Electric folding frame
By introducing a frame, active cover, and follow-up cover design into the electric folding frame, combined with a linear drive and lifting mechanism, the problem of high driving force requirement of electric actuator when the cover is turned is solved, realizing easy folding of the cover and overall miniaturization.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NINGBO TUOPU GROUP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing electric folding frames require a large driving force at the beginning stage of changing the cover from the unfolded state to the folded state, resulting in a large power requirement for the electric actuator.
The design employs a frame, an active cover plate, and a follower cover plate, combined with a linear actuator and a lifting mechanism. Through the cooperation of guide rails and connecting rods, the transmission components of the lifting mechanism push the lifting component to apply an upward thrust to the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate, thereby reducing the driving force requirement.
It effectively reduces the driving force requirement of the linear actuator, enables easy folding of the cover plate, and eliminates the need for an additional power source, thus contributing to overall miniaturization.
Smart Images
Figure CN224145863U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of automotive parts, and more specifically to an electric folding frame. Background Technology
[0002] Car trunks are typically equipped with folding coat racks, whose main structure consists of two panels. When unfolded, these panels create a compartment in the trunk, allowing users to store different items. When more space is needed in the trunk, the panels can be folded down to create a larger storage area. Clearly, folding racks offer better storage functionality and are therefore gaining increasingly widespread use.
[0003] Traditional folding covers require manual adjustment of the cover's folding position by the user, which is cumbersome. Therefore, electric folding covers have emerged in recent years, using electric actuators such as screw motors to fold the covers. However, in the initial stage of changing the cover from an unfolded to a folded state, due to the approaching dead zone, the electric actuator often requires a large driving force, resulting in high power requirements. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problem that the electric actuator of the existing electric folding frame requires a large driving force at the beginning stage of changing the cover from the unfolded state to the folded state, which leads to a large power requirement for the electric actuator.
[0005] To solve the above problems, this utility model provides an electric folding frame, comprising:
[0006] The frame includes an active cover and a follower cover arranged side by side. The rear side of the follower cover is rotatably connected to the frame, and the front side is rotatably connected to the rear side of the active cover. The front side of the active cover has a connecting part. The frame has a guide rail from front to back. The connecting part is slidably engaged with the guide rail. When the connecting part moves from front to back along the guide rail, the active cover and the follower cover change from an unfolded state to a folded state.
[0007] A drive mechanism includes a linkage and a linear actuator, the linear actuator having a drive portion that can reciprocate in a forward and backward direction, one end of the linkage being rotatably connected to the drive portion and the other end being rotatably connected to the adapter portion;
[0008] The lifting mechanism includes a transmission component and a lifting component. The transmission component is located above the front part of the linear actuator. The lower end of the lifting component is connected to the transmission component, and the upper end faces the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate. When the connecting part moves from front to back along the guide rail, the transmission component is pushed upward by the drive part to push the lifting component upward, so that the lifting component applies an upward thrust to the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate.
[0009] Compared with the existing technology, the above solution adds a lifting mechanism. When the driving part of the linear actuator moves from front to back, on the one hand, the connecting rod will drive the transition part to move backward, that is, the active cover plate is subjected to a backward force. On the other hand, the transmission component of the lifting mechanism is pushed upward by the driving part to push the lifting component upward, so that the lifting component applies an upward thrust to the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate. At this time, the active cover plate can more easily rotate and fold relative to the follower cover plate. Thus, the linear actuator only needs a small driving force to overcome the dead zone state, effectively reducing the power required by the linear actuator. Moreover, the lifting component is pushed upward by the linear actuator of the driving mechanism, without the need to add an additional power source, which is conducive to the overall miniaturization.
[0010] In an improved embodiment, the transmission component includes a lifting guide rail and a sliding member. The lifting guide rail is mounted on the frame from front to back, with its rear end higher than its front end. The sliding member is slidably connected to the lifting guide rail and also connected to the lifting member. When the sliding member is located at the front end of the lifting guide rail, its lower end is lower than the driving part, and the lifting member is in a low-position state. When the sliding member is located at the rear end of the lifting guide rail, its lower end is higher than the driving part, and the lifting member is pushed upward by the sliding member, thereby moving the driving part from front to back. During the process, the sliding member located at the front end of the lifting guide rail is initially in contact with the drive unit and moves backward under the drive unit's influence. At this time, the lifting member gradually rises from its low position, applying an upward thrust to the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate. When the sliding member moves to the rear end of the lifting guide rail, it disengages from the drive unit. At this time, the active cover plate has already rotated a certain angle, and the drive unit only needs a small driving force to drive the active cover plate to continue rotating through the connecting rod. Meanwhile, the lifting member resets downward due to gravity, and the sliding member resets to the front end of the lifting guide rail.
