Connecting structure and stroller

Abstract

To achieve a relative rotation of a pipe part at a relatively large angle without significantly changing a process of a cable.SOLUTION: A connection structure is used to connect a first member with a second member, and the first member and the second member are pivoted to each other to rotate around a rotational axial center relative to each other. The connection structure includes: a first joint member permanently connected to the first member; and a second joint member permanently connected to the second member and connected to the first joint member so as to rotate around the rotational axial center. The second joint member includes: a rotational surface substantially vertical to the rotational axial center; and a first position restriction part and a second position restriction part respectively projecting along a parallel direction to the rotational axial center from the rotational surface and positioned on both sides of the rotational axial center. The connection structure further includes at least one transmission member, which extends into the first member and the second member to be projected and penetrates through the connection structure from between the first position restriction part and the second position restriction part, thereby flexibly bending according to the rotation between the first member and the second member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present application relates to a connecting structure and a stroller having the connecting structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A stroller is a common vehicle, which generally has a running member such as a wheel, a seat member for a baby to sit on, and an armrest member for supporting the thrust of an adult. In some strollers, the armrest member of the stroller is divided into a plurality of foldable or relatively rotatable tube sections, thereby providing a folding function for the stroller or facilitating the operation of the stroller by an adult. A connecting structure is provided at the connecting section of these foldable or relatively rotatable tube sections.

[0003] At the same time, the armrest member of the stroller is provided with an operating member, which is used to control, for example, the running, turning, or braking of the stroller, and for this purpose, a cable for transmitting the operating driving force passes through the tubular portion of the armrest member.

[0004] One problem that arises from this is that the connection structure can affect the function of the cable. For example, in the conventional connection structure shown in Figure 4, the cable detours around the fixed-diameter rotating shaft of the connection structure, in an arc along the outer surface of one of the rotating shafts. Typically, the cable detours around approximately half of the rotating shaft. However, when the two tubes connected by the connection structure rotate relative to each other, the angle of the arc through which the cable detours around the rotating shaft changes accordingly, resulting in a change in the cable's travel (or trajectory) in the connection structure. If the two tubes connected by the connection structure rotate through a large angle, this can have a significant impact on the cable's travel. For example, the cable may be pulled too tightly or too loose, which will cause the cable's tension to change accordingly and make it difficult to reliably transmit the operating drive force.

[0005] 4 shows a prior art connecting structure 500, in which a transmission member 540 needs to bypass the central portion of the connecting structure 100 in one semicircular stroke. Thus, when the upper section of the armrest member rotates, the bypass stroke of the transmission member 540 changes correspondingly, thereby causing a change in the tension of the transmission member 540, which is detrimental to the user's operation.

[0006] Therefore, in order to ensure the desired operability of the cable, it is necessary to propose a new connecting structure that allows the two tube sections to rotate relatively at a relatively large angle without significantly changing the cable's travel. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention provides a connecting structure for connecting a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member being pivotally connected to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis. The connecting structure includes a first coupling member fixedly connected to the first member and a second coupling member fixedly connected to the second member and rotatably connected to the first coupling member about the rotation axis. The second coupling member includes a rotation surface substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis and first and second position limiting portions protruding from the rotation surface along a direction parallel to the rotation axis, the first and second position limiting portions being located on opposite sides of the rotation axis. The connecting structure further includes at least one transmission member extending through the first and second members and passing through the connecting structure between the first and second position limiting portions, thereby being bendable in response to rotation between the first and second members.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first coupling member and the second coupling member overlap along the rotation axis direction, and the first position limiting portion and the second position limiting portion protrude in a direction away from the first coupling member.

[0009] In one embodiment, the connecting structure further includes a cover, which is externally covered by the second coupling member such that the second coupling member is located between the cover and the first coupling member, and the cover covers the first position limiting member and the second position limiting member, and has a passage formed in it through which the second coupling member, the first position limiting member, and the second position limiting member are inserted together with the transmission member.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first coupling member and / or the second coupling member is a disk-shaped member, and the center of the disk is on the rotation axis.

