Folding joint and child carrier

Abstract

This invention provides a folding joint that improves the ease of operation of folding joints, and a child carrier using the same. [Solution] The folding joint includes a first holder body (1) having a first housing cavity (10) and a first engaging portion (11), a second holder body (2) rotatably connected to the first holder body (1) and having a second housing cavity and a second engaging portion, a locking member (4) having an unlocked position and first and second locked positions, and an elastic member (5) for applying force to the locking member. When the locking member is in the first locked position or the second locked position, it engages simultaneously with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion. The first depth (L1), which is the axial engagement depth of the locking member that engages with the second engaging portion in the first locked position, is greater than the axial engagement depth of the locking member that engages with the second engaging portion in the second locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202111235808.4, filed on October 22, 2021, with the invention title of "Folding Joint and Child Carrier", and the entire content thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This disclosure relates to the technical field of child carriers. More specifically, this disclosure relates to folding joints and child carriers.

[0003] Baby strollers for children can assist the outdoor activities of those who carry children. To facilitate storage and transportation, baby strollers for children are usually designed to be foldable. In this way, the baby stroller for children is in a deployed state when in use. The baby stroller for children can be folded to facilitate storage or transportation when not in use.

[0004] Conventional baby strollers for children could not only fold with the front wheel support frame and the rear wheel support frame approaching in the front-rear direction, but also the handle frame and the backrest frame approaching in the vertical direction, so that the occupied space of the folded baby stroller for children becomes small. The locking mechanism is usually provided between the handle frame and the backrest frame. The handle frame and the backrest frame are configured to be rotatable relative to the locking mechanism to be folded or deployed. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the handle frame and the backrest frame in a folded state or a deployed state. The unlocking button operably connected to the locking mechanism is usually provided on the handle frame. By operating the unlocking button, the user can change the locked state of the relative position between the handle frame and the backrest frame via the locking mechanism, and can set the handle frame and the backrest frame to either a folded state or a deployed state.

[0005] This disclosure aims to provide a folding joint that improves the ease of operation of folding joints, and a child carrier using the same.

[0006] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a folding joint. The folding joint comprises a first holder body having a first housing cavity, the first housing cavity having a first engaging portion inside; a second holder body rotatably connected to the first holder body via a pivot, having a second housing cavity, the second housing cavity having a second engaging portion inside; a locking member mounted in the space defined by the first and second housing cavities, having an unlocked position, a first locked position, and a second locked position; and an elastic member disposed within the first housing cavity, applying axial force to the locking member. When the locking member is in the unlocked position, the locking member retracts into the first housing cavity so as to be separated from the second engaging portion and engages with the first engaging portion, thereby enabling relative rotation about the pivot between the first holder body and the second holder body. When the locking member is in the first locked position or the second locked position, the locking member is driven by the elastic member to partially protrude into the second housing cavity and engage simultaneously with the first and second engaging portions, thereby locking the first holder body and the second holder body in the first relative position or the second relative position. The axial engagement depth of the locking member that engages with the second engaging portion in the first locked position is defined as the first depth, and the axial engagement depth of the locking member that engages with the second engaging portion in the second locked position is defined as the second depth, with the second depth being smaller than the first depth.

[0007] In some embodiments of this disclosure, when the locking member is in the second locking position, the axial engagement depth of the locking member that engages with the first engaging portion may be a fourth depth, and the fourth depth is greater than the second depth.

[0008] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second depth may be configured to allow the second engaging portion to slide against the locking member when the torque applied to the second holder body is greater than a predetermined value.