[0011] In an improved embodiment, the lifting component includes a top rod and a connecting rod. The top rod is slidably connected to the frame vertically, with its upper end facing the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate. The lower end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to a sliding member, and its upper end is rotatably connected to the top rod. This ensures that when the sliding member slides along the lifting guide rail from front to back, the connecting rod can drive the top rod to rise vertically, achieving a better upward pushing effect on the junction of the active cover plate and the follower cover plate.
[0012] In an improved embodiment, the sliding member includes a block, a limiting strip, and a limiting spring. The block has a sliding joint that is slidably connected to the lifting guide rail. The rear part of the limiting strip is rotatably connected to the lower side of the block via an adapter pin, with the axis of the adapter pin along the left-right direction. The upper end of the limiting spring is connected to the block, and the lower end is connected to the front part of the limiting strip. When the limiting spring is extended, the front end of the limiting strip is lower than the driving part. When the limiting spring is compressed, the front end of the limiting strip is higher than the driving part. Thus, when the driving part of the linear actuator returns to its forward reset position, the driving part pushes the front end of the limiting strip to rotate upward. The compression of the limiting spring allows the limiting strip to make room to avoid interference with the driving part. After the driving part moves to the front of the limiting strip, the limiting spring drives the front end of the limiting strip to rotate downward again, so that it can abut against the driving part when it moves forward again.
[0013] In an improved embodiment, the front portion of the limiting strip has a bend that gradually curves downwards from back to front, and the bend provides a more stable abutment for the driving part.
[0014] In an improved embodiment, the transmission component further includes a return spring, one end of which is connected to the frame and the other end acts on the slider and applies a forward force to the slider, thereby helping the slider to return to its forward position.
[0015] In an improved embodiment, the linear actuator includes a lead screw, a motor, and a screw platform. The screw platform is the driving unit. The lead screw is rotatably connected to the frame with its axis along the front-back direction. The motor drives the lead screw to rotate. The screw platform is screwed to the lead screw and is driven by the lead screw to move back and forth, ensuring reliable and stable operation.
[0016] In an improved embodiment, when the adapter is located at the front end of the guide rail, the active cover and the follower cover are flush. The front part of the guide rail has an inclined section that gradually curves upward from front to back. As the inclined section gradually curves upward from front to back, the adapter will be subjected to an upward force applied by the inclined section when it moves backward from the front end of the guide rail, which helps the active cover change from a flush state to a folded state.
[0017] In an improved embodiment, the frame has a fixed support cover plate located behind the follower cover plate. The rear side of the follower cover plate is rotatably connected to the front side of the support cover plate. When the connecting part moves to the rear end of the guide rail, the active cover plate and the follower cover plate fold onto the support cover plate, thereby forming a three-fold structure of the active cover plate, the follower cover plate, and the support cover plate, which can cover a larger area. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an electric folding frame Figure 1 ;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of an electric folding frame;
[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an electric folding frame Figure 2 (The casing of the linear drive has been removed);
[0021] Figure 4 For along Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of section AA in the middle;
[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of region B in the middle;
[0023] Figure 6 for Figure 4 A magnified view of a portion of region C.
[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures.
[0025] 1. Frame; 11. Active cover plate; 111. Adapter; 12. Follower cover plate; 13. Support cover plate; 14. Guide rail; 14a. Inclined section; 15. Housing; 2. Linear actuator; 21. Lead screw; 22. Motor; 23. Screw assembly; 3. Connecting rod; 4. Transmission component; 41. Lifting guide rail; 42. Sliding component; 421. Block; 421a. Sliding joint; 421b. Mounting part; 422. Limiting bar; 422a. Adapter pin; 422b. Bending part; 423. Limiting spring; 5. Lifting component; 51. Lifting rod; 52. Adapter rod; 6. Return spring. Detailed Implementation
[0026] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the following embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.
