A folding seat structure and a folding scooter

Abstract

The disclosure provides a folding seat structure and a folding scooter, the folding seat structure comprising a backrest mechanism, an armrest mechanism and a folding mechanism, the armrest mechanism comprising an armrest assembly, an armrest lifting assembly, an armrest rotating assembly and an armrest moving assembly, the seat assembly being arranged at the top end of the folding mechanism, the bottom of the folding mechanism being hinged to the frame and being capable of being converted between an unfolded position and a folded position relative to the frame. The folding seat structure and the folding scooter of the disclosure can reduce the overall structure of the seat by the design of the backrest mechanism, the armrest mechanism and the folding mechanism, so that the folding scooter can greatly reduce the volume when not in use, and the user can easily carry, transport and store it; the height of the armrest assembly and the contraction in the left-right direction of the scooter can also be adjusted to reduce the space occupied by the armrest mechanism, and the armrest rotating assembly can drive the armrest assembly to rotate to facilitate storage in a smaller volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of mobility scooter technology, and more particularly to a folding seat structure and a folding mobility scooter. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the seats in most commercially available mobility scooters only offer height adjustment, failing to meet the comfort needs of all users. Furthermore, the seats lack folding functionality, taking up considerable space and making them difficult for users to easily transport to public transportation or manually move short distances. This is particularly problematic when switching modes of transportation flexibly or navigating natural obstacles like stairs or steps, significantly limiting their usability. Existing folding mechanisms that allow the seat to fold together with the frame are typically located on the sides of the frame, occupying space on both sides of the vehicle, restricting user movement, and reducing the ease of folding. Additionally, the fixed armrests on the seat structure cannot be folded down, obstructing entry and exit and increasing the risk of bumps and falls. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a folding seat structure and a folding mobility scooter to at least solve the above-mentioned technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0004] According to a first aspect of this disclosure, a folding seat structure is provided, including a seat assembly, and further comprising:

[0005] A backrest mechanism is rotatably connected to the seat assembly and is capable of folding relative to the seat assembly;

[0006] An armrest mechanism includes an armrest assembly, an armrest lifting assembly, an armrest rotating assembly, and an armrest moving assembly. The armrest moving assembly is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the seat assembly and is arranged along the width direction of the seat assembly. The armrest rotating assembly is slidably connected to the armrest moving assembly and can slide along the length direction of the armrest moving assembly. One end of the armrest lifting assembly is rotatably connected to the armrest rotating assembly, and the armrest assembly is disposed on the other end of the armrest lifting assembly.

[0007] The folding mechanism includes a seat assembly located at the top of the folding mechanism, the bottom of which is hinged to the center of the frame in the width direction and is capable of switching between an unfolded position and a folded position relative to the frame.

[0008] In one embodiment, a seat adjustment mechanism is further included, disposed between the seat assembly and the folding mechanism. The seat adjustment mechanism includes a base and a seat moving assembly connected to the seat assembly. The base is fixedly connected to the top end of the folding mechanism, and the seat moving assembly is slidably connected to the base.

[0009] In one embodiment, a seat adjustment mechanism is further included, disposed between the seat assembly and the folding mechanism. The seat adjustment mechanism includes a seat rotation component for carrying the seat assembly. The seat rotation component is rotatably connected to the folding mechanism to drive the seat assembly to rotate relative to the folding mechanism.

[0010] In one embodiment, the seat rotation assembly includes a turntable, an elastic element, and a rotation adjustment component connected to the elastic element. The elastic element is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the turntable, and the rotation adjustment component is used to position the elastic element on a path of rotation about the axis of rotation of the turntable.

[0011] The rotary adjustment component has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the rotary adjustment component is in the locked state, the elastic element engages and limits the rotary adjustment component. When an external force is applied to the rotary adjustment component, the rotary adjustment component switches to the unlocked state, so that the turntable and the elastic element can rotate freely and synchronously.

[0012] In one embodiment, the handrail rotation assembly includes a rotating shaft component and a rotation control component. One end of the handrail lifting assembly away from the handrail assembly is sleeved on the rotating shaft component, and the handrail lifting assembly is rotatable about the axis of the rotating shaft component. The rotating shaft component and the handrail lifting assembly are connected through the rotation control component.

[0013] The rotation control component has an initial position and an ending position along the length of the rotating shaft component. When the rotation control component is in the ending position, the handrail lifting assembly can rotate freely around the rotating shaft component. When the handrail lifting assembly rotates to a specific position, the rotation control component springs back from the ending position to the initial position to restrict the rotation of the handrail lifting assembly.

[0014] In one embodiment, the armrest lifting assembly includes a lifting adjustment component and a support rod. The armrest assembly is connected to the lifting adjustment component, and the lifting adjustment component is sleeved on the support rod to drive the armrest assembly to move along the length direction of the support rod. The armrest moving assembly includes a hollow sleeve fixed to the lower surface of the seat assembly, and the armrest rotating assembly is inserted into the hollow sleeve to drive the two armrest assemblies to move towards or away from each other along the width direction of the seat assembly.

[0015] In one embodiment, the folding mechanism includes a forearm, a rear arm, and a seat bracket. The seat assembly and the seat bracket are fixedly connected. The top end of the forearm is hinged to the front end of the seat bracket, and the bottom end of the forearm is hinged to the vehicle frame. The top end of the rear arm is hinged to the rear end of the seat bracket, and the bottom end of the rear arm is hinged to the vehicle frame.

[0016] In one embodiment, the folding mechanism further includes a sliding component, the seat bracket has a sliding groove, the sliding component is slidably connected to the sliding groove, the forearm has a groove, and when the sliding component slides along the sliding groove into the groove, the seat bracket, the forearm and the rear arm are fixed.

