Removable Luggage Carrier Spring Flap With Push-Lock Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing luggage carrier spring flaps for vehicles are difficult to assemble and disassemble, require elaborate pre-fittings, and lack secure locking mechanisms, making them less flexible and prone to theft.

Innovation Solution

A removable luggage carrier spring flap with a locking arrangement that uses separate locking elements, a tension spring, and a securing element to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly, while providing secure fastening and theft protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing locking mechanisms (half-rings, jaw openings, supplemental springs) are used, then secure locking is achieved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult and require tooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking securityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into separate locking elements (first and second locking elements) that can independently engage with the longitudinal members. Each locking element has a locking arm that can be independently actuated, allowing the flap to be locked or unlocked by simple pushing motions without requiring complex tooling or elaborate pre-fittings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring active manipulation to unlock (as in traditional screw or clip mechanisms), the invention uses spring-loaded locking elements that automatically disengage when pushed together. The normal state is locked, and a simple pushing action reverses the state to unlocked, inverting the traditional logic of mechanical fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If elaborate pre-fittings (mounting holes, supplemental springs, sleeves, pins) are provided on longitudinal members, then secure fixing is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing securityVSAvoidpre-fitting complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex supplemental spring and sleeve mechanisms are extracted from the longitudinal members themselves and replaced with simpler locking elements integrated into the flap structure. The locking elements directly engage with the longitudinal members without requiring elaborate pre-fittings, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining securing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are designed to self-engage and self-lock when the flap is installed on the longitudinal members. The spring-loaded mechanism automatically positions the locking arms into engagement with the longitudinal members, eliminating the need for elaborate pre-fittings or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If friction-locking or force-locking mechanisms are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but resistance to unauthorized removal (theft protection) is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidtheft vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arms are designed with curved or angled surfaces that engage with corresponding features on the longitudinal members. This geometric engagement creates a mechanical interlock that resists both friction and force-based theft attempts, as the curved surfaces distribute and resist applied forces more effectively than flat friction surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking elements are designed with asymmetric geometries where the locking arms engage in one direction but require significant force to disengage in the opposite direction. This asymmetric design provides secure attachment during normal use while creating resistance to unauthorized removal attempts, thereby addressing theft vulnerability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 and secure attachment to luggage carriers without tools, ensuring stability and preventing unauthorized removal, with optional theft-proof design.

Implementation Method 1

a tension spring detachably arranged near rear ends of the legs, which spring has a central tensioning bracket and two spring coils arranged laterally of the tensioning bracket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4155175B1Removable luggage carrier spring flap and luggage carrier arrangement with such removable luggage carrier spring flap

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 ZEG ZWEIRAD EINKAUFS GENOSSENSCHAFT EG

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a removable spring flap for a luggage carrier in particular of bicycles, with a clamping bracket 11 having two legs 12, 13, with a tension spring 20 having a central tensioning bracket and two spring coils 23, 24, and with a locking arrangement 30 for detachably fastening the spring flap to the luggage carrier having longitudinal members and transverse members. In order to create a removable spring flap that can be assembled as easily as possible and enables secure fixing and locking to the luggage carrier, the locking arrangement 30 has locking elements 31A, 31B that are lockable on locking receptacles on the longitudinal members by pushing the legs 12, 13 and the spring coils 23, 24 together during the assembly process. The invention also relates to a luggage carrier with such spring flap (FIG 3.)