Bicycle Cross Bar Adaptor With Tongue-Actuated Telescopic Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable bicycle cross bar adaptors have complex designs with many parts of varying sizes and shapes, leading to high manufacturing costs and difficulty in competing with other products in the market.
Innovation Solution
A retractable bicycle cross bar adaptor featuring a bar with non-circular sections and a control unit comprising an oval-shaped inner part, a pivotable switch, and a sleeve, where the switch is pivoted by pressing a tongue to adjust the length by removing or inserting a rod into holes, allowing easy length adjustment with a simple mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable mechanism with multiple springs and slides is used to adjust the length of the cross bar adaptor, then the length adjustment function is achieved, but the number of parts increases and the manufacturing cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex spring-biased slide mechanism from the prior art and replaces it with a simple telescopic tube structure. The second tube is directly inserted into the first tube without requiring intermediate slides, springs, or multiple connecting parts, thereby extracting only the essential length adjustment function while eliminating unnecessary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit integrates multiple functions into a single compact assembly: the switch mechanism, the rod for engagement with holes in the second tube, and the tongue for actuating the switch are combined into one unified control structure. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts while maintaining the length adjustment capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tiny parts with different sizes and shapes are used in the movable unit and securing unit, then the retractable function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses uniform cylindrical tubes (first tube and second tube) with simple geometric shapes rather than parts with varying sizes and complex shapes. The non-circular cross-section provides the necessary functional differentiation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity and part uniformity, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive precision-machined tiny parts with simpler, more economical components that can be manufactured using standard processes. The control unit uses a simple switch mechanism with a rod and tongue that can be produced at low cost compared to the complex spring-biased slide assembly in the prior art.
3Ease of operation
If a complex switch mechanism with multiple contact portions and resilient members is used to control the retractable function, then the control function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential control elements needed for the retractable function: a single switch with a rod that engages with holes in the second tube and a tongue for actuation. It removes unnecessary complex elements such as multiple resilient members, multiple contact portions, and complicated pivotable connections, retaining only the minimal control mechanism required.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism is designed to be self-actuating: pressing the tongue directly pivots the switch, which moves the rod to engage or disengage from the holes in the second tube. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators, springs, or complex transmission elements, simplifying the control unit structure.
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 solution simplifies the adjustment mechanism, reduces the number of parts, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining effective length adjustment, making the product more competitive in the market.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member to bias the switch
Data Source
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AI summary
A bicycle retractable bicycle cross bar adaptor includes a bar having a first tube, a second tube and a control unit. The first tube has a first connection end and the second tube has a second connection end which is movably inserted into the first connection end. The second tube includes multiple holes. The control unit includes an inner part, a switch and a sleeve. A switch is pivotably connected to the inner part and the sleeve is mounted to the inner part and the switch. The sleeve includes a flexible tongue to pivot the switch. The switch includes a rod on one end thereof. When the switch is pivoted, the rod is inserted into one of the holes of the second tube to set the length of the bar. When the rod is removed from the hole, the second tube is moved relative to the first tube.