Vertical Bicycle Storage Upright for Space-Saving Rail Car Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle storage devices in railway vehicles face challenges in optimizing space usage while maintaining ergonomic and easy access, with vertical storage requiring complex maneuvers and horizontal storage occupying excessive floor space, and existing solutions do not adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A bicycle storage device that allows vertical storage with suspension and locking means, featuring a vertical upright with a suspension hook at the top and locking mechanism at the bottom, enabling easy installation and use, and optionally includes a second vertical plane for additional object storage, with the upright serving as a passenger support when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If vertical storage device is used, then floor space is reduced, but positioning maneuver complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor spaceVSAvoidpositioning maneuver
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal storage (occupying floor space) to vertical storage (utilizing vertical space), thereby resolving the contradiction by changing the dimension in which storage capacity is achieved. The bicycle is stored vertically with the front wheel suspended from the ceiling and the rear wheel positioned on the floor, effectively using the third dimension (height) to reduce footprint area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If horizontal storage device is used, then positioning is easy, but floor space occupied is large

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepositioningVSAvoidfloor space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves this contradiction by moving the storage configuration from the horizontal plane to the vertical plane. The bicycle is oriented vertically rather than horizontally, allowing it to be stored in a compact footprint while maintaining relatively simple positioning through the suspension- locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If bicycles are stored adjacent to each other in vertical position, then space is optimized, but access to first bicycle becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidaccess
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bicycle into two independent wheel positions: the front wheel is suspended from the ceiling at one location, while the rear wheel is positioned on the floor at a different location. This spatial separation of the bicycle's contact points allows users to access stored bicycles more easily without requiring maneuvering space, as each wheel is independently positioned and secured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3792167B1Storage device for bicycles, and railway car, such as a carriage, comprising a storage device for bicycles of this type
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 SNCF VOYAGEURS
  • EP3792167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3792167B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3A
  • EP3792167B1 patent drawingFigure 3B~4A

AI summary

The invention relates to a bicycle storage device arranged to hold a bicycle (20) in a substantially vertical position, as well as a railway car equipped with such a storage device. The invention consists in that the device comprises a vertical post (1) on which are mounted means for holding the bicycle (20) in a vertical position in a vertical plane.