Folding structure and foldable bicycle

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of foldable bicycles, and particularly relates to a folding structure and a foldable bicycle. The device comprises an upper connecting piece; the lower connecting piece and the upper connecting piece are oppositely arranged in the vertical direction, the upper connecting piece and the lower connecting piece are in butt joint and matched to form a containing space, and the upper connecting piece and the lower connecting piece are rotatably connected through a hinge shaft. The locking structure comprises a locking block which is movably arranged in the accommodating space; the trigger assembly is rotatably mounted on the hinge shaft and is in driving connection with the locking block; when the triggering assembly is operated to rotate around the hinge shaft, the locking block can be driven to move in the containing space so that the locking block can be switched between the locking position and the unlocking position. At the locking position, the upper connecting piece and the lower connecting piece are relatively locked by the locking block; and at the unlocking position, the upper connecting piece and the lower connecting piece can rotate relatively. The folding structure is simple in structure, the rotating action of the triggering assembly can be accurately converted into the directional movement of the locking block through a transmission mechanism, and operation is easy and convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of foldable vehicle technology, and particularly relates to a folding structure and a foldable vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Folding vehicles (such as electric scooters and folding bicycles) have been widely used in urban commuting, shared mobility, and multimodal transportation scenarios in recent years due to their dual attributes of short-distance commuting and convenient storage. To achieve structural rigidity when the vehicle is unfolded and volume compression when folded, the folding mechanism has become the core functional component of such products.

[0003] Existing folding mechanisms are classified into the following two categories based on their trigger positions:

[0004] 1) Front-mounted folding structure

[0005] The operating mechanism of this type of structure is located on the front side of the riser tube, and it usually adopts a combined transmission scheme of push rod and connecting rod. When in use, the user needs to manually pull the front handle to drive the locking element through push rod or traction of connecting rod to lock and unlock the folding joint. This type of folding structure is mainly used in some low-end models.

[0006] However, the folding structure requires a lot of force to unlock and lock, which is especially difficult and unpleasant for female users, teenagers, or those who use it frequently. In addition, the front-mounted layout exposes the operating mechanism to the front of the vehicle, making it easy to scratch or bump against surrounding objects when folded, and the overall appearance is not very aesthetically pleasing.

[0007] 2) Rear-folding structure

[0008] To improve the handling and safety of front-mounted structures, a folding design was developed that places the operating mechanism on the rear of the seat tube. To prevent accidental locking of the locking mechanism during riding vibrations or accidental collisions, existing solutions for this type of folding structure generally employ an additional safety lock. This safety lock is typically mounted separately on the seat tube as a latch, lever, or hook, increasing the number of parts in the overall mechanism, complicating the assembly process, and simultaneously raising material and manufacturing costs.

[0009] Based on this, the present invention provides a novel folding structure and a foldable vehicle to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One objective of this invention is to provide a folding structure that is simple in structure and whose rotational motion of the triggering component can be precisely converted into the directional motion of the locking block through a transmission mechanism, thereby realizing the locking and unlocking switching of the locking block and making the operation simple.

[0011] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: a folding structure, comprising:

[0012] Upper connector;

[0013] The lower connector is vertically opposite to the upper connector, and the upper connector and the lower connector are mated together to form a receiving space. The upper connector and the lower connector are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft.

[0014] The locking structure includes a locking block movably disposed within the receiving space;

[0015] A trigger assembly is rotatably mounted on the hinge shaft and drivenly connected to the locking block;

[0016] When the trigger component is operated to rotate around the hinge axis, it can drive the locking block to move within the receiving space, so that the locking block switches between a locked position and an unlocked position; in the locked position, the locking block locks the upper connector and the lower connector relative to each other; in the unlocked position, the upper connector and the lower connector can rotate relative to each other.

[0017] Furthermore, the triggering component includes:

[0018] The handle has a hinge part and a handle part. The hinge part has an eccentric hole and is hinged to the upper connector and the lower connector through a hinge shaft passing through the eccentric hole.

[0019] A connecting rod, one end of which is connected to the locking block, and the other end of which extends toward the handle and is provided with a limiting structure;

[0020] An adjusting block is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod and can slide along the length of the connecting rod;

[0021] Two connecting pieces, one end of each connecting piece is respectively sleeved on both ends of the hinge part of the handle, and the other end is respectively fixedly connected to both ends of the adjusting block;

[0022] When the folding structure is in the locked position, a play space is formed between the adjusting block and the limiting structure of the connecting rod; when the handle is rotated, the adjusting block can be moved through the connecting piece to eliminate the play space, thereby pushing the connecting rod and the locking block to move.