[0009] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second accommodation cavity may include at least one pressing portion internally, and the locking member includes at least one interference avoidance portion.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the locking member is in a first locked position, at least one pressing portion may cooperate with at least one interference avoidance portion such that the axial engagement depth of the locking member engaging with the second engaging portion is a first depth, and when the locking member is in a second locked position, at least one pressing portion may be pressed against the end face of the locking member to limit the axial engagement depth of the locking member engaging with the second engaging portion to a second depth.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second accommodation cavity may comprise at least two pressing portions that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the locking member may be fitted onto a pivot and may include first and second tooth groups spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a first and second connecting portion facing each other radially and positioned between the first and second tooth groups. Each of the first and second engaging portions includes a plurality of engaging teeth for engaging with the first and second tooth groups, and at least one interference avoidance portion may include a first interference avoidance portion provided on the first connecting portion, and at least one pressing portion may include a first pressing portion that cooperates with the first interference avoidance portion when the locking member is in a first locked position and is pressed against the end face of the second connecting portion when the locking member is in a second locked position.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first interference avoidance portion may be a planar portion formed on the first connection portion, and the first pressing portion may include at least one projection extending axially from the bottom wall of the second housing cavity.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one interference avoidance portion may further include a second interference avoidance portion located at at least one circumferential end of the second connection portion, and at least one pressing portion may further include a second pressing portion which cooperates with the second interference avoidance portion when the locking member is in a first locked position and is pressed against the end face of the first connection portion when the locking member is in a second locked position.

[0015] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second interference avoidance portion may be formed as a tooth groove, and the second pressing portion may be formed as a convex tooth.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the folding joint may further include an unlocking member which is operably connected to the locking member and drives the locking member to switch to the unlocked position.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the unlocking member may be positioned between the locking member and the bottom wall of the second housing cavity, and the unlocking member may have a slotted hole into which the pivot is fitted, and the guide structure and the pressing structure are positioned between the unlocking member and the bottom wall of the second housing cavity. The guide structure may be configured to guide the movement of the unlocking member in the radial direction perpendicular to the pivot, and the pressing structure may be configured to move the unlocking member in the axial direction of the pivot when the unlocking member moves radially.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the folding joint further includes a tension cable coupled to an unlocking member for pulling the unlocking member to move it radially.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressing structure includes a pressing column extending axially from the bottom wall of the second housing cavity and a pressing surface formed on the unlocking member and configured to abut the free end of the pressing column.

[0020] In another embodiment, the disclosure further comprises a child carrier. The stroller frame of the child carrier includes a first tube and a second tube, the first tube and the second tube being connected by the folding joint described above.

[0021] In the folding joint provided by this disclosure, when the locking member is in the second locked position, the engagement between the locking member and the second holder body is weaker than the engagement between the locking member and the first holder body. In this case, if it is necessary to change the relative position between the first holder body and the second holder body, sufficient torque may be directly applied to the first holder body and / or the second holder body so that the second engaging portion slides relative to the locking member, that is, the second holder body and the first holder body can be rotated relative to each other without additionally releasing the locking member, thereby simplifying the state transition operation of the folding joint. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0022] [Figure 1] A schematic perspective view showing a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the folding joint. [Figure 3] A schematic perspective view showing a locking member in a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] A schematic perspective view showing the second holder body in a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing various components of the folding joint in a simplified manner to indicate the relative positional relationship between the locking member, the first holder body, and the second holder body when the locking member is in the unlocked position. [Figure 6] A schematic cross-sectional view showing a folding joint according to the embodiment of this disclosure, with the locking member in the first locked position. [Figure 7]A cross-sectional view schematically showing a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, simplifying and showing various components of the folding joint to show the relative positional relationship of the lock member, the first holder body, and the second holder body when the lock member is in the first lock position [Figure 8] A perspective view schematically showing a second holder body, a lock member, and an elastic member in a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the lock member is in the second lock position [Figure 9] An axial cross-sectional view schematically showing a folding joint according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, simplifying and showing various components of the folding joint to show the relative positional relationship of the lock member, the first holder body, and the second holder body when the lock member is in the second lock position [Figure 10] A perspective view schematically showing a child carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the child carrier is in an unfolded state [Figure 11] A perspective view schematically showing a child carrier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure when the child carrier is in a folded state

[0023] FIGS. 1 to 9 are diagrams schematically showing the structure of the folding joint 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams showing a child carrier 900 (for example, a baby stroller for children) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure to which the folding joint 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied. It can be understood that the folding joint 100 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited to being applied to the child carrier 900. The child carrier 900 in the embodiment of the present disclosure is described as, for example, a baby stroller for children, but the child carrier 900 may be, for example, other types of carriers such as a children's play yard or a children's hammock.

