Highly stable electric suitcase

Abstract

The application relates to the field of travel instruments, and provides a high-stability electric travel suitcase. The electric travel suitcase comprises a box body, a steering assembly, a driving wheel assembly and a driven wheel assembly. The box body comprises a ring-shaped frame body located at the middle in the height direction, an upper open cover body located on the upper side of the frame body and a bottom disc located on the lower side of the frame body, a first reinforcing frame is arranged at the connection position of the cover body and the frame body, and the frame body and the bottom disc are integrally formed or a second reinforcing frame is arranged at the connection position of the frame body and the bottom disc. The upper open cover body is convenient for taking and placing articles; the three-section structure reduces the mold size and the mold opening cost; and the reinforcing frame greatly increases the structural strength, so that the box body is suitable for riding. The application solves the problems of the existing electric luggage that the side-opening door is prone to overturning, the integrated frame body has a large mold and a high cost, and has the advantages of high structural strength, convenient use and low manufacturing cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of travel equipment, and more particularly to an electric suitcase. Background Technology

[0002] Electric suitcases, also known as electric smart suitcases, have become a popular new travel accessory in recent years. Especially in large spaces like airports and train stations, they can be ridden directly, saving time and effort.

[0003] Electric suitcases typically consist of a suitcase body and a steering assembly. The steering assembly usually includes a steering lever and steering wheels that are rotatably mounted on the suitcase body. The connection between the steering lever and the steering wheels is not limited to a direct connection; steering can also be achieved through belt drive, chain drive, or other methods. The steering lever can even control the steering wheels via a tie rod system similar to that used in automobiles. The steering wheels can be either drive wheels or driven wheels.

[0004] Chinese patent ZL202122002872.X discloses an electric suitcase, the body of which consists of a ring-shaped frame and doors located on both sides of the ring-shaped frame, with front and rear wheels mounted at the bottom of the ring-shaped frame. The hinges between the doors and the ring-shaped frame are located on the lower side of the doors. Because the electric suitcase is heavy, it is inconvenient to lay it flat; opening the side-opening doors while it is upright can easily cause the luggage to tip over and fall out, making it inconvenient to use. The ring-shaped frame is large, requiring large molds, resulting in high manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0005] Its lack of an independent load-bearing chassis results in a large overall weight, and the core components such as batteries and drive mechanisms are scattered, which not only takes up a lot of space and has poor sealing, but also reduces the overall reliability.

[0006] Chinese patent ZL202423147337.3 discloses a detachable electric suitcase whose base is composed of a rear wheel connecting shell, a mounting shell, and a support seat. The structure is complex, the processing cost is high, and the connection strength is low.

[0007] The chassis of traditional electric suitcases has not undergone targeted lightweight optimization, resulting in excessive weight, short battery life, and inconvenience in carrying them. This makes it difficult to meet the demands of modern high-end travel equipment for lightweight, integrated, and highly stable features.

[0008] Currently, most electric suitcases have three wheels, consisting of one drive wheel assembly and two driven wheel assemblies. This results in poor stability, making them prone to tipping over and accidents. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a lightweight electric travel case with high structural strength, easy access to items, low mold cost, and high stability suitable for riding.

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the highly stable electric suitcase of the present invention includes a suitcase body, a steering assembly, a drive wheel assembly, and a driven wheel assembly. The suitcase body includes an annular frame located in the middle along the height direction, an upper-opening lid located on the upper side of the frame, and a chassis located on the lower side of the frame; a first reinforcing frame is provided at the connection between the lid and the frame; the frame and the chassis are integrally formed, or a second reinforcing frame is provided at the connection between the frame and the chassis.

[0011] Therefore, the top-opening design facilitates the loading and unloading of items, reducing the risk of items tipping over, especially long and narrow objects. It is suitable not only as a suitcase but also as a toolbox. It also helps reduce the height dimensions of the mold, lowering the difficulty of mold making and reducing costs. The integrated molding of the frame and chassis simplifies assembly and improves sealing. The three-section connection further reduces the height dimensions of the mold, and the reinforced frames at the joints further increase the structural strength of the suitcase, making it ideal for riding. This design solves the problem of traditional top-opening suitcases not allowing passengers to sit on them and avoids the disadvantages of existing electric suitcases that use a large, heavy, and difficult-to-manufacture integrated ring frame as the load-bearing middle frame.

[0012] Furthermore, the cover and the frame are hinged together by a hinge shaft that extends along the width or length of the box.