[0023] Furthermore, the triggering component also includes a first elastic element, one end of which is connected to the locking block, and the other end of which is connected to the inner wall of the upper connector.

[0024] Furthermore, the connecting rod and the locking block are detachably connected, and the connection position between them can be adjusted along the axial direction of the connecting rod to adjust the effective length of the connecting rod extending into the receiving space.

[0025] Furthermore, the connecting piece is provided with a locking part, which is used to restrict the rotation of the handle when the folding structure is in the locked position.

[0026] Furthermore, the handle portion of the handle is provided with a mounting hole along its extension direction, and the opposite side walls of the mounting hole are respectively provided with guide grooves arranged along the extension direction of the handle portion.

[0027] The triggering component also includes:

[0028] A lifting slider is slidably disposed in the mounting hole, and a limiting groove is provided at the bottom of the lifting slider along the vertical direction;

[0029] A sliding shaft passes through the limiting slot of the lifting slider and is fixedly connected to the lifting slider; both ends of the sliding shaft extend out of the guide groove, and both ends are respectively used to engage with the locking parts on the two connecting pieces.

[0030] The second elastic element is vertically disposed between the lifting slider and the top wall of the mounting hole.

[0031] Furthermore, the triggering component also includes a handle push block;

[0032] The handle push block is fixedly connected to the lifting slider, and the handle push block is provided with a push part, at least part of which protrudes from the outer wall surface of the handle part.

[0033] Furthermore, the end of the connecting piece connected to the hinge portion is whistle-shaped, with a whistle head and a whistle tail, the whistle head being the locking portion.

[0034] Furthermore, the sliding shaft is a knurled shaft, and the knurled shaft is self-locking with the lifting slider.

[0035] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0036] The folding structure works by manually switching the locking block between two key positions—locked and unlocked—through the operation of a trigger component. When the locking block is in the locked position, it engages simultaneously with the internal mating surfaces of both the upper and lower connectors, securely locking them together and preventing any relative rotation around the hinge axis. At this point, the foldable vehicle is in a stable unfolded state.

[0037] When the vehicle needs to be folded, the operator activates the trigger assembly to rotate about the hinge axis, driving the locking block to move within the receiving space from the locked position to the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the locking block is completely disengaged from its mating surfaces with the upper and lower connectors, no longer constraining them. Therefore, the upper connector can rotate freely about the hinge axis relative to the lower connector, thus enabling the vehicle to fold.

[0038] The folding structure in this invention has a compact and reasonable overall design. The locking block is built into the space formed by the docking of the upper and lower connecting parts, which not only avoids locking failure caused by interference from external foreign objects and accidental contact by external forces, but also improves the locking reliability and safety of use when the vehicle is unfolded. Furthermore, the structure has no external protruding parts, which takes into account both the overall appearance of the vehicle body and the anti-snagging requirements during storage and use.

[0039] Meanwhile, the rotation of the trigger component around the hinge axis is converted into the directional movement of the locking block through the transmission mechanism. The locking block can be switched between the locked and unlocked positions simply by manually operating the trigger component. The operation is simple and the action transmission is precise. When the locking block is locked, it locks with the internal mating surfaces of the upper and lower connecting parts to form a rigid limit, which can firmly constrain the relative rotation of the two. When unlocked, it is completely freed from the constraint, allowing the upper and lower connecting parts to rotate freely around the hinge axis to achieve vehicle folding, thus meeting the core requirements of convenient folding and stable unfolding of foldable vehicles.

[0040] In addition, the hinge shaft is used for both the hinged connection between the upper and lower connectors and the rotational connection of the trigger assembly, realizing multiple uses of one shaft, simplifying the structure and reducing the number of parts.