[0024] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the folding joint 100 may include a first holder body 1, a second holder body 2, a pivot 3, a locking member 4, and an elastic member 5. The first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 are rotatably connected via the pivot 3. The first holder body 1 may include or be connected to a first arm 19, and the second holder body 2 may include or be connected to a second arm 29. The locking member 4 may be configured to lock relative rotation between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2, or to release the rotation restriction between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2, thereby allowing the first arm 19 and the second arm 29 to rotate relative to each other as needed or to maintain a certain rotation angle as needed. The elastic member 5 is configured to apply force to the locking member 4 so that the locking member 4 can be maintained in the locked position.

[0025] Referring to Figures 2, 4, and 5, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first holder body 1 may have a first housing cavity 10, and the first engaging portion 11 may be located within the first housing cavity 10. The first engaging portion 11 includes, for example, a first group of engaging teeth 111 and a second group of engaging teeth 112 that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In the present disclosure, the number of engaging teeth included in each of the first group of engaging teeth 111 and the second group of engaging teeth 112 is not limited. The end cover (if any) or end face of the first holder body 1 may be provided with a central hole 10c through which a pivot 3 can pass. The second holder body 2 has, for example, a second housing cavity 20 that may include a second engaging portion 21. The second engaging portion 21 includes, for example, a third group of engaging teeth 211 and a fourth group of engaging teeth 212 that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. In this disclosure, the number of engaging teeth included in each of the third engaging tooth group 211 and the fourth engaging tooth group 212 is not limited. The end cover (if any) or end face of the second holder body 2 may be provided with a central hole 20c through which the pivot 3 can pass. The first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 are rotatably connected by a pivot 3 passing through the central holes 10c and 20c, and the first housing cavity 10 and the second housing cavity 11 are connected to each other.

[0026] Referring to Figures 5, 7, and 9, it can be seen that the locking member 4 is installed in a space commonly defined by the first housing cavity 10 and the second housing cavity 11. Referring to Figure 2, for example, the locking member 4 has a central hole 40c, and the pivot 3 can pass through the central hole 40c. Referring to Figure 3, if the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 21 each have a toothed structure, the locking member 4 may also have a toothed structure accordingly. For example, the locking member 4 includes a first tooth group 421 and a second tooth group 422 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a first connecting portion 423 and a second connecting portion 424 facing each other in the radial direction and positioned between the first tooth group 421 and the second tooth group 422. The first tooth group 421 and the second tooth group 422 are configured to engage with the first engaging tooth group 111 and the second engaging tooth group 112, respectively, thereby preventing relative rotation between the locking member 4 and the first holder body 1, and the first tooth group 421 and the second tooth group 422 slide axially relative to the first engaging tooth group 111 and the second engaging tooth group 112. Furthermore, the first tooth group 421 and the second tooth group 422 are configured to selectively engage with the third engaging tooth group 211 and the fourth engaging tooth group 212, and the first tooth group 421 and the second tooth group 422 are axially slidable relative to the third engaging tooth group 211 and the fourth engaging tooth group 212.

[0027] The locking member 4 may have an unlocked position as shown in Figure 5, a first locked position as shown in Figure 7, and a second locked position as shown in Figure 9. The elastic member 5 is disposed within the first housing cavity 10 and is configured to apply an axial force to the locking member 4 in order to maintain the locking member 4 in the first locked position or the second locked position. The elastic member 5 may be, for example, a spring fitted onto the pivot 3.