[0013] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the hinge structure facilitates the opening and closing of the lid, makes it convenient for users to take and put away items, and allows for flexible selection of the hinge direction according to the placement of the suitcase.

[0014] Furthermore, the steering assembly is located on the front side of the housing, and includes a steering rod and a steering control handle. The upper front side of the housing has a receiving part for accommodating the steering control handle.

[0015] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the housing can accommodate the directional control handle, reducing the impact of the directional control handle on the maximum external dimensions of the electric suitcase; at the same time, the housing can also serve as a reinforcing rib of the frame, saving the need for additional reinforcing parts, achieving two goals at once.

[0016] Furthermore, the first reinforcing frame includes an upper reinforcing frame fixed to the upper opening of the frame body and a lower reinforcing frame fixed to the lower side of the cover body; the receiving part includes a bottom wall and a side wall, the side wall being part of the upper opening of the frame body for fixing the upper reinforcing frame.

[0017] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the side wall of the housing is used to accommodate both the directional control handle and the reinforcing frame, which is conducive to the overall miniaturization of the electric suitcase, resulting in a compact structure and high functional integration.

[0018] Furthermore, a cup-receiving opening is formed on the bottom wall of the receiving part, and a cup-receiving groove is formed on the corresponding position of the inner liner of the box.

[0019] The advantages of the above technical solution are: it facilitates the flexible storage and quick loading and unloading of cylindrical objects such as water cups, and makes full use of the space that is usually obstructed at the top of the box; in addition, when the directional control handle is in the folded storage state, it can also serve as a blocking part for cylindrical objects placed in the storage compartment, preventing cylindrical objects from falling out during riding or moving, further improving the stability and reliability of placement, and achieving two goals at once.

[0020] Furthermore, the drive wheel assembly is mounted on the chassis via a reinforcing plate and a mounting bracket. The reinforcing plate is located on the outer side of the chassis, and the mounting bracket is located on the inner side of the chassis. The feet of the mounting bracket are fixed to the reinforcing plate, and the waist of the mounting bracket is fixed to the mounting post of the drive wheel assembly.

[0021] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the reinforcing plate and the clamping component together hold the chassis, which greatly increases the connection strength between the drive wheel assembly and the chassis. The structure is simple and reliable, and it is easy to install and subsequently maintain and replace.

[0022] Furthermore, the driven wheel assembly includes a front wheel and a rear wheel, and the drive wheel assembly is located in the middle of the chassis along the width direction, between the front wheel and the rear wheel.

[0023] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the drive wheel is centrally located between the front and rear driven wheels, which increases the uniformity of the chassis load-bearing capacity and helps to improve the overall load-bearing capacity and driving stability of the electric suitcase.

[0024] Furthermore, it also includes a pop-out foot pedal assembly, which is mounted on the front side of the chassis via a tube that extends along the width of the chassis and is fixed to the chassis.

[0025] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the tube body serves as the housing for the pop-out foot pedal, is fixedly installed on the frame, and at the same time serves as a structural reinforcement component of the frame, achieving two goals at once, which is conducive to overall lightweighting and reducing production costs.

[0026] Furthermore, a first hollow reinforcing rib is formed on the chassis, extending from the bottom plate of the chassis along the height direction, and the battery assembly is fixed to the top of the first hollow reinforcing rib.

[0027] The advantages of the above technical solution are as follows: the first hollow reinforcing rib increases the structural strength of the chassis, and its internal hollow space facilitates the accommodation of the screw heads for fixing the battery components, avoiding the screw heads from protruding and reducing the risk of collision damage; at the same time, the hollow rib can also weaken the horizontal impact on the battery components, improving the safety and reliability of the battery components.

[0028] Furthermore, the chassis has an integrally formed first receiving cavity for accommodating the drive wheel assembly, and the chassis also has an integrally formed second receiving cavity for accommodating the driven wheel assembly. The first and second receiving cavities serve as the chassis's second hollow reinforcing ribs.

[0029] The advantages of the above technical solution are: the first and second accommodating cavities can accommodate each wheel set and also serve as a reinforcing structure for the chassis, eliminating the need for additional reinforcing ribs, simplifying the mold structure, and enhancing the chassis's resistance to bending and torsion.

[0030] Furthermore, the dimensions of the box along its length are greater than its dimensions along its height.