[0011] In one embodiment, the connecting line between the first position limiting portion and the second position limiting portion is substantially perpendicular to the extension direction of the transmission member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the exterior of the transmission member is covered with a transmission member sleeve, and the transmission member sleeve does not essentially slide within the coupling structure, but the transmission member can slide within the transmission member sleeve.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first position limiting portion and the second position limiting portion each have a columnar shape protruding from the rotation surface, and have a first rib and a second rib extending at an angle from the side elevational surfaces of the first position limiting portion and the second position limiting portion, respectively, so as to approach each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, the first member and the second member are each a hollow tubular member, and the transmission member passes through the hollow interior of the first member and the second member.

[0015] In one embodiment, the at least one transmission member includes a drift transmission member and a folding transmission member.

[0016] The stroller of the present application includes a body frame, a seat attached to the body frame for a baby to sit on, wheels attached to the underside of the body frame, and an armrest member including vertical portions extending upward from both sides of the body frame and a horizontal portion connecting the two vertical portions above the body frame, each vertical portion of the armrest member being divided into two sections, and a connecting structure of the present application being connected between the two sections, one section being the first member and the other section being the second member, one end of the transmission member being connected to an operating device located on the horizontal portion and the other end of the transmission member being connected to an operating device, so as to transmit the operating driving force of the operating device to the operating device.

[0017] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a stroller according to the present application. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a stroller according to the present application, in which the first and second tube portions of the armrest form a first angle. [Figure 3] 10 is a side view of the stroller according to the present application, in which the first tube portion and the second tube portion of the armrest form a second angle. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a partially sectional perspective view showing the armrest connection structure of a stroller according to the prior art. [Figure 5] 1 is a front view showing a connection structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view corresponding to FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view of the coupling structure of the present application, with the cover removed to show the internal structure, and the first and second tubes forming a first angle; [Figure 8] 1 is a side view of the coupling structure of the present application, with the cover removed to show the internal structure, and the first and second tubes forming a second angle; FIG. [Figure 9]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a connection structure according to the present application. [Figure 10] 1 shows an armrest member of a stroller according to the present application, in which the connecting structure according to the present application is attached between two tube portions of the armrest. [Figure 11] 10 is another embodiment showing an armrest member of a stroller according to the present application, to which the connecting structure according to the second embodiment of the present application is attached. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a connection structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Although the invention is described and illustrated herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not limited to the details shown. In particular, various changes may be made to these details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims without departing from the invention.

[0020] Directional descriptions such as "front," "rear," "upper," and "lower" in this specification are for ease of understanding only, and the present invention is not limited to these directions and can be adjusted according to actual circumstances. Although the present application has been enumerated and described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the terms used are for explanation and illustration only, and not for limitation.

[0021] First, referring to Figures 1 to 3, a stroller according to the present application is shown in its entirety. As shown in the figures, the stroller includes a body frame, a seat, wheels, and armrest members. The seat is attached to the body frame and is used for a baby to sit on. The wheels are attached below the body frame to provide a propulsion function. The armrest members are attached above the body frame and include vertical portions extending upward from both sides of the body frame, and horizontal portions connecting the two vertical portions above the body frame.

[0022] In this embodiment, the armrest member is bendable. That is, each vertical portion of the armrest member is divided into two sections, one section (the lower section) is connected to the vehicle frame, and the other section (the upper section) is rotatable about a lateral axis relative to the lower section. The lateral portion is connected to the upper section. In this way, rotation of the upper section provides the function of changing the height of the lateral portion and the function of folding the armrest member. A connecting structure 100 according to the present application is provided between the upper section and the lower section.

[0023] To allow the user to easily operate the stroller, the armrest members (e.g., on the lateral portions) are provided with operating devices, such as a first operating device 310 and a second operating device 320 (see FIG. 10 ). These operating devices are installed on the armrest members in the form of, for example, wrenches. A user pulls the first operating device 310 and the second operating device 320 to drive the corresponding transmission members 140, 150 inside the armrest members, and the other ends of the transmission members 140, 150 pass through the armrest members and are connected to the operating devices of the stroller (e.g., brakes, body frame folding devices, and wheel steering devices), thereby transmitting the operating driving force of the first operating device 310 and the second operating device 320 to the corresponding operating devices. The transmission members 140, 150 may be flexible transmission members, such as cables or steel wires.

[0024] The design of the connecting structure 100 of the present application allows the upper section of the armrest member to rotate without interfering with the transmission members 140, 150 therein. In particular, when the upper section rotates to a different position, the travel of the transmission members 140, 150 in the connecting structure 100 does not change obviously.

