Rotating Cylindrical E-Bike Suspension for Stable Vertical Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing popularity of electric bicycles poses challenges for vertical parking solutions due to their heavier weight, leading to safety risks and damage, necessitating robust and user-friendly storage designs that can support the weight of e-bikes.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle suspension system with a cylindrical main body, ball bearings, and U-profile mounting elements, designed to securely store e-bikes vertically, featuring a base element with deep groove and tapered roller bearings, and adjustable levers for easy wheel engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional vertical parking solutions are used, then space efficiency is improved, but safety and stability deteriorate due to the heavy weight of e-bikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the parking system by introducing a cylindrical suspension design with heavy-duty bearings and a robust base element. The main body is designed as a cylinder with sufficient wall thickness to withstand e-bike weights, and the base element includes anchoring means for secure ground connection. This parameter change transforms the parking solution from a conventional lightweight structure to a heavy-duty suspension system capable of safely supporting e-bikes while maintaining vertical space efficiency.
2Strength
If the base element wall thickness is increased to at least 10 mm, then strength and stability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base element is segmented into distinct functional components: a cylindrical main body with uniform wall thickness of at least 10 mm for strength, and integrated anchoring means for ground connection. This segmentation allows the thick-walled cylinder to be manufactured as a standardized component using processes like extrusion or welding, while the anchoring features can be added separately. The segmentation enables optimization of each part for its specific function, maintaining strength requirements while improving manufacturability.
3Force
If deep groove ball bearings and tapered roller bearings are used, then load-bearing capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a combination of deep groove ball bearings and tapered roller bearings within the cylindrical main body to create a multi-functional bearing system. The deep groove ball bearings handle radial loads from the suspended e-bikes, while the tapered roller bearings manage axial loads and moments. This universal bearing arrangement allows a single suspension structure to withstand multiple types of forces simultaneously, making the system capable of supporting heavy e-bikes in various orientations without requiring separate support mechanisms for each load type.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the main body diameter is increased to at least 46 mm, then stability and load distribution are improved, but space occupied by the parking structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional horizontal or flat vertical rack design to a three-dimensional cylindrical suspension structure. The cylindrical main body with diameter of at least 46 mm provides radial stability in all directions around the vertical axis, distributing loads uniformly in the horizontal plane. This dimensional change from a planar support structure to a volumetric cylindrical form enhances stability without proportionally increasing the footprint area, as the length of the cylinder extends vertically rather than horizontally, optimizing space utilization.
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 system allows safe, stable, and space-efficient storage of multiple e-bikes, absorbing high loads and facilitating easy handling, while preventing instability and damage.
Implementation Method 1
the main body is rotatably coupled to the base element about its longitudinal axis by means of ball bearings
Implementation Method 2
the ball bearings are deep groove ball bearings and tapered roller bearings
Implementation Method 3
the ball bearings are deep groove ball bearings and tapered roller bearings
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bicycle suspension for storing electric bicycles, the bicycle suspension comprising: a substantially elongated and/or cylindrical main body; a holding device attached to the cylindrical main body, comprising: an upper ring structure comprising: a plurality of mounting elements coupled to the substantially elongated and/or cylindrical main body and arranged in a substantially circular fashion around it; a plurality of receiving devices, each attached to at least one of the plurality of mounting elements, each receiving device of the plurality of receiving devices being configured to receive a first wheel of a bicycle;a lower rim structure comprising a plurality of support devices, each support device of the plurality of support devices being associated with a receiving device of the plurality of receiving devices, and each support device of the plurality of support devices being configured to support a second wheel of the bicycle;and a base element mechanically coupled to the main body, wherein the main body is rotatably coupled to the base element about its longitudinal axis by means of ball bearings and/or roller bearings, wherein the base element has a wall thickness of at least 10 mm, and/or the ball bearings comprise deep groove ball bearings and tapered roller bearings, and/or the base element includes a solid material rotary shaft coupled to the ball bearings and having a diameter of at least 40 mm, preferably at least 43 mm, more preferably at least 45 mm and most preferably at least 46 mm, and/or the mounting elements are U-profiles, preferably laser-cut U-profiles, wherein the wings of the U-profiles extend in the direction of the substantially elongated and/or cylindrical main body.