A foldable car

Abstract

A foldable bicycle comprises a frame, which includes a front wheel frame, a pedal frame, a rear wheel frame and a seat frame, and is characterized in that it also includes a locking mechanism, one end of the pedal frame is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame, and the other end is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame, and the seat frame is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame, so that the frame can switch between a folded state and an unfolded state. In the folded state, the connection between the pedal frame and the rear wheel frame arches upward so that the front wheel frame, the pedal frame, the rear wheel frame and the seat frame are close to each other; in the unfolded state, the frame is unfolded so that the pedal frame is roughly horizontally arranged, and the locking mechanism keeps the frame in the folded state or the unfolded state; that is, when the frame is in the folded state, the front wheel frame, the pedal frame, the rear wheel frame and the seat frame roughly overlap and come close to each other, thereby greatly reducing the volume of the folded frame, thereby facilitating the storage and transportation of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a foldable vehicle, which is particularly suitable for use as a mobility scooter for the elderly. Background Art

[0002] Chinese patent document CN114104151A discloses a folding seat for an electric elderly leisure vehicle, comprising a backrest frame, a seat cushion frame, and a seat folding device. The seat folding device comprises left and right main supports, an upper support, left and right lower supports, and a shock absorber. The two ends of the left and right main supports are hinged to the front supports on both sides of the seat cushion frame and the frame. The upper portions of the left and right lower supports are pivotally connected to the upper support, and the lower portions are hinged to the rear supports on both sides of the frame. The shock absorber is hinged between the seat cushion frame and the upper support. The left and right main supports are respectively provided with inner locking holes and track grooves. The central tube of the upper support is provided with a spring and spring pins on both sides of the spring. The spring pins are respectively provided with locking column sections that cooperate with the inner locking hole and guide column sections that cooperate with the track groove. The guide column sections extend out of the track groove and connect to the locking mechanism. The seat folding device can quickly fold the seat, and the locking mechanism can quickly lock and unlock the seat folding device. The folding is fast and convenient, and the locking is safe and reliable. However, the elderly leisure vehicle with the above structure still has a large volume after folding, which is not conducive to storage. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a foldable bicycle which can greatly reduce the volume after folding in order to address the deficiencies of the prior art.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A foldable bicycle comprises a frame, which includes a front wheel frame, a pedal frame, a rear wheel frame and a seat frame. The characteristic is that it also includes a locking mechanism, one end of the pedal frame is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame, and the other end is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame, and the seat frame is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame. The frame can be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state. In the folded state, the connection between the pedal frame and the rear wheel frame arches upward so that the front wheel frame, the pedal frame, the rear wheel frame and the seat frame are close to each other. In the unfolded state, the frame is unfolded so that the pedal frame is arranged roughly horizontally, that is, when the frame is in the folded state, the front wheel frame, the pedal frame, the rear wheel frame and the seat frame roughly overlap and come close to each other, thereby greatly reducing the volume of the folded frame, thereby facilitating the storage and transportation of the product.

[0006] The invention also includes a locking mechanism for keeping the bicycle frame in a folded state or an unfolded state, wherein the locking mechanism is arranged at the connection between the pedal frame and the rear wheel frame, and includes a first locking arm, a second locking arm, a linkage rod, a locking rod and a spring. The locking rod is fixedly arranged on the rear wheel frame, and the first locking arm and the second locking arm can be swingably arranged on the pedal frame. The linkage rod is connected between the first locking arm and the second locking arm. The first locking arm is provided with an operating handle and a first hook, and the second locking arm is provided with a second hook. When the bicycle frame is in the unfolded state, the first hook hooks the locking rod and is held by the spring, so that the pedal frame and the rear wheel frame cannot be folded. When the bicycle needs to be folded, the first locking arm is swung to disengage from the locking rod through the operating handle, and then the operating handle is pulled upward to fold the frame together until the second hook hooks the locking rod and is held by a spring, so that the footrest frame and the rear wheel frame cannot rotate relative to each other. The above folding operation is very convenient, and the folding and locking of the frame can be completed by swinging and pulling the operating handle; when it needs to be unfolded, the first locking arm is swung through the operating handle and the second locking arm is driven to swing through the linkage rod, and finally the second hook is disengaged from the locking rod, and the frame can be automatically unfolded and locked under the action of gravity, which is very convenient to operate.