[0027] In the following description of the embodiments, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.
[0028] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.
[0029] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0030] Please see Figures 1-6 An embodiment of this utility model provides an electric folding rack, comprising:
[0031] The frame 1, and the active cover 11 and the follower cover 12 arranged side by side, the rear side of the follower cover 12 is rotatably connected to the frame 1 and the front side is rotatably connected to the rear side of the active cover 11. The front side of the active cover 11 is provided with a connecting part 111. The frame 1 is provided with a guide rail 14 from front to back. The connecting part 111 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 14. When the connecting part 111 moves from front to back along the guide rail 14, the active cover 11 and the follower cover 12 change from an unfolded state to a folded state.
[0032] The drive mechanism includes a link 3 and a linear actuator 2. The linear actuator 2 has a drive part that can reciprocate in the front-back direction. One end of the link 3 is rotatably connected to the drive part and the other end is rotatably connected to the adapter 111.
[0033] The lifting mechanism includes a transmission component 4 and a lifting component 5. The transmission component 4 is located above the front of the linear drive 2. The lower end of the lifting component 5 is connected to the transmission component 4 and the upper end faces the junction of the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12. When the connecting part 111 moves from front to back along the guide rail 14, the transmission component 4 is pushed upward by the drive part to push the lifting component 5, so that the lifting component 5 applies an upward thrust to the junction of the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12.
[0034] Compared with the prior art, the above solution adds a lifting mechanism. When the driving part of the linear actuator 2 moves from front to back, on the one hand, the connecting rod 3 will drive the adapter 111 to move backward, that is, the active cover plate 11 is subjected to a backward force. On the other hand, the transmission part 4 of the lifting mechanism is pushed upward by the driving part to push the lifting member 5 upward, so that the lifting member 5 applies an upward pushing force to the junction of the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12. At this time, the active cover plate 11 can more easily rotate and fold relative to the follower cover plate 12. Thus, the linear actuator 2 only needs a small driving force to get through the dead zone state, effectively reducing the power required by the linear actuator 2. Moreover, the lifting member 5 is pushed upward by the linear actuator 2 of the driving mechanism, without the need to add an additional power source, which is conducive to the overall miniaturization.
[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the frame 1 is U-shaped with the opening facing forward. The active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12 are located at the front and middle of the frame 1, respectively. The guide rail 14, the drive mechanism and the lifting mechanism are all located on the right side of the frame 1.
[0036] In this embodiment, the linear actuator 2 includes a lead screw 21, a motor 22, and a screw unit 23. The screw unit 23 is the driving part. The lead screw 21 is rotatably connected to the frame 1 with its axis along the front-back direction. The motor 22 drives the lead screw 21 to rotate. The screw unit 23 is screwed to the lead screw 21 and is driven by the lead screw 21 to move back and forth, ensuring reliable and stable operation. Of course, the linear actuator 2 can be other devices, such as a cylinder arranged in the front-back direction, in which case the driving part is the end of the cylinder rod.
[0037] In this embodiment, the adapter 111 has a short shaft-shaped structure protruding from the right side of the active cover 11. When the adapter 111 is located at the front end of the guide rail 14, the active cover 11 and the follower cover 12 are in a flush state. The front part of the guide rail 14 has an inclined section 14a that gradually curves upward from front to back. Since the inclined section 14a gradually curves upward from front to back, when the adapter 111 moves backward from the front end of the guide rail 14, it will be subjected to an upward force applied by the inclined section 14a, which helps the active cover 11 change from a flush state to a folded state.
[0038] Furthermore, the rear of the frame 1 has a fixed support cover plate 13, which is located behind the follower cover plate 12. The rear side of the follower cover plate 12 is rotatably connected to the front side of the support cover plate 13. When the adapter 111 moves to the rear end of the guide rail 14, the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12 are folded onto the support cover plate 13, thereby forming a three-fold structure of the active cover plate 11, the follower cover plate 12 and the support cover plate 13, which can cover a larger area.