[0017] According to a second aspect of this disclosure, a folding mobility vehicle is provided, including a frame, a drive wheel assembly, a steering wheel assembly, and an auxiliary movement wheel assembly, as well as a handlebar mechanism and a folding seat structure as described in any of the above embodiments. The handlebar mechanism includes a connecting component fixed to the front end of the frame and a handlebar assembly rotatably connected to the connecting component. When the folding seat structure is in a folded state, the handlebar assembly folds over the connecting component and sits above the folding seat structure.

[0018] In one embodiment, the handlebar mechanism further includes a folding assembly, the folding assembly including a first folding member connected to the connecting assembly and a second folding member connected to the handlebar assembly, the first folding member and the second folding member being rotatably connected, and a locking member being provided between the first folding member and the second folding member, the locking member being coaxially arranged with the first folding member and the locking member being able to rotate relative to the first folding member about a common axis.

[0019] This disclosure discloses a folding seat structure and a folding mobility scooter. The folding seat structure, through the design of a backrest mechanism, armrest mechanism, and folding mechanism, allows the backrest mechanism to be folded into the seat assembly after use, forming a relatively flat shape. The folding mechanism lowers and folds the overall seat structure, significantly reducing the size of the mobility scooter when not in use, making it easy for users to carry, transport, and store. Furthermore, the folding mechanism is located at the center of the frame width, making the folding and unfolding of the seat smoother and reducing the space occupied on both sides of the vehicle, thus removing restrictions on the user's movement space. In addition, the armrest mechanism integrates lifting, rotating, and moving functions. When the user is not using the vehicle, it can not only lower the height of the armrest assembly and reduce the distance between the two armrest assemblies into the mobility scooter to reduce the space occupied by the armrest mechanism, but also, in conjunction with the armrest rotating assembly, drive the armrest assembly to rotate for easier storage in a smaller volume.

[0020] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Several embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated in the drawings by way of example and not limitation, in which:

[0022] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a folding seat structure according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a folding seat structure according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 3 This illustration shows the overall structure of a folding seat structure after folding, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 4 This illustration shows the overall structure of a folding seat structure after folding, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the backrest mechanism of a folding seat structure according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the seat adjustment mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure disclosed herein is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the seat adjustment mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure disclosed herein is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0030] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the seat adjustment mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure disclosed herein is shown. Figure 3 ;

[0031] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the armrest mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure disclosed herein is shown.

[0032] Figure 10 A partial enlargement of the armrest mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 11 A partial enlargement of the armrest mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2 ;

[0034] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the folding mechanism of an exemplary embodiment of the folding seat structure disclosed herein is shown.

[0035] Figure 13 This disclosure illustrates the overall structure of a folding mobility scooter after folding, according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 ;

[0036] Figure 14 This disclosure illustrates the overall structure of a folding mobility scooter after folding, according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 ;

[0037] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the handlebar mechanism of a folding mobility scooter, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown.

[0038] The following are the labeling instructions in the diagram: 1. Seat assembly; 2. Backrest mechanism; 3. Armrest mechanism; 4. Folding mechanism; 5. Seat adjustment mechanism; 6. Handlebar mechanism; 7. Frame; 8. Drive wheel assembly; 9. Steering wheel assembly; 10. Auxiliary moving wheel assembly; 21. Backrest support; 22. Backrest assembly; 31. Armrest assembly; 32. Armrest lifting assembly; 33. Armrest rotating assembly; 34. Armrest moving assembly; 41. Forearm; 42. Rear arm; 43. Seat support; 44. Sliding assembly; 51. Base; 52. Seat moving assembly; 53. Seat rotating assembly; 61. Connecting assembly; 62. Handlebar assembly; 63. Folding assembly; 321. Lifting adjustment component; 322. Support rod; 331. Rotating shaft component; 332. Rotation control component; 341. Hollow sleeve; 342. Locking component; 411. Groove; 431. Slide groove; 521. Mounting base; 522. Moving adjustment component; 523. First seat support; 524. First locking assembly; 531. Turntable; 532. Elastic component; 533. Rotation adjustment component; 534. Second seat support; 535. Limiting assembly; 536. Second locking assembly; 631. First folding component; 632. Second folding component; 633. Locking component; 3221. Bearing part; 3222. Receiving groove; 3223. Stop part; 3311. Guide part; 5211. Slot; 5212. Second positioning hole; 5221. Locking pin; 5222. Adjustment fixing part; 5223. Positioning block; 5331. Positioning part; 5332. Handheld part; 5341. First limiting hole; 5351. Second limiting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the objectives, features, and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0040] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 9As shown, this disclosure discloses an exemplary embodiment of a folding seat structure, including a seat assembly 1, a backrest mechanism 2, an armrest mechanism 3, and a folding mechanism 4. The seat assembly 1 provides a seat for the user. The backrest mechanism 2 is rotatably connected to the seat assembly 1 and can be folded relative to the seat assembly 1. The armrest mechanism 3 includes an armrest assembly 31, an armrest lifting assembly 32, an armrest rotating assembly 33, and an armrest moving assembly 34. The armrest moving assembly 34 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the seat assembly 1 and is arranged along the width direction of the seat assembly 1. The armrest rotating assembly 33 is slidably connected to the armrest moving assembly 34 and can slide along the length direction of the armrest moving assembly 34. One end of the armrest lifting assembly 32 is rotatably connected to the armrest rotating assembly 33, and the armrest assembly 31 is disposed on the other end of the armrest lifting assembly 32. The seat assembly 1 is disposed at the top of the folding mechanism 4. The bottom of the folding mechanism 4 is hinged to the center position in the width direction of the frame and can be switched between an unfolded position and a folded position relative to the frame.

