Swingarm Suspension Bicycle Frame Nesting Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Full-size bicycle frames, including those with swingarm suspension, are difficult to ship due to their bulky size, leading to high shipping costs and oversize baggage fees when trying to transport them on airplanes, as they cannot fit within standard checked-luggage dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A swingarm suspension bicycle frame design that allows the swingarm to nest within the main frame by positioning the pivot bearing higher on the seat support member, increasing chain stretch and pedal jerk, but enabling the frame to be packed into a smaller package by rotating the swingarm approximately 180 degrees within the main triangle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pivot bearing is positioned lower on the seat support member (traditional design), then chain stretch and pedal jerk are minimized, but the swingarm cannot be nested within the main frame

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain stretch and pedal jerk minimizationVSAvoidpackaging volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The swingarm is designed to rotate and nest within the main frame triangle by repositioning the pivot bearing higher on the seat support member. This allows the swingarm to be contained within the envelope of the main frame, enabling compact packaging while maintaining the suspension function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Volume of moving object

If the pivot bearing is positioned higher on the seat support member, then the swingarm can be nested within the main frame, but chain stretch and pedal jerk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging volumeVSAvoidchain stretch and pedal jerk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Quantity of substance

If the swingarm is designed for nesting, then shipping costs and baggage fees are reduced, but the pivot bearing position must be changed from traditional location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping costVSAvoidpivot bearing position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The swingarm is designed with rotational capability around the pivot bearing, allowing it to transition between operational and nested positions. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the frame to be compacted for shipping while maintaining full functionality during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Length of stationary object

If the swingarm is rotated approximately 180 degrees for nesting, then the frame fits within standard checked-luggage dimensions, but the connection structure must be positioned to accommodate this rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe lengthVSAvoidconnection structure positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection structure is positioned asymmetrically on the swingarm, closer to the pivot bearing, to accommodate the 180-degree rotation required for nesting. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the connection structure does not interfere with the nesting operation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11492064B1Method and apparatus for nesting a suspension bicycle frame

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 WEYER FR MICHAEL

AI summary

The present invention is a swingarm suspension bicycle frame that is designed to allow nesting of the swingarm within the main frame of the bicycle frame, thereby allowing the bicycle frame to be packed and shipped in a smaller package than prior art bicycles of similar frame and wheel size, and a method for nesting such a suspension bicycle frame. In one or more embodiments, the pivot bearing to which the pivot point of the swingarm is attached is positioned along the seat support member of the main frame at a distance from the bottom of the bracket mount of the seat support member that is at least as great as the distance from the pivot point of the swingarm to the shock absorber mounting point of the swingarm. Such a location allows the swingarm to be nested within the main frame of the bicycle frame.