[0028] Referring to Figure 5, when the locking member 4 is in the unlocked position, the elastic member 5 is compressed, the locking member 4 retracts into the first housing cavity 10, and the locking member 4 can engage only with the first engaging portion 11 while separated from the second engaging portion 21. Therefore, the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 can rotate relative to each other around the pivot 3 for the convenience of changing the positional relationship between the first arm 19 and the second arm 29.

[0029] Referring to Figure 7, when the locking member 4 is in the first locked position, the locking member 4 is driven by the elastic member 5 to partially protrude into the second housing cavity 20 and engage with both the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 21, thereby locking the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 in the first relative position. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the locking member 4 is in the first locked position, the axial engagement depth of the locking member 4 engaging with the first engaging portion 11 is defined as the third depth L3, and the axial engagement depth of the locking member 4 engaging with the second engaging portion 21 is defined as the first depth L1, and the third depth L3 may be substantially equal to or greater than the first depth L1.

[0030] Referring to Figure 9, when the locking member 4 is in the second locked position, the locking member 4 is driven by the elastic member 5 to partially protrude into the second housing cavity 20 and engage with both the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 21, thereby locking the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 in the second relative position. In some embodiments of this disclosure, when the locking member 4 is in the second locked position, the axial engagement depth of the locking member 4 engaging with the first engaging portion 11 is defined as a fourth depth L4, and the axial engagement depth of the locking member 4 engaging with the second engaging portion 21 is defined as a second depth L2, where the fourth depth L4 is much greater than the second depth L2. It should be noted that the second depth L2 is smaller than the first depth L1 described above. In some embodiments of this disclosure, the second depth L2 is configured to allow the second engaging portion 21 to slide against the locking member 4 when the torque applied to the second holder body 2 is greater than a predetermined value.

[0031] As described above, when the locking member 4 is in the first locked position, the engagement between the locking member 4 and the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 is relatively stable. In this state, if it is desired to change the relative position between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2, it is necessary to move the locking member 4 to the unlocked position so that the relative position between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 can be changed. When the locking member 4 is in the second locked position, the engagement between the locking member 4 and the second holder body 2 is weaker than the engagement between the locking member 4 and the first holder body 1. In this case, if it is necessary to change the relative position between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2, it is not necessary to move the locking member 4 to the unlocked position. Instead, sufficient torque can be directly applied to the first holder body 1 and / or the second holder body 2 to cause the second engaging portion 21 to slip relative to the locking member 4, and as a result, the second holder body 2 and the first holder body 1 can be rotated relative to each other. Furthermore, since the locking member 4 can change the relative position between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 without having to perform a prior unlocking operation of the locking member 4 when the locking member 4 is in the second locked position, the state transition operation of the folding joint is simplified.

[0032] In the example described above, the locking member 4 engaged with the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 21 by tooth engagement. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the locking member 4 may engage with the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 21 by other means. For example, the locking member 4 may engage with the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 21 by key engagement.

[0033] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a product including the folding joint 100 (e.g., a child carrier) can have a stable unfolded state and a relatively stable folded state. For example, when the product is in the unfolded state, this corresponds to the product's normal use state. When the product is in the folded state, it is suitable for easy carrying and storage. The first locked position of the locking member 4 can correspond to the product's unfolded state, and the second locked position of the locking member 4 can correspond to the product's folded state. Thus, when it is necessary to change the product to the folded state during use, it is necessary to operate the locking member 4 to enable the product to be folded, thereby effectively preventing undesirable consequences caused by accidental folding of the product. When the product is in the folded state, the user can quickly change the product from the folded state to the unfolded state by applying force to the first arm 19 and / or the second arm 29 and pulling, without additional operation of the locking member 4, thereby simplifying the operation of the product from the folded state to the unfolded state.