[0025] Next, the connecting structure 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0026] As shown in the figures, the connection structure 100 of the present application includes a first joint member 110, a second joint member 120, and a cover member 130. The first joint member 110 and the second joint member 120 are used to connect to a first member 300 and a second member 400 (FIG. 1), respectively. In this embodiment, the first member 300 and the second member 400 are upper and lower sections, respectively; however, in other embodiments, the upper and lower sections may be interchangeable. In other embodiments, the connection structure 100 may be used with a member other than an armrest member, and the first joint member 110 and the second joint member 120 may be connected to two relatively rotating sections of the member.

[0027] The first and second coupling members 110, 120 are pivotally connected to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis X. The first and second coupling members 110, 120 may be pivotally connected by a pivot shaft, an arcuate slider-slide rail arrangement, or any other suitable form. As described below, any pivotal connection of the first and second coupling members 110, 120 does not interfere with the transmission members 140, 150.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first coupling part 110 and the second coupling part 120 are both disk-shaped parts, and the centers of the disks are both on the axis of rotation X. However, this is not required, and the first coupling part 110 and the second coupling part 120 may be rectangular, tubular, or have other geometric shapes as desired.

[0029] 7, the second joint part 120 has a rotation surface 121, a first position limiting portion 122, and a second position limiting portion 123. Here, the rotation surface 121 is approximately perpendicular to the rotation axis X, and the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 each protrude from the rotation surface 121 along a direction parallel to the rotation axis X. The first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 are located on both sides of the rotation axis X. In one embodiment, the rotation surface 121 is located on one side of the second joint part 120 that is away from the first joint part 110.

[0030] The transmission members 140 , 150 pass through the coupling structure 100 between the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 , so that they can bend in response to rotation between the first member 300 and the second member 400 .

[0031] In an embodiment of the present application, multiple transmission members 140, 150 may be provided, such as drift transmission members 140, 150 and folding transmission members 140, 150. Both ends of each transmission member 140, 150 are respectively connected to different operating devices and different actuating devices of the stroller. For example, one transmission member 140, 150 is connected to a first operating device 310 (see FIG. 10) and a first actuating device, and the other transmission member 140, 150 is connected to a second operating device 320 (see FIG. 10) and a second actuating device. In one embodiment, the first actuating device is a steering structure connected to the wheel, i.e., the wheel can be steered or unlocked by operating the first operating device, and the transmission member connected thereto is a drift transmission member. In one embodiment, the second actuator is a body frame folding joint structure, and the second operating device can unlock the body frame folding joint, thereby realizing folding of the body frame, and the transmission member connected thereto is the folding transmission member. It should be understood that the above-mentioned first actuator and second actuator are merely examples, and the present application is not limited to a specific type of actuator.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, the first joint member 110 and the second joint member 120 overlap along the rotation axis X, and the first and second position limiting portions 122, 123 protrude away from the first joint member 110. Thus, the transmission members 140, 150 extend along the surface of the second joint member 120 that faces away from the first joint member 110 and penetrate the connecting structure 100. Therefore, if a pivot structure (e.g., a rotating shaft or an arc-shaped slider-slide rail structure) is provided between the first and second joint members 110, the transmission members 140, 150 do not pass through the space occupied by the pivot structure and do not need to bypass the pivot structure. In this embodiment, the space between the first and second position limiting portions 122, 123 of the second joint member 120 may be empty, thereby allowing the transmission members 140, 150 to pivot between the first and second position limiting portions 122, 123. In another embodiment, the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 may protrude from the rotation surface 121 of the second joint member 120 toward the first joint member (110). In such a structure, the pivot structure between the first joint member 110 and the second joint member 120 is installed so as not to occupy the space between the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123, for example, an arc-shaped slider-slide rail structure outside the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123.

[0033] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting line between the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 is approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the transmission members 140, 150. That is, the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the transmission members 140, 150. In other embodiments, the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 may be asymmetrically distributed on both sides of the transmission members 140, 150.