[0007] The folding mechanism further comprises a first link and a second link, wherein one end of the first link is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame via a first rotating shaft, and the other end is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame via a second rotating shaft. One end of the second link is rotatably connected to the first link via a third rotating shaft, and the other end can be movably connected to the front wheel frame between a first position and a second position, and the third rotating shaft is arranged close to the second rotating shaft. When the frame is in the unfolded state, the other end of the second link moves to the first position, and the first link and the second link limit the front wheel frame from rotating clockwise relative to the pedal frame. When the frame is in the folded state, the other end of the second link moves to the second position, and the first link and the second link limit the front wheel frame from rotating counterclockwise relative to the pedal frame.

[0008] The front wheel frame is provided with an elongated hole, the other end of the second connecting rod is provided with a movable shaft located in the elongated hole, and the two ends of the elongated hole are defined as the first position and the second position.

[0009] A first abutting portion is provided between the front wheel frame and the pedal frame, and the first abutting portion limits the front wheel frame from rotating counterclockwise relative to the pedal frame when the frame is in the unfolded state.

[0010] A support rod is provided between the footrest frame and the seat frame, one end of the support rod is rotatably connected to the footrest frame, and the other end is rotatably connected to the seat frame. The support rod can support the seat frame when the frame is unfolded, so that the seat frame remains in a roughly vertical state, and can drive the seat frame toward the rear wheel frame during the folding process of the frame.

[0011] The first locking arm is swingably connected to the pedal frame via a first swing shaft, and one end of the support rod is rotationally connected to the first swing shaft, that is, the support rod and the first locking arm share the same rotation shaft, making the overall structure more compact and reasonable.

[0012] The rear wheel frame is rotatably connected to the bottom of the pedal frame. When the frame is in the unfolded state, the pedal frame has a second abutment portion that abuts against the top of the rear wheel frame. This structure can keep the pedal frame in a horizontal state and make the frame more stable in the unfolded state.

[0013] The second locking arm can be swingably arranged around a second swing axis at the bottom of the footrest frame. The second locking arm has a limiting surface that abuts against the bottom surface of the footrest frame. The limiting surface limits the swing angle of the second locking arm, which can ensure that the first locking arm and the second locking arm can still remain in a position that allows the locking rod to enter after they are separated from the locking rod.

[0014] The first hook and / or the second hook is formed with a guide surface for guiding the locking rod into the hook, and the guide surface can guide the locking rod to be smoothly hooked by the first hook and the second hook, thereby achieving smooth locking of the frame in the folded state and the unfolded state.

[0015] The spring is connected between the first locking arm and the pedal frame, so that the first locking arm and the second locking arm linked therewith can be driven to swing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention, with the frame in an unfolded state.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the present invention, with the frame in a folded state.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional diagram from another perspective of the present invention, in which the frame is in an unfolded state.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional diagram from another perspective of the present invention, in which the frame is in a folded state.

[0021] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of the locking mechanism when the frame is in the unfolded state.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of the locking mechanism when the frame is in a folded state.

[0023] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second locking arm.

[0024] Figure 8 It is a partial schematic diagram of the frame in a folded state.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a partial schematic diagram of the frame in the unfolded state.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a partial schematic diagram from another perspective of the frame in a folded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Reference Figures 1 to 10 As shown, a foldable bicycle comprises a bicycle frame, a locking mechanism 6 and a limiting mechanism.

[0028] The frame includes a front wheel frame 1, a pedal frame 2, a rear wheel frame 3 and a seat frame 4. One end of the pedal frame 2 is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame 1, and the other end is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame 3. The seat frame 4 is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame 3. The frame can be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state. In the folded state, the connection between the pedal frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3 is arched upward so that the front wheel frame 1, the pedal frame 2, the rear wheel frame 3 and the seat frame 4 are close to each other. In the unfolded state, the frame is unfolded so that the pedal frame 2 is arranged roughly horizontally.