[0041] A second objective of the present invention is a foldable vehicle comprising the folding structure described in any of the preceding claims. Attached Figure Description

[0042] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the folding structure in the locked state in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure after removing the upper connector Figure 1 ;

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the folding structure in the state of releasing the first security lock in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the folding structure in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the central locking block;

[0048] Figure 6 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the middle connecting rod;

[0049] Figure 7 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the middle handle;

[0050] Figure 8 for Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of the lifting slider;

[0051] Figure 9 for Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the middle connecting piece;

[0052] Figure 10 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure after removing the upper connector Figure 2 ;

[0053] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating the working principle changes of the folding structure in a specific embodiment of the present invention, showing its complete working cycle from locking to unlocking and then back to locking;

[0054] Among them: upper connecting part 1; lower connecting part 2; hinge shaft 3; locking block 4;

[0055] Trigger assembly 5, handle 50, hinge part 501, eccentric hole 501-1, handle part 502, mounting hole 503, guide groove 504, connecting rod 51, limiting structure 511, adjusting block 52, connecting piece 53, locking part 531, whistle head 532, whistle tail 533, vacant space 54, first elastic element 55, lifting slider 56, limiting slot 561, sliding shaft 57, second elastic element 58, handle push block 59, hand push part 591. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0057] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 To be continued Figure 11 The invention will be described in detail with specific embodiments:

[0058] like Figures 1 to 11 As shown, this invention provides a folding structure that can be applied to foldable vehicles such as scooters and bicycles to achieve reliable locking and convenient folding of the vehicle frame. The structure includes:

[0059] Upper connector 1;

[0060] The lower connector 2 is vertically opposite to the upper connector 1, and the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 are mated together to form an accommodating space. The upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft 3. That is, the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 form an openable "folding joint" with the hinge shaft 3 as the rotation center, so as to realize the folding function.

[0061] The locking structure includes a locking block 4 movably disposed within the accommodating space; the locking block 4 is used to fix the upper connecting member 1 and the lower connecting member 2 in the vehicle unfolded state, and the locking block 4 can move along a specific trajectory within the accommodating space to achieve the switching of its function; it should be noted that the specific structural shape of the locking block 4 is not limited in this invention, and can be designed by those skilled in the art according to the actual situation, as long as it can achieve the snap-fit ​​fixation between the upper connecting member 1 and the lower connecting member 2;

[0062] The trigger component 5 is rotatably mounted on the hinge shaft 3 and drivenly connected to the locking block 4. It can be understood that by operating the trigger component 5, it can be rotated around the hinge shaft 3, and this rotational action will be converted into the movement of the locking block 4 within the receiving space through a transmission mechanism.

[0063] When the trigger component 5 rotates around the hinge axis 3, it can drive the locking block 4 to move within the receiving space, so that the locking block 4 switches between a locked position and an unlocked position; in the locked position, the locking block 4 locks the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 relative to each other; in the unlocked position, the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 can rotate relative to each other.

[0064] The folding structure works by manually operating the trigger component 5 to switch the locking block 4 between two key positions: locked and unlocked. When the locking block 4 is in the locked position, it simultaneously engages with the internal mating surfaces of the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2, thus firmly locking the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 together and preventing any relative rotation around the hinge axis 3. At this time, the foldable vehicle is in a stable unfolded state.

[0065] When the vehicle needs to be folded, the operator operates the trigger assembly 5 to rotate around the hinge axis 3, driving the locking block 4 to move within the receiving space, moving it from the locked position to the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the locking block 4 is completely disengaged from the engagement surfaces with the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2, no longer constraining them. Therefore, the upper connector 1 can freely rotate relative to the lower connector 2 around the hinge axis 3, thereby achieving vehicle folding.

[0066] The folding structure in this invention has a compact and reasonable overall design. The locking block 4 is built into the space formed by the docking of the upper and lower connecting parts. This not only avoids locking failure caused by interference from external foreign objects and accidental contact by external forces, but also improves the locking reliability and safety of use when the vehicle is unfolded. Furthermore, the structure has no external protruding parts, which takes into account both the overall appearance of the vehicle body and the anti-snagging requirements during storage and use.

[0067] Meanwhile, the rotation of the trigger component 5 around the hinge axis 3 is converted into the directional movement of the locking block 4 through the transmission mechanism. The locking block 4 can be switched between the locked and unlocked positions simply by manually operating the trigger component 5. The operation is simple and the action transmission is precise. When the locking block 4 is locked, it locks with the internal joint surfaces of the upper and lower connecting parts to form a rigid limit, which can firmly constrain the relative rotation of the two. When unlocked, it is completely freed from the constraint, allowing the upper and lower connecting parts to rotate freely around the hinge axis 3 to achieve vehicle folding, thus meeting the core requirements of convenient folding and stable unfolding of foldable vehicles.