[0041] In this embodiment, it should first be noted that the front-back, back-to-back, left-to-right, up-down directions in this disclosure are based on the direction when the folding seat structure is in normal use. For example, the seat assembly 1 is located in front of the backrest mechanism 2 to provide a seat for the user. The backrest mechanism 2 provides back support for the user. The design of the backrest mechanism 2 usually takes ergonomics into account to ensure the user's comfort and safety during use. The width direction of the seat assembly 1 or the frame is the left-to-right direction. The backrest mechanism 2 includes a backrest bracket 21 and a backrest assembly 22. The backrest bracket 21 has a support portion, and the backrest assembly 22 can be supported by the support portion to prevent the backrest assembly 22 from folding backward, thereby improving the stability of the overall mechanism. The end of the backrest bracket 21 away from the support portion is fixedly connected to the seat assembly 1. The backrest assembly 22 is rotatably connected to the backrest bracket 21 and can rotate relative to the backrest bracket 21 about a rotation center. The armrest mechanism 3 integrates lifting, rotating, and moving functions. When the user is not using the folding seat structure, the armrest assembly 31 can be retracted in height and the distance between the two armrest assemblies 31 in width direction to reduce the space occupied by the armrest mechanism 3. It can also be flipped to avoid obstacles when getting on and off the vehicle. This not only facilitates user entry and exit but also allows the armrest mechanism 3 to be stored in a smaller volume, making it easy to carry and transport, while saving storage space. When using the folding seat structure, the user can adjust the position of the armrest assembly 31 in the width and height directions of the seat assembly 1 according to their own size, offering high adaptability. The armrest moving assembly 34 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the seat assembly 1 and is set along the width direction of the seat assembly 1 to ensure that the armrest rotating assembly 33 can drive the armrest assembly 31 to move in the width direction, thereby adjusting the distance between the two armrest assemblies 31. The rotational connection between the armrest lifting assembly 32 and the armrest rotating assembly 33 can be equipped with a damping control structure or a mechanical control structure to lock the armrest lifting assembly 32 in a specific position after it has rotated around the armrest rotating assembly 33. For example, when a damping control structure is set, the damper can be directly installed on the rotating shaft to generate a damping effect through friction; when a mechanical control structure is set, a specific mechanical structure is designed to limit or adjust the rotational position. Common mechanical control methods include, but are not limited to, key connections, pin connections, or threaded connections. For the folding mechanism 4, when the seat assembly 1 needs to be used, the folding mechanism 4 drives the seat assembly 1 to be raised as a whole, so that the seat assembly 1 reaches the normal use height. At this time, the folding mechanism 4 is in the unfolded position; when the seat assembly 1 needs to be folded, the folding mechanism 4 is flipped towards the front of the frame to lower the seat assembly 1 as a whole, and it is then fastened to the frame. At this time, the folding mechanism 4 is in the folded position.The connection between the seat assembly 1 and the top of the folding mechanism 4, and the hinge between the bottom of the folding mechanism 4 and the frame, can be equipped with damping control structures or mechanical control structures to lock the folding mechanism 4 in a specific position after it has rotated around the frame. It is important to note that when using a damping control structure, the design must ensure the stability and safety of the seat assembly 1 during normal user operation, allowing the folding mechanism 4 to fold and unfold. Because the folding mechanism 4 is located at the center of the frame's width, the seat folds and unfolds more smoothly, reducing the space occupied on both sides of the vehicle, removing restrictions on user movement space, facilitating entry and exit, and preventing leg injuries. Ideally, the folding mechanism 4 should flip towards the front of the frame, lowering the seat assembly 1, while the armrest lifting assembly 32 should flip the armrest assembly 31 backward, maximizing space utilization after folding. In summary, the folding seat structure disclosed herein, through the design of the backrest mechanism 2, armrest mechanism 3, and folding mechanism 4, allows the backrest mechanism 2 to be stored in the seat assembly 1 after use, folding into a relatively flat shape. The folding mechanism 4 can lower and fold up the overall structure of the seat, significantly reducing the size of the vehicle when not in use, making it easy for users to carry, transport, and store. Furthermore, the folding mechanism 4 is located at the center position in the width direction of the frame, making the overall folding and unfolding of the seat smoother, while reducing the space occupied on both sides of the vehicle and removing restrictions on the user's movement space. In addition, the armrest mechanism 3 integrates lifting, rotating, and moving functions. When the user is not using the vehicle, it can not only lower the height of the armrest assembly 31 and shrink the distance between the two armrest assemblies 31 into the vehicle to reduce the space occupied by the armrest mechanism 3, but also, in conjunction with the armrest rotating assembly 33, drive the armrest assembly 31 to rotate for easier storage in a smaller volume.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the folding seat structure further includes a seat adjustment mechanism 5 disposed between the seat assembly 1 and the folding mechanism 4. The seat adjustment mechanism 5 includes a base 51 and a seat moving assembly 52 connected to the seat assembly 1. The base 51 is fixedly connected to the top of the folding mechanism 4, and the seat moving assembly 52 is slidably connected to the base 51.

