Folding joint

Abstract

A folding joint comprising a first connecting head, a second connecting head, a handle, and an adjustment rod. The first connecting head and the second connecting head are hingedly connected to one another on one side, one end of the handle is hingedly connected to the other side of the first connecting head, and the other end of the handle is provided with a positioning pin. The other side of the second connecting head is provided with a clamping axis. One end of the adjustment rod is firmly connected to the positioning pin, and the other end of the adjustment rod is firmly connected to the clamping axis. The handle is provided with a self-locking mechanism. The self-locking mechanism comprises a locking block, a compression spring, and an adjustment push rod. The locking block is provided with a locking slot and a guide bevel.wherein the locking slot is configured to receive the adjustment rod, and the guide bevel is provided at the upper end of the locking slot. The locking block is further provided with a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a threaded hole, the surface of the adjustment push rod is provided with a threaded portion, the adjustment push rod is screwed to the connecting portion, one end of the adjustment push rod is provided with a knob and the other end is provided with an optical axis, wherein the adjustment push rod is provided with a stepped surface at the intersection of the threaded portion and the optical axis, the compression spring is sheathed on the outer surface of the optical axis, one end of the compression spring presses against the stepped surface, and the other end presses against the inside of the handle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to the technical field of mechanically coupled locking mechanisms, in particular a folding joint.PRIOR ARTFolding joints are used in foldable coupled parts in existing foldable devices, such as foldable bicycles, foldable electric vehicles, in the form of a quick-action closure structure to quickly fold, open and even lock the foldable coupled parts. In order to enable a comfortable folding and opening, the locking structure of the existing folding joint is generally not designed to be too narrow. Therefore, an additional locking mechanism must be mounted on the chassis to secure the operating handle.For example, Chinese Patent 20212006690.9 discloses a self-locking folding joint with knob for four-joint chassis. The knob structure has a snap-in slot for receiving the connecting rod, and the outside at the upper end of the snap-in slot has a guiding slope; an operation knob is provided on one side of the snap-in slot, and a spring sleeve shaft is provided on the other side, and a spring is mounted on the spring sleeve shaft; when the operation knob is driven or when a force is applied to the guiding slope by the connecting rod, the knob structure moves and compresses the spring; when the external force acting on the spring is removed, the knob structure is reset under the drive of the elastic spring force. The self-locking mechanism of this device, formed by the elastic spring force, can result in the folding hinge being opened by unintentional pressing of the knob and turning of the handle, which constitutes a potential safety risk.CONTENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe purpose of the present invention is to provide a folding joint in which the degree of unlocking can be adjusted by adjusting the compression volume of a spring and which also has the effect of preventing disengagement.The technical solution for the folding joint disclosed in the present utility model is: a folding joint comprising a first connecting head, a second connecting head, a handle and an adjustment rod, wherein the first connecting head and the second connecting head are hingedly connected to each other on one side, one end of the handle is hingedly connected to the other side of the first connecting head, and the other end of the handle is provided with a positioning pin, the other side of the second connecting head is provided with a clamping axis, one end of the adjustment rod is fixedly connected to the positioning pin and the other end of the adjustment rod is fixedly connected to the clamping axis, the handle is provided with a self-locking mechanism, wherein the self-locking mechanism comprises a latch block, a compression spring and an adjustment push rod, the lock block is provided with a lock slot and a guide slope surface, the lock slot is configured to receive the adjustment rod, and the guide slope surface is provided at the upper end of the lock slot, the lock block is further provided with a connection portion, the connection portion is provided with a threaded hole, the surface of the adjustment push rod is provided with a threaded portion, the adjustment push rod is screwed to the connection portion, one end of the adjustment push rod is provided with a knob and the other end is provided with an optical axis, the adjustment push rod is provided with a step surface at the intersection of the threaded portion and the optical axis, the compression spring is sheathed at the outer surface of the optical axis, one end of the compression spring presses against the step surface, and the other end presses against the inside of the handle.As a preferred solution, the snap block is further provided with a keyway, the keyway and the threaded hole of the connection portion are communicated with each other, the compression spring is provided in the keyway, an end of the snap block is provided with a through hole that mates with the optical axis, an end of the optical axis extends through the keyway, and is slidably disposed in the through hole.As a preferred solution, the cross-sectional shape of the step surface is circular, the outer diameter of the step surface is larger than the outer diameter of the optical axis, and the outer diameter of the step surface corresponds to the outer diameter of the threaded portion on the surface of the adjustment push rod.As a