[0034] Refer to Figures 2 to 4. A solution is provided for maintaining the locking member 4 in a first or second locking position. For example, the second housing cavity 20 may have at least one pressing portion 22, and the locking member 4 may have at least one interference avoidance portion 41 corresponding to at least one pressing portion 22. When the locking member 4 is in the first locking position, the relative positions of the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 satisfy the following condition: the pressing portion 22 cooperates with the interference avoidance portion 41 to allow the axial engagement depth of the locking member 4 engaging with the second engagement portion 21 to reach a first depth L1. On the other hand, the interference avoidance portion 41 provides the pressing portion 22 with axially movable space so as not to receive axial resistance from the pressing portion 22 while the locking member 4 is driven by the elastic member 5 and protrudes into the second housing cavity 20. When the locking member 4 is in the second locking position, in order for the second holder body 2 and the first holder body 1 to rotate relative to each other, the relative positions of the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 only need to satisfy the following condition: the interference avoidance portion 41 and the pressing portion 22 are offset in the circumferential direction. While the locking member 4 is driven by the elastic member 5 and protrudes into the second housing cavity 20, the pressing portion 22 presses the end face of the locking member 4 to restrict the locking member 4 from protruding further into the second housing cavity 20, thereby limiting the axial engagement depth of the locking member 4 that engages with the second engagement portion 21 to the second depth L2.

[0035] It should be understood that there may be various embodiments with different numbers and / or shapes of the pressing portions 22 and interference avoidance portions 41. In some embodiments of this disclosure, at least two pressing portions 22 may be provided in the second housing cavity 20, spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction. When the locking member 4 is in the second locked position, at least two pressing portions 22 can support the locking member 4 in a more balanced manner.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3, 4, 6, and 9, at least one interference avoidance portion 41 may include a first interference avoidance portion 411 provided on the first connection portion 423, the first interference avoidance portion 411 may be, for example, a flat portion formed on the first connection portion 423. At least one pressing portion 22 may include a first pressing portion 221, the first pressing portion 221 may include, for example, at least one projection extending axially from the bottom wall 201 of the second housing cavity 20. In this embodiment, the first pressing portion 221 includes, for example, two adjacent tooth-like projections. In addition, at least one interference avoidance portion 41 may further include, for example, a second interference avoidance portion 412 formed on at least one circumferential end of the second connection portion 424. The second interference avoidance portion 412 may be, for example, a tooth groove. Furthermore, at least one pressing portion 22 may include a second pressing portion 222, which may be a convex tooth adjacent to the third engaging tooth group 211 and / or the fourth engaging tooth group 212.

[0037] Referring to Figure 6, when the locking member 4 is in the first locked position, the first pressing portion 221 and the second pressing portion 222 cooperate with the first interference avoidance portion 411 and the second interference avoidance portion 412, respectively. Specifically, the first pressing portion 221 is in the space secured by the first interference avoidance portion 411, and the second pressing portion 222 is in the space secured by the second interference avoidance portion 412, and the first pressing portion 221 and the second pressing portion 222 do not exert force on the locking member 4. In addition, the first engaging tooth group 111 and the third engaging tooth group 211 are engaged with the first tooth group 421. The second engaging tooth group 112 and the fourth engaging tooth group 212 are engaged with the second tooth group 422. As shown in Figure 7, the locking member 4 moves from the first housing cavity 10 to the second housing cavity 20 under the restoring force of the elastic member 5, and the engagement depth between the locking member 4 and the second engagement portion 21 becomes the first depth L1.

[0038] Referring to Figures 3 and 8, when the locking member 4 is in the second locking position, the first pressing portion 221 presses the end face 4a of the second connecting portion 424, and the second pressing portion 222 presses the end face 4b of the first connecting portion 423. Furthermore, the first engaging tooth group 111 and the fourth engaging tooth group 212 engage with the first tooth group 421, and the second engaging tooth group 112 and the third engaging tooth group 211 engage with the second tooth group 422. Referring to Figure 9, the engagement depth of the locking member 4 that engages with the second engaging portion 21 is restricted to a second depth L2 by the action of the elastic member 5, the first pressing portion 221, and the second pressing portion 222.