[0039] In this embodiment, the frame 1 includes a housing 15 on the right side, and the lifting mechanism is installed inside the housing 15. The transmission component 4 includes a lifting guide rail 41 and a sliding member 42. The lifting guide rail 41 is arranged from front to back inside the housing 15 of the frame 1, and the rear end of the lifting guide rail 41 is higher than the front end. The sliding member 42 is slidably connected to the lifting guide rail 41 and is connected to the lifting member 5. When the sliding member 42 is located at the front end of the lifting guide rail 41, the lower end of the sliding member 42 is lower than the high point of the screw platform 23, and the lifting member 5 is in a low position. When the sliding member 42 is located at the rear end of the lifting guide rail 41, the lower end of the sliding member 42 is higher than the high point of the screw platform 23, and the lifting member 5 is pushed upward by the sliding member 42, thereby lifting the screw platform 23 from front to back. In the process, the sliding member 42 located at the front end of the lifting guide rail 41 is initially in contact with the screw platform 23 and moves backward under the drive of the screw platform 23. At this time, the lifting member 5 gradually rises from the low position and applies an upward pushing force to the junction of the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12. When the sliding member 42 moves to the rear end of the lifting guide rail, the sliding member 42 disengages from the screw platform 23. At this time, the active cover plate 11 has rotated a certain angle. The screw platform 23 only needs a small driving force to drive the active cover plate 11 to continue rotating through the connecting rod 3. The lifting member 5 resets downward due to gravity, and the sliding member 42 resets to the front end of the lifting guide rail 41.
[0040] The lifting component 5 includes a lifting rod 51 and a connecting rod 52. A vertical sliding hole is provided on the upper side of the housing 15 of the frame 1. The lifting rod 51 is slidably connected to the sliding hole along the vertical direction, and the upper end of the lifting rod 51 faces the junction of the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12. The lower end of the connecting rod 52 is rotatably connected to the sliding member 42 and the upper end is rotatably connected to the lifting rod 51, thereby ensuring that when the sliding member 42 slides from front to back along the lifting guide rail 41, the connecting rod 52 can drive the lifting rod 51 to rise vertically, thereby achieving a better upward pushing effect on the junction of the active cover plate 11 and the follower cover plate 12.
[0041] The sliding member 42 includes a block 421, a limiting strip 422, and a limiting spring 423. The block 421 has a sliding part 421a that is slidably connected to the lifting guide rail 41. In this embodiment, the sliding part 421a is hole-shaped. The lower side of the block 421 has a mounting part 421b. In this embodiment, the mounting part 421b is a groove opened from front to back, and the bottom of the groove is the lower side of the block 421. The rear part of the limiting strip 422 is rotatably connected to the groove on the lower side of the block 421 through a connecting pin 422a, and the axis of the connecting pin 422a is along the left-right direction. The upper end of the limiting spring 423 is connected to the block 421 and the lower end is connected to... Connected to the front of the limiting bar 422, when the limiting spring 423 is extended, the front end of the limiting bar 422 is lower than the high point of the screw platform 23. When the limiting spring 423 is compressed, the front end of the limiting bar 422 is higher than the high point of the screw platform 23. Thus, when the screw platform 23 of the linear actuator 2 returns to its forward position, the screw platform 23 pushes the front end of the limiting bar 422 to rotate upward. The compression of the limiting spring 423 allows the limiting bar 422 to make room to avoid interference with the screw platform 23. After the screw platform 23 moves to the front of the limiting bar 422, the limiting spring 423 drives the front end of the limiting bar 422 to rotate downward again, so that it can abut against the screw platform 23 when it moves forward next time.
[0042] In an improved design, the front of the limiting bar 422 has a bend 422b that gradually curves downward from back to front, and the bend 422b provides a more stable abutment for the screw table.
[0043] As an improvement to this embodiment, the transmission component 4 also includes a return spring 6. The front end of the return spring 6 is connected to the front side of the housing 15 of the frame 1, and the rear end of the return spring 6 is connected to the slider 42 and applies a forward force to the slider 42, thereby helping the slider 42 to return to its original position.
[0044] It should be noted that in the description of this application, the terms "inner" and "outer," etc., indicating directions or positional relationships, are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this application. All directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inner, and outer) are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movement between components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.
[0045] In the description of this application, the references to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "in this embodiment," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.