preferred solution, a restriction portion is provided between the threaded portion of the adjustment slide and the knob, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the restriction portion is circular, and the outer diameter of the restriction portion is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded portion at the surface of the adjustment slide.As a preferred solution, the handle is provided with a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate is provided with a slide hole that mates with the limiting portion, and the limiting portion of the slide push rod is disposed in the slide hole.As a preferred solution, the second side plate is provided with a first circular hole and a second circular hole, the first circular hole matching an end of the lock block and the second circular hole matching an end of the optical axis, the first circular hole and the second circular hole communicating with each other.As a preferred solution, the positioning pin and the clamping shaft are each provided centrally with a threaded hole, and the two ends of the adjusting rod are each screwed to the threaded hole of the positioning pin and the threaded hole of the clamping shaft.As a preferred solution, the folding joint further comprises an axis of rotation and an axis of articulation, a limiting pin is provided on the underside of the first connecting head, wherein the limiting pin extends through the second connecting head and presses against an end of the axis of articulation.As a preferred solution, the optical axis is provided with a mounting groove, a stop ring is snap-connected to the mounting groove and the stop ring presses on one side against the outside of the handle.As a preferred solution, the outer surface of the knob is gear-shaped, or the knob is provided with a groove hole in the form of an internal hexagon.The advantageous effects of the folding joint disclosed in the present invention are as follows: the present invention discloses a folding joint in which, in the operating state, by rotating the handle for rotating the adjustment rod, the adjustment rod comes into contact with the inclined guide surface at the upper end of the engaging slot in the engaging block, and as the rotation angle of the handle increases, the pushing force exerted by the adjustment rod on the engaging block gradually increases, and the engaging block drives the adjustment rod to overcome the elastic force of the compression spring via the stepped surface on the adjustment rod and push the compression spring to compress, so that the adjustment rod can smoothly slide downward into the engaging slot along the inclined guide surface at the upper end of the engaging slot. When the adjusting rod is completely in the engaging slot, the adjusting push rod is driven by the elastic force of the compression spring to drive the engaging block to be reset, so that the adjusting rod is held engaged in the engaging slot by the upper end of the engaging slot of the engaging block. At this time, the adjusting rod cannot be released from the engaging slot even when the handle is rotated, thereby enabling the self-locking function of the folding joint with good certainty.When the folding joint is to be opened, the button is pressed. Then, the step surface of the adjusting push rod overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring and presses the compression spring to compress, thereby driving the engaging slot of the engaging block to move, and after the upper end of the engaging slot releases the adjusting push rod, the handle is rotated, thereby releasing the adjusting rod from the engaging slot. This opens the folding joint and enables a comfortable operation.Moreover, the folding joint disclosed in the present invention also has a function of adjusting the unlocking strength. The adjustment push rod is rotated so that the step surface on the surface of the adjustment push rod overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring and presses the compression spring to compress. By changing the compression volume of the compression spring, the pressing force of the knob of the adjusting push rod is adapted to the requirements and operating habits of the user and to the operating feel of different users. When the adjustment push rod is rotated so as to press the compression spring to a larger compressed state, the button is pressed, the button presses the lock block, and the upper end of the lock slot in the lock block still holds the adjustment rod firmly. At this time, the adjusting rod cannot be released from the engaging slot even when the handle is rotated. This has an effect of preventing disengagement. When the folding joint is to be opened, the slide push rod is rotated back, the slide push rod moves and releases the pressing force of the compression spring, and at this time, the button is pressed, and the button presses the lock block by overcoming the elastic force of the compression spring by the slide push rod, so that the slide rod is released from the upper end of the lock slot to enable the unlocking function with good safety.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional schematic illustration of a folding joint according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view showing another view of the folding joint according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a disassembled schematic view of the folding joint according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partially disassembled schematic structural view of the folding joint according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a disassembled schematic view of a self-locking mechanism in the folding joint according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a disassembled schematic view of another view of the self-locking mechanism in the folding joint according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view of a handle in the folding joint according to the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present invention is explained and illustrated