A folding locking mechanism for a scooter

Abstract

The application discloses a folding locking mechanism of a scooter, which comprises a chassis assembly, a locking connecting block, a driving plate, a first elastic component, a front connecting pipe and a limiting hook. The chassis assembly comprises a front frame and a rear frame which are hingedly connected with each other. The locking connecting block is fixedly connected with the rear frame. One end of the driving plate is provided with the limiting hook. The first elastic component acts on the driving plate, so that the driving plate has a tendency to rotate to a locking position. One end of the front connecting pipe is fixedly connected with the front frame, and the other end is hingedly connected with the locking connecting block. The front connecting pipe is provided with a limiting column which is matched with the limiting hook. In a folding state, the limiting hook is used for hooking the limiting column to lock the folding state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobility scooter technology, and in particular to a folding locking mechanism for a mobility scooter. Background Technology

[0002] For ease of storage and transport, mobility scooters are typically designed with a foldable structure, with the front and rear frames connected by a hinge. They fold together when folded and unfold when unfolded. To ensure safety, mobility scooters require a reliable locking mechanism to maintain their folded position and prevent accidental unfolding during transport or storage.

[0003] Existing folding locking mechanisms for personal mobility vehicles mostly employ either pin-type or knob-type structures. Pin-type mechanisms typically require the user to manually insert the pin into aligned pin holes after the vehicle is folded into place, a cumbersome process requiring both hands and making it difficult to maintain frame stability during folding. Knob-type mechanisms, on the other hand, lock by rotating a handle to engage a locking block and latch. While relatively simple to operate, wear and tear can occur between the locking block and latch over time, reducing locking reliability and posing a safety hazard of accidental unlocking while folded. Therefore, the purpose of this application is to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, this application provides a folding locking mechanism for a personal mobility vehicle to solve one of the aforementioned technical problems.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this application to solve its technical problem is: a folding locking mechanism for a mobility scooter, comprising: The chassis assembly includes a front frame and a rear frame that are articulated together. A locking connecting block is fixedly connected to the rear frame. A drive plate is rotatably mounted on the locking connecting block, and a limit hook is provided at one end of the drive plate. The first elastic component acts on the drive plate, causing the drive plate to tend to rotate toward the locked position; The front connecting tube has one end fixedly connected to the front frame and the other end hinged to the locking connecting block. The front connecting tube is provided with a limiting post that cooperates with the limiting hook. In the folded state, the limiting hook is used to hook the limiting post to lock the folded state.

[0006] Furthermore, the limiting hook is provided with a guide surface and a hook holding surface; the hook holding surface hooks the limiting post to lock it in a folded state; When folded, the front frame retracts relative to the rear frame, the front connecting tube rotates about its hinge axis with the locking connecting block, and the limiting post rotates with the front connecting tube and abuts against the guide surface, causing the drive plate to rotate and make way against the elastic force of the first elastic component; after the limiting post passes the guide surface, the first elastic component drives the drive plate to reset, and the hook surface hooks the limiting post to maintain the folded state of locking; To unlock, rotate the drive plate in the opposite direction to disengage the hook surface from the limiting post and release the lock.

[0007] Furthermore, the guide surface is an inclined or arc-shaped surface located outside the limiting hook, used to slide and engage with the limiting post during folding; the hook holding surface is a vertical or arc-shaped surface located inside the limiting hook, used for the limiting post to abut against in the locked state.

[0008] Furthermore, the drive plate is generally L-shaped, and the limiting hook is located on the shorter side of the drive plate.

[0009] Furthermore, the longer side of the drive plate is provided with an unlocking part for manual operation to release the lock, and at least a portion of the unlocking part abuts against the top of the locking connection block.

[0010] Furthermore, the limiting hook includes a connecting part and a hook part. The connecting part is used to fix and connect to the shorter end of the drive plate, and the opening of the hook part faces the longer end away from the drive plate, so that when folded, the limiting post enters the hook part from the shorter side of the drive plate and is hooked.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes a steering rod, on which the front frame and the front connecting tube are rotatably mounted. The bottom of the steering rod is provided with a steering plate, and the steering plate is provided with an elastic unfolding part. In the folded state, the elastic unfolding part is compressed between the steering plate and the rear frame. After unlocking, the elastic restoring force of the elastic unfolding part causes the steering plate and the rear frame to generate an initial separation force that moves them away from each other.

[0012] Furthermore, the elastic unfolding part includes an abutment block, a movable shaft, and a second elastic component. The abutment block is fixedly connected to the movable shaft, which is slidably mounted on the steering plate. The second elastic component drives the abutment block to move away from the steering plate at all times.

[0013] Furthermore, the abutment block is made of flexible rubber, and the second elastic component is a compression spring. The compression spring is sleeved on the movable shaft, with one end abutting against the steering plate and the other end abutting against the abutment block, providing the abutment block with an elastic thrust that moves away from the steering plate.

