shaped support plate and is further moved forward, the arc-shaped support plate turns forward
Implementation Method 2
the clamping mechanism is rotatably connected to a side face of the support beam and is matched with a concave arc surface of the arc-shaped support plate to lock a front wheel of a bike
Implementation Method 3
the first bolt penetrates through the second hole and the first hole to be connected to the nut in a threaded manner... to lock the arc-shaped support plate and the support beam
Data Source
AI summary
A car-mounted bike rack includes a connecting beam and at least one support beam, wherein the support beam is fixedly disposed on the connecting beam, a front wheel fixing assembly and a rear wheel fixing assembly are disposed on the support beam, the front wheel fixing assembly comprises an arc-shaped support plate and a clamping mechanism, a convex arc surface of the arc-shaped support plate is rotatably connected to an upper surface of the support beam, and the clamping mechanism is rotatably connected to a side face of the support beam and is matched with a concave arc surface of the arc-shaped support plate to lock a front wheel of a bike.