[0046] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An electric folding stand, characterized by, include: A frame (1), and an active cover plate (11) and a follower cover plate (12) arranged side by side. The rear side of the follower cover plate (12) is rotatably connected to the frame (1) and the front side is rotatably connected to the rear side of the active cover plate (11). The front side of the active cover plate (11) is provided with a connecting part (111). The frame (1) is provided with a guide rail (14) from front to back. The connecting part (111) is slidably engaged with the guide rail (14). When the connecting part (111) moves from front to back along the guide rail (14), the active cover plate (11) and the follower cover plate (12) change from an unfolded state to a folded state. The drive mechanism includes a link (3) and a linear actuator (2), the linear actuator (2) having a drive part that can reciprocate in the front-back direction, one end of the link (3) being rotatably connected to the drive part and the other end being rotatably connected to the adapter (111). The lifting mechanism includes a transmission member (4) and a lifting member (5). The transmission member (4) is located above the front of the linear drive (2). The lower end of the lifting member (5) is connected to the transmission member (4) and the upper end faces the junction of the active cover plate (11) and the follower cover plate (12). When the connecting part (111) moves from front to back along the guide rail (14), the transmission member (4) is pushed upward by the drive part to push the lifting member (5) upward, so that the lifting member (5) applies an upward thrust to the junction of the active cover plate (11) and the follower cover plate (12).
2. The electrically folding stand of claim 1, wherein, The transmission component (4) includes a lifting guide rail (41) and a sliding component (42). The lifting guide rail (41) is arranged on the frame (1) from front to back, and the rear end of the lifting guide rail (41) is higher than the front end. The sliding component (42) is slidably connected to the lifting guide rail (41) and is connected to the lifting component (5). When the sliding component (42) is located at the front end of the lifting guide rail (41), the lower end of the sliding component (42) is lower than the driving part, and the lifting component (5) is in a low position. When the sliding component (42) is located at the rear end of the lifting guide rail (41), the lower end of the sliding component (42) is higher than the driving part, and the lifting component (5) is pushed upward by the sliding component (42).
3. The electrically folding stand of claim 2, wherein, The lifting member (5) includes a lifting rod (51) and a connecting rod (52). The lifting rod (51) is slidably connected to the frame (1) in a vertical direction, and the upper end of the lifting rod (51) faces the junction of the active cover plate (11) and the follower cover plate (12). The lower end of the connecting rod (52) is rotatably connected to the sliding member (42) and the upper end is rotatably connected to the lifting rod (51).
4. The electrically folding stand of claim 2, wherein, The sliding member (42) includes a block (421), a limiting strip (422), and a limiting spring. The block (421) is provided with a sliding joint (421a) that is slidably connected to the lifting guide rail (41). The rear part of the limiting strip (422) is rotatably connected to the lower side of the block (421) through a transition pin (422a), and the axis of the transition pin (422a) is along the left-right direction. The upper end of the limiting spring is connected to the block (421), and the lower end is connected to the front part of the limiting strip (422). When the limiting spring is extended, the front end of the limiting strip (422) is lower than the driving part. When the limiting spring is compressed, the front end of the limiting strip (422) is higher than the driving part.
5. The electrically folding stand of claim 4, wherein, The front part of the limiting strip (422) has a bend (422b) that gradually curves downward from back to front.
6. An electrically folding frame as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The transmission component (4) also includes a return spring (6), one end of which is connected to the frame (1) and the other end acts on the slider (42) and applies a forward force to the slider (42).
7. The motorized folding stand of claim 1, wherein, The linear actuator (2) includes a lead screw (21), a motor (22) and a screw platform (23). The screw platform (23) is the driving part. The lead screw (21) is rotatably connected to the frame (1) and its axis is along the front-back direction. The motor (22) is used to drive the lead screw (21) to rotate. The screw platform (23) is screwed to the lead screw (21) and is driven by the lead screw (21) to move back and forth.
8. The motorized folding stand of claim 1, wherein, When the adapter (111) is located at the front end of the guide rail (14), the active cover plate (11) and the follower cover plate (12) are flush, and the front part of the guide rail (14) has an inclined section (14a) that gradually curves upward from front to back.
9. The electrically folding stand of claim 1 or 8, wherein, The frame (1) has a fixed support cover plate (13) located behind the follower cover plate (12). The rear side of the follower cover plate (12) is rotatably connected to the front side of the support cover plate (13). When the adapter (111) moves to the rear end of the guide rail (14), the active cover plate (11) and the follower cover plate (12) are folded onto the support cover plate (13).