Rotatable Bicycle Transport Arm with Asymmetric Guiding Means

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle transport devices for motor vehicles require complex operations and tools to assemble and disassemble components for securing bicycles in both traveling and opposite directions due to the size constraints of handlebars, making it difficult to load two bicycles side by side on medium-sized cars.

Innovation Solution

A device with a rotatable arm and guiding means that allows easy assembly and reassembly of catching and fastening mechanisms without tools, enabling bicycles to be oriented in both traveling and opposite directions by rotating the arm around a transverse axis and using inserting and stopper elements to secure the arm in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the catching means and fastening means are assembled in reverse to transport a bicycle in the opposite direction, then the bicycle can be transported in the opposite direction, but the closing components would be on the opposite part towards the roof center making it difficult to install

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to transport bicycles in both directionsVSAvoiddifficulty of installing the bicycle on the device

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs asymmetric design of the arm and closing components, where the arm can be rotated to different positions (first position for forward direction, second position for opposite direction) and the closing components are positioned to be accessible from the user side in both configurations, eliminating the need to disassemble and reassemble them

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If the closing components are disassembled and re-assembled on the correct part oriented towards the user, then the bicycle can be properly fastened, but complex operations and tools are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper fastening of the bicycleVSAvoidcomplexity of assembly operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arm is designed as a dynamic component that can be easily rotated between first and second positions, allowing the closing components to remain in fixed positions that are accessible from the user side regardless of the bicycle orientation, eliminating complex disassembly and reassembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If two bicycles are transported on medium-sized cars, then the transportation capacity is increased, but the handlebar size prevents assembling both bicycles side by side in the same direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of bicycles transportedVSAvoiddifficulty of assembling bicycles on the device

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides universal functionality by enabling the same catching means and fastening means to secure bicycles in both forward and opposite directions through simple arm rotation, allowing two bicycles to be transported on medium-sized cars without complex assembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3724034B1Device for transporting bicycles on motor vehicles

Publication Date: 2022.01.26 AURILIS GROUP ITALA

Figure 1
Figure 2

AI summary

A device (10) for transporting bicycles on motor vehicles is described, comprising: a small channel (12) connectable through supporting means (30) to the roof of a motor vehicle, an arm (14) connected rotatable to the small channel (12) through a connecting element (31), catching means (15) connected to the rotatable arm (14) for catching the bicycle and keeping it in a vertical position when its wheels are rested on the small channel (12), and guiding means (33, 34) associated with the rotatable arm (14) and the small channel (12) and configured for guiding the translation of the rotatable arm (14) along the direction of the rotation axis (X) of the arm (14).