Inclined Support Rail Inner Flank for Bicycle Carrier Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle carrier systems for motor vehicles lack improved usability and identifiability, with information sections often being obscured by weather influences or difficult to read due to positioning and visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
The support rail features an inclined inner flank with a permanently attached information section, designed to be visible orthogonally to an adult's line of sight, regardless of environmental conditions, and positioned to avoid obstruction by rear taillights or the license plate holder, using methods like paint, engraving, or a separately applied plaque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If information sections are applied to the support rail, then identifiability of the carrier system is improved, but the information sections become obscured by weather influences such as solar radiation, moisture, and UV radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies permanent attachment methods that change the durability parameters of the information section. Specifically, it uses laser engraving, embossing, or debossing techniques to create permanently attached information sections on the support rail that resist weather influences including solar radiation, moisture, temperature variations, and UV radiation, thereby maintaining visibility and readability under adverse environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The information section is permanently attached during the manufacturing process of the support rail, before the carrier system is installed on the vehicle. This preliminary attachment ensures that the information section is protected from weather influences from the outset and remains visible and readable throughout the product's lifecycle without requiring subsequent maintenance or reattachment
2Ease of operation
If the support rail is positioned on the motor vehicle, then the carrier system can function for transporting bicycles, but the information section becomes difficult to read due to positioning and visibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the information section on a specifically designed inclined inner flank of the support rail, creating a localized optimal viewing area. The inclination angle of this inner flank is carefully selected to ensure that when the carrier system is mounted on the vehicle, the information section is visible and readable from the appropriate viewing position, making the local area optimal for information display while the rest of the structure maintains its functional design
Solution Approach 2:
The information section is attached to the inclined inner flank of the support rail, utilizing the three-dimensional geometry of the rail structure. By positioning the information on this inclined surface rather than a flat vertical or horizontal surface, the patent creates a unique spatial arrangement that improves visibility and readability from the intended viewing angle while the carrier system is installed on the vehicle
Data Source
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AI summary
A carrier system (1) for a motor vehicle (F) is known, comprising a mounting device (3) that can be attached to an exterior part of the motor vehicle, and a support frame (4) on which the mounting device is arranged, and which has at least one support rail (5, 6) for supporting the front and/or rear wheels of a bicycle. According to the invention, the at least one support rail has an inner flank (6a) inclined relative to a horizontal, which, when the support frame is mounted on the motor vehicle, is oriented relative to a vertical direction such that the inner flank is visible to the eyes of a person (B) viewing the carrier system, and at least one information section (9) is provided on the inner flank in such a way that the information section is perceptible to the eyes of the person.