Reusable Bicycle Mudguard Stay Release Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for simplified release of bicycle mudguard stays are either irreversible, expensive, or impractical for reuse after a safety intervention, often detaching from the frame and losing functionality, which compromises cyclist safety.

Innovation Solution

A device composed of two half-shells solidly fixed to the bicycle frame with connecting devices that allow elastic deformation to release the mudguard stays without breaking, remaining attached to the frame and allowing easy reconnection, ensuring safety and practicality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If irreversible release devices are used, then safety intervention is achieved, but the device breaks and becomes unusable after intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety interventionVSAvoidreusability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be reusable rather than disposable. The housing and release mechanism are constructed to withstand multiple cycles of engagement and disengagement, allowing the device to be recovered and reused after safety intervention without breaking or requiring replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The release mechanism employs dynamic characteristics including elastic deformation of the housing and spring-loaded release elements that allow reversible operation. The housing can elastically deform during normal operation and return to its original state, enabling repeated use while maintaining safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multi-part release devices are used, then safety intervention is achieved, but the device becomes complex and expensive to install

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety interventionVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges multiple functional components into an integrated housing structure. The housing combines the retention function, release mechanism, and mounting interface into a single unified component, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining safety intervention capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the stay during normal operation, provides the release mechanism when needed, offers mounting interfaces for attachment to the bicycle frame, and protects the internal components. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If devices detach from the frame after intervention, then stay release is achieved, but the device falls to the ground and is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestay releaseVSAvoidattachment to frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into two independent functional systems: a permanent mounting system that remains attached to the bicycle frame, and a temporary retention system that releases the stay. The housing maintains its mounting attachment to the frame while allowing the stay to be released, preventing loss of the device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing acts as an intermediary between the permanent frame mounting and the temporary stay retention. It provides a stable connection to the frame while containing the release mechanism, ensuring that the device remains attached to the bicycle after intervention and does not fall to the ground.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If devices require special tools for resetting, then safety conditions are restored, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety conditionsVSAvoidresetting process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be self-resetting through user-friendly manual operation. The housing and release mechanism are configured to allow the cyclist to easily re-engage the stay by simple manual actions without requiring special tools, technical expertise, or complex procedures, thereby restoring safety conditions independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device provides a cost-effective, reusable, and easy-to-install solution that maintains safety conditions by allowing the mudguard stays to be released and reconnected without tools, ensuring the device remains functional and attached to the frame post-intervention.

Implementation Method 1

capable of spacing the two half-shells by means of elastic deformation, after said eyelet has been moved from its housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2832630B1Device for the simplified release of mudguard stays
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 EUROFENDER
  • EP2832630B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2832630B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2832630B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The device for the simplified release of the mudguard stays, which are the object of the invention, allows the stays held by the device to be released without any damage to the device itself, which can therefore be re-used to retain the stays once again.