Folding mechanism of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a folding mechanism of a vehicle, comprising a vertical pole and a folding base, wherein the vertical pole is used to be connected to a vehicle handle, and the folding base is used to be connected to a vehicle body, the upper end of the folding base is rotatably connected to the lower end of the vertical pole, a socket is provided on the lower end surface of the vertical pole, and the upper end of the folding base has a connecting column that can be plugged and connected with the socket, and at least the lower part of the inner peripheral wall of the socket and the outer peripheral wall of the connecting column are pressed together by a conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end. The present invention makes the vertical pole of the vehicle stand up relative to the vehicle body by plugging and connecting the socket. Since at least the lower part of the plugging surface is pressed together by a conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end, when the fitting part is worn, the depth of the connecting column inserted into the socket can be adjusted at any time to automatically compensate for the worn part, and the gap between the connecting column and the socket is kept as small as possible, thereby improving the stability after assembly, reducing wear and noise in use, and improving the user experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a folding mechanism of a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are an indispensable means of transportation for people to travel, including traditional ones such as electric cars and bicycles, and new ones such as electric scooters.

[0003] Most of the current electric scooters have a folding function. For example, the Chinese utility model patent "Scooter Folding Structure" (application number: CN201620376636.0) with authorization announcement number CN205615646U, the Chinese utility model patent "A Folding Scooter" (application number: CN201721597397.2) with authorization announcement number CN207697917U, and the Chinese invention patent application "A Folding Scooter" (application number: CN201711199918.3) with application publication number CN107792272A disclose different folding structures of scooters.

[0004] The existing scooter folding structures are mainly divided into three categories:

[0005] (1) Pre-tightening by the pressure of the quick-release screw, that is, the pressure provided by the quick-release screw pre-presses the two links through the locking ring to lock;

[0006] (2) Use the quick-release screw to provide pre-tightening force to lock the buckle;

[0007] (3) Directly connect with the horizontal pipe pin.

[0008] Regarding the connection method of the above-mentioned folding structure, since the processing size of the accessories cannot be completely tight-fitting, there must be a certain gap between the assembly parts. The scooter is mainly ridden in a standing position. When the impact force of the handlebars is transmitted to the folding locking structure during riding, the torque will be amplified many times. This results in the existing folding structure being able to achieve a tight fit in the initial use, but as time goes by, the wear becomes more and more serious, and the gaps between the assembly structures become larger and larger, which will not only emit abnormal noises and affect the user's riding feeling, but also pose a safety hazard. The folding structure may break, etc., affecting the use. Summary of the invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a folding mechanism for a vehicle which can compensate for wear at any time so that the connection always remains tight, thereby reducing wear, avoiding abnormal noise, and improving user experience in view of the current status of the prior art.

[0010] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above technical problems is: a folding mechanism of a vehicle, including a vertical pole and a folding base, the vertical pole is used to connect with the handlebar, the folding base is used to connect with the vehicle body, and the upper end of the folding base is rotatably connected with the lower end of the vertical pole, characterized in that: a socket is provided on the lower end surface of the vertical pole, and correspondingly, the upper end of the folding base has a connecting column that can be plugged and connected with the socket, and the inner peripheral wall of the socket and at least the lower part of the outer peripheral wall of the connecting column are pressed together by a conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end.

[0011] As an improvement, the outer peripheral wall of the lower part of the connecting column is formed into a first conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end, and correspondingly, the inner peripheral wall of the lower part of the socket is formed into a second conical surface that can fit tightly with the first conical surface. This structure is conducive to improving the assembly stability between the socket and the connecting column, reducing the assembly gap, and thus reducing wear.

[0012] Further improvement, in the factory state, the inner diameter of the upper end of the second conical surface is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end of the first conical surface. This structure can adjust the depth of the connecting column inserted into the socket at any time after wear occurs, so as to automatically compensate for the wear, keep the gap between the connecting column and the socket as small as possible, improve the stability after assembly, reduce wear and noise, and improve user experience.

[0013] In the above schemes, the socket includes a first socket and a second socket connected to each other from bottom to top, and the inner diameter of the second socket is smaller than the inner diameter of the first socket. Correspondingly, the connecting column includes a first connecting column that can be plugged and connected with the first socket and a second connecting column that extends upward from the upper end of the first connecting column and can be plugged and connected with the second socket; the inner peripheral wall of the first socket constitutes the first conical surface, and the outer peripheral wall of the first connecting column constitutes the second conical surface. The vertical rod and the folding base are connected together by the double tight fit of the first socket and the first connecting column, and the second socket and the second connecting column, which is conducive to reducing wear and noise, thereby improving user experience and extending the service life of the folding mechanism.