[0043] In this embodiment, the seat moving assembly 52 includes a mounting base 521 and a moving adjustment component 522. The seat assembly 1 is fixedly connected to the mounting base 521. A slide rail is provided on the base 51, and the mounting base 521 is slidably connected to the base 51 via the slide rail, thereby driving the seat assembly 1 to slide relative to the base 51. When the folding mechanism 4 is in the unfolded position, the mounting base 521 is controlled to move along the slide rail to adjust the space in front of the seat assembly 1, thereby accommodating people of different sizes. When it is necessary to switch the folding mechanism 4 to the folded position, the mounting base 521 is controlled to move forward along the slide rail, so that the armrest lifting assembly 32 drives the armrest assembly 31 to flip backward, avoiding interference between the armrest assembly 31 and other components on the mobility scooter, and ensuring the folding effect. The moving adjustment component 522 is provided on the base 51 and can lock and unlock the mounting base 521. It is understood that the movable adjustment component 522 can have various structures. For example, the movable adjustment component 522 includes a locking pin 5221 rotatable about a rotation center and an adjustment fixing part 5222 disposed on the base 51. The locking pin 5221 passes through the adjustment fixing part 5222, and a positioning block 5223 is fixedly connected to the locking pin 5221. The positioning block 5223 is located inside the adjustment fixing part 5222. Correspondingly, multiple slots 5211 are provided on the side of the mounting base 521 along the moving direction of the mounting base 521, and the positioning block 5223 can engage with the slots 5211. The movable adjustment component also includes a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the locking pin 5221 and connected to the adjustment fixing part 5222. The torsion spring acts as a reset mechanism. When the torsion spring is in its initial state, the positioning block 5223 engages with the slot 5211. If it is necessary to unlock the mounting base 521 so that the mounting base 521 can move along the slide rail, the locking pin 5221 needs to be rotated to make the positioning block 5223 rotate away from the slot 5211, thereby releasing the restriction on the mounting base 521. At this time, the torsion spring undergoes elastic deformation. After the mounting base 521 is adjusted into place, the external force is removed, the torsion spring resets, and the positioning block 5223 engages with the slot 5211.

[0044] In one embodiment, the folding seat structure further includes a seat adjustment mechanism 5 disposed between the seat assembly 1 and the folding mechanism 4. The seat adjustment mechanism 5 includes a seat rotation assembly 53 for carrying the seat assembly 1. The seat rotation assembly 53 is rotatably connected to the folding mechanism 4 to drive the seat assembly 1 to rotate relative to the folding mechanism 4.

[0045] In this embodiment, the seat rotation component 53 has two configuration methods. One is to directly rotatably connect the seat rotation component 53 to the top of the folding mechanism 4 (not shown in the figure), so that the seat component 1 only has a rotation function. The other is to configure the seat rotation component 53 based on the previous embodiment, that is, to rotatably connect the seat rotation component 53 to the seat moving component 52. Specifically, the seat rotation component 53 is rotatably connected to the mounting base 521, and the seat component 1 is fixed on the seat rotation component 53, so that the seat component 1 has both a moving function and a rotation function. When the seat rotation component 53 is directly rotatably connected to the top of the folding mechanism 4, the seat rotation component 53 drives the seat component 1 to rotate 90° to the left or right compared to when the seat component 1 is facing forward. This makes it convenient for the user to sit on the seat component 1 or get off the seat component 1. After the user gets off the seat component 1, there is no need to rotate the seat component 1 back to the forward position to fold the entire adjustable seat structure (see reference). Figure 4(As shown). Specifically, the folding mechanism 4 is switched to the folding position, the armrest lifting assembly 32 is lowered, and the armrest lifting assembly 32 is moved along the armrest moving assembly 34 to shorten the distance between the two armrest assemblies 31. Then, the armrest lifting assembly 32 is rotated around the axis of the armrest rotating assembly 33. At this time, the rotated armrest lifting assembly 32 is almost parallel to the width direction of the seat assembly 1. The advantage of this method is that, since the front space of the mobility scooter body is relatively large and the width direction is relatively open, it can effectively avoid the armrest assembly 31 interfering with the components on the mobility scooter when the armrest lifting assembly 32 drives the armrest assembly 31 to rotate. When the seat rotation component 53 is configured to be rotatably connected to the seat moving component 52, the seat rotation component 53 causes the seat component 1 to rotate 90° to the left or right compared to when the seat component 1 is facing forward. This allows the user to easily sit on or get off the seat component 1. After the user gets off the seat component 1, there is no need to rotate the seat component 1 back to the forward position; the entire adjustable seat structure can be folded. Specifically, the folding mechanism 4 is switched to the folding position, the armrest lifting component 32 is lowered, and the armrest lifting component 32 is moved along the armrest moving component 34 to shorten the distance between the two armrest components 31. Then, the armrest lifting component 32 is rotated around the axis of the armrest rotation component 33. At this time, the rotated armrest lifting component 32 is almost parallel to the width direction of the seat component 1. Finally, the position of the seat moving component 52 on the base 51 is adjusted according to the specific position of the armrest mechanism 3 after folding. The advantage of this method is that, due to the larger front space and wider width of the vehicle, it effectively avoids interference between the armrest assembly 31 and other components when the armrest lifting assembly 32 rotates. Furthermore, the inclusion of the base 51 and seat moving assembly 52 allows for more flexible adjustment of the folding seat structure, further improving space utilization and making the use of space more rational. It is understood that the specific folding steps can be adjusted according to the actual situation and are not limited to the steps described above; the order of adjustment for each part can be reversed.

[0046] In one embodiment, the seat rotation assembly 53 includes a turntable 531, an elastic element 532, and a rotation adjustment component 533 connected to the elastic element 532. The elastic element 532 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the turntable 531, and the rotation adjustment component 533 is used to position the elastic element 532 on a path of rotation about the axis of rotation of the turntable 531. The rotation adjustment component 533 has a locked state and an unlocked state. When the rotation adjustment component 533 is in the locked state, the elastic element 532 is engaged and limited by the rotation adjustment component 533. When an external force is applied to the rotation adjustment component 533, the rotation adjustment component 533 switches to the unlocked state, allowing the turntable 531 and the elastic element 532 to rotate freely and synchronously.