[0031] The advantages of the above technical solution are: it allows electric suitcases to have a larger wheelbase, a lower center of gravity, and higher stability. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 This is another perspective schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention with the cover open. Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in an extended state.

[0035] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional exploded view of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention, omitting the cover, frame and inner liner.

[0037] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the chassis of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8 This is another perspective view of the chassis of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the chassis and reinforced version of the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the chassis and code components according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 11 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention in an extended state.

[0042] Figure 12 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cover when it is opened according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 13 This is an exploded view of the frame of the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 14 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention in an extended state.

[0045] Figure 15 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in an extended state.

[0046] Figure 16 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in an extended state.

[0047] Figure 17 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the sixth embodiment of the present invention in an extended state. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. For ease of description, the height direction of the electric suitcase is defined as O1, the width direction as O2, and the length direction as O3. Example

[0049] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a highly stable electric suitcase 1000 includes a suitcase body 1100, a steering assembly 1200, a drive wheel assembly 1300, and a driven wheel assembly 1400.

[0050] Preferably, the housing 1100 includes an annular frame 1120 located in the middle along the height direction 01, an upper-opening cover 1110 located on the upper side of the frame 1120, and a chassis 1130 located on the lower side of the frame 1120. A first reinforcing frame 1111 is provided at the connection between the cover 1110 and the frame 1120. In this embodiment, the frame 1120 and the chassis 1130 adopt a split structure, and a second reinforcing frame 1121 is provided at the connection between the two.

[0051] During assembly, a metal reinforcing frame 1111 is preferably installed at the connection between the cover 1110 and the frame 1120, and then fixed with anchors. A second metal reinforcing frame 1121 is installed at the connection between the frame 1120 and the chassis 1130, and then fixed with anchors.

[0052] The metal reinforcing frame embedded at the two joints significantly improves the overall rigidity and load-bearing capacity of the box 1100, allowing users to sit directly on the cover 1110 without deformation.

[0053] To facilitate installation, the chassis 1130 and other components are installed first, and then the frame 1120 and chassis 1130 are connected to improve assembly efficiency.

[0054] See Figure 16 and Figure 17In other embodiments, the frame 1120 and the chassis 1130 are integrally injection molded or vacuum-formed. In this case, no second reinforcing frame is provided, but sufficient load-bearing strength for riding is still provided. The integral molding solution simplifies the assembly process and reduces manufacturing costs, while the structural strength of the upper part of the box is still guaranteed by the first reinforcing frame.

[0055] Preferably, the cover 1110 and the frame 1120 are hinged by a hinge 1112, which extends along the width direction 02 of the box 1100.

[0056] Specifically, the lower rear edge of the cover 1110 is hinged to the upper rear edge of the frame 1120 via a hinge pin 1112. In this way, the cover 1110 flips open forward and upward, with the opening facing the front of the user's riding direction, making it easy to pick up and put down items immediately after standing up when stopping riding, without having to turn around.

[0057] In other embodiments, the lower front edge of the cover 1110 and the upper front edge of the frame 1120 are hinged together by a hinge pin.

[0058] Preferably, the steering assembly 1200 is located on the front side of the housing 1100. The steering assembly 1200 includes a steering rod 1210 and a steering handle 1220. A receiving portion 1140 is provided on the upper side of the front of the housing 1100. The steering handle 1220 can be folded down and fully embedded in the receiving portion 1140.

[0059] Preferably, the first reinforcing frame 1111 includes an upper reinforcing frame 11111 fixed to the upper opening of the frame 1120 and a lower reinforcing frame 11112 fixed to the lower side of the cover 1110; the receiving part 1140 includes a bottom wall 1141 and a side wall 1142, the side wall 1142 being part of the upper opening of the frame 1120 for fixing the upper reinforcing frame 11111.

[0060] The receiving portion 1140 includes a bottom wall 1141 and a side wall 1142, with the side wall 1142 also serving as part of the upper opening of the frame 1120. The upper reinforcing frame 11111 is preferably fixed to the side wall 1142 by anchors, which enhances the strength of the frame 1120 and facilitates a reduction in overall size.

[0061] See Figure 4 and Figure 5 Preferably, a circular cup-receiving opening 1143 is provided on the bottom wall 1141, and a corresponding cup-receiving groove 1151 is formed on the inner liner 1150 inside the housing 1100. When the steering assembly 1200 is folded, its direction control handle 1220 is located just above the cup-receiving opening 1143, which can prevent the cup from jumping out when bumpy.