[0029] The bottom of the front wheel frame 1 is provided with two front wheels 11, and the top of the front wheel frame 1 is provided with a handlebar 12 extending upward. The structure and installation method of the front wheel 11 and the handlebar 12 are well-known existing technologies and are not described in detail here. The pedal frame 2 is roughly a rectangular plate structure. The specific pedal frame 2 includes two pedal beams 2a arranged in parallel and spaced apart. One end of the pedal frame 2 is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame 1 through a first rotating shaft 21, and the other end of the pedal frame 2 is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame 3 through a second rotating shaft 31. The bottom of the rear wheel frame 3 is provided with two rear wheels 33. The specific installation method and The structure is well-known in the prior art and will not be described in detail here. The rear wheel frame 3 includes two rear wheel beams 3a arranged in parallel and spaced apart. One end of the rear wheel beam 3a is rotatably connected to the bottom of the footrest beam 2a near the end through a second rotating shaft 31. The bottom of the end of the footrest beam 2a is provided with a second abutment portion 22 that can abut against the top of the footrest beam 2a. The second abutment portion 22 is composed of a plastic pad. This structure can keep the footrest frame 2 in a horizontal state and make the frame more stable in the unfolded state, and prevent the frame from causing collision between the footrest beam 2a and the rear wheel beam 3a during the unfolding process, thereby playing a buffering role.

[0030] The seat frame 4 includes seat beams 4a arranged in parallel and spaced apart. A seat 41 is provided on the top of the seat frame 4, and a storage basket 42 is provided on the rear side. The other end of the rear wheel beam 3a is rotatably connected to the lower end of the seat beam 4a through the third rotating shaft 32. A support rod 5 is provided between the footrest frame 2 and the seat beam 4a. One end of the support rod 5 is rotatably connected to the footrest frame 2 through the first swing shaft 613, and the other end is rotatably connected to the seat beam 4a through the pivot shaft 51. The support rod 5 can support the seat frame 4 when the frame is unfolded, so that the seat frame 4 remains in a roughly vertical state. During the folding process of the frame, it can drive the seat frame 4 toward the rear wheel frame 3. The rear wheel beam 3a and the seat beam 4a are both round metal pipes, and the footrest beam 2a is a square metal pipe. The above-mentioned first rotating shaft 21, second rotating shaft 31, third rotating shaft 32, first swing shaft 613 and pivot shaft 51 can be composed of bolts and nuts or rivets, etc.

[0031] The locking mechanism 6 is arranged at the connection between the pedal frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3, and the locking mechanism 6 includes a first locking arm 61, a second locking arm 65, a linkage rod 64, a locking rod 62 and a spring 63. The locking rod 62 is fixedly arranged on the rear wheel frame 3, and the first locking arm 61 and the second locking arm 65 are respectively swingably arranged on the pedal frame 2 through the first swing shaft 613 and the second swing shaft 651. One end of the linkage rod 64 is rotatably connected to the first locking arm 61 through the first pivot shaft 641, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second locking arm 65 through the second pivot shaft 642. The first locking arm 61 is provided with a first hook 611, and the second locking arm 65 is provided with a second hook 653. One end of the spring 63 is connected to the first locking arm 61 and the other end is connected to the pedal frame 2 through the mounting plate 631. When the frame is in the unfolded state, the first hook 611 hooks the locking rod 62 and is maintained by the spring 63, so that the pedal frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3 cannot rotate relative to each other. Figure 5 shown.

[0032] The locking mechanism 6 includes two symmetrically arranged groups. An operating handle 612 is provided between the first locking arms 61 of the two locking mechanisms 6. When folding is required, the operating handle 612 is pushed to make the first locking arm 61 overcome the elastic force of the spring 63 and swing out of the locking rod 62. Then, the operating handle 612 is pulled upward to make the frame close and fold until the second hook 653 hooks the locking rod 62 and is held by the spring 63, so that the footrest frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3 cannot rotate relative to each other. Figure 6 As shown, the above-mentioned folding operation is very convenient. The frame can be folded and locked by simply pushing and pulling the operating handle 612. When it needs to be unfolded, the first locking arm 61 is swung by pushing the operating handle 612, and the second locking arm 65 is driven to swing through the linkage rod 64, and finally the second hook 653 is disengaged from the locking rod 62. The frame can be automatically unfolded and locked under the action of gravity, and the operation is very convenient.

