Collapsible Electric Vehicle Frame Lock Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible electric vehicles fail to achieve a balance between good collapsibility, safety structural configuration, and simple folding/unfolding operations, leading to safety concerns and user inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible electric vehicle design featuring a vehicle frame that can be securely locked in both expanded and collapsed states using dual power switches and a vehicle frame lock mechanism, ensuring safety and ease of use by preventing unintentional power supply and providing a rigid support structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to secure the frame in expanded state, then safety structural configuration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking function with the existing frame structure by integrating the lock mechanism into the frame itself. The lock is formed as part of the frame structure, merging the support function and locking function into a single integrated component, thereby improving safety without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is designed to automatically lock when in the expanded state through its own geometric configuration. The lock mechanism utilizes the natural positioning of frame members when assembled, allowing the structure to self-lock without requiring additional active components or complex control systems
2Ease of operation
If the lock operating end protrudes outward for easy release, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to accidental actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The operating end of the lock is nested within a recess or cavity in the frame structure rather than protruding outward. This allows the user to access and operate the lock from the interior side of the frame, protecting it from accidental activation by external forces while maintaining ease of deliberate operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is designed with a protective configuration that prevents unintended activation. The operating end is positioned and protected such that normal use conditions cannot accidentally trigger the release, while still allowing intentional operation when needed
3Ease of operation
If the frame is made collapsible for easy transportation, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates during use
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to transition between collapsed and expanded states. When expanded, the frame members are positioned to provide rigid geometric stability for support during use, while the same members can be easily collapsed for transportation. The stability is achieved through the geometric configuration and locking mechanism that maintains the expanded state rigidity
Data Source
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AI summary
A collapsible electric vehicle includes a front vehicle member, a vehicle frame pivotally coupled to the front vehicle member, a seat disposed at the vehicle frame, a power supply, a set of wheels disposed at the front vehicle member and the vehicle frame respectively, and a drive motor eclectically connected to the power supply. The drive motor is connected to at least one of the wheels to drive the wheel to rotate. The collapsible electric vehicle has an expanded state and a collapsed state. In the expanded state, a first supporting frame is expanded and maintained upright to support the seat to be at a suitable position while the front vehicle member is expanded to be positioned apart from the vehicle frame. In the collapsed state, the first supporting frame is collapsed to a main frame, and the front vehicle member is collapsed to the first supporting frame.