in more detail below with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and drawings for the description:Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a folding joint includes a first connecting head 10, a second connecting head 20, a handle 30, and an adjusting rod 40, the first connecting head 10 and the second connecting head 20 being hinged to each other on one side, one end of the handle 30 being hinged to the other side of the first connecting head 10, and the other end of the handle 30 being provided with a positioning pin 60, the other end of the second connecting head 20 being provided with a clamping axis 70, one end of the adjusting rod 40 being screwed to the positioning pin 60 and the other end of the adjusting rod 40 being screwed to the clamping axis 70, the handle 30 being provided with a self-locking mechanism 50, the self-locking mechanism 50 having a snap-in block 51, a compression spring 52 and an adjustment slide rod 53, the lock block 51 is provided with a lock slot 511 and a guide slope 512, the lock slot 511 is formed to receive the adjustment rod 40, and the guide slope 512 is provided at the upper end of the lock slot 511, the lock block 51 is further provided with a connection portion 513, the connection portion 513 is provided with a threaded hole 5131, the surface of the adjustment slide rod 53 is provided with a threaded portion 531, the adjustment slide rod 53 is screwed to the connection portion 513, one end of the adjustment slide rod 53 is provided with a knob 532 and the other end is provided with an optical axis 533, the adjustment slide rod 53 is provided with a step surface 534 at the intersection of the external threaded portion and the optical axis, the compression spring 52 is sheathed on the outer surface of the optical axis 533, one end of the compression spring 52 presses against the step surface 534, and the other end presses against the inside of the handle 30.In this case, the connection between the knob 532 and the adjustment push rod 53 can be effected in various ways, for example integrated or releasable.The lock block 51 is further provided with a spring groove 514, the spring groove 514 and the threaded hole 5131 of the connecting portion 513 communicate with each other, the compression spring 52 is provided in the spring groove 514, the compression spring 52 can be compressed and relaxed in the spring groove 514, thereby permitting the adjustment of the spring force. In addition, the compression spring 52 is not rotated out of position in the keyway 514, so that the self-locking mechanism 50 can function normally. One end of the lock block 51 is provided with a through hole 515 that mates with the optical axis 533. One end of the optical axis 533 extends through the spring groove 514 and is slidably disposed in the through hole 515 so that the adjustment push rod 53 can be moved within the lock block 51 while remaining connected to the compression spring 52, thereby allowing compression and relaxation of the compression spring 52 by the step surface 534 of the adjustment push rod 53.The cross-sectional shape of the step surface 534 is circular, the outer diameter of the step surface 534 is larger than the outer diameter of the optical axis 533, and the outer diameter of the step surface 534 corresponds to the outer diameter of the threaded portion 531 on the surface of the adjustment push rod 53, thereby ensuring that, when the adjustment push rod 53 is rotated, the threaded portion 531 is relatively moved via the threaded connection with the threaded hole 5131 of the connection portion 513 in the lock block 51, and the adjustment push rod 53 compresses the compression spring 52 using the step surface 534 to control the elastic force of the compression spring 52.The upper end of the engaging slot 511 is partially closed. If the adjusting rod 40 is to be snapped into the snap-in slot 511, a guiding action can be provided on the surface of the inclined guide surface 512 when the adjusting rod 40 is moved. Moreover, the surface of the inclined guide surface 512 is smooth so that it can ensure smooth sliding of the adjustment rod 40 into the locking slot 511 for locking, and the smooth inclined guide surface can reduce friction with the adjustment rod 40, which can effectively reduce the scratches of the folding joint and also helps the adjustment rod 40 in inserting, thereby effectively increasing the degree of smoothing of the structure.A restricting portion 535 is provided between the threaded portion 531 of the reclining push rod 53 and the knob 532, the cross-sectional shape of the restricting portion 535 is circular, and the outer diameter of the restricting portion 535 is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded portion 531 on the surface of the reclining push rod 53, so that when the reclining push rod 53 is rotated to adjust the unlocking strength, the circular surface of one end of the restricting portion 535 can be moved toward and press against one end of the link block, thereby preventing the reclining push rod 53 from being excessively rotated during operation. This ensures that the adjustment push rod 53 is always maintained in an appropriate range during rotation, so that damage to the thread or failure of adjustment due to over-rotation is effectively prevented.The handle 30 is provided with a first side plate 31 and a second side plate 32, the first side plate 31 is provided with a slide hole 311 that mates with the restricting portion 535, the slide push rod 53 is slidably disposed in the slide hole 311 via the restricting portion 535. When the knob 532 is pressed or rotated, the slide rod 53 is moved in the slide hole 311 by the drive of the knob 532, thereby unlocking the self-locking mechanism 50 and adjusting the pressing force of the compression spring 52; the second side plate 32 is provided with a first circular hole 321 and a second circular hole 322, the first circular hole 321 being fitted with one end of the lock block 51 and the second circular hole 322 being fitted with one end of