Pivoting Bike Rack Arms for Tailgate Compatibility
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bike racks are no longer compatible with modern truck tailgates due to changes in dimensions and contours, leading to potential damage to vehicles and bikes during transport.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted bike rack assembly with pivotally connected rack arms, a crossbar, and a stabilizer bar that can be securely attached to the tailgate using posts and slots, featuring a lockable crossbar and adjustable design to accommodate various tailgate dimensions and bike sizes, minimizing damage through cushioned mounting surfaces and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bike racks are used with modern truck tailgates, then compatibility is lost, but potential damage to vehicle and bike increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bike rack design incorporates adjustable parameters including rack arm lengths, crossbar positions, and attachment point configurations to adapt to varying modern tailgate dimensions and contours. This allows the same rack design to accommodate different vehicle models while maintaining secure contact points that prevent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The bike rack is divided into modular components including separate rack arms, crossbars, and attachment mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be independently adjusted and positioned to fit specific tailgate geometries, improving both compatibility and damage prevention capabilities.
2Stability of the object's composition
If bike racks are designed for secure attachment, then stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple stabilization functions are merged into integrated components. The crossbar simultaneously provides structural rigidity, attachment points for bikes, and alignment features for the rack arms. Padding elements are integrated directly onto contact surfaces rather than being separate attachments, reducing overall component count while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack incorporates pivot joints and adjustable mechanisms that allow the structure to dynamically adapt to loading conditions and tailgate variations. This dynamic capability provides stable attachment across different configurations without requiring complex fixed structures for each possible scenario.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cushioned mounting surfaces are added to prevent damage, then protection improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Cushioned protection elements are merged directly into the mounting surfaces and contact points of the rack structure. Padding is integrated onto the rack arms, crossbars, and attachment points rather than being separate components, providing damage prevention without adding significant complexity to the overall device.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle-mounted bike rack may include a first rack arm having a post extending from a first end and an opening formed in a second end of the first rack arm. The bike rack may also include a second rack arm having a slot formed in a first end and on opening formed in a second end of the second rack arm, and a cross bar extending substantially perpendicularly with the first and the second rack arms, and wherein the cross bar is received in the openings of the first and second rack arms, such that each of the first rack arm and second rack arm are pivotable about the cross bar. The first and second rack arms may be configured to engage with and secure to at least one of a tail gate post and a tail gate latch of a vehicle.