Pivoting Bike Rack Linkage for Low-Height Loading Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical bike racks are difficult for short individuals and children to load and unload due to height constraints, require time-consuming adjustments to access the rear of a vehicle, and often damage bike tires due to improper fitting, and lack versatility in accommodating different bike sizes and types.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mountable rack with a pivotable and height-adjustable carrier portion, utilizing a linkage system with biasing mechanisms like springs or gas struts, and a locking mechanism to securely position the carrier relative to the vehicle-coupling portion, allowing easy access and accommodating various bike sizes and types, as well as other items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bike rack is designed as a fixed vertical structure, then it provides stable bike carrying capability, but it becomes difficult for short people and kids to load and unload bikes due to height constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier portion is made dynamically adjustable in height through a linkage mechanism that allows it to move between a raised position (for stable bike carrying) and a lowered position (for easy loading/unloading by short users). This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between operational ease and structural height.
2Ease of operation
If the bike rack uses an adjustable mechanism to access the rear of the vehicle, then rear accessibility is improved, but all bikes must be unloaded first which is time-consuming and requires sufficient space
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier portion is pre-configured to be lowerable without requiring bike removal. The linkage mechanism allows the carrier to be lowered to a storage position while bikes remain secured, enabling rear vehicle access without the time-consuming process of unloading and reloading bikes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bike rack is designed to accommodate different bike sizes, then versatility is improved, but clearance issues arise between bikes requiring careful arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier portion features locally adjustable mounting positions and configurable support structures that can be adapted to different bike sizes and configurations. This localized adjustability allows versatile accommodation of various bikes without requiring complex overall rearrangement of the entire rack system.
4Ease of manufacture
If the bike rack uses fixed mounting structures, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but bike tires can get worn out or damaged due to improper fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanism provides dynamic adjustment of the carrier portion's angle and position, allowing optimal fitting for different bike types and sizes. This dynamic adaptability ensures proper tire clearance and contact while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized mechanism that accommodates variations.
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
Enables easy loading and unloading by short users, reduces tire damage, and provides versatile mounting options for different bike sizes and types, while allowing access to the rear of vehicles without unloading bikes, and can carry other items or equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The linkage preferably includes a traction spring for biasing the carrier portion to the substantially upright position
Implementation Method 2
In other embodiments, the linkage includes a gas spring or gas strut
Implementation Method 3
The linkage may also include a damper for resisting a movement of carrier portion to at least one of the upright position and the lowered position
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a rack, or carrier, mountable to a vehicle and components for a rack. The rack in a preferred embodiment of the invention is a bike rack. In other preferred embodiments, the rack may be a utility rack for carrying other items, tools, or equipment. The rack includes a carrier portion on which one or more items can be loaded, a vehicle-coupling portion pivotably coupled to the carrier portion, the vehicle-coupling portion being couplable to a vehicle, and a linkage for connecting the carrier portion to the vehicle-coupling portion. The linkage is configured to bias the carrier portion to a substantially upright position relative to the vehicle-coupling portion when the vehicle-coupling portion is coupled to the vehicle, and to support the carrier portion relative to the vehicle-coupling portion when the carrier portion is in a lowered position and loaded with one or more items.