[0014] In order to facilitate folding, a clearance opening is provided on the side wall of the vertical rod, which extends upward from the lower end and is connected with the first socket and can allow at least the upper part of the second connecting column to pass through.

[0015] Preferably, a long hole extending up and down and penetrating the first socket and the second socket is formed on the side wall of the lower end of the vertical rod, and a connecting shaft arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the second connecting column is provided, and the connecting shaft can slide up and down and rotate in the circumferential direction to be connected to the long hole. This structure facilitates the folding base to be rotatably connected to the vertical rod, and cooperates with the vertical movement of the vertical rod and the folding base to adapt to the locked state and the folded state.

[0016] Preferably, the upper end of the long hole is arranged corresponding to the middle and upper part of the second socket, and the lower end of the long hole is arranged corresponding to the middle and lower part of the first socket. This structure can make the vertical relative movement of the upright rod and the folding base have an adaptive stroke, so as to quickly realize the locking state positioning or the folding state positioning.

[0017] Preferably, the upper end of the clearance opening is not higher than the upper end of the first plug opening. This structure is conducive to satisfying the folding function while taking into account the firmness and stability of the connection structure.

[0018] In the present invention, a locking sleeve that can slide up and down is sleeved on the outer periphery of the vertical pole, the upper end of the locking sleeve is constrained on the vertical pole, and the lower end of the locking sleeve is detachably locked with the folding base. This structure can limit the locking state of the folding mechanism in the use state (the folding mechanism is locked state) to prevent the vertical displacement between the vertical pole and the folding base from affecting the use.

[0019] In order to facilitate locking of the upright rod and the folding base, the outer periphery of the folding base is provided with an external thread located below the first connecting column, and correspondingly, the inner peripheral wall of the locking sleeve is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread.

[0020] Further preferably, a notch extending upward from the lower end is formed on the side wall of the locking sleeve, and the notch forms a C-shaped structure at the lower part of the locking sleeve, and quick-release components that can hold the C-shaped structure relatively are connected at both ends. This structure further strengthens the locking force of the locking sleeve when the threads are locked, which is beneficial to improving the stability of the connection between the upright pole and the folding base after locking, and preventing the locking sleeve from loosening due to vibration during riding.

[0021] In order to facilitate production and assembly, a connector is provided at the lower end of the vertical pole, and the first socket, the second socket and the yielding port are all opened on the connector.

[0022] In the present invention, a long hole extending up and down and penetrating the upper and lower parts of the socket is opened on the side wall of the lower end of the vertical pole, and the connecting column is provided with a connecting shaft arranged perpendicular to its axial direction near the upper end, and the connecting shaft can slide up and down and rotate circumferentially in the long hole; a yield opening extending from the lower end to the upper end and penetrating the lower part of the socket and capable of allowing at least the upper part of the connecting column to pass through is opened on the side wall of the vertical pole.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the present invention enables the vehicle's upright pole to be in an upright state relative to the vehicle body by plugging and connecting the socket and the connecting column, and because at least the lower part of the plug-in surface is pressed by a conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end, when wear occurs at the fitting point, the depth of the connecting column inserted into the socket can be adjusted at any time to automatically compensate for the wear, keeping the gap between the connecting column and the socket as small as possible, thereby improving the stability after assembly, reducing wear and noise, and improving user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a scooter according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism structure of an embodiment of the present invention (vertical state);

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Exploded diagram of

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the folding mechanism structure of an embodiment of the present invention (folded state);

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 5 sectional view of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] This embodiment takes an electric scooter as an example to illustrate the folding mechanism of the vehicle. Of course, the folding mechanism can also be used on vehicles such as bicycles and electric vehicles.

[0032] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the folding mechanism a of the vehicle in this embodiment includes a vertical rod 1 and a folding base 2, the vertical rod 1 is used to connect with the handle 101 of the scooter 100, the folding base 2 is used to connect with the body 102 of the scooter 100, and the upper end of the folding base 2 is rotatably connected to the lower end of the vertical rod 1, thereby realizing folding.