[0068] In addition, the hinge shaft 3 is used for both the hinge connection between the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 and the rotation connection of the trigger assembly 5, realizing multiple uses of one shaft, simplifying the structure and reducing the number of parts.

[0069] Furthermore, in some specific embodiments, the triggering component 5, as a functional set, can be implemented in various ways. This embodiment provides a preferred embodiment, as shown below, where the triggering component 5 includes:

[0070] The handle 50 is a component that is directly operated by the user. It has a hinge 501 for mounting and rotation, and a handle 502 for the user to hold and apply force. The hinge 501 has an eccentric hole 501-1 and is hinged to the upper connector 1 and the lower connector 2 through a hinge shaft 3 passing through the eccentric hole 501-1. This eccentric design causes the hinge 501 to produce a cam-like effect when the handle 50 rotates around the hinge shaft 3.

[0071] A connecting rod 51, one end of which is connected to the locking block 4, and the other end extends toward the handle 50 and is provided with a limiting structure 511; it should be noted that the limiting structure 511 can be an annular flange structure provided at the other end of the connecting rod 51, or a limiting pin provided at the other end of the connecting rod 51, etc., and no specific limitation is made in this invention.

[0072] Adjusting block 52, which is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod 51 and can slide along the length direction of the connecting rod 51;

[0073] Two connecting pieces 53 serve to transmit the eccentric movement of the handle 50 to the adjusting block 52. Specifically, the two connecting pieces 53 are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the hinge part 501 of the handle 50. One end of each connecting piece 53 is respectively sleeved on both ends of the hinge part 501 of the handle 50, and the other end is respectively fixedly connected to both ends of the adjusting block 52. In this way, when the handle 50 rotates, its eccentric movement will be converted into pulling or pushing the adjusting block 52 through the connecting pieces 53.

[0074] When the folding structure is in the locked position, a void space 54 is formed between the adjusting block 52 and the limiting structure 511 of the connecting rod 51, such as... Figure 10 As shown; when the handle 50 is rotated, the adjusting block 52 can be moved through the connecting piece 53 to eliminate the play space, thereby pushing the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4 to move.

[0075] A key innovation of this embodiment lies in the setting of the "dormant space". When the folding structure is in the locked position, the adjusting block 4 and the limiting structure 511 on the connecting rod 51 are not in close contact, but there is a preset gap, namely the doubly space 54. When the operator starts to turn the handle 50, the hinge part 501 of the handle 50 will pull the adjusting block 52 through the connecting piece 53. In the initial stage, the movement of the adjusting block 52 is only used to eliminate this doubly space 54. At this time, the adjusting block 52 does not contact the limiting structure 511 of the connecting rod 51, so it does not exert any force on the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4. The locking block 4 remains in the locked position.

[0076] Only when the handle 50 has rotated through a certain angle and the adjusting block 52 has moved a distance equal to the width of the virtual space 54 will the adjusting block 52 contact the limiting structure 511 of the connecting rod 51. At this time, if the handle 50 is rotated further, the adjusting block 52 will begin to push the connecting rod 51, thereby driving the locking block 4 to move towards the unlocked position.

[0077] In this invention, the trigger component 5 cleverly sets a vacancy space 54 between the adjusting block 52 and the limiting structure 511 of the connecting rod 51, achieving a two-stage unlocking action. In the initial unlocking phase, the rotation of the handle 50 is only used to eliminate the vacancy space and does not immediately drive the locking block 4 to move, thus forming a de facto second layer of security. Only after the handle 50 has rotated beyond a certain angle and the vacancy space 54 has been completely eliminated will the locking block 4 be further driven to unlock.

[0078] The dummy space 54 in the locked state forms a physical isolation barrier, preventing minor disturbances of the handle 50 and external vibrations from being transmitted to the locking block 4, thus fundamentally eliminating the risk of accidental locking. At the same time, the dummy space 54 clearly divides the rotation stroke of the handle 50 into "idle stroke" and "working stroke", giving the operator a clear tactile trigger point and forming a mechanical secondary confirmation mechanism. This design can achieve dual safety protection without the need for additional complex components, effectively ensuring the overall safety of the folding structure while significantly simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0079] Meanwhile, the two connecting pieces 53 are respectively disposed at both ends of the adjusting block 52 and are fixedly connected to each other to form a dual-support parallel traction structure. This structure ensures that the adjusting block 52 is always subjected to symmetrically distributed pulling force during the movement, effectively suppressing the tendency of tilting, jamming or uneven wear caused by unilateral force application, significantly improving the smoothness and positional accuracy of the adjusting block 52 in long-term reciprocating sliding, thereby ensuring the stability and synchronization of sliding.

