Rotatable Chain Guard Bracket Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycles used for off-road riding lack effective protection for the chain and chain ring from obstacles, leading to potential damage and increased risk of injury to the rider.
Innovation Solution
A chain guard design featuring a bracket and bracket extension that can rotate relative to each other, with a U-shaped end to house a pulley or chain retainer, providing enhanced protection and ease of assembly and replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a chain guard is added to protect the chain and chain ring from obstacles, then the protection level improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket extension is nested within the bracket structure, with the extension fitting into the bracket's aperture. This nesting approach allows the chain guard to provide extended protection while utilizing the existing bracket structure, thereby improving protection level without proportionally increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket extension serves multiple functions: it extends protection below the chain ring, provides a mounting structure for retainers, and offers alternative attachment configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address multiple protection needs, improving overall protection level while minimizing the number of separate parts required
2Ease of repair
If the bracket extension is made removable and rotatable, then the ease of repair improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chain guard is segmented into two main parts: the bracket that attaches to the bicycle frame and the bracket extension that can be removably attached. This segmentation allows the bracket extension to be easily removed and replaced for maintenance or upgrade purposes, while the bracket remains permanently mounted, thus improving ease of repair without requiring complete disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket extension is designed with rotatable capability, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted or removed as needed. This dynamic feature enables easy replacement and adaptation, improving ease of repair while the simple rotational mechanism keeps the added complexity minimal
3Reliability
If the bracket extension extends below the chain ring, then the protection coverage improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket extension extends the protection into a new spatial dimension by reaching below the chain ring, an area not covered by traditional chain guards. This dimensional extension provides comprehensive protection coverage without requiring multiple separate components, as the single extended structure addresses the previously unprotected zone
Data Source
AI summary
A guard for a chain and chain ring of a bicycle includes a bracket and a bracket extension. The bracket extension has a first end and a second end, and at least the second end is integrally formed. The second end includes a U-shaped configuration configured to house a chain retainer. The bracket and the bracket extension may be secured to one another using two fasteners. The bracket and the bracket extension may rotate relative to one another when only one of the fasteners is attached and may be fixed relative to one another when both of the fasteners are attached.