Bicycle Folder Self-Locking Mechanism for Accidental Release Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle folders with complex handle locking mechanisms are prone to misalignment and accidental unlocking due to their intricate structures, leading to potential safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking device featuring a quick release handle with a locking buckle and a locking tongue, including a position limit handle, torsion spring, and weight block, which simplifies the locking mechanism and enhances safety by utilizing a lever principle to maintain the locking position through gravity and torsion force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex handle locking mechanism is used, then the locking function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and prone to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from the complex four-link adjustment mechanism by introducing a separate locking tongue component that independently engages with the locking buckle. This simplifies the overall structure by removing unnecessary intermediate linkage components while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the locking tongue with position limit handle, the locking buckle on the quick release handle, and the torsion spring. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the complexity of the overall system by eliminating the need for a complex four-link mechanism.
2Reliability
If a complex handle locking mechanism is used, then the locking function is achieved, but misalignment and accidental unlocking occur
Solution Approach 1:
The locking tongue is designed to automatically align itself with the locking buckle through its geometric shape and the clearance between the position limit handle and bicycle tube. The inclined surface of the locking tongue guides it into proper alignment as it engages with the locking buckle, eliminating the need for high manufacturing precision and complex adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a clearance parameter between the position limit handle and the bicycle tube, which allows the locking tongue to flex and adjust its position. This parameter change enables the locking mechanism to accommodate variations in manufacturing tolerances and maintain reliable engagement without requiring high alignment precision.
3Device complexity
If a simple locking mechanism is used, then the structure is simplified, but the locking force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The torsion spring acts as an intermediary element that provides additional locking force. When the locking tongue engages with the locking buckle, the torsion spring is compressed and stores elastic energy, which then exerts a continuous force to maintain the locked position. This intermediary component boosts the locking force without significantly increasing the overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The position limit handle is designed with a curved ruler-shaped geometry that allows it to revolve around the handle shaft. This curved design, combined with the inclined surface, creates a mechanical advantage that amplifies the locking force when the locking tongue engages with the locking buckle, enabling a simple structure to generate sufficient holding force.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The self-locking device reduces the precision requirements of the locking mechanism, prevents accidental unlocking, and increases the locking force, thereby enhancing safety and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
The locking tongue further includes a torsion spring which is mounted in the position limit handle, wherein the position limit handle and the torsion spring are fixed onto the bicycle tube by the handle shaft
Implementation Method 2
a second end of the position limit handle is a weight block which can make the first end of the position limit handle contacting with the locking buckle always maintain an upwards state by the gravity force
Implementation Method 3
a first end of said position limit handle which contacts with the locking buckle is an inclined surface, when locking tightly, the locking buckle can press down the position limit handle by the inclined surface and then enter into the clearance between the position limit handle and bicycle tube
Implementation Method 4
The handle shaft is close to the locking buckle, when the bicycle folder is closed, and an arm of force of the second end of the locking tongue, where the weight block is provided, is relatively long. Thus, based on lever principle, if there is a want to open the folder, it is merely needed to rise the second end of the position limit handle where the weight block is provided, thereby opening the folder easily.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bicycle folder with a self-locking device, which can lock the handle of the folder, consists of front and rear folding leaves of the folder and a quick release handle. The quick release handle is mounted on the front folding leaf of the folder, and tightly locked on the front and rear folding leaves of the folded folder after they are folded. A locking buckle is provided on said quick release handle, and a locking tongue is provided on a bicycle tube. The locking tongue is locked in the locking buckle of the quick release handle which can tightly lock the folder. Said locking tongue is composed of a position limit handle and a handle shaft, and has a certain clearance from the bicycle tube. The present invention can reduce structure precision requirements of a four-link adjustment mechanism or other adjustment means in the quick release handle, avoid the unexpected trigger of the handle, and prevent the accidents of the releasing of the handle and the loosening of the folder. By the cooperation between the inclined surface and the weight block of the position limit handle, a self-locking function is easy to realize. A locking force is then increased under the torsion action of a torsion spring, thus enabling the self-locking structure to be safer.