[0039] It should be noted that the embodiments of the pressing portion 22 and the interference avoidance portion 41 are not limited to the above-described examples, as long as the engagement depth of the locking member 4 that engages with the second engaging portion 21 in the second lock position is smaller than the engagement depth of the locking member 4 that engages with the second engaging portion 21 in the first lock position, and relative rotation between the first holder body 1 and the second holder body 2 can be achieved without additional operation of the locking member 4.

[0040] Referring to Figures 2, 5, 7, and 9, an embodiment for releasing the locking member 4 is also shown in this embodiment. The folding joint 100 may further include a release member 6 operably connected to the locking member 4 to drive the locking member 4 to move it to the released position. For example, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the release member 6 may be located within the second housing cavity 20, between the locking member 4 and the bottom wall 201 of the second housing cavity 20. The release member 6 may have a slot hole 60c into which the pivot 3 is fitted. Furthermore, the movement of the release member 6 is assisted by a guide structure and a pressing structure. In one embodiment, the guide structure and the pressing structure may be provided between the release member 6 and the bottom wall 201 of the second housing cavity 20. The guide structure is configured to guide the movement of the release member 6 radially perpendicular to the pivot 3, and the release member 6 can be moved radially, for example, by pulling a pull cable 7 connected to the release member 6. The pressing structure is configured such that when the release member 6 moves radially, it moves axially along the pivot 3, allowing the release member 6 to apply or not apply release pressure to the locking member 4.

[0041] Referring to Figures 2 and 4, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the guide structure may include two parallel guide sidewalls 202 and two parallel slide walls 61. The guide sidewalls 202 are formed in the second housing cavity 20, and the slide walls 61 are formed in the walls of the unlocking member 6 and are configured to slide engage with the two guide sidewalls 202, respectively, to guide the radial movement of the unlocking member 6.

[0042] Referring to Figures 2, 5, 7, and 9, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressing structure may include a pressing column 203 and a pressing surface 62. The pressing column 203 extends axially, for example, from the bottom wall 201 of the second housing cavity 20. The pressing surface 62 is formed on the unlocking member 6 and is configured to abut against the free end of the pressing column 203. In this way, when the unlocking member 6 is moved radially by pulling the tension cable 7, the unlocking member 6 may, through the cooperation of the pressing surface 62 and the pressing column 203, press the locking member 4 against the elastic force of the elastic member 5, switching the locking member 4 to the unlocked position. When the tension force of the tension cable 7 acting on the unlocking member 6 is released, the elastic member 5 applies force to the unlocking member 6 via the locking member 4, and the cooperation of the pressing surface 62 and the pressing column 203 returns the unlocking member 6 to its original position.

[0043] In other embodiments of this disclosure, the unlocking member 6 may have a different structure or mechanism, as long as it does not affect the locking of the locking member 4, and it should be understood that such other embodiments are not illustrated in detail herein. Furthermore, solutions for unlocking the locking member 4 by operating the unlocking member 6 via a pull cable 7 are also included in the prior art, and their details are omitted.

[0044] Referring to Figures 10 and 11, a child carrier 900 provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. The child carrier 900 may be, for example, a stroller, the stroller frame of which includes a first tube 91 and a second tube 92. The first tube 91 may be, for example, a lower support tube, and the second tube 92 may be, for example, a handle tube. The first tube 91 and the second tube 92 are connected by the folding joint 100 described above. The first tube 91 is connected to a first holder body 1, and the second tube 92 is connected to a second holder body 2. More specifically, the first tube 91 may be fitted onto a first arm 19, and the second tube 92 may be fitted onto a second arm 29. An operating member 90 may also be provided on the second tube 92, allowing the user to press the operating member 90 to release the locking member 4. For example, in some embodiments of this disclosure, when a user presses the operating member 90, the pull cable 7 may be pulled and the locking member 4 may be released by the unlocking member 6.