[0047] In this embodiment, when the seat rotation assembly 53 is directly rotatably connected to the top of the folding mechanism 4 (not shown in the figure), the rotation adjustment component 533 includes a support fixed to the top of the folding mechanism 4, with a first positioning hole on the support. The elastic element 532 includes a fixed end fixedly connected to the turntable 531 and capable of rotating with the turntable 531, and a free end that fits against the support. The rotation adjustment component 533 also includes a positioning part 5331 disposed on the lower surface of the free end and a handheld part 5332 fixedly connected to the free end. The lower surface of the seat assembly 1, the armrest moving assembly 34, and the upper surface of the turntable 531 are fixedly connected. When the rotation adjustment component 533 is in the locked state, the positioning part 5331 and the first positioning hole are engaged. When an external force is applied to the handheld part 5332, the elastic element 532 undergoes elastic deformation, causing the positioning part 5331 and the first positioning hole to separate, and the rotation adjustment component 533 is switched to the unlocked state. The support base has at least three first positioning holes, which are located on the same circumference and are spaced 90° apart to ensure that the seat assembly 1 can be positioned at at least three positions on the path of rotation around the axis of the turntable 531, that is, the seat assembly 1 can face at least three different directions. When the seat rotation assembly 53 is configured to be rotatably connected to the seat moving assembly 52, the elastic member 532 includes a fixed end that is fixedly connected to the turntable 531 and can rotate with the turntable 531, and a free end that fits against the mounting base 521. The rotation adjustment member 533 includes a second positioning hole 5212 opened on the mounting base 521, a positioning part 5331 provided on the lower surface of the free end, and a hand-held part 5332 fixedly connected to the free end. The lower surface of the seat assembly 1, the armrest moving assembly 34, and the upper surface of the turntable 531 are fixedly connected. When the rotation adjustment component 533 is in the locked state, the positioning part 5331 and the second positioning hole 5212 are engaged; when an external force is applied to the handle 5332, the elastic member 532 undergoes elastic deformation, causing the positioning part 5331 and the second positioning hole 5212 to separate, and the rotation adjustment component 533 is switched to the unlocked state. The mounting base 521 has at least three second positioning holes 5212, which are located on the same circumference and spaced 90° apart, to ensure that the seat assembly 1 can be positioned at least three locations along the path of rotation around the axis of the turntable 531, that is, the seat assembly 1 can face at least three different directions.

[0048] Reference Figure 8As shown, in other embodiments, the seat moving assembly 52 includes a first seat support 523, and the seat rotating assembly 53 includes a second seat support 534 and a limiting assembly 535. The first seat support 523 is slidably connected to the second seat support 534, and the first seat support 523 can slide along the length direction of the second seat support 534. The second seat support 534 is rotatably connected to the limiting assembly 535, and the second seat support 534 can rotate around the axis of the limiting assembly 535. The second seat support 534 has a plurality of first limiting holes 5341, which are spaced apart along the length direction of the second seat support 534. The first locking assembly 524 passes through the first seat support 523 and can engage with the first limiting holes 5341 on the second seat support 534, so that the first seat support 523 and the second seat support 534 can be limited and released from limitation. The limiting component 535 is specifically a tubular fitting. Multiple second limiting holes 5351 are formed circumferentially on the limiting component 535. A second locking component 536 passes through the second seat support 534 and can engage with the second limiting holes 5351 on the limiting component 535 within the second seat support 534, thereby enabling the second seat support 534 and the limiting component 535 to be limited and released from limitation. The second seat support 534 is equivalent to the base 51.

[0049] In one embodiment, the handrail rotation assembly 33 includes a pivot component 331 and a rotation control component 332. One end of the handrail lifting assembly 32, away from the handrail assembly 31, is sleeved on the pivot component 331, and the handrail lifting assembly 32 is rotatable about the axis of the pivot component 331. The pivot component 331 and the handrail lifting assembly 32 are connected by the rotation control component 332. The rotation control component 332 has an initial position and a final position along the length of the pivot component 331. When the rotation control component 332 is in the final position, the handrail lifting assembly 32 can rotate freely about the pivot component 331. When the handrail lifting assembly 32 rotates to a specific position, the rotation control component 332 springs back from the final position to the initial position to restrict the rotation of the handrail lifting assembly 32.

[0050] In this embodiment, the end of the handrail lifting assembly 32 connected to the rotating shaft component 331 is defined as the rotating end. The rotating end has a shaft hole, and the hole wall is provided with two bearing portions 3221 and a receiving groove 3222 for accommodating the rotation control component 332. The two bearing portions 3221 are located on opposite sides of the receiving groove 3222, and the rotation control component 332 can move axially within the receiving groove 3222 along the rotating end. The end of the rotating shaft component 331 connected to the handrail lifting assembly 32 is defined as the connecting end. A guide portion 3311 protrudes from the outer periphery of the connecting end and abuts against the bearing portions 3221. When the handrail lifting assembly 32 rotates, the two bearing portions 3221 and the receiving groove 3222 together form a guide track through which the guide portion 3311 can pass. The rotation control component 332 includes a limiting part, which is connected to the bottom of the receiving groove 3222 via an elastic component. When the elastic component is in a free state, the rotation control component 332 is in the initial position, and the limiting part and the guide part 3311 are located in the same plane to restrict the rotation of the handrail lifting assembly 32. When the elastic component is in a compressed state, the rotation control component 332 is in the terminated position, and the limiting part is flush with the two bearing parts 3221 to form a guide rail. A stop part 3223 is formed between the two bearing parts 3221 along the hole wall of the shaft hole, and the stop part 3223 is located on the side away from the receiving groove 3222. When the handrail lifting assembly 32 rotates to coincide with the bearing part 3221 and avoid the receiving groove 3222, the rotation control component 332 springs back from the terminated position to the initial position, and the guide part 3311 is limited between the limiting part and the stop part 3223. Understandably, when the rotation control component 332 is pressed along the depth direction of the receiving groove 3222 until the rotation control component 332 no longer obstructs the rotating shaft component 331, that is, the relative rotation of the handrail lifting assembly 32 and the rotating shaft component 331 is no longer restricted in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft component 331, the relative limit between the handrail lifting assembly 32 and the rotating shaft component 331 is unlocked, allowing the handrail lifting assembly 32 to rotate around the rotating shaft component 331 and drive the handrail assembly 31 to flip in the direction of getting on and off the mobility scooter. During the rotation of the handrail lifting assembly 32 around the rotating shaft component 331, the rotation control component 332 is always pressed by the guide portion 3311 on the rotating shaft component 331. The position of the guide portion 3311 relative to the rotating end can go from one support portion 3221, over the rotation control component 332, to another support portion 3221. When the handrail lifting assembly 32 rotates to a specific position, that is, when the handrail lifting assembly 32 rotates back to the original vertical position, the rotation control component 332 is no longer pressed by the guide part 3311. As a result, the rotation control component 332 springs back to the initial position, and limits the handrail lifting assembly 32 and the rotating shaft component 331 again to prevent them from rotating relative to each other.The stop part 3223, together with the rotation control part 332 in the initial position, limits the handrail lifting assembly 32 to prevent it from rotating relative to the pivot part 331. By setting the rotation control part 332, the folding and unfolding of the handrail lifting assembly 32 is facilitated, which is safer and more stable than the damping control structure.