[0033] When the vehicle is in the state of being unfolded, the second end of the second link 71 moves to the first position, and the second end of the second link 71 moves to the first position, so that the rear wheel frame 3 and the vehicle are in the state of being unfolded. Figure 9 As shown, the first link 72 and the second link 71 cooperate to pull the front wheel frame 1, so that the front wheel frame 1 cannot rotate clockwise relative to the pedal frame 2. When the frame is in the folded state, the other end of the second link 71 moves to the second position, as shown in FIG. Figure 10 As shown, the first connecting rod 72 and the second connecting rod 71 cooperate to support the front wheel frame 1, so that the front wheel frame 1 cannot rotate counterclockwise relative to the pedal frame 2, thereby preventing the front wheel frame 1 from rotating relative to the pedal frame 2 in the unfolded state and the folded state.

[0034] The second locking arm 65 can be swung around the second swing axis 651 and is set at the bottom of the footrest frame 2. The bottom of the footrest frame 2 is provided with a mounting seat 652 for mounting the second swing axis 651. The second locking arm 65 has a limiting surface that abuts against the bottom surface of the footrest frame 2. The limiting surface limits the swing range of the second locking arm 65, which can ensure that the first locking arm 61 and the second locking arm 65 can still remain in a position that allows the locking rod 62 to enter after the first locking arm 61 and the second locking arm 65 are separated from the locking rod 62. The specific second locking arm 65 is a plate-shaped structure. One side of the top of the second locking arm 65 is a right angle 655, and the other side opposite to it is a rounded corner 653. The top surface of the right angle 655 constitutes a limiting surface. The first hook 611 and / or the second hook 653 are formed with guide surfaces 614 and 654 to guide the locking rod 62 into the hooks. The guide surfaces 614 and 654 can guide the locking rod 62 to be smoothly hooked by the first hook 611 and the second hook 653, thereby realizing smooth locking of the frame in the folded state and the unfolded state.

[0035] The specific operation method is as follows: when it is necessary to fold, the operating handle 612 is pushed to make the first hook 611 of the first locking arm 61 overcome the elastic force of the spring 63 and swing out of the locking rod 62, and then the operating handle 612 is pulled upward to make the frame close and fold until the second hook 653 hooks the locking rod 62 and is held by the spring 63, so that the footrest frame 2 and the rear wheel frame 3 cannot rotate relative to each other. During the frame folding process, the first connecting rod 72 drives the second connecting rod 71 to move to the second position, and the first connecting rod 72 and the second connecting rod 71 cooperate to support the front wheel frame 1, so that the front wheel frame 1 cannot rotate counterclockwise relative to the footrest frame 2, so that the frame can be kept in the folded state;

[0036] When it is necessary to unfold, the first locking arm 61 is swung by pushing the operating handle 612, and the second locking arm 65 is driven to swing by the linkage rod 64, and finally the second hook 653 is separated from the locking rod 62, and the frame can be automatically unfolded under the action of gravity, so that the first hook 611 of the first locking arm 61 is hooked on the locking rod 62. In this process, the first link 72 and the second link 71 are linked to each other, so that the other end of the second link 71 moves to the first position, as shown in FIG. Figure 9 As shown, the first connecting rod 72 and the second connecting rod 71 cooperate to pull the front wheel frame 1, so that the front wheel frame 1 cannot rotate clockwise relative to the pedal frame 2, so that the frame can be kept in the unfolded state.