[0062] Preferred, such as Figures 5 to 10As shown, the drive wheel assembly 1300 is a hub motor wheel. Its mounting structure is as follows: a reinforcing plate 1310 is provided on the outer side of the chassis 1130, and a mounting bracket 1320 is provided on the inner side. The mounting bracket 1320 is preferably U-shaped. The two feet 1321 of the mounting bracket 1320 and the reinforcing plate 1310 are fixedly connected by bolts passing through through holes in the chassis 1130. The waist 1322 of the mounting bracket 1320, i.e., the top of the U-shape, is connected to the mounting post 1330 of the drive wheel assembly 1300 by threaded fasteners (not shown in the figure). The reinforcing plate 1310 and the mounting bracket 1320 clamp the chassis 1130 in the middle, resulting in extremely high connection strength.

[0063] See Figure 2 and Figure 5 Preferably, the driven wheel assembly 1400 includes two front wheels 1410 and two rear wheels 1420. The drive wheel assembly 1300 is located at the center of the width direction 02 of the chassis 1130 and at the midpoint of the line connecting the front wheels 1410 and the rear wheels 1420. This five-point support layout ensures even weight distribution during riding.

[0064] like Figure 4 and 5 As shown, preferably, the pop-out foot pedal assembly 1500 is mounted on the front side of the chassis 1130 via a tube 1510 with a generally square cross-section. The tube 1510 extends horizontally along the width direction O2 of the chassis 1130, and its two ends are fixed to the chassis 1130 by bolts. The tube 1510 contains a spring and a self-locking device; the foot pedal is normally retracted inside the tube 1510 and automatically pops out when pressed. The tube 1510 also serves as a front transverse reinforcing beam for the frame 1120, improving the torsional stiffness of the frame 1120.

[0065] Preferably, the reinforcing member 1520 is C-shaped and located inside the chassis 1130, clamping the chassis 1130 together with the reinforcing plate 1310, and is fixed by means of threaded fastening or riveting. This further increases the structural strength of the chassis 1130. The tube body 1510 is located inside the C-shaped reinforcing member 1520. The top of the C-shaped reinforcing member 1520 can also support the bottom of the inner bushing 1150, achieving multiple benefits.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the preferred chassis 1130 has at least one first hollow reinforcing rib 1132 formed on it, the first hollow reinforcing rib 1132 extending from the bottom plate of the chassis 1130 along the height direction 01. The battery assembly 1600 is preferably fixed to the top of the first hollow reinforcing rib 1132 by screws, the screw heads being completely accommodated within the internal space of the first hollow reinforcing rib 1132 and not protruding from the bottom surface of the chassis 1130. Simultaneously, the sidewalls of the first hollow reinforcing rib 1132 can absorb side impact energy, protecting the battery.

[0067] See Figure 7and Figure 8 Preferably, the chassis 1130 is integrally injection molded with a first receiving cavity 1133 and a second receiving cavity 1134, which are used to receive the drive wheel assembly 1300 and the driven wheel assembly 1400, respectively. The side walls and bottom walls of these receiving cavities have reinforcing rib structures, forming second hollow reinforcing ribs 1135, which significantly enhances the bending resistance of the chassis 1130.

[0068] See Figure 5 and Figure 6 In this invention, the front wheel 1410 is mounted on the front wheel frame 1411, which is rotatably mounted on the front side of the chassis 1130 via bearings. A rocker arm 1412 is mounted on the upper side of the front wheel frame 1411, and the rocker arm 1412 is hinged to the crossbar 1413. The steering assembly 1200 is rotatably mounted on the housing 1100, and more preferably, is rotatably mounted on the chassis 1130. A lever 1230 is fixed to the lower side of the steering lever 1210, and the end of the lever 1230 is hinged to the middle of the crossbar 1413. Example

[0069] See Figure 11 and Figure 12 The main difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 lies in the hinge position between the cover 1110 and the box 1100. The hinge 1112 can also extend along the length direction 03 to achieve a side-opening mechanism. This also facilitates easy access to items immediately after standing up from a stop while riding, without having to turn around. Example

[0070] See Figure 13 and Figure 14 This embodiment is an improved embodiment of Embodiment 1, with the improvement lying in the molding method of the frame 1120. The frame 1120 includes a first side frame 2121 and a second side frame 2122 located on both sides along the width direction O2, and a connecting frame 2123 located between the first side frame 2121 and the second side frame 2122. Preferably, the first side frame 2121 and the second side frame 2122 are fixed to the connecting frame 2123 by riveting. This is beneficial for further reducing the mold size. Preferably, the connecting frame 2123 can be formed by welding. Example

[0071] See Figure 15 The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 3 lies in the hinge position between the cover 1110 and the box 1100. The hinge shaft 1112 extends along the length direction 03.