[0051] Reference Figures 9-11 As shown, in one embodiment, the armrest lifting assembly 32 includes a lifting adjustment component 321 and a support rod 322. The armrest assembly 31 is connected to the lifting adjustment component 321. The lifting adjustment component 321 is sleeved on the support rod 322 to drive the armrest assembly 31 to move along the length direction of the support rod 322. The armrest moving assembly 34 includes a hollow sleeve 341 fixed to the lower surface of the seat assembly 1. The armrest rotating assembly 33 is inserted into the hollow sleeve 341 to drive the two armrest assemblies 31 to move towards or away from each other along the width direction of the seat assembly 1.

[0052] In this embodiment, the support rod 322 is connected to the pivot component 331. The handrail lifting assembly 32 has various implementations, all of which are reflected in existing solutions and will not be elaborated upon here. The handrail moving assembly 34 also includes a locking component 342 disposed on the hollow sleeve 341. The pivot component 331 is inserted into the hollow sleeve 341 and can move along the length direction of the hollow sleeve 341. The locking component 342 is used to restrict the movement of the pivot component 331 in the length direction of the hollow sleeve 341. The locking component 342 can be a buckle, a pull rod, or a fastener, as long as it can lock the pivot component 331 to prevent it from moving relative to the hollow sleeve 341 and unlock the pivot component 331 to allow it to move relative to the hollow sleeve 341. The handrail mechanism 3 integrates lifting and moving functions. When the user is not using the vehicle, the height of the handrail assembly 31 can be lowered and the distance between the two handrail assemblies 31 can be reduced into the vehicle to reduce the space occupied by the handrail mechanism 3.

[0053] Reference Figure 12 As shown, in one embodiment, the folding mechanism 4 includes a forearm 41, a rear arm 42, and a seat bracket 43. The seat assembly 1 and the seat bracket 43 are fixedly connected. The top end of the forearm 41 is hinged to the front end of the seat bracket 43, and the bottom end of the forearm 41 is hinged to the vehicle frame. The top end of the rear arm 42 is hinged to the rear end of the seat bracket 43, and the bottom end of the rear arm 42 is hinged to the vehicle frame.

[0054] In this embodiment, the folding mechanism 4 is a four-bar linkage. Damping control structures can be simultaneously installed at the connection points of the top of the forearm 41 and the seat support 43, the top of the rear arm 42 and the seat support 43, the bottom of the forearm 41 and the frame, and the bottom of the rear arm 42 and the frame. These structures are used to lock the forearm 41 and rear arm 42 at specific positions after they have rotated around the frame. It should be noted that when using a damping control structure, it is necessary to design the structure to ensure the stability and safety of the user's normal use of the seat assembly 1, so that the folding mechanism 4 can fold and unfold. Alternatively, the forearm 41 and rear arm 42 can be locked using a mechanical control structure. When a mechanical control structure is used, a specific mechanical structure is designed to limit or adjust the rotational position. Commonly used mechanical control methods include, but are not limited to, key connections, pin connections, or threaded connections.

[0055] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the folding mechanism 4 further includes a sliding component 44, the seat bracket 43 is provided with a groove 431, the sliding component 44 is slidably connected to the groove 431, the forearm 41 is provided with a groove 411, when the sliding component 44 slides along the groove 431 into the groove 411, the seat bracket 43, the forearm 41 and the rear arm 42 are fixed.

[0056] In this embodiment, when the seat assembly 1 needs to be unfolded, the seat bracket 43 is raised until the slide groove 431 is aligned with the groove 411 of the forearm 41. At this time, the sliding component 44 is slid into the groove 411 of the forearm 41 to fix the seat bracket 43, forearm 41, and rear arm 42. Afterwards, when the seat assembly 1 needs to be folded, the sliding component 44 is moved away from the groove 411 of the forearm 41 to unlock, and then the seat bracket 43 is lowered. Through the design of the folding mechanism 4, the volume can be significantly reduced when the folding seat structure is not used, making it easy for users to carry the vehicle to public transportation, perform short-distance manual transport, or store it in limited spaces, thus improving portability, optimizing storage space, and enhancing transportation convenience.