[0080] Furthermore, in some more specific embodiments, the triggering component 5 further includes a first elastic element 55, one end of which is connected to the locking block 4, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the upper connecting member 1 near the handle side. The first elastic element 55 is configured to provide a reset elastic force to the locking block 4 toward its locked position. In the locked position, the first elastic element 55 pushes the adjusting block 52 away from the limiting structure 511, thereby naturally forming a stable vacant space 54. This allows the vacant space 54 to be formed without additional positioning parts, relying entirely on the elastic force of the first elastic element 55, simplifying the structure and reducing the number of parts and assembly complexity.

[0081] It should be noted that in this invention, the first elastic element 55 is a spring, and it is positioned above the connecting rod 51, independent of and spaced apart from it. That is, the first elastic element 55 is not fitted onto the connecting rod 51; instead, one end is connected to the locking block 4, and the other end is connected to the inner wall of the upper connecting member 1, serving only to apply an elastic force towards the locking position to the locking block 4. Compared to the installation method where the first elastic element 55 is fitted onto the connecting rod 51, the adjusting block 52 is only driven by the connecting piece 53, without the added spring resistance of the first elastic element 55, resulting in lower sliding friction and a lighter unlocking feel. Furthermore, the first elastic element 55 is not limited by the axial position and diameter of the connecting rod 51, and its installation point can be freely selected according to the internal structure of the receiving cavity, facilitating adaptation to different vehicle platforms and modular design.

[0082] Furthermore, in some specific embodiments, to further improve the adjustability and assembly accuracy of the folding structure, the connection method between the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4 has been optimized. Specifically, the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4 are detachably connected, and the connection position between them can be adjusted along the axial direction of the connecting rod 51 to adjust the effective length of the connecting rod 51 extending into the accommodating space, effectively solving the problem of decreased reliability caused by manufacturing tolerances and subsequent wear.

[0083] More specifically, in this embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the connecting rod 51 has an external thread at one end near the locking block 4; the locking block 4 has a threaded hole that mates with the external thread. The connecting rod 51 is screwed into the threaded hole of the locking block 4 through its external thread, thus achieving a threaded connection between the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4. During initial assembly, the relative position of the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4 can be precisely adjusted by rotating the connecting rod 51, thereby accurately setting the size of the aforementioned "residual space 54" to meet different safety standards or tactile requirements. Furthermore, after long-term use of the product, if the locking gap increases or the residual space 54 changes due to wear, maintenance personnel can easily compensate and adjust it by rotating the connecting rod 51 to restore its original locking and safety performance, extending the product's service life.

[0084] Furthermore, in order to provide a first and more direct layer of safety protection to prevent the handle 50 from being accidentally pulled, a preferred embodiment adds a locking part 531 to the connecting piece 53.

[0085] like Figure 9As shown, the connecting piece 53 is provided with a locking part 531. When the folding structure is in the locked position, the locking part 531 is used to restrict the rotation of the handle 50. This is an active, physical locking, which complements the aforementioned passive safety mechanism based on "virtual space" and constitutes double insurance.

[0086] It should be noted that the locking part 531 can be a boss, groove, or through hole stamped or machined on the connecting piece 53. When the handle 50 is in the fully closed locked state, a corresponding locking mechanism on the handle 50 will cooperate with the locking part 531, preventing the handle 50 from being rotated. The handle 50 can only be rotated after the user actively releases this locking mechanism. This design cleverly integrates the locking feature of the handle 50 into the connecting piece 53, which is a transmission component, rather than placing it on the upper connecting piece 1 or lower connecting piece 2 of the frame as in traditional designs. This makes the mechanism completely internalized in the folding structure assembly, independent of the specific geometry of the external frame. Therefore, this folding structure assembly has strong versatility and can be adapted to vehicle seat tubes and forks of different diameters and shapes without redesigning or modifying the mechanism, greatly reducing development and manufacturing costs.