[0014] Furthermore, the first elastic component, which is a tension spring, is provided between the drive plate and the rear frame to provide the drive plate with an elastic force to rotate in the locking direction.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: through the elastic buckle cooperation between the limiting hook and the limiting post, the limiting post rotates synchronously with the front connecting tube during folding and automatically pushes open the limiting hook to complete the locking, thus automatically completing the locking during the folding operation; after locking, the first elastic component continuously provides pressure, and the limiting hook always hooks the limiting post, reducing the risk of the folding state being released due to vibration or handling; the elastic unfolding part on the steering plate stores energy and compresses in the folded state, and releases the elastic force when the lock is released, providing the initial separation thrust for the front frame and rear frame to separate and unfold. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of this application.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the folded state of this application.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the locked connection block in the unfolded state of this application.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the folded locking connection block of this application.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the folded state of this application and a partially enlarged view thereof.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals: 1. Front frame; 2. Rear frame; 3. Locking connecting block; 31. Drive plate; 311. Limit hook; 3111. Connecting part; 3112. Hook part; 312. Unlocking part; 32. First elastic component; 4. Front connecting tube; 41. Limit post; 5. Steering rod; 51. Steering plate; 52. Elastic unfolding part; 521. Abutment block; 522. Movable shaft; 523. Second elastic component. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application 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 application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. In addition, the technical solutions of various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 1-5 As shown, this application provides a folding locking mechanism for a personal mobility vehicle, mainly comprising: a chassis assembly, including a front frame 1 and a rear frame 2 hinged together; a locking connecting block 3, fixedly connected to the rear frame 2, a drive plate 31 rotatably mounted on the locking connecting block 3, a limiting hook 311 at one end of the drive plate 31, and a first elastic member 32 between the drive plate 31 and the rear frame 2, the first elastic member 32 providing an elastic force for the drive plate 31 to rotate in the locking direction; and a front connecting block 3. The tube 4 has one end rigidly fixed to the front frame 1 and the other end hinged to the locking connecting block 3. The front connecting tube 4 is provided with a limiting post 41 that cooperates with the limiting hook 311. The limiting hook 311 is provided with a guide surface and a hook holding surface. The guide surface is an inclined or arc surface located outside the limiting hook, which is used to slide and cooperate with the limiting post when folded. The hook holding surface is a vertical or arc surface located inside the limiting hook, which is used to abut the limiting post in the locked state to prevent the front connecting tube from rotating in the unfolding direction.

[0025] Specifically, the locking connecting block 3 is fixed to the rear frame 2, and the drive plate 31 is rotatably mounted on the locking connecting block 3 via a pin. The first elastic component 32 is a tension spring, with one end connected to the drive plate 31 and the other end connected to the rear frame 2, so that the drive plate 31 always has a tendency to rotate in the locking direction. The guide surface is the inclined or arc surface of the outer edge of the limit hook 311, and the hook holding surface forms a semi-circular limit structure to prevent the limit post from moving in the unlocking direction when folded.

[0026] During folding, the front frame 1 retracts towards the rear frame 2 around the hinge axis, and the front connecting tube 4 rotates synchronously with the front frame 1. The limiting post 41 approaches the limiting hook 311 along an arc trajectory centered on the hinge point. The limiting post 41 first touches the guide surface of the limiting hook 311, applying a pushing force to the limiting hook 311, causing the drive plate 31 to rotate and give way against the elastic force of the first elastic component 32. After the limiting post 41 continues to move and passes the end of the guide surface of the limiting hook 311, the stopping effect of the guide surface on the limiting post 41 disappears, and the first elastic component 32 drives the drive plate 31 to quickly reset, causing the hook surface to hook the limiting post 41, and the folded state is locked.

[0027] When unlocking, the user rotates the drive plate 31 in the opposite direction to disengage the hook surface from the limiting post 41, thereby releasing the constraint on the limiting post 41, and the front frame 1 and the rear frame 2 can then unfold relative to each other.

[0028] The following will continue to describe some preferred / improved embodiments based on the above embodiments. Any one of the following embodiments can be selected, or multiple embodiments can be combined.

[0029] Reference Figure 3-5 As shown, the drive plate 31 is generally L-shaped, and the limiting hook 311 is disposed on the shorter side of the drive plate 31. The L-shaped structure makes the drive plate 31 form a shorter hook end and a longer operating end.

[0030] Preferably, the longer side of the drive plate 31 is provided with an unlocking part 312 for manual operation to release the lock, and at least a portion of the unlocking part 312 abuts against the top of the locking connecting block 3. At least a portion of the unlocking part 312 protrudes outward to facilitate user operation, and the abutment of the unlocking part 312 against the top of the locking connecting block 3 can limit the excessive reset of the drive plate 31 under the action of elastic force.

[0031] Specifically, the limiting hook 311 includes a connecting part 3111 and a hook part 3112. The connecting part 3111 is used to fix it to the shorter end of the drive plate 31. The opening of the hook part 3112 faces away from the longer end of the drive plate 31, so that when folded, the limiting post 41 enters the hook part 3112 from the shorter side of the drive plate 31 and is hooked.