[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and therefore cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention. In other words, equivalent changes and modifications made according to the scope of the patent application and the contents of the specification should still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foldable bicycle comprising a frame, wherein the frame comprises a front wheel frame (1), a pedal frame (2), a rear wheel frame (3) and a seat frame (4), characterized in that: The bicycle further comprises a locking mechanism (6), one end of the pedal frame (2) is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame (1), and the other end is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame (3), and the seat frame (4) is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame (3). The bicycle frame can be switched between a folded state and an unfolded state. In the folded state, the connection between the pedal frame (2) and the rear wheel frame (3) is arched upward so that the front wheel frame (1), the pedal frame (2), the rear wheel frame (3) and the seat frame (4) are brought closer to each other. In the unfolded state, the bicycle frame is unfolded so that the pedal frame (2) is arranged approximately horizontally. The invention also includes a locking mechanism (6) for keeping the frame in a folded state or an unfolded state. The locking mechanism (6) is arranged at the connection between the pedal frame (2) and the rear wheel frame (3), and includes a first locking arm (61), a second locking arm (65), a linkage rod (64), a locking rod (62) and a spring (63). The locking rod (62) is fixedly arranged on the rear wheel frame (3). The first locking arm (61) and the second locking arm (65) are both swingably arranged on the pedal frame (2). The linkage rod (64) is connected between the first locking arm (61) and the second locking arm (65). The first locking arm (61) is provided with an operating handle (612). and a first hook (611), the second locking arm (65) is provided with a second hook (653), when the frame is in the unfolded state, the first hook (611) hooks the locking rod (62) and is held by the spring (63), so that the pedal frame (2) and the rear wheel frame (3) cannot rotate relative to each other; when it is necessary to fold, the first locking arm (61) is swung to disengage from the locking rod (62) by the operating handle (612), and then the operating handle (612) is pulled upward to make the frame close and fold until the second hook (653) hooks the locking rod (62) and is held by the spring (63), so that the pedal frame (2) and the rear wheel frame (3) cannot rotate relative to each other; The invention also includes a limiting mechanism arranged between the front wheel frame (1) and the rear wheel frame (3), the limiting mechanism including a first connecting rod (72) and a second connecting rod (71), one end of the first connecting rod (72) is rotatably connected to the rear wheel frame (3) through a first rotating shaft (722), and the other end is rotatably connected to the front wheel frame (1) through a second rotating shaft (721), one end of the second connecting rod (71) is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod (72) through a third rotating shaft (711), and the other end can be movably connected to the front wheel frame (1) between a first position and a second position, and the third rotating shaft (711) is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod (72) through a third rotating shaft (711). The shaft (711) is arranged close to the second rotating shaft (721). When the frame is in an unfolded state, the other end of the second connecting rod (71) moves to a first position, and the first connecting rod (72) and the second connecting rod (71) restrict the front wheel frame (1) from rotating clockwise relative to the pedal frame (2). When the frame is in a folded state, the other end of the second connecting rod (71) moves to a second position, and the first connecting rod (72) and the second connecting rod (71) restrict the front wheel frame (1) from rotating counterclockwise relative to the pedal frame (2). Two rear wheels (33) are arranged at the bottom of the rear wheel frame (3).

2. A foldable vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front wheel frame (1) is provided with an elongated hole (13), the other end of the second connecting rod (71) is provided with a movable shaft (712) located in the elongated hole (13), and the two ends of the elongated hole (13) are defined as the first position and the second position.

3. A foldable vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first abutting portion (14) is provided between the front wheel frame (1) and the pedal frame (2), and the first abutting portion (14) limits the front wheel frame (1) from rotating counterclockwise relative to the pedal frame (2) when the frame is in an unfolded state.

4. A foldable vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A support rod (5) is provided between the footrest frame (2) and the seat frame (4); one end of the support rod (5) is rotatably connected to the footrest frame (2), and the other end is rotatably connected to the seat frame (4).

5. A foldable vehicle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first locking arm (61) is swingably connected to the pedal frame (2) via a first swing shaft (613), and one end of the support rod (5) is rotationally connected to the first swing shaft (613).

6. A foldable vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The rear wheel frame (3) is rotatably connected to the bottom of the pedal frame (2); when the frame is in an unfolded state, the pedal frame (2) has a second abutting portion (22) abutting against the top of the rear wheel frame (3).

7. A foldable vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first hook (611) and / or the second hook (653) are formed with guide surfaces (614, 654) for guiding the locking rod (62) into the hook.

8. A foldable vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The spring (63) is connected between the first locking arm (61) and the pedal frame (2).

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