[0034] 7 and 8, the operation of the coupling structure 100 according to the present application will now be described.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 7, the first member 300 and the second member 400 form a first angle (Fig. 2), i.e., they are substantially on the same line. At this time, the transmission members 140, 150 pass through the connecting structure 100 between the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123. In Fig. 8, the first member 300 and the second member 400 form a second angle, i.e., a bent structure is formed between them. At this time, the transmission members 140, 150 are restricted by the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123 so as not to deviate from the rotation axis X or bypass the pivot structure. It should be understood that when the transmission members 140, 150 deviate from the rotation axis X, the travel of the transmission members 140, 150 within the connection structure 100 decreases, and when the transmission members 140, 150 bypass the pivot structure, the travel of the transmission members 140, 150 within the connection structure 100 increases. However, based on the connection structure 100 of the present application, when the first member 300 and the second member 400 rotate relative to each other, the travel of the transmission members 140, 150 within the connection structure 100 does not essentially change.

[0036] 9, the cover 130 of the connection structure 100 is shown. The cover 130 is externally attached to the second coupling member 120 such that the second coupling member 120 is positioned between the cover 130 and the first coupling member 110. The cover 130 covers the first position limiting portion 122 and the second position limiting portion 123, and together with the second coupling member 120, the first position limiting portion 122, and the second position limiting portion 123, a passage is formed for the transmission members 140, 150 to be drilled through. It should be understood that the function of the cover 130 is to prevent the transmission members 140, 150, the first position limiting portion 122, and the second position limiting portion 123 from being exposed and to be used for external decoration of the connection structure 100. The cover 130 is not essential, and in some embodiments, the cover 130 may be omitted.

[0037] Referring now to Figure 10, a connecting structure 100 according to the present application is shown attached to an armrest member of a stroller. As shown, the connecting structure 100 is symmetrically attached to two longitudinal sections of the armrest member, and the order from inside to outside is the cover section 130, the second joint member 120, and the first joint member 110. Note that the order of attachment of the connecting structure 100 may be reversed, i.e., the order from inside to outside may be the first joint member 110, the second joint member 120, and the cover section 130. It should be understood that the transmission members 140, 150 may be disposed simultaneously on one or both longitudinal sections of the armrest member, and for simplicity of illustration, only one of the transmission members 140, 150 is shown in Figure 10.

[0038] Next, a second embodiment of a coupling structure 200 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, that is, it includes a first coupling member 210, a second coupling member 220, and a cover (not shown). The second coupling member 220 includes a rotation surface 221, a first position limiting portion 222, and a second position limiting portion 223.

[0039] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the second coupling member 220 further includes a first rib 224 and a second rib 225. The first rib 224 and the second rib 225 extend obliquely toward each other from the side elevational surfaces of the first position limiting portion 222 and the second position limiting portion 223, respectively, and pinch the transmission members 140, 150 like pliers.

[0040] Generally, the first embodiment is more suitable for transmission members 140, 150 with transmission member sleeves, i.e., the transmission member sleeves are coated on the exterior of the transmission members 140, 150, and the transmission member sleeves do not essentially slide within the connecting structure 100, but the transmission members 140, 150 can slide within the transmission member sleeves. The second embodiment is more suitable for situations without transmission member sleeves, i.e., the transmission members 140, 150 simply slide within the connecting structure 100. However, the first and second embodiments are not limited to situations with or without the transmission member sleeves.

[0041] As described above, the present application provides a novel coupling structure 100 that is used to couple two relatively rotatable members, allowing the transmission members 140, 150 to extend through the two members, and ensuring that the relative rotation of the two members does not essentially affect the stroke of the transmission members 140, 150 in the coupling structure 100.

[0042] Since the present application can be specifically implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and substance of the present application, the above embodiments are not limited to any of the above details, but should be interpreted most broadly within the scope limited by the claims, and therefore, it should be understood that all modifications that fall within the scope of the claims or their equivalents are included in the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 100 Connection structure (first embodiment) 110 First joint member 120 Second joint member 121 Surface of Revolution 122 First position limiting section 123 Second position limiting section 130 Lid 140, 150 Transmission member X rotation axis 200 Connection structure (second embodiment) 210 First joint member 220 Second joint member 221 Surface of Revolution 222 First position limiting section 223 Second position limiting section 224 First Rib 225 Second Rib 300 First member (e.g., upper section of armrest member) 310 First operating device 320 Second operating device 400 second member (e.g., lower section of armrest member) 500 Connected structure (conventional technology) 540 Transmission Members (Prior Art)