[0045] As described above, as shown in Figure 10, when the stroller is unfolded, the locking member 4 is in the first locking position, making it difficult for the stroller to be accidentally folded by external force. After the user presses the operating member 90 to release the locking member 4, the stroller can be folded into the folded state, as shown in Figure 11. In this state, the locking member 4 is in the second locking position, making it convenient for storing and transporting the stroller. If the stroller needs to be unfolded again, the user can pull the handle tube directly without pressing the operating member 90, conveniently opening the stroller frame.

[0046] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the pressing portion 22 of the folding joint 100 applied to a child stroller is, for example, 0.6 mm to 1 mm lower than the third engaging tooth group 211 and the fourth engaging tooth group 212. Therefore, the second depth L2 is in the range of 0.6 mm to 1 mm. Thus, when the locking member 4 is in the second locked position, the engagement between the locking member 4 and the second holder body 2 not only prevents the stroller frame from being accidentally unfolded, but also ensures that the stroller frame can be directly unfolded when subjected to a large torque.

[0047] The technical features in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way. For the sake of simplification, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the embodiments described above are described. However, these combinations of technical features should be considered within the scope of this specification as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0048] The embodiments described above are only a few embodiments of the present disclosure, and while the description is more specific and detailed, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art should note that various modifications and alterations can be made without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and all of these fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0049] 100 Folding Joints 1. First holder body 10. First containment cavity 10c center hole 11 First engagement part 111 First engaging tooth group 112 Second engaging tooth group 19. First Arm 2. Second holder body 20 Second containment cavity 20c center hole 201 Bottom wall 202 Guide side wall 203 Pressure column 21 Second engaging part 211 Third engaging tooth group 212 Fourth Engaging Tooth Group 22 Pressing part 221 First pressing section 222 Second pressing section 29. Second Arm 3 Axis 4 Locking member 4a End face 4b End face 40c center hole 41 Interference avoidance section 411 First Interference Avoidance Unit 412 Second Interference Avoidance Unit 421 First tooth group 422 Second tooth group 423 First connection section 424 Second connection section 5 Elastic members 6. Lock release member 60c slot hole 61 Sliding Wall 62 Pressing surface 7. Pull Cable 900 Child Carrier 90 Operating member 91 Tube 1 92 Second Tube L1 First Depth L2 Second Depth L3, 3rd depth L4, 4th depth

Claims

1. A first holder body (1) having a first housing cavity (10), the first housing cavity (10) having a first engaging portion (11) inside, A second holder body (2) is rotatably connected to the first holder body (1) via a pivot (3), and has a second housing cavity (20), the second housing cavity (20) having a second engaging portion (21) inside, A locking member (4) is installed in the space defined by the first housing cavity (10) and the second housing cavity (20), and has an unlocked position, a first locked position and a second locked position. An elastic member (5) is disposed within the first housing cavity (10) and applies axial force to the locking member (4). Equipped with, When the locking member (4) is in the unlocked position, the locking member (4) retracts into the first housing cavity (10) so as to move away from the second engaging portion (21) and engages with the first engaging portion (11), thereby enabling relative rotation between the first holder body (1) and the second holder body (2) about the pivot (3). When the locking member (4) is in the first locking position or the second locking position, the locking member (4) is driven by the elastic member (5) to partially protrude into the second housing cavity (20) and engage simultaneously with the first engaging portion (11) and the second engaging portion (21), so that the first holder body (1) and the second holder body (2) are locked in the first relative position or the second relative position. A folding joint (100) wherein the axial engagement depth of the locking member (4) that engages with the second engagement portion (21) in the first locked position is defined as the first depth (L1), and the axial engagement depth of the locking member (4) that engages with the second engagement portion (21) in the second locked position is defined as the second depth (L2), and the second depth (L2) is smaller than the first depth (L1).

2. The folding joint (100) according to claim 1, wherein when the locking member (4) is in the second locking position, the axial engagement depth of the locking member (4) that engages with the first engaging portion (21) is a fourth depth (L4), and the fourth depth (L4) is greater than the second depth (L2).