the optical axis 533. When the button 532 is pressed, the circular surface of one end of the lock block 51 and the optical axis 533 slide laterally in the first circular hole 321 and the second circular hole 322, respectively. The first circular hole 321 and the second circular hole 322 communicate with each other, whereby friction and wear between the sliding partners can be reduced and the life of the parts can be extended.The positioning pin 60 and the clamp shaft 70 are respectively provided with a threaded hole centrally, and the two ends of the adjusting rod 40 are respectively screwed with the threaded hole of the positioning pin 60 and the threaded hole of the clamp shaft 70, the adjusting rod 40 having right and left threads on both sides, and the two ends of the adjusting rod 40 allow adjustment on both sides for the positioning pin 60 and the clamp shaft 70, so that the user can selectively rotate one of the ends of the adjusting rod 40 as needed to adjust the position of the positioning pin 60 or the clamp shaft 70. This enables precise adjustment and fastening and improves the adjustability and the ease of operation of the folding joint.The folding joint further comprises a pivot axis 80 and a joint axis 90, wherein the first connecting head 10 and the second connecting head 20 are hingedly connected to each other by the pivot axis 80, and the handle 30 and the second connecting head 20 are hingedly connected to each other by the joint axis 90, and the first connecting head 10 and the second connecting head 20 can be used to connect the front and rear halves of different bicycles or electric bicycles to each other, so that flexible folding into an overall body is possible. The construction is simple and easy and convenient to use.It is also possible to use the folding joint on various mechanical components suitable for folding with high flexibility and simple assembly.A limiting pin 11 is provided on the underside of the first connecting head 10, wherein the limiting pin 11 extends through the second connecting head 20 and presses against one end of the hinge axis 90 in order to prevent displacement of the first connecting head 10 and the second connecting head 20 during rotation, thereby improving stability.The optical axis 533 is provided with a mounting groove 535, a stopper ring 54 is snap-connected to the mounting groove 535, and the stopper ring 54 presses on one side against the outside of the handle 30, thereby limiting the maximum stroke of the adjustment push rod 53 in the handle 30 and preventing excessive retraction of the adjustment push rod 53. This protects the normal operating range of the self-locking mechanism 50 and extends the life of the components.The outer surface of the knob 532 is gear-shaped, and the gear-shaped outer surface increases friction between the knob 532 and the user's finger, so that it is easier for the user to apply force when the knob 532 is rotated without causing operation errors due to hand slipping; the surface of the knob 532 is further provided with a groove hole in the form of an inner hexagon or a groove hole in the form of a cross, the shape of the groove hole can be varied, and the knob 532 can be changed according to the shape of the hole according to a customer's desire. The end of the knob 532 is provided with a slit hole, which can make it easier for the user to use a corresponding tool for turning, thereby saving time and labor, and when the knob 532 is turned to adjust the pressure of the compression spring 52, the torque can be easily applied. As a result, the operation is easy and comfortable, the application area is large, and the safety is high.The present invention discloses a folding joint in which, in the operation state, by rotating the handle 30 to rotate the adjustment rod 40, the adjustment rod 40 comes into contact with the inclined guide surface 512 at the upper end of the engaging slot 511 in the engaging block 51, and as the rotation angle of the handle 30 increases, the pushing force applied from the adjustment rod 40 to the engaging block 51 gradually increases, and the engaging block 51 drives the adjustment rod 53 to overcome the elastic force of the compression spring 52 via the stepped surface 534 on the adjustment rod 53 and push the compression spring 52 to compress, so that the adjustment rod 40 can smoothly slide downward into the engaging slot 511 along the inclined guide surface 512 at the upper end of the engaging slot 511. When the shift rod 40 is completely in the engaging slot 511, the shift push rod 53 is driven by the elastic force of the compression spring 52 to drive the engaging block 51 to be reset, so that the shift rod 40 is held engaged in the engaging slot 511 by the upper end of the engaging slot 511 of the engaging block 51. At this time, the adjusting rod 40 cannot be released from the engaging slot 511 even when the handle 30 is rotated, thereby enabling the self-locking function of the folding joint.When the folding joint is to be opened, the button 532 is pressed. Then, the step surface 534 of the adjusting push rod 53 overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring 52 and presses the compression spring 52 to compress, thereby driving the engaging slot 511 of the engaging block 51 to move, and after the upper end of the engaging slot 511 releases the adjusting push rod 53, the handle 30 is rotated, thereby releasing the adjusting rod 40 from the engaging slot 511. This opens the folding joint and enables a comfortable operation.Moreover, the folding joint disclosed in the present invention also has a function of adjusting the unlocking strength. The adjustment push rod 53 is rotated so that the step surface 534 on the surface of the adjustment push rod 53 overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring 52 and presses the compression spring 52 to compress. By changing the compression volume of the compression spring 52, the pressing force of the button 532 of the adjustment push rod 53 is adapted to the requirements and operating habits of the user