Multifunctional device for bicycles

Abstract

This paper aims at designing a “Multifunctional device composed of load support and anti-theft lock for standard bicycles”. A previous study has been developed in order to justify and validate the final design of the unmet needs of people in their daily lives, with an emphasis on satisfying those that imply specific savings, whether economic, energy or time. As a result, the use of bicycles as a means of transport in Spain is promoted taking as a frame of reference countries such as the Netherlands or France. This means economic and energy savings (by replacing the car) and an improvement in people’s health and quality of life. Following the steps of the design methodology, once the need was detected, an information search was carried out in order to identify and prioritize the design specifications that meet the demands of potential customers. For this reason, various sources were used, Cyclelogistics (2013), a European project; a report “Food in Spain” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (2017), and the annual bicycle barometer developed by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico, 2017) where the opinion, habits and use that the Spanish people make of the bicycle and the needs and demands they have in relation to it, is known. In addition to meeting the needs of the client, the design must comply with a set of reference regulations both, at the level of security devices and the transport of merchandise at retail. The result of the work has given rise to patent application with prior examination at a national level, in a first phase, and subsequently, at an international level.