3. The folding joint (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second depth (L2) is configured to allow the second engaging portion (21) to slide against the locking member (4) when the torque applied to the second holder body (2) is greater than a predetermined value.

4. The second housing cavity (20) has at least one pressing portion (22) inside, The locking member (4) is provided with at least one interference avoidance portion (41), When the locking member (4) is in the first locked position, the at least one pressing portion (22) cooperates with the at least one interference avoidance portion (41) such that the axial engagement depth of the locking member (4) that engages with the second engaging portion (21) becomes the first depth. When the locking member (4) is in the second locking position, the at least one pressing portion (22) is pressed against the end faces (4a, 4b) of the locking member (4) to limit the axial engagement depth of the locking member (4) that engages with the second engagement portion (21) to the second depth (L2), as described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The folding joint (100) according to claim 4, wherein the second housing cavity (20) comprises at least two pressing portions (221, 222) that are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction.

6. The locking member (4) is fitted onto the pivot (3), and the locking member (4) comprises a first tooth group (421) and a second tooth group (422) arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a first connecting portion (423) and a second connecting portion (424) facing each other in the radial direction and positioned between the first tooth group (421) and the second tooth group (422), and the first engaging portion (11) and the second engaging portion (21) each include a plurality of engaging teeth (111, 112, 211, 212) for engaging with the first tooth group (421) and the second tooth group (422), The folding joint (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one interference avoidance portion (41) includes a first interference avoidance portion (411) provided on the first connection portion (423), and the at least one pressing portion (22) includes a first pressing portion (221) that cooperates with the first interference avoidance portion (411) when the locking member (4) is in the first locked position and is pressed against the end face (4a) of the second connection portion (424) when the locking member (4) is in the second locked position.

7. The folding joint (100) according to claim 6, wherein the first interference avoidance portion (411) is a flat portion formed on the first connection portion (423), and the first pressing portion (221) includes at least one projection extending axially from the bottom wall (201) of the second housing cavity (20).

8. The folding joint (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one interference avoidance portion (41) further comprises a second interference avoidance portion (412) disposed at at least one circumferential end of the second connection portion (424), and the at least one pressing portion (22) further comprises a second pressing portion (222) which cooperates with the second interference avoidance portion (412) when the locking member (4) is in the first locked position and is pressed against the end face (4b) of the first connection portion (423) when the locking member (4) is in the second locked position.

9. The folding joint (100) according to claim 8, wherein the second interference avoidance portion (412) is formed as a tooth groove, and the second pressing portion (222) is formed as a convex tooth.

10. The folding joint (100) according to claim 4, further comprising a release member (6) operably connected to the locking member (4) and driving the locking member (4) to switch to the unlocked position.

11. The unlocking member (6) is positioned between the locking member (4) and the bottom wall (201) of the second housing cavity (20), and the unlocking member (6) has a slot hole (60c) into which the pivot (3) is fitted. The folding joint (100) according to claim 10, wherein the guide structure (61, 202) and the pressing structure (62, 203) are arranged between the unlocking member (6) and the bottom wall (201) of the second housing cavity (20), the guide structure is configured to guide the movement of the unlocking member (6) in the radial direction perpendicular to the pivot (3), and the pressing structure is configured to move the unlocking member (6) in the axial direction of the pivot (3) when the unlocking member (6) moves in the radial direction.

12. The folding joint (100) according to claim 11, further comprising a pull cable (7) connected to the unlocking member (6) for pulling the unlocking member (6) and moving it radially.

13. The pressing structure includes a pressing column (203) extending axially from the bottom wall (201) of the second housing cavity (20), A pressing surface (62) is formed on the unlocking member (6) and is configured to contact the free end of the pressing column (203). The folding joint (100) according to claim 11 or 12, comprising:

14. The stroller frame includes a first tube (91) and a second tube (92), A child carrier (900) in which the first tube (91) and the second tube (92) are connected by a folding joint (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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