Bicycle Trailer Bracket With Locking Insert For Accessory Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle trailers lack an effective mechanism for securely coupling and locking accessory supporting arms, which can lead to instability and potential loss of accessories during use.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle trailer design featuring a bracket system with a housing and locking insert that aligns with the trailer frame, allowing for secure coupling and locking of accessory arms through a locking sleeve and pin mechanism, ensuring the accessory arm is retained in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple bracket system is used to attach accessory arms to the bicycle trailer, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability and stability of the accessory attachment deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: a bracket member attached to the trailer frame, a housing containing the accessory arm receiving passageway, and a locking insert with flanges that engages both the bracket and housing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking insert is nested within the housing and bracket assembly, with the locking insert receiving passageway defined by the housing passageway, bracket passageway, and locking insert itself. The locking flanges are positioned within the housing interior, creating a compact nested structure that provides secure attachment without excessive external complexity.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to securely retain accessory arms, then the reliability of accessory attachment is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking flanges are positioned and oriented such that they automatically engage with the bracket member and housing when the locking insert is inserted into the locking insert receiving passageway. The accessory arm itself, when inserted into the accessory arm receiving passageway, provides the locking action through the engagement of the locking flanges, eliminating the need for separate locking operations.
3Strength
If a robust locking insert mechanism is implemented, then the strength and stability of the coupling are improved, but the ease of manufacture and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The locking insert serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural coupling between the bracket and housing, defines the locking mechanism through its flanges, creates the accessory arm receiving passageway, and enables easy insertion and removal of accessory arms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while maintaining strong coupling.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket, which can be in the form of first and second bracket members, desirably projects outwardly from the trailer frame and includes a bracket passageway. A housing includes a housing passageway extending at least partially through the housing and that communicates with the exterior of the housing through a locking insert receiving opening. The locking insert receiving opening, the housing passageway and the bracket passageways define a locking insert receiving passageway. A locking insert couples the housing to the bracket and thereby to the trailer frame. The locking insert includes an accessory arm receiving passageway communicating with the housing exterior through the locking insert receiving opening.