Lock Wheel Detent Mechanism for Torque Reactive Bicycle Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock mechanisms for fork mount bicycle carriers lack a secure and user-friendly method to transition between unlocked and locked states, particularly in torque reactive tightening systems, which can lead to insecure bicycle storage and theft.
Innovation Solution
A lock arrangement featuring a lock-wheel with detents and abutment areas, a blocking tab, and a biasing spring, allowing for tactile and audible feedback during the transition from an unlocked to a locked configuration, ensuring secure engagement of the drive shaft and preventing unauthorized loosening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional lock mechanism is used for the drive shaft, then the structure is simple, but the locking reliability is insufficient and user feedback is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through tactile and audible signals during the locking process. The blocking tab engages with detents to create distinct tactile positions, and the mechanism produces audible clicks that confirm to the user when the drive shaft is properly locked, eliminating uncertainty about locking status
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the lock-wheel with multiple detents and abutment areas, the blocking tab with spring biasing, and the drive shaft with circumferential features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to overall reliability without excessive complexity
2Reliability
If the lock mechanism requires multiple rotations to engage, then the locking is secure, but the operation time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking tab is pre-positioned by the biasing spring to engage with the first detent upon initial rotation of the drive shaft. This preliminary engagement provides immediate tactile feedback and partial locking, allowing the user to know the shaft is secured after minimal rotation rather than requiring multiple full rotations
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism provides sufficient locking security through partial engagement with the first detent and abutment area, which prevents unauthorized loosening. Full engagement with all detents is not required for basic security, thus reducing the rotation needed while maintaining adequate protection
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then theft prevention is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism provides continuous tactile feedback through detent engagement and audible feedback through clicking sounds, giving the user clear information about the locking state without requiring complex procedures. This feedback makes the operation intuitive and easy to perform correctly
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing spring automatically positions the blocking tab to engage with the detents during rotation, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment by the user. The mechanism self-adjusts during the rotation process to ensure proper engagement, simplifying the user's task while maintaining security
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 lock arrangement provides a secure and intuitive locking mechanism that prevents theft by ensuring the drive shaft remains locked with minimal rotation, offering both tactile and audible confirmation of the locking state, enhancing user convenience and security.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing spring positioned to abuttingly engage the abutment area and push the blocking tab toward the abutment area
Data Source
AI summary
A lock arrangement for a drive shaft of a tightening mechanism in a sports carrier. The lock arrangement includes a lock-wheel coupled to the drive shaft for rotation therewith, the lock-wheel having a peripheral zone with a detent and an abutment area adjacent thereto. The lock arrangement further includes a blocking tab that is movable toward the peripheral zone of the lock-wheel and insertable into the detent. The blocking tab being in abutting engagement with the abutment area in a lock-actuated configuration of the lock arrangement, the blocking tab being received in the detent in a locked configuration of the lock arrangement and the blocking tab being withdrawn from the detent in an unlocked configuration of the lock arrangement.