[0057] Reference Figures 13-15 As shown, this disclosure also provides a folding mobility vehicle, including a frame 7, a drive wheel set 8, a steering wheel set 9, and an auxiliary moving wheel set 10, including a handlebar mechanism 6 and a folding seat structure in any of the above-described embodiments. The handlebar mechanism 6 includes a connecting component 61 fixed to the front end of the frame 7 and a handlebar component 62 rotatably connected to the connecting component 61. When the entire folding seat structure is in a folded state, the handlebar component 62 folds over the connecting component 61 and onto the folding seat structure.

[0058] In this embodiment, the drive wheel assembly 8 is typically the rear wheel of the folding mobility scooter, and the steering wheel assembly 9 is typically the front wheel. The steering wheel assembly 9 can have one or two wheels; in the embodiments disclosed herein, the steering wheel assembly 9 is described as having one wheel. The auxiliary moving wheel assembly 10 is typically located near the ground at the rear end of the folding mobility scooter. When the folding mobility scooter is in normal operation, the auxiliary moving wheel assembly 10 maintains a certain distance from the ground and does not affect the movement of the folding mobility scooter. However, when the folding mobility scooter is folded, the auxiliary moving wheel assembly 10 enhances the mobility and portability of the folding mobility scooter. Specifically, the folding mobility scooter is designed to reduce its size when not in use, thus facilitating transportation and storage. The auxiliary moving wheel assembly 10 remains attached to the folding mobility scooter and connected to the frame 7 even after folding, allowing the entire structure to move easily even in the folded state without the need for additional manual handling. The auxiliary mobility wheelset 10 can be designed as a telescopic and adjustable wheelbase structure. This adjustability allows the auxiliary mobility wheelset 10 to adjust its distance from the ground and wheelbase as needed to ensure structural stability and mobility. The handlebar mechanism 6 has various implementation forms, all of which are reflected in existing solutions, and will not be elaborated on here. As long as it can rotate and fold relative to the frame 7, it is acceptable. The folding mobility scooter disclosed herein features a folding seat structure. This structure, through the design of the backrest mechanism 2, armrest mechanism 3, and folding mechanism 4, allows the backrest mechanism 2 to be folded into the seat assembly 1 after use, forming a relatively flat shape. The folding mechanism 4 lowers and folds the entire seat structure, significantly reducing the scooter's size when not in use, making it easy for users to carry, transport, and store. Furthermore, the folding mechanism 4 is positioned at the center of the frame 7's width, ensuring smoother folding and unfolding of the seat while minimizing space occupation on both sides of the scooter, thus removing restrictions on user movement space. In addition, the armrest mechanism 3 integrates lifting, rotating, and moving functions. When the user is not using the scooter, it not only lowers the height of the armrest assembly 31 and reduces the distance between the two armrest assemblies 31 within the scooter to minimize the space occupied by the armrest mechanism 3, but also, in conjunction with the armrest rotation component 33, rotates the armrest assembly 31 to facilitate storage in a smaller volume.

[0059] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the handlebar mechanism 6 further includes a folding assembly 63, which includes a first folding member 631 connected to the connecting assembly 61 and a second folding member 632 connected to the handlebar assembly 62. The first folding member 631 and the second folding member 632 are rotatably connected. A locking member 633 is provided between the first folding member 631 and the second folding member 632. The locking member 633 is coaxially arranged with the first folding member 631 and can rotate relative to the first folding member 631 about a common axis.

[0060] In this embodiment, the locking member 633 has a first position and a second position. When the locking member 633 is in the first position, it locks the second folding member 632 to restrict the second folding member 632 from rotating relative to the first folding member 631. When the locking member 633 is in the second position, it avoids the second folding member 632 to release the restriction between the second folding member 632 and the first folding member 631. The first folding member 631 and the second folding member 632 are rotatably connected, allowing the second folding member 632 to rotate relative to the first folding member 631 about a pivot. The second folding member 632 is fixedly connected to the handlebar assembly 62, so that the handlebar assembly 62 can fold towards the connecting assembly 61 along with the second folding member 632. The folding assembly 63 has an upright state and a folded state. When the folding assembly 63 is in the upright state, the first folding member 631 and the second folding member 632 are coaxially arranged. When the folding assembly 63 is in the folded state, the second folding member 632 is folded together with the first folding member 631, and the axis of the first folding member 631 and the axis of the second folding member 632 are parallel. The locking member 633 is used to lock the second folding member 632 when the folding assembly 63 is in the upright state, so that the handlebar mechanism 6 maintains a stable working state. Since the locking member 633 is coaxially arranged with the first folding member 631 and can only rotate relative to the first folding member 631 around a common axis, the second folding member 632 can be locked in a position coaxial with the first folding member 631 when the locking member 633 rotates to the first position, preventing the second folding member 632 from folding around the first folding member 631 towards the connecting component 61; when the locking member 633 rotates to the second position, the restriction on the second folding member 632 is released, and the second folding member 632 can rotate freely around the first folding member 631. Since the folding mobility scooter has a handlebar mechanism 6, which includes a folding component 63, the locking member 633 in the folding component 63 can lock the first folding member 631 and the second folding member 632 together when it rotates around the axis of the first folding member 631 to the first position. When folding is required, the locking member 633 can be rotated to the second position to release the restriction on the second folding member 632. The structure is simple, the operation is convenient, and it occupies little space and is lightweight, which can improve the user experience.

[0061] It should be understood that the various forms of processes shown above can be used to rearrange, add, or delete steps. For example, the steps described in this disclosure can be executed in parallel, sequentially, or in different orders, as long as the desired result of the technical solution disclosed in this disclosure can be achieved, and this is not limited herein.

