Telescopic Bicycle Trailer with Expandable Framework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle transportation solutions are inconvenient and complex, requiring extensive dismantling and reconstruction to convert between transportation modes, and often necessitate leaving a dedicated container at a destination, incurring costs and risks of damage or loss.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable bicycle trailer with a framework of telescopically connected members and a flexible cover, allowing it to expand for carrying a bicycle or collapse for towing, featuring detachable wheels and a towbar, enabling easy conversion between trailer and carrying case modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid, dedicated transportation container is used for bicycles, then the bicycle components are well protected during transport, but the container cannot be easily reconfigured and must be left at the destination, incurring costs and risks
Solution Approach 1:
The framework employs telescopic members that can extend and retract, transforming the container from a static rigid structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The telescopic side members allow the container to expand for bicycle transport and contract for compact storage, eliminating the need to leave dedicated containers at destinations
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into modular components including detachable wheels, telescopic side members, and separable framework elements. This segmentation enables easy reconfiguration between transport modes and allows the container to be disassembled for compact storage or conversion to trailer mode
2Adaptability or versatility
If a collapsible case design is used that can be reconfigured into a trailer, then the container can serve multiple functions, but the construction becomes complex and inconvenient to use
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic side members provide a simple mechanical mechanism for transformation between case and trailer modes. By extending the side members, the container transforms from a compact case to an expanded trailer configuration, eliminating the need for complex dismantling and reconstruction operations
Solution Approach 2:
The same framework structure serves multiple functions: it forms the rigid skeleton for both case mode and trailer mode. The detachable wheels and telescopic members are integral components that enable both transportation functions without requiring separate dedicated structures for each mode
3Productivity
If the framework volume is reduced for towing, then the trailer is more efficient for transport, but it cannot accommodate bicycle components
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic side members enable dynamic volume adjustment of the framework. When extended, the framework provides sufficient interior space to accommodate bicycle components for transport. When retracted, the framework reduces to a compact configuration optimized for towing efficiency, eliminating the need to leave dedicated containers at destinations
Data Source
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AI summary
A bicycle trailer is disclosed which can be reconfigured to act as a bicycle transport unit. When the trailer is in use towed behind a bicycle, its internal volume for receiving items to be transported is too small to accommodate a bicycle, even if the bicycle is broken down into its major parts. In accordance with the invention, the trailer has an internal frame (1 to 7), parts of which can be telescopically arranged in others to enable the frame to be enlarged or reduced in size, and an external shell (35, 36, 40) with foldable sections. The base of the frame (1) may have wheels (15, 17) enabling it to be rolled along when used as a carrying case. The trailer wheels (11) may be detachably mounted to either side of the frame base (1). A towbar (20) may be detachably fixed to the frame base (1).