[0032] Reference Figure 5 As shown, it also includes a steering rod 5. The front frame 1 and the front connecting tube 4 are rotatably mounted on the steering rod 5. The bottom of the steering rod 5 is provided with a steering plate 51, and the steering plate 51 is provided with an elastic unfolding part 52. In the folded state, the elastic unfolding part 52 abuts against the rear frame 2 and is in an energy storage state. When unlocked, the elastic unfolding part 52 releases elastic force, and with the help of reaction force, it provides an initial separation thrust for the front frame 1 and the rear frame 2 to unfold, without the need for the user to manually pry open the frame, making it more convenient to use.

[0033] Specifically, the elastic unfolding part 52 includes an abutment block 521, a movable shaft 522, and a second elastic component 523. The abutment block 521 is fixedly connected to the movable shaft 522, and the movable shaft 522 is slidably mounted on the steering plate 51. The second elastic component 523 drives the abutment block 521 to always move away from the steering plate 51. The movable shaft 522 provides guidance for the movement of the abutment block 521, ensuring that the elastic force acts on the rear frame 2 in a fixed direction.

[0034] More specifically, the abutment block 521 is made of flexible rubber, and the second elastic component 523 is a compression spring. The compression spring is sleeved on the movable shaft 522, with one end abutting against the steering plate 51 and the other end abutting against the abutment block 521, providing the abutment block 521 with an elastic thrust that moves away from the steering plate 51. When the rubber abutment block 521 contacts the rear frame 2, it has a buffering and noise reduction effect, and the compression spring provides a stable elastic force.

[0035] The various embodiments of this application have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of this application, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0036] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this application. The foregoing embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A folding locking mechanism for a mobility scooter, characterized in that, include: The chassis assembly includes a front frame and a rear frame that are articulated together. A locking connecting block is fixedly connected to the rear frame. A drive plate is rotatably mounted on the locking connecting block, and a limit hook is provided at one end of the drive plate. The first elastic component acts on the drive plate, causing the drive plate to tend to rotate toward the locked position; The front connecting tube has one end fixedly connected to the front frame and the other end hinged to the locking connecting block. The front connecting tube is provided with a limiting post that cooperates with the limiting hook. In the folded state, the limiting hook is used to hook the limiting post to lock the folded state.

2. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting hook is provided with a guide surface and a hook holding surface; the hook holding surface hooks the limiting post to lock it in a folded state. When folded, the front frame retracts relative to the rear frame, the front connecting tube rotates about its hinge axis with the locking connecting block, and the limiting post rotates with the front connecting tube and abuts against the guide surface, causing the drive plate to rotate and make way against the elastic force of the first elastic component; after the limiting post passes the guide surface, the first elastic component drives the drive plate to reset, and the hook surface hooks the limiting post to maintain the folded state of locking; To unlock, rotate the drive plate in the opposite direction to disengage the hook surface from the limiting post and release the lock.

3. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The guide surface is an inclined or arc-shaped surface located outside the limiting hook, used to slide and engage with the limiting post during folding; the hook holding surface is a vertical or arc-shaped surface located inside the limiting hook, used for the limiting post to abut against in the locked state.

4. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive plate is L-shaped, and the limiting hook is located on the shorter side of the drive plate.

5. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The longer side of the drive plate is provided with an unlocking part for manual operation to release the lock, and at least a portion of the unlocking part abuts against the top of the locking connection block.

6. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The limiting hook includes a connecting part and a hook part. The connecting part is used to fix the shorter end of the drive plate, and the opening of the hook part faces the longer end away from the drive plate, so that when folded, the limiting post enters the hook part from the shorter side of the drive plate and is hooked.

7. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a steering rod, the front frame and the front connecting tube are rotatably mounted on the steering rod, the bottom of the steering rod is provided with a steering plate, and the steering plate is provided with an elastic unfolding part; in the folded state, the elastic unfolding part is compressed between the steering plate and the rear frame; after unlocking, the elastic restoring force of the elastic unfolding part causes the steering plate and the rear frame to generate an initial separation force that moves them away from each other.

8. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic unfolding part includes an abutment block, a movable shaft, and a second elastic component. The abutment block is fixedly connected to the movable shaft, which is slidably mounted on the steering plate. The second elastic component drives the abutment block to move away from the steering plate at all times.

9. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 8, characterized in that, The abutment block is made of flexible rubber, and the second elastic component is a compression spring. The compression spring is sleeved on the movable shaft, with one end abutting against the steering plate and the other end abutting against the abutment block, providing the abutment block with an elastic thrust that moves away from the steering plate.

10. The folding locking mechanism of a mobility scooter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first elastic component, which is a tension spring, is provided between the drive plate and the rear frame to provide the drive plate with an elastic force to rotate in the locking direction.

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