Claims

1. A coupling structure (100, 200) used to couple a first member (300) and a second member (400), wherein the first member (300) and the second member (400) are pivotally coupled to each other so that they can rotate relative to each other about a rotation axis (X), The coupling structure (100, 200) includes a first coupling member (110, 210), a second coupling member (120, 220), and at least one transmission member; the first coupling member (110, 210) is fixedly connected to the first member (300); the second coupling member (120, 220) is fixedly connected to the second member (400) and is connected to the first coupling member (110, 210) rotatably about the rotation axis (X); The second joint member (120, 220) is a rotation surface (121, 221) substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (X); a first position limiting portion (122, 222) and a second position limiting portion (123, 223) respectively protruding from the rotation surface (121, 221) along a direction parallel to the rotation axis (X), the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223) are located on both sides of the rotation axis (X), At least one of the transmission members is drilled to extend through the first member (300) and the second member (400), and passes through the connecting structure (100, 200) between the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223), so that it can bend in response to rotation between the first member (300) and the second member (400); The first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223) each have a columnar shape protruding from the rotation surface (121, 221), and have a first rib (224) and a second rib (225) that extend toward each other from the side elevational surfaces of the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223), respectively, and slidably sandwich the transmission member. A connecting structure characterized by:

2. A connecting structure (100, 200) used to connect a first member (300) and a second member (400), wherein the first member (300) and the second member (400) are pivotally connected to each other and can rotate relative to each other around a rotation axis (X), The coupling structure (100, 200) includes a first coupling member (110, 210), a second coupling member (120, 220), and at least one transmission member; the first coupling member (110, 210) is fixedly connected to the first member (300); the second coupling member (120, 220) is fixedly connected to the second member (400) and is connected to the first coupling member (110, 210) rotatably about the rotation axis (X); The second joint member (120, 220) is a rotation surface (121, 221) substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis (X); a first position limiting portion (122, 222) and a second position limiting portion (123, 223) respectively protruding from the rotation surface (121, 221) along a direction parallel to the rotation axis (X), the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223) are located on both sides of the rotation axis (X), At least one of the transmission members is drilled to extend through the first member (300) and the second member (400), and passes through the connecting structure (100, 200) between the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223), thereby allowing the transmission member to bend in response to rotation between the first member (300) and the second member (400), and the exterior of the transmission member is covered with a transmission member sleeve; The first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223) each have a columnar shape protruding from the rotation surface (121, 221), and have a first rib (224) and a second rib (225) extending toward each other from the side elevational surfaces of the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223), respectively, to sandwich the transmission member sleeve; The transmission member sleeve does not essentially slide within the coupling structure (100, 200), and the transmission member can slide within the transmission member sleeve. A connecting structure characterized by:

3. The first joint member (110, 210) and the second joint member (120, 220) overlap along the direction of the rotation axis (X), and the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223) protrude in a direction away from the first joint member (110, 210). A coupling structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The connecting structure (100, 200) further includes a cover portion (130), and the cover portion (130) covers the second coupling member (120, 220) from the outside so that the second coupling member (120, 220) is located between the cover portion (130) and the first coupling member (110, 210). The cover portion (130) covers the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223). A passage for the transmission member to be inserted is formed together with the second coupling member (120, 220), the first position limiting portion (122, 222), and the second position limiting portion (123, 223). A coupling structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The first joint member (110, 210) and / or the second joint member (120, 220) are disk-shaped members, and the center of the disk is on the rotation axis (X). A coupling structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The connecting line between the first position limiting portion (122, 222) and the second position limiting portion (123, 223) is approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the transmission member. A coupling structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The first member (300) and the second member (400) are hollow tubular members, and the transmission member passes through the hollow interiors of the first member (300) and the second member (400). A coupling structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2.

8. At least one of the transmission members includes a drift transmission member and a folding transmission member. A coupling structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A stroller, The body frame and a seat attached to the vehicle body frame for a baby to sit on; a wheel attached to a lower portion of the body frame; an armrest member including vertical portions extending upward from both sides of the body frame, and a horizontal portion connecting the two vertical portions above the body frame, The vertical portions of the armrest members are each divided into two sections, and the connecting structure (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2 is connected between the two sections, one section being the first member (300) and the other section being the second member (400), one end of the transmission member being connected to an operating device located in the horizontal portion, and the other end of the transmission member being connected to an actuating device, so that the operating driving force of the operating device is transmitted to the actuating device. A stroller characterized by:

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