Retractable Bike Mount Parallelogram Tailgate Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle carriers for motor vehicles are either not suitable for all vehicle types, can damage paintwork, and have issues with bike stability and separation, while also being either bulky or requiring additional installations.
Innovation Solution
A retractable bicycle carrier with a deformable parallelogram structure that folds into the tailgate and deploys horizontally, featuring a locking mechanism and adjustable cradle for secure bike support, utilizing a flat assembly of four articulated bars and a sliding support mast for ergonomic and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tailgate bicycle carrier is used, then the bicycle carrier is removable and quickly mountable, but it is not suitable for all vehicle types and can damage paintwork
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle carrier is designed with a universal coupling ball interface that can be mounted on various vehicle types including motorcycles, scooters, and cars with different tailgate shapes. The adjustable arm lengths and positioning mechanisms allow the same carrier design to adapt to multiple vehicle platforms, achieving versatility while maintaining ease of installation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid coupling ball system is used, then the bicycle carrier is stable, but it requires prior installation after-sales on the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle carrier system is divided into separate modular components: a coupling ball assembly that attaches to the vehicle, and a carrier frame assembly that attaches to the coupling ball. This segmentation allows the carrier frame to be easily installed and removed by the user without requiring professional installation, while the coupling ball provides stable mounting when properly installed.
3Ease of operation
If a retractable carrier structure is integrated into the tailgate, then the bicycle carrier is permanently mounted and always available, but it occupies large area of the rear tailgate
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle carrier arms and support structures are designed to nest within each other when retracted, and the coupling ball assembly can be stored within or alongside the carrier frame when not in use. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space occupied on the tailgate when the carrier is in its compact state, while still providing full functionality when deployed.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex kinematics are used for cradle installation, then the bicycle carrier can accommodate different bicycle frames, but the overall size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cradle mounting mechanism uses simple dynamic adjustment rather than complex kinematics. The cradle can be quickly positioned and locked at different angles and heights using straightforward locking mechanisms, allowing accommodation of various bicycle frame geometries without requiring complex moving parts or increasing the overall carrier volume.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bicycle carrier for a motor vehicle with a rear hatch, comprising a load-bearing structure (10) movable between two positions: a folded position, where it may be housed in a compartment (4) of said hatch, and an extended position, where it extends towards the rear of the vehicle in a horizontal plane. This structure includes a support member (20) comprising a cradle (21) for receiving a portion of a bicycle frame and a cover (11) for closing said compartment in the folded position. The load-bearing structure consists of a planar assembly of four bars (12, 13, 14, 15) articulated in pairs in a deformable parallelogram. The first two bars have an end adapted to be pivotally mounted relative to a front wall of said compartment about a common vertical axis (16) adapted to be connected to said front wall, and the second two bars have a free end connected about a common axis (19) fixed to said cover.