Foldable Electric Vehicle With Spring Biased Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal mobility vehicles are bulky, making them difficult to store and transport due to lack of structural strength and efficient folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electric vehicle design featuring a front frame, handlebar unit, foot rests, hinges, links, and biasing members that allow for telescopic and rotational movements to facilitate compact folding, with a locking mechanism to secure the chair in an unfolded position and compress springs to enable easy folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vehicle structure is made bulky to ensure structural strength, then the vehicle can support operational loads, but the vehicle becomes difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into multiple foldable sections including the seat assembly, footrest assembly, and handlebar assembly. Each section can be independently folded along defined hinge lines, allowing the overall vehicle volume to be reduced while maintaining structural integrity through distributed support elements
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle structure incorporates movable hinges and pivot points that allow dynamic transformation between unfolded (operational) and folded (storage) states. The seat backrest, footrest, and handlebar can rotate and fold along predetermined paths, enabling compact configuration without compromising structural strength when deployed
2Volume of moving object
If conventional folding mechanisms are used to reduce vehicle size, then storage and transport become easier, but the folding process becomes difficult and the structure lacks strength
Solution Approach 1:
Spring-loaded locking mechanisms automatically engage when the vehicle reaches its folded position, and automatic unlocking occurs when initiating the folding process. The biasing members provide self-powered assistance during folding operations, reducing the manual effort required while ensuring secure locking during operation
Solution Approach 2:
Complex multi-stage folding operations are replaced by simple user inputs such as pressing a button to activate the unlocking mechanism or applying gentle pressure to initiate folding. The mechanical system uses cam followers, guide rails, and spring-loaded latches to automate the folding sequence, making the process intuitive and easy to operate
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is designed to be foldable for easy storage and transport, then mobility and storage flexibility improve, but the structural strength and stability during operation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the vehicle structure have different properties: the frame members are designed with high strength-to-weight ratio materials, hinge locations are reinforced with bearing plates and precision-machined surfaces, and locking mechanisms are positioned at critical load-bearing points. This localized strengthening ensures operational stability while maintaining overall foldability
Solution Approach 2:
The structure incorporates pre-engineered reinforcement elements at hinge locations and connection points that are activated during folding operations. Biasing members and spring-loaded dampers are pre-positioned to absorb impact forces and cushion transitions between folded and unfolded states, protecting the structure from damage while enabling flexible storage
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 design enhances storage and transportation by allowing for a more compact and structurally robust folding mechanism, addressing the bulkiness and difficulty of prior art by enabling easy and secure folding of the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member biasing against a rear end of the lock pin so that the lock pin is configured to moveably dispose in the rear hole or not; wherein a lifting of the front pivotal board causes the lock pin to clear the rear hole by moving rearward with the biasing member being compressed
Implementation Method 2
a moveable lock rod operatively connected to the transverse rod, and a biasing element put on an intermediate portion of the lock rod, the lock rod having a front end inserted into the hook to lock the chair in an unfolded position of the chair; wherein a pulling of the transverse rod causes the lock rod to clear the top hook by moving rearward with the biasing element being compressed
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable electric vehicle includes a front frame including two side mounts; a front foot rest including two mounting members and a rear hole; a rear foot rest including two mounting members, a front pivotal board, and a spring biased lock pin locked in the hole; a rear pedestal including two mount elements, two chair supports, and a top hook; hinges for connecting the front frame and the front foot rest, connecting the front foot rest and the rear foot rest, and the rear foot rest and the pedestal; two front links each pivotably secured to the side mount and the mounting member; two rear links each pivotably secured to the mount element and the mounting member; a chair including a transverse rod and a spring biased lock rod locked in the hook; and two sets of two pivotal bars pivotably connected to chair supports and the chair.