Foldable Electric Scooter with Retractable Steering Column
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric scooters are cumbersome and difficult to transport due to their size and weight, and their charging systems require external connections, making it hard to recharge them on the go, especially in crowded public transport settings.
Innovation Solution
A foldable electric scooter design with a retractable steering column and a compact charging system that allows the scooter to be easily transported as a backpack, featuring a retractable front hinge, a forward-facing joint, and an integrated electrical energy storage unit with a charging system that enables inductive or contact charging, even when folded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electric scooter uses a conventional charger with external connections, then the charging system is simple, but it becomes difficult to recharge the scooter on the go when it runs out of battery
Solution Approach 1:
The charging port is integrated directly into the base platform of the scooter, merging the charging function with the scooter's structural body. This eliminates the need for external charger connections and allows users to charge the scooter conveniently at any location with power access.
Solution Approach 2:
The scooter is equipped with an integrated charging port that enables it to recharge itself autonomously when connected to a power source. The system includes a battery level indicator that automatically monitors and displays charging status, allowing the scooter to manage its own charging process without external intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the electric scooter has a simple structure for personal use, then the cost is low and it is easy to manufacture, but it becomes difficult to transport the scooter when space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The scooter's handlebar stem is divided into two separate segments that can be folded relative to each other. This segmentation allows the handlebar to be collapsed into a compact configuration for easy transport while maintaining structural integrity during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The handlebar stem incorporates a folding mechanism with movable joints that transition between extended and collapsed positions. This dynamic structure enables the scooter to adapt its form factor based on whether it is being used or transported, solving the transportability issue without compromising usability.
3Strength
If the electric scooter has significant weight, then the structure is strong and stable, but it becomes hard to transport in the folded position
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the handlebar stem into foldable sections, the overall dimensions of the scooter are reduced when folded. This allows the scooter to be more manageable for transport while the underlying structural components maintain their strength and stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism transforms the scooter from a three-dimensional extended structure to a more compact folded configuration by changing the spatial arrangement of components. The handlebar folds parallel to the deck, reducing the vertical height and overall volume without compromising structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable electric scooter that is movable between a folded position and a usage and transport position, wherein the electric scooter (111) comprises a flat base platform (117) extending between at least one rear wheel (119) and a front drive wheel (118), a steering column (112) comprises a lower portion (114) and an upper portion (113) pivotably connected to the base platform (117) by means of a retractable front hinge (116) arranged close to the front drive wheel (118), the steering column (112) is mechanically coupled at a lower end of the lower portion (114) to the front drive wheel (118) and at an upper end of the upper portion (113) to grip bars (115), the electric scooter (111) having, in the folded position, a compact, easy-to-transport shape and electric recharging means for quick and accessible recharging from an electrical power supply.