[0062] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0063] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this disclosure, but the scope of protection of this disclosure is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this disclosure should be included within the scope of protection of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of this disclosure should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A foldable seat structure comprising a seat assembly (1), characterized in that, Also comprising: a backrest mechanism (2) rotatably connected to the seat assembly (1) and capable of being folded relative to the seat assembly (1); an armrest mechanism (3) comprising an armrest assembly (31), an armrest lifting assembly (32), an armrest rotating assembly (33), and an armrest moving assembly (34), the armrest moving assembly (34) being fixedly connected to the lower surface of the seat assembly (1) and arranged along the width direction of the seat assembly (1), the armrest rotating assembly (33) being slidably connected to the armrest moving assembly (34) and capable of sliding along the length direction of the armrest moving assembly (34), one end of the armrest lifting assembly (32) being rotatably connected to the armrest rotating assembly (33), and the armrest assembly (31) being arranged on the other end of the armrest lifting assembly (32); a folding mechanism (4), the seat assembly (1) being arranged at the top end of the folding mechanism (4), the bottom of the folding mechanism (4) being hingedly connected to the center position in the width direction of the frame and capable of being switched between an unfolded position and a folded position relative to the frame, the folding mechanism (4) comprising a forearm (41) provided with a groove (411); and a seat adjusting mechanism (5) arranged between the seat assembly (1) and the folding mechanism (4), the seat adjusting mechanism (5) comprising a base (51) and a seat moving assembly (52) connected to the seat assembly (1), the base (51) being fixedly connected to the top end of the folding mechanism (4), and the seat moving assembly (52) being slidably connected to the base (51); the seat adjusting mechanism (5) further comprising a seat rotating assembly (53) for bearing the seat assembly (1), the seat rotating assembly (53) being rotatably connected to the folding mechanism (4) to drive the seat assembly (1) to rotate relative to the folding mechanism (4).

2. The foldable seat structure according to claim 1, wherein the seat rotating assembly (53) comprising a rotating disc (531), an elastic member (532), and a rotating adjusting component (533) connected to the elastic member (532), the elastic member (532) being fixedly connected to the lower surface of the rotating disc (531), and the rotating adjusting component (533) being used for positioning the elastic member (532) on the path of rotation around the rotating shaft of the rotating disc (531); wherein the rotating adjusting component (533) has a locked state and an unlocked state, when the rotating adjusting component (533) is in the locked state, the elastic member (532) is clamped and limited by the rotating adjusting component (533); when an external force is applied to the rotating adjusting component (533), the rotating adjusting component (533) is switched to the unlocked state, so that the rotating disc (531) and the elastic member (532) can freely rotate synchronously.

3. The foldable seat structure according to claim 1, wherein The handrail rotating assembly (33) comprises a rotating shaft component (331) and a rotating control component (332), one end of the handrail lifting assembly (32) away from the handrail assembly (31) is sleeved on the rotating shaft component (331), and the handrail lifting assembly (32) can rotate around the axis of the rotating shaft component (331), and the rotating shaft component (331) and the handrail lifting assembly (32) are connected through the rotating control component (332). The rotating control component (332) has an initial position and a terminal position in the length direction of the rotating shaft component (331), when the rotating control component (332) is located at the terminal position, the handrail lifting assembly (32) can rotate freely around the rotating shaft component (331); when the handrail lifting assembly (32) rotates to a specific position, the rotating control component (332) rebounds from the terminal position to the initial position to limit the rotation of the handrail lifting assembly (32).

4. The foldable seat structure according to claim 1, wherein The handrail lifting assembly (32) comprises a lifting adjusting component (321) and a supporting rod (322), the handrail assembly (31) is connected with the lifting adjusting component (321), the lifting adjusting component (321) is sleeved on the supporting rod (322) to drive the handrail assembly (31) to move along the length direction of the supporting rod (322); the handrail moving assembly (34) comprises a hollow sleeve (341) fixed to the lower surface of the seat assembly (1), and the handrail rotating assembly (33) is inserted into the hollow sleeve (341) to drive the two handrail assemblies (31) to move towards or away from each other along the width direction of the seat assembly (1).

5. The foldable seat structure according to claim 1, wherein The folding mechanism (4) further comprises a rear arm (42) and a seat support (43), the seat assembly (1) and the seat support (43) are fixedly connected, the top end of the front arm (41) is hingedly connected with the front end of the seat support (43), the bottom end of the front arm (41) is hingedly connected with the vehicle frame, the top end of the rear arm (42) is hingedly connected with the rear end of the seat support (43), and the bottom end of the rear arm (42) is hingedly connected with the vehicle frame.

6. The foldable seat structure according to claim 5, wherein The folding mechanism (4) further comprises a sliding assembly (44), the seat support (43) is provided with a sliding groove (431), and the sliding assembly (44) is in sliding connection with the sliding groove (431); when the sliding assembly (44) slides into the recess (411) along the sliding groove (431), the seat support (43), the front arm (41) and the rear arm (42) are fixed.

7. A folding walker comprising a frame (7), a drive wheel set (8), a steering wheel set (9) and an auxiliary moving wheel set (10), characterized in that, The folding seat structure further comprises a handle mechanism (6) and any one of the folding seat structures in claims 1-6, the handle mechanism (6) comprises a connecting assembly (61) fixed to the front end of the vehicle frame (7) and a handle assembly (62) rotationally connected with the connecting assembly (61), when the folding seat structure as a whole is in the folded state, the handle assembly (62) is folded upwards relative to the connecting assembly (61) and above the folding seat structure.

8. The foldable scooter of claim 7, wherein, The handle mechanism (6) further comprises a folding assembly (63), the folding assembly (63) comprising a first folding piece (631) connected with the connecting assembly (61) and a second folding piece (632) connected with the handle assembly (62), the first folding piece (631) and the second folding piece (632) being rotationally connected, and a locking piece (633) being arranged between the first folding piece (631) and the second folding piece (632), the locking piece (633) being coaxially arranged with the first folding piece (631) and being capable of rotating relative to the first folding piece (631) around a common axis.

Images