[0087] Furthermore, in some specific embodiments, in order to achieve the locking and unlocking of the locking part 531 of the connecting piece 53 as described above, the trigger component 5 is further optimized in the design of the present invention, and the detailed design is as follows:

[0088] The handle portion 502 of the handle 50 has a mounting hole 503 along its extending direction, and guide grooves 504 are respectively provided on the opposite side walls of the mounting hole 503 along the extending direction of the handle portion 502. Figure 7 As shown.

[0089] The triggering component 5 also includes:

[0090] The lifting slider 56 is slidably disposed within the mounting hole, and a limiting groove 561 is provided at the bottom of the lifting slider 56, such as... Figure 8 As shown;

[0091] The sliding shaft 57 passes through the limiting slot 561 of the lifting slider 56 and is fixedly connected to the lifting slider 56; the length of the sliding shaft 57 is greater than the width of the handle 50, and both ends of the sliding shaft 57 extend out of the guide slot 504 of the handle part 502 and extend to the outside of the handle, and both ends are respectively used to engage with the locking parts 531 on the two connecting pieces 53;

[0092] A second elastic element 58 is vertically disposed between the lifting slider 56 and the top wall of the mounting hole. This second elastic element 58 consistently applies a downward thrust to the lifting slider 56, ensuring that the sliding shaft 57 is always pressed into the position engaging with the locking part 531 of the connecting piece 53 in its default state. In this embodiment, the second elastic element 58 is a spring.

[0093] During operation, when unlocking is required, the user must first push the lifting slider 56 upwards, which moves the sliding shaft 57 to overcome the elastic force of the second elastic element 58, causing the sliding shaft 57 to disengage from the locking part 531, thereby releasing the restriction on the rotation of the handle 50 and enabling the handle 50 to rotate. When the user releases their grip on the lifting slider 56, under the action of the second elastic element 58, the lifting slider 56 drives the sliding shaft 57 to automatically fall, resetting to its initial state.

[0094] This embodiment achieves ultimate integration of the first safety device through a fully built-in design by integrating a lifting slider 56, a sliding shaft 57, and a second elastic element 58 inside the handle 50. Specifically, both ends of the sliding shaft 57 pass through the guide grooves 504 on both sides of the handle 50 and engage with the locking parts 531 of the two connecting pieces 53, forming a dual-sided synchronous drive, fundamentally eliminating the problem of uneven load jamming caused by asynchronous unlocking on one side.

[0095] Meanwhile, the second elastic element 58 constantly applies downward pressure to the lifting slider 56, reliably limiting the rotation of the handle 50. Furthermore, releasing the lifting slider 56 after unlocking automatically resets the mechanism, completely eliminating safety hazards caused by forgetting to lock the handle 50. More importantly, the entire unlocking mechanism is fully integrated into the handle body, eliminating reliance on upper and lower connecting parts for any locking features. This allows the folding structure assembly to achieve seamless platform reuse across different vehicle models, offering excellent versatility.

[0096] In some more specific embodiments, to facilitate user operation of the aforementioned lifting slider 56, the trigger assembly 5 also includes a handle push block 59, the detailed design of which is as follows:

[0097] The triggering component 5 also includes a handle push block 59.

[0098] The handle push block 59 is fixedly connected to the lifting slider 56 and can be regarded as part or extension of the lifting slider 56; and the handle push block 59 is provided with a push part 591, at least part of which protrudes from the outer wall surface of the handle part 502.

[0099] When unlocking, users do not need to manually move the lifting slider 56. They can simply push the pusher 591 with their fingers to easily lift the lifting slider 56 and the sliding shaft 57, thereby releasing the lock on the connecting piece 53. This greatly improves the human-computer interaction experience, making the unlocking operation more intuitive, comfortable and effortless, and enhancing the ease of use of the product.

[0100] To ensure a more reliable fit between the sliding shaft 57 and the locking part 531 of the connecting piece 53, the end shape of the connecting piece 53 was specifically designed. Specifically, the end of the connecting piece 53 that connects to the hinge part 501 of the handle 50 is designed in a "whistle shape." This whistle-shaped end has a whistle head 532 and a whistle tail 533, wherein the whistle head 532, serving as the front end, is the aforementioned locking part 531.

