Seat Post With Tapered Hidden Compartment for Folding Lock Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle locks that are stored in the seat tube or seat post tube are prone to protrusion, weathering, damage, and affect aerodynamics and visual appearance, while cable-based locks are easily breakable and require seat removal for storage, limiting flexibility and increasing theft risk.
Innovation Solution
A seat post with a tapered design and opening member allows deep insertion into the seat tube, providing a hidden compartment for storing objects and a folding lock with parallel link segments for enhanced security, while a frame design accommodates a locking system with a hinge for easy access and fluid-tight closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bicycle lock is stored in the seat tube or seat post tube, then the lock is hidden and not visible during use, but the lock protrudes from the tube and is prone to weathering and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is nested deep within the seat post tube, with the tube itself serving as the storage container. The tapered design of the tube allows the lock to be fully accommodated without protruding, while the opening member provides controlled access. This nesting approach protects the lock from weathering and damage while maintaining hidden storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat post tube is divided into functional segments: an upper portion with the opening member for access, a lower portion with tapered design for deep insertion, and a closure element for sealing. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function while collectively solving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Reliability
If a cable-based lock is used, then the lock is flexible and easy to store, but the lock is easier for thieves to break
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is extracted from the traditional cable-based design and integrated into a solid, rigid structure that forms part of the seat post assembly. This extraction from the vulnerable cable form provides superior anti-theft protection while the integration into the seat post simplifies the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock utilizes composite construction combining rigid metallic elements with the seat post tube structure, creating a hybrid system that provides the strength needed for anti-theft protection while maintaining the flexibility of the integrated design. The parallel link segments with constant cross-section provide structural integrity resistant to breaking.
3Reliability
If the entire seat including seat post is removed for locking, then the lock can be stored, but the seat height must be readjusted after storage
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is nested within the seat post tube itself, eliminating the need to remove the entire seat assembly for storage. The tapered tube design allows the lock to be inserted and stored while the seat remains attached to the bicycle frame, preserving seat height settings and eliminating the need for readjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat post tube serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat, acts as the storage container for the lock, and maintains the seat height position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage operations and preserves seat adjustment settings while providing secure lock storage.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a lock with tapering cross-section is used, then the lock fits stably in the seat tube, but the lock becomes heavier and the larger cross-sections cannot be tapered
Solution Approach 1:
The lock features parallel link segments with constant cross-section throughout their length, providing uniform strength and weight distribution. This local quality consistency eliminates the need for tapering while maintaining stable fit through the tapered seat post tube design, reducing overall lock weight compared to traditional tapered approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock design employs asymmetric tapering only in the seat post tube itself rather than in the lock components. The tube tapers to accommodate the lock, while the lock maintains constant cross-section. This asymmetric approach distributes the structural requirements differently, reducing lock weight while ensuring stable fit.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a seat post for a bicycle, a moped or the like, comprising a seat post tube, wherein said seat post tube comprises an opening member that is configured to allow a closure element of the seat post to perform a movement, by means of which a region inside the seat post tube can be accessed in order to insert or remove an elongated object, wherein said seat post tube comprises an upper portion and a lower portion opposite the upper portion, said upper portion being configured to be connected to a seat clamping device and/or to a seat, and wherein the closure element is preferably provided in the region of the upper portion. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a frame for a bicycle, a moped or the like, a use of a seat post or frame according to the disclosure, a folding lock, a locking system and a lock/handlebar combination.