[0033] In this embodiment, a connector 10 is provided at the lower end of the vertical rod 1, and a socket 1a is provided on the lower end surface of the connector 10. Correspondingly, the upper end of the folding base 2 has a connecting column 20 that can be plugged and connected with the socket 1a, and the inner wall of the socket 1a and the lower part of the outer wall of the connecting column 20 are pressed together by a conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end.

[0034] Specifically, Figure 4As shown, the socket 1a of this embodiment includes a first socket 11 and a second socket 12 connected to each other from bottom to top, and the inner diameter of the second socket 12 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first socket 11. Correspondingly, the connecting column 20 includes a first connecting column 21 that can be plugged and connected with the first socket 11 and a second connecting column 22 that extends upward from the central part of the upper end of the first connecting column 21 and can be plugged and connected with the second socket 12. A clearance opening 13 extending upward from the lower end and intersecting the first socket 11 is opened on the side wall of the connector 10. The width of the clearance opening 13 is greater than the outer diameter of the second connecting column 22, so that the second connecting column 22 can pass through the clearance opening 13. A long hole 14 extending up and down and intersecting the first socket 11 and the second socket 12 is opened on the side wall of the connector 10. The second connecting column 22 is provided with a connecting shaft 221 arranged perpendicular to its axial direction. The connecting shaft 221 can slide up and down and rotate circumferentially in the long hole 14. This structure facilitates the folding base 2 to be rotatably connected to the vertical pole 1, and cooperates with the vertical movement of the vertical pole 1 and the folding base 2, so as to adapt to the locking state and the folding state.

[0035] The upper end of the above-mentioned clearance opening 13 is not higher than the height of the upper end of the first socket 11. This structure is conducive to satisfying the folding function while taking into account the firmness and stability of the connection structure. The upper end of the above-mentioned long hole 14 is arranged corresponding to the middle and upper part of the second socket 12, and the lower end of the long hole 14 is arranged corresponding to the middle and lower part of the first socket 11. This structure can make the vertical relative movement of the upright rod 1 and the folding base 2 have an adaptive stroke, so as to quickly realize the locking state positioning or the folding state positioning.

[0036] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral wall of the first connecting column 21 is formed into a first conical surface 211 with a small upper end and a large lower end. Correspondingly, the inner peripheral wall of the first socket 11 is formed into a second conical surface 111 that can fit tightly with the first conical surface 211. This structure is conducive to improving the assembly stability between the first socket 11 and the first connecting column 21, reducing the assembly gap, and thus reducing wear. In the factory state, the inner diameter of the upper end of the second conical surface 111 is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end of the first conical surface 211. This structure can adjust the depth of the first connecting column 21 inserted into the first socket 11 at any time after wear occurs, thereby automatically compensating for the wear, keeping the gap between the first connecting column 21 and the first socket 11 as small as possible, improving the stability after assembly, reducing wear and noise during use, and improving the user experience.

[0037] The outer periphery of the upright pole 1 and the connector 10 of this embodiment is also sleeved with a locking sleeve 3 that can slide up and down, and the upper end of the locking sleeve 3 is constrained on the connector 10. A step 15 is formed on the outer periphery of the connector 10, and accordingly, the upper end of the locking sleeve 3 has a limiting ring 31 that can abut against the step 15 after moving down. Of course, in addition to the matching mode of the limiting ring 31 and the step 15, corresponding inclined surfaces can also be matched at the outer periphery near the step 15 and the inner periphery of the limiting ring 31 to increase the locking force. The lower end of the locking sleeve 3 is detachably locked and connected to the folding base 2. This structure can limit the locking state of the folding mechanism when the scooter is in use (the folding mechanism is locked) to prevent the upright pole 1 and the folding base 2 from moving up and down and affecting the use.

[0038] In order to facilitate the locking of the upright pole 1 and the folding base 2, the outer periphery of the folding base 2 is provided with an external thread 23 located below the first connecting column 21, and correspondingly, the inner peripheral wall of the locking sleeve 3 is provided with an internal thread 32 matching the external thread 23. A notch 33 extending upward from the lower end is provided on the side wall of the locking sleeve 3, and the notch 33 forms a C-shaped structure 30 at the lower part of the locking sleeve 3, and the two ends of the C-shaped structure 30 are connected with a quick release assembly 34 that can make it relatively tight, and the quick release assembly 34 makes the C-shaped structure 30 hold the part of the folding base 2 with the external thread 23 through the spiral fine adjustment top, so that the locking force of the locking sleeve 3 is further strengthened in the state of the thread locking, which is conducive to improving the stability of the connection between the upright pole 1 and the folding base 2 after locking, and preventing the locking sleeve 3 from loosening due to vibration during riding.