[0101] The whistle head 532 has a raised structure, providing a clear and stable locking position for the sliding shaft 57, thus ensuring the locking effect of the first safety lock. The whistle tail 533 is designed as a guide slope, allowing the sliding shaft 57 to smoothly transition during the rotation of the handle 50. Specifically, when the handle 50 is rotated downwards to unlock, the sliding shaft 57 first contacts the guide slope, and as the handle 50 continues to rotate, the sliding shaft 57 slides along the guide slope to unlock. When the handle 50 is rotated upwards to reset and lock, the sliding shaft 57 first slides upwards along the guide slope, and after passing the whistle head 532, it engages with the locking position of the whistle head 532 under the elastic force of the elastic element, completing the automatic reset and locking of the first safety lock. In addition, this process not only achieves automatic locking but also provides the user with clear auditory and tactile feedback to confirm that the lock is in place.

[0102] Furthermore, to simplify assembly and improve connection reliability, the structure of the sliding shaft 57 has also been optimized. Specifically, the sliding shaft 57 is a knurled shaft, with a knurled structure in the middle, thereby achieving a self-locking engagement between the knurled shaft and the lifting slider 56.

[0103] Specifically, the knurled shaft has a knurled or mesh-like pattern on its surface, and its outer diameter is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the upper limit groove 561 of the lifting slider 56. During assembly, the knurled shaft can be pressed into the upper limit groove 561 of the lifting slider 56 using a pressure device. Since the material of the lifting slider 56 (usually engineering plastic or aluminum alloy) is softer than that of the knurled shaft (usually steel), the knurling cuts into and embeds into the hole wall material, forming a very strong, self-locking interference fit. This connection method eliminates the need for additional screws, glue, or retaining rings, simplifying the assembly process, reducing costs, and effectively preventing the sliding shaft 57 from rotating or axially moving during use, ensuring the long-term reliability of the first safety lock function.

[0104] The workflow of this folding structure is as follows: Figure 11 As shown:

[0105] In the locked state: handle 50 is in the locked position, such as... Figure 11 As shown at point a, the second elastic element 58 pushes the lifting slider 56 downward, causing the sliding shaft 57 to engage with the whistle head (locking part 531) of the connecting piece 53, and the handle 50 is physically locked (first safety lock). At the same time, the locking block 4 extends fully, firmly locking the upper connecting piece 1 and the lower connecting piece 2. Inside the transmission chain, there is a preset play space 54 between the adjusting block 52 and the limiting structure 511 of the connecting rod 51 (second safety lock).

[0106] The unlocking process consists of three steps: First, unlock the first layer of security lock, such as... Figure 11 As shown at point b. When the user pushes the pusher 591 of the handle pusher 59, the lifting slider 56 moves upward against the elastic force of the second elastic member 58. The sliding shaft 57 rises accordingly, disengaging from the locking part 531 of the connecting piece 53. At this time, the handle 50 gains free rotation.

[0107] The second step involves consuming the travel of the second safety lock. The user begins to turn the handle 50. The eccentric hole 501-1 structure of the handle 50 activates, pulling the adjusting block 52 backward through the connecting piece 53. The adjusting block 52 slides on the connecting rod 51, gradually eliminating the preset play space 54. At this stage, the locking block 4 remains stationary, and the vehicle remains locked.

[0108] Third step, release the main lock. When the handle is turned 50 to a specific angle, such as... Figure 11 As shown at point c, the vacant space 54 is completely eliminated, and the adjusting block 52 abuts against the limiting structure 511 of the connecting rod 51. The user continues to rotate the handle 50, at which point the adjusting block 52 begins to push the connecting rod 51 and the locking block 4 screwed to it toward the unlocked position. When the locking block 4 is completely disengaged from the locking positions of the upper connecting piece 1 and the lower connecting piece 2, the main lock is released, as shown... Figure 11 As shown at point d in the middle.

[0109] Folding operation: After the main lock is released, the upper connecting piece 1 can rotate freely relative to the lower connecting piece 2 around the hinge axis 3, as follows: Figure 11 As shown at point e, the vehicle is now folded.

