Trifold Bicycle Frame with Opposing Hinge Pins for Parallel Wheel Rolling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding bicycle designs fail to enable both wheels to roll freely when folded while fitting within an airline legal suitcase volume, and they cannot scale for wheel sizes from 8" to 28" diameter or greater, nor can they fold with cargo attached or transport cargo when rolled.
Innovation Solution
The Trifold Design features a handlepost joint and two mainbeam joints with opposing hinge pins, allowing the front and rear wheels to be aligned in parallel tracks, enabling free rolling and accommodating cargo without removal, and can be motorized for steeper gradients and barrier areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing folding bicycle designs are used, then the bicycle can be folded, but the wheels cannot roll freely when folded and the bicycle cannot fit within airline legal suitcase volume
Solution Approach 1:
The mainbeam is divided into three segments (front mainbeam segment, middle mainbeam segment, rear mainbeam segment) connected by hinges, allowing independent folding of each segment. This segmentation enables the wheels to be positioned in parallel tracks while maintaining free rolling capability, and reduces the overall folded volume to fit airline legal suitcase dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention positions the front and rear wheels in parallel tracks (side-by-side configuration) rather than one behind the other, utilizing the lateral dimension. This dimensional change allows both wheels to maintain free rolling capability while significantly reducing the longitudinal dimension of the folded package, enabling it to fit within airline legal suitcase volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing folding bicycle designs are used, then the bicycle can be folded, but it cannot accommodate cargo without removal and cannot transport cargo when rolled
Solution Approach 1:
The folded bicycle configuration serves multiple functions: it can transport cargo in the space between the parallel wheels, it can be rolled on both wheels simultaneously, and it maintains a compact volume. The cargo holder is positioned to utilize the space between wheels, allowing cargo transport without requiring bicycle unfolding or cargo removal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing folding bicycle designs are used, then the bicycle structure is simple, but it cannot scale for wheel sizes from 8" to 28" diameter or greater
Solution Approach 1:
The trifold mainbeam structure with opposing hinge pins provides a universal configuration that works across a wide range of wheel sizes (8" to 28" diameter). The same basic structural principle and hinge arrangement can be applied regardless of wheel size, allowing the design to scale without requiring fundamentally different structural approaches.
4Strength
If existing folding bicycle designs are used, then the bicycle can be folded compactly, but it cannot handle steep gradients and barrier areas effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The folded bicycle configuration with parallel wheels and stable base provides a universal platform that can effectively handle steep gradients and barrier areas. The structure maintains stability and strength in folded configuration, enabling it to navigate challenging terrain while keeping cargo secure, all within a compact volume that fits airline legal suitcase dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a folding bicycle comprising a handlepost joint and two joints in the mainbeam forward of the seat tube, wherein the pins of the hinges in the two mainbeam joints (i) are located on opposite sides of the mainbeam when viewed in a top view, and (ii) when the bicycle in folded, place the front wheel parallel to rear wheel and the wheel axles inline on the same lateral axis or on parallel lateral axes, wherein the wheels roll in parallel track.