Balance Bike Frame Layout With Adjustable Offset Connecting Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing draisines lack design flexibility and efficiency in adjusting the distance between the seat tube and the steering unit, leading to limitations in comfort and maneuverability.

Innovation Solution

The draisine design features a connecting tube with a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the rear wheel's axis of rotation, allowing the seat tube and steering unit to be offset and adjustable in length, with telescopic and foldable options, enabling various driving positions and compact storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the connecting tube is arranged offset laterally to the seat tube (conventional design), then the structure is simple, but design freedom is limited due to required recesses or passages at connection points

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign freedomVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tube's longitudinal axis is arranged in a plane of symmetry of the rear wheel that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rear wheel, representing a dimensional reorientation from conventional lateral offset. This spatial reconfiguration eliminates the need for recesses or passages at connection points, thereby increasing design freedom without proportionally increasing structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the distance between seat tube and steering unit is fixed, then the structure is simple, but comfort and maneuverability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort and maneuverabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tube incorporates telescopic adjustment capability, allowing the distance between the seat tube and steering unit to be dynamically changed. This enables the frame to adapt to different riding positions and rider preferences, improving comfort and maneuverability while maintaining relatively simple structural implementation through telescopic mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the connecting tube is made telescopic and adjustable, then adjustment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoidtube structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting tube employs telescopic sections that can be adjusted to different lengths and locked in position, providing continuous or stepped adjustment flexibility. This dynamic structure allows the tube to adapt to various configuration requirements while the telescopic design itself remains a relatively simple mechanical solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting tube is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can slide relative to each other, with each section contributing to the overall adjustability. This segmentation allows for compact storage when collapsed and extended configuration when needed, providing high adaptability without requiring an entirely complex mechanical system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4506238B1Balance bike
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HINZ UWE
  • EP4506238B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4506238B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3(b)
  • EP4506238B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

The invention relates to a draisine (1; 1a), in particular a running wheel, comprising a straight seat tube (2), a steering unit (3), and a tube (4; 4a) for connecting the seat tube (2) and the steering unit (3). According to the invention, the seat tube (2) and the connecting tube (4; 4a) are arranged offset from one another. In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting tube (4; 4a) is removable. Advantageously, the connecting tube (4) is provided to be adjustable in length, in particular telescopically. In one embodiment of the invention, the position of the seat tube (2) and/or the steering unit (3) can be changed along the connecting tube (4; 4a).