Raisable Bike Rack Linear Slide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bike racks require users to lift and position bikes manually, which can be difficult due to the bike's weight, posing a challenge for easy and safe loading and unloading, especially for heavy electric bikes.
Innovation Solution
A raisable bike rack system with a support bracket that can be lowered to the ground for easy loading and raised for transportation, featuring a linear slide mechanism controlled by a power source and actuator switch, allowing the support bracket to transition between loading and transport states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed bike rack is used to maintain ground clearance during transport, then the bike is protected from ground impact, but the user must lift the bike several feet to load it onto the rack
Solution Approach 1:
The bike rack employs a linear slide mechanism that enables the support bracket to dynamically transition between a lowered loading position and a raised transport position. This dynamic adjustment allows the rack to adapt its height based on operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining ground clearance during transport and reducing lifting effort during loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear slide acts as an intermediary mechanism between the support bracket and the vehicle hitch. It provides the functional bridge that allows the support bracket to be positioned at different heights, enabling both easy bike loading (when lowered) and safe transport (when raised) without requiring the user to manually lift the bike the full distance.
2Reliability
If a traditional fixed bike rack is used, then the bike is held securely above the ground, but heavy bikes like electric bikes become difficult to lift and position
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket's ability to transition between lowered and raised positions dynamically addresses the weight issue. When loading heavy bikes, the bracket is lowered to ground level, eliminating the need to lift the bike against gravity. Once loaded, the bracket is raised to secure the bike for transport, maintaining safety while minimizing the effort required during the loading process.
3Ease of operation
If the support bracket is lowered to the ground for easy loading, then bike loading becomes easier, but ground clearance is reduced during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The system resolves this contradiction through dynamic position adjustment. The support bracket is lowered to ground level only during the loading operation to maximize ease of operation. Once the bike is secured, the linear slide raises the support bracket to the transport position, restoring ground clearance for safe transportation. This temporal separation of functions allows both requirements to be satisfied at different stages of the operational cycle.
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 easier and safer loading and unloading of bikes by allowing users to roll or lift bikes onto and off the rack, maintaining ground clearance during transport and accommodating heavy bikes like electric bikes.
Implementation Method 1
a linear slide engaged with the support bracket and the vehicle connection mechanism, where the linear slide is configured to raise and lower the support bracket relative to the vehicle connection mechanism for bike loading
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to a bike rack. For example, a raisable bike rack that includes a support bracket, that may be attached to a vehicle, and a linear slide engaged with the support bracket, where the linear slide may raise and lower the support bracket relative to the vehicle for bike loading.