Foldable Electric Scooter Platform Tilting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric scooters are not fully suitable for the 'last kilometer' journey due to conflicting needs for a long and wide support platform and compact storage, with unbalanced mass distribution and a bulky design that makes them difficult to carry and store.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electric scooter design that tilts the platform to reduce width, accommodates the upright within the wheel space, and balances the battery and motor distribution, allowing for a compact, regular shape suitable for storage and improved ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the scooter uses a long and wide support platform to provide adequate user support, then the ergonomics and stability improve, but the compaction dimensions and storage suitability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is divided into two separate platforms that can move independently relative to each other. During compaction, one platform can be tilted or folded while the other remains stable, allowing the overall structure to reduce in width without compromising the support area when expanded. This segmentation enables the platform to provide adequate user support in expanded configuration while achieving compact dimensions for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The scooter employs a tilting mechanism that changes the spatial orientation of the platform from a horizontal extended position to a tilted or folded position during compaction. By utilizing the vertical dimension and angular movement, the platform maintains its functional area when needed but projects less in the horizontal width direction during storage, effectively transitioning between operational and compact states.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the scooter is designed with a wide support platform for user comfort, then the stability improves, but the compact shape for transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scooter features dynamically adjustable platforms that can change their configuration based on operational needs. The platforms are equipped with tilting and folding mechanisms that allow them to maintain a stable, wide configuration during use for user comfort and safety, while automatically or manually transforming into a compact arrangement during transport. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between stability and compact shape.
3Reliability
If the wheels project outside the scooter profile to provide adequate ground contact, then the traction improves, but the bulkiness and ease of carrying deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The scooter employs dynamically adjustable wheel positions that can extend outward during operation to provide adequate ground contact and traction, then retract or fold inward during compaction to create a compact profile for easy carrying. The wheels are mounted on movable axles or folding mechanisms that allow them to project beyond the scooter profile when needed for stability and grip, while being storable within the scooter's boundary for transport convenience.
4Power
If the battery and motor are positioned to optimize driving performance, then the propulsion efficiency improves, but the balance for manual carrying deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The scooter uses an asymmetric distribution of heavy components where the battery and motor are positioned to optimize propulsion efficiency during operation, while the platform tilting mechanism compensates for the resulting imbalance during manual carrying. The asymmetric component placement allows the electric propulsion system to be efficiently configured for driving performance, while the adjustable platform geometry balances the overall center of gravity when the scooter is being carried manually.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A foldable scooter (1) comprises a frame (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (3) of the scooter (1) from a rear frame end (4) to a front frame end (5), an elongated upright (6), connected to the frame (2) and extending along an upright axis (7) from a lower upright end (8), arranged at the front frame end (5), to a free upper upright end (9), a front wheel (10) arranged at the lower upright end (8) and rotatable about a front rotation axis (11) transversal to the longitudinal axis (3) and to the upright axis (7), a rear wheel (12) arranged at the rear frame end (4) and rotatable about a rear rotation axis (13) transversal to the longitudinal axis (3) and to the upright axis (7), a platform (14) connected to the frame (2) and forming a treadable surface (15) extending between the front wheel (10) and the rear wheel (12), a handlebar (16) connected to the upright (6) and forming one or more gripping portions (17) grippable by the user, wherein the upright (6) can be tilted with respect to the frame (2) from an unfolded configuration of use to a compacted transport configuration and the platform (14) can be tilted with respect to the frame (2) between an expanded position of use and a close transport position.