[0072] The top-opening cover is not limited to being hinged to the frame; it can also be slidably connected to the frame. When the cover slides horizontally relative to the frame to a predetermined position, it can be secured by means of snaps or threaded connections. In other embodiments, the top-opening cover can also be completely separate from the frame. When closing the cover, as long as the top-opening cover can completely close the opening on the upper side of the frame, the top-opening cover can be secured by means of threaded fastening, snaps, locks, or zippers.

[0073] Preferably, the dimension of the case 1100 along its length direction 03 is larger than the dimension along its height direction 01. This allows the electric suitcase to achieve a larger wheelbase, a lower center of gravity, and greater stability.

[0074] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. For those skilled in the art, based on the concept of the present invention, there will be changes in specific implementation methods and application scope. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A highly stable electric suitcase (1000), comprising a suitcase body (1100), a steering assembly (1200), a drive wheel assembly (1300), and a driven wheel assembly (1400), characterized in that: The housing (1100) includes an annular frame (1120) located in the middle along the height direction (01), an upper-opening cover (1110) located on the upper side of the frame (1120), and a chassis (1130) located on the lower side of the frame (1120). A first reinforcing frame (1111) is provided at the connection between the cover (1110) and the frame (1120); the frame (1120) and the chassis (1130) are integrally formed or a second reinforcing frame (1121) is provided at the connection between the frame (1120) and the chassis (1130).

2. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover (1110) and the frame (1120) are hinged by a hinge (1112), which extends along the width direction (02) or length direction (03) of the box (1100).

3. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steering assembly (1200) is located on the front side of the housing (1100). The steering assembly (1200) includes a steering rod (1210) and a steering control handle (1220). The upper side of the front of the housing (1100) is provided with a receiving portion (1140) for accommodating the steering control handle (1220).

4. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first reinforcing frame (1111) includes an upper reinforcing frame (11111) fixed to the upper opening of the frame (1120) and a lower reinforcing frame (11112) fixed to the lower side of the cover (1110). The receiving part (1140) includes a bottom wall (1141) and a side wall (1142), the side wall (1142) serving as part of the upper opening of the frame (1120) for fixing the upper reinforcing frame (11111).

5. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 4, characterized in that: A cup receiving opening (1143) is formed on the bottom wall (1141) of the receiving part (1140), and a cup receiving groove (1151) is formed on the inner liner (1150) of the box body (1100) at the corresponding position.

6. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive wheel assembly (1300) is mounted on the chassis (1130) via a reinforcing plate (1310) and a mounting piece (1320). The reinforcing plate (1310) is located on the outside of the chassis (1130), and the mounting piece (1320) is located on the inside of the chassis (1130). The foot (1321) of the mounting piece (1320) is fixed to the reinforcing plate (1310), and the waist (1322) of the mounting piece (1320) is fixed to the mounting post (1330) of the drive wheel assembly (1300).

7. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driven wheel assembly (1400) includes a front wheel (1410) and a rear wheel (1420), and the drive wheel assembly (1300) is located at the middle of the chassis (1130) along the width direction (02) and between the front wheel (1410) and the rear wheel (1420).

8. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a pop-out foot pedal assembly (1500), which is mounted on the front side of the chassis (1130) via a tube (1510) that extends along the width direction (02) of the chassis (1130) and is fixed to the chassis (1130).

9. The electric suitcase (1000) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The chassis (1130) has a first hollow reinforcing rib (1132) formed on it, extending from the bottom plate of the chassis (1130) along the height direction (01), and the battery assembly (1600) is fixed on the top of the first hollow reinforcing rib (1132).

10. The electric suitcase (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The chassis (1130) has an integrally formed first receiving cavity (1133) for accommodating the drive wheel assembly (1300), and the chassis (1130) also has an integrally formed second receiving cavity (1134) for accommodating the driven wheel assembly (1400). The first receiving cavity (1133) and the second receiving cavity (1134) serve as the second hollow reinforcing rib (1135) of the chassis (1130).

11. The electric suitcase (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The dimensions of the box (1100) along its length direction (03) are greater than the dimensions along its height direction (01).

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