[0110] The locking process is the reverse operation: when it is necessary to lock again, first rotate the upper connector 1 until it is roughly aligned with the lower connector 2, such as... Figure 11As shown at point f. Next, rotate the handle 50 in the opposite direction. The eccentric structure of the handle 50, through the connecting piece 53, adjusting block 52, and connecting rod 51, pushes the locking block 4 back to the locked position. When the handle 50 is about to be fully closed, its internal sliding shaft 57 will contact the guide slope of the whistle-shaped end of the connecting piece 53, be passively lifted, pass over the whistle head 532, and automatically fall under the action of the second elastic element 58 and lock into the locking part 531. With a crisp sound, the automatic locking of the first safety lock is completed.

[0111] Based on the aforementioned folding structure, this invention also provides a foldable bicycle. This foldable bicycle includes the folding structure described above. The foldable bicycle of this invention incorporates at least all the technical solutions of the aforementioned folding structure and possesses at least all the advantages of the aforementioned folding structure, which will not be elaborated further here. When the foldable bicycle is unfolded for riding, the folding joints are doubly locked, ensuring a stable structure and effectively guaranteeing riding safety. When it needs to be folded for storage, the user can easily and safely unlock it through a two-step operation of lifting / pushing and rotating, making the operation convenient and effortless.

[0112] The present invention has been further described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific description herein should not be construed as limiting the nature and scope of the present invention. Various modifications made to the above embodiments by those skilled in the art after reading this specification are all within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A folding structure, characterized in that: It includes: Upper connector; The lower connector is vertically opposite to the upper connector, and the upper connector and the lower connector are mated together to form a receiving space. The upper connector and the lower connector are rotatably connected by a hinge shaft. The locking structure includes a locking block movably disposed within the receiving space; A trigger assembly is rotatably mounted on the hinge shaft and drivenly connected to the locking block; When the trigger component is operated to rotate around the hinge axis, it can drive the locking block to move within the receiving space, so that the locking block switches between a locked position and an unlocked position; in the locked position, the locking block locks the upper connector and the lower connector relative to each other; in the unlocked position, the upper connector and the lower connector can rotate relative to each other.

2. The folding structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The triggering component includes: The handle has a hinge part and a handle part. The hinge part has an eccentric hole and is hinged to the upper connector and the lower connector through a hinge shaft passing through the eccentric hole. A connecting rod, one end of which is connected to the locking block, and the other end of which extends toward the handle and is provided with a limiting structure; An adjusting block is slidably sleeved on the connecting rod and can slide along the length of the connecting rod; Two connecting pieces, one end of each connecting piece is respectively sleeved on both ends of the hinge part of the handle, and the other end is respectively fixedly connected to both ends of the adjusting block; When the folding structure is in the locked position, a play space is formed between the adjusting block and the limiting structure of the connecting rod; when the handle is rotated, the adjusting block can be moved through the connecting piece to eliminate the play space, thereby pushing the connecting rod and the locking block to move.

3. The folding structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: The triggering component further includes a first elastic element, one end of which is connected to the locking block, and the other end of which is connected to the inner wall of the upper connector.

4. The folding structure according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The connecting rod and the locking block are detachably connected, and the connection position between them can be adjusted along the axial direction of the connecting rod to adjust the effective length of the connecting rod extending into the receiving space.

5. The folding structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: The connecting piece is provided with a locking part, which is used to restrict the rotation of the handle when the folding structure is in the locked position.

6. The folding structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The handle portion of the handle has a mounting hole along its extension direction, and the opposite side walls of the mounting hole are respectively provided with guide grooves arranged along the extension direction of the handle portion. The triggering component also includes: A lifting slider is slidably disposed in the mounting hole, and a limiting groove is provided at the bottom of the lifting slider along the vertical direction; A sliding shaft passes through the limiting slot of the lifting slider and is fixedly connected to the lifting slider; both ends of the sliding shaft extend out of the guide groove, and both ends are respectively used to engage with the locking parts on the two connecting pieces. The second elastic element is vertically disposed between the lifting slider and the top wall of the mounting hole.

7. The folding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The triggering component also includes a handle push block; The handle push block is fixedly connected to the lifting slider, and the handle push block is provided with a push part, at least part of which protrudes from the outer wall surface of the handle part.

8. The folding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that: The end of the connecting piece connected to the hinge part is whistle-shaped, and this end has a whistle head and a whistle tail, with the whistle head being the locking part.

9. The folding structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sliding shaft is a knurled shaft, and the knurled shaft is self-locking with the lifting slider.

10. A foldable vehicle, characterized in that: Includes the folding structure described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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