[0039] When the scooter of the present embodiment is in use, the upright pole 1 is pressed downward relative to the folding base 2, and the upright pole 1 and the folding base 2 are connected together through the double tight fit of the first socket 11 and the first connecting column 21, and the second socket 12 and the second connecting column 22, and then the two are locked by the locking sleeve 3. Since the first socket 11 and the first connecting column 21 are matched with a conical surface, they can always maintain a tight fit, and automatically compensate for the worn part after wear, which is conducive to reducing wear and noise, thereby improving user experience and extending the service life of the folding mechanism; when folding is required, the locking sleeve 3 is first unlocked, and then the upright pole 1 is pulled upward, so that most of the first connecting column 21 is withdrawn from the first socket 11, and the second connecting column 22 is withdrawn from the second socket 12 to the first socket 11, and then the upright pole 1 is folded to one side, and the second connecting column 22 passes through the yielding port 13 and extends out of the connector 10, so that folding can be achieved, and the operation is convenient.

Claims

1. A folding mechanism for a bicycle, comprising a vertical rod (1) and a folding base (2), wherein the vertical rod (1) is used to connect with a handlebar, the folding base (2) is used to connect with a vehicle body, and the upper end of the folding base (2) is rotatably connected to the lower end of the vertical rod (1), characterized in that: The lower end surface of the upright pole (1) is provided with a socket (1a), and correspondingly, the upper end of the folding base (2) is provided with a connecting column (20) that can be plugged and connected with the socket (1a), and at least the lower part of the inner peripheral wall of the socket (1a) and the outer peripheral wall of the connecting column (20) are pressed together by a conical surface with a small upper end and a large lower end; The outer peripheral wall of the lower part of the connecting column (21) is formed into a first conical surface (211) with a small upper end and a large lower end. Correspondingly, the inner peripheral wall of the lower part of the socket (1a) is formed into a second conical surface (111) that can be matched and tightly attached to the first conical surface (211); the socket (1a) includes a first socket (11) and a second socket (12) that are connected to each other from bottom to top, and the inner diameter of the second socket (12) is smaller than the inner diameter of the first socket (11). Correspondingly, the connecting column includes a first connecting column (21) that can be plugged and connected to the first socket (11) and a second connecting column (22) that extends upward from the upper end of the first connecting column (21) and can be plugged and connected to the second socket (12); the inner peripheral wall of the first socket (11) constitutes the first conical surface (211), and the outer peripheral wall of the first connecting column (21) constitutes the second conical surface (111); The side wall of the vertical rod (1) is provided with a clearance opening (13) extending upward from the lower end and intersecting with the first socket (11) and capable of allowing at least the upper part of the second connecting column (22) to pass through; the side wall of the lower end of the vertical rod (1) is provided with a long hole (14) extending up and down and intersecting with the first socket (11) and the second socket (12); the second connecting column (22) is provided with a connecting shaft (221) arranged perpendicular to its axial direction, and the connecting shaft (221) is connected to the long hole (14) so ​​as to be able to slide up and down and rotate in the circumferential direction; In the factory state, the inner diameter of the upper end of the second conical surface (111) is smaller than the inner diameter of the upper end of the first conical surface (211), so that the depth of the connecting column inserted into the socket can be adjusted at any time after wear occurs, thereby automatically compensating for the wear.

2. The folding mechanism of the vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the vertical pole (1) is sleeved with a locking sleeve (3) that can slide up and down, the upper end of the locking sleeve (3) is constrained on the vertical pole (1), and the lower end of the locking sleeve (3) is detachably locked and connected to the folding base (2).

3. The folding mechanism of the vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer periphery of the folding base (2) is provided with an external thread (23) located below the connecting column (20), and correspondingly, the inner peripheral wall of the locking sleeve (3) is provided with an internal thread (32) matching the external thread (23).

4. The folding mechanism of the vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that: A notch (33) extending upward from the lower end is formed on the side wall of the locking sleeve (3), and the notch (33) enables the lower part of the locking sleeve to form a C-shaped structure (30). Quick-release components (34) are connected at both ends of the C-shaped structure (30) so as to enable the two ends to be relatively tightly held.

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