and to the operating feel of different users. When the shift push rod 53 is rotated so as to press the compression spring 52 to a larger compressed state, the button 532 is pressed, the button 532 presses the lock block 51, and the upper end of the lock slot 511 in the lock block 51 still holds the shift rod 40 firmly. At this time, the shift rod 40 cannot be released from the engaging slot 511 even when the handle 30 is rotated. This has an effect of preventing disengagement. When the folding joint is to be opened, the moving push rod 53 is rotated back, the moving push rod 53 moves and releases the pressing force of the compression spring 52, and at this time, the button 532 is pressed, and the button 532 presses the lock block 51 by overcoming the elastic force of the compression spring 52 by the moving push rod 53, so that the moving rod 40 is released from the upper end of the lock slot 511 to enable the unlocking function with good certainty.Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely for illustrating the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, it should be understood by a person having the required skills that the technical solutions of the present invention can be changed or equivalently replaced without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.References included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedCN 20212006690.9

[0003]

Claims

A folding joint comprising a first connecting head, a second connecting head, a handle and an adjustment rod, wherein the first connecting head and the second connecting head are hingedly connected to each other on one side, one end of the handle is hingedly connected to the other side of the first connecting head, and the other end of the handle is provided with a positioning pin, the other side of the second connecting head is provided with a clamping axis, one end of the adjustment rod is fixedly connected to the positioning pin and the other end of the adjustment rod is fixedly connected to the clamping axis, characterized in that the handle is provided with a self-locking mechanism, wherein the self-locking mechanism comprises a snap-in block, a compression spring and an adjustment push rod, the snap-in block is provided with a snap-in slot and a guiding bevel, wherein the engaging slot is formed to receive the adjusting rod, and the inclined guide surface is provided at the upper end of the engaging slot, the engaging block is further provided with a connecting portion, the connecting portion is provided with a threaded hole, the surface of the adjusting rod is provided with a threaded portion, the adjusting rod is screwed to the connecting portion, one end of the adjusting rod is provided with a knob and the other end is provided with an optical axis, the adjusting rod is provided with a step surface at the intersection of the threaded portion and the optical axis, the compression spring is sheathed on the outer surface of the optical axis, one end of the compression spring presses against the step surface, and the other end presses against the inner side of the grip.The folding joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap block is further provided with a spring groove, the spring groove and the threaded hole of the connection portion are communicated with each other, the compression spring is provided in the spring groove, an end of the snap block is provided with a through hole that mates with the optical axis, an end of the optical axis extends through the spring groove, and is slidably disposed in the through hole.The folding joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross-sectional shape of the step surface is circular, the outer diameter of the step surface is larger than the outer diameter of the optical axis, and the outer diameter of the step surface corresponds to the outer diameter of the threaded portion on the surface of the adjustment push rod.The folding joint according to claim 1, characterized in that a restriction portion is provided between the threaded portion of the adjusting push rod and the knob, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the restriction portion is circular, and the outer diameter of the restriction portion is larger than the outer diameter of the threaded portion at the surface of the adjusting push rod.The folding hinge according to claim 4, characterized in that the handle is provided with a first side plate and a second side plate, the first side plate is provided with a slide hole that mates with the restriction portion, and the restriction portion of the slide push rod is disposed in the slide hole.The folding joint according to claim 5, characterized in that the second side plate is provided with a first circular hole and a second circular hole, the first circular hole matching an end of the lock block and the second circular hole matching an end of the optical axis, the first circular hole and the second circular hole communicating with each other.The folding joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning pin and the clamping shaft are each provided centrally with a threaded hole, and the two ends of the adjusting rod are each screwed to the threaded hole of the positioning pin and the threaded hole of the clamping shaft.The folding joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding joint further comprises an axis of rotation and an axis of articulation, a limiting pin is provided on the underside of the first connecting head, wherein the limiting pin extends through the second connecting head and presses against an end of the axis of articulation.Folding joint according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical axis is provided with a mounting groove, wherein a stop ring is snap-connected to the mounting groove and the stop ring presses on one side against the outside of the handle.Folding joint according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer surface of the knob is toothed, or the knob is provided with a grooved hole in the form of an internal hexagon.

Images