Spring-Loaded Pivoting Fork Unit for Bicycle Trainer Motion Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle trainers do not adequately simulate the dynamic forces and movements experienced during real-life outdoor cycling, particularly the inertia and gravitational effects on the bicycle when pedaling uphill or downhill.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle trainer with a floor-standing frame and a pivotally supported fork unit equipped with a spring-loaded hinge, allowing the fork supporting unit to move back-and-forth and incline the bicycle, mimicking the natural motion and forces of outdoor cycling by using rollers that convert horizontal movements into vertical and horizontal motions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the fork supporting unit is rigidly fixed to the frame, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot simulate the dynamic motion and inertia effects of outdoor cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The fork supporting unit is changed from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic pivoting structure that can rotate around a vertical axis. This allows the unit to dynamically respond to pedaling forces and simulate the natural motion of outdoor cycling, resolving the contradiction between motion simulation capability and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel supporting roller is fixed in position, then the trainer structure is simple, but it cannot reproduce the pendular movement and gravitational effects of uphill cycling
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel supporting roller is transformed from a fixed position to a dynamically suspended position that can move vertically and horizontally. The roller is suspended by a linkage system that allows it to respond to pedaling forces, reproducing the pendular movement characteristic of uphill cycling without requiring complex active control systems.
3Reliability
If elastic material is used to surround the support shaft, then the backward and forward movement is cushioned, but the structure becomes more complex compared to a simple hinge
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic material is integrated into the support shaft structure to provide beforehand cushioning for the backward and forward movements of the fork supporting unit. This passive cushioning system absorbs shocks and smooths motion without requiring complex active damping systems, maintaining structural simplicity while improving reliability.
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 trainer effectively simulates the experience of outdoor cycling by replicating the forward and backward motion of the bicycle based on pedaling effort, providing a realistic training experience with inertia-driven movement and gravitational compensation.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge is spring-loaded to the fork supporting unit to give the unit a preference for its initial position at square angles with the frame so that in use whenever the bicycle is moved forward or backward, said bicycle is inclined to return to an average position on the trainer
Implementation Method 2
When higher forces are applied to the pedals and the speed at which the pedals are rotated is accelerated, the inertia of the roll or rollers on which the back wheel of the bicycle is resting causes that the bicycle will move forward on the bicycle trainer
Implementation Method 3
the trainer effectively simulates the experience of outdoor cycling by replicating the forward and backward motion of the bicycle based on pedaling effort, providing a realistic training experience with inertia-driven movement and gravitational compensation
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a bicycle trainer for removably loading with a bicycle that is at least provided with a back wheel, which bicycle trainer comprises a floorstanding frame with a wheel supporting roller at its rear end and a fork supporting unit at its forward end, wherein the fork supporting unit is pivotally supported by the frame enabling it to move back-and-forth. The fork supporting unit and the frame connect to each other with a hinge enabling back-and-forth movement of the fork supporting unit in a longitudinal direction of the frame, wherein the fork supporting unit is springloaded with a spring at or near the hinge to provide the fork supporting unit with a preferential upright position at square angles with the frame so as to arrange that in use whenever the bicycle is moved forward or backward, said bicycle is inclined to return to an average position on the bicycle trainer wherein the fork support unit is perpendicular to the horizon.