Foldable Vehicle Seat with Linkage Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current foldable bicycles and electric scooters have unstable folding mechanisms, requiring complex operations and being difficult for individuals with mobility issues, while also not effectively saving storage space.
Innovation Solution
A foldable vehicle design with a stable structure, featuring a foldable seat mounted between a foldable frame and rear wheel support, utilizing a locking mechanism with a fastening hook, torsion spring, and elastic piece to simplify folding and unfolding, ensuring safety and space efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple folding mechanism is disposed between front wheel steering bar and body support, then the folding operation is simple, but the folded size is still great and storage space is not effectively saved
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body is divided into multiple foldable sections including front body support, rear body support, and seat assembly, each capable of independent folding. The seat assembly is further segmented into seat plate and backrest that can fold relative to each other, enabling compact folded configuration while maintaining simple operation through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The seat backrest is designed to fold nested within or alongside the seat plate when not in use. The front and rear body supports fold into each other or alongside the main frame structure, achieving compact storage volume by nesting components together rather than simply reducing individual dimensions
2Device complexity
If a folding mechanism only performs simple pin-joint on front and rear body supports, then the structure is simple, but the foldable frame is unstable and driving safety cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
Locking mechanisms are pre-positioned at specific locations along the body supports and seat assembly. These locks are designed to engage automatically or with minimal action at predetermined positions, ensuring the frame is stabilized before driving begins. The locking features are built into the structure in advance rather than requiring complex active control during operation
Solution Approach 2:
Locking mechanisms act as intermediary elements between the simple pin-joint folding structure and the requirement for driving stability. These locks provide the necessary stability during driving while allowing the simple folding action during assembly and storage, mediating between the conflicting requirements of structural simplicity and operational stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If a complex folding mechanism is used to ensure stability, then the frame stability is improved, but the operation procedure becomes complex and difficult for those with physical mobility problems
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanisms are designed to engage automatically through the natural folding motion itself. As the body supports and seat assembly are folded into place, the locking features self-align and self-engage without requiring separate manual locking actions. This self-service mechanism ensures stability while maintaining operational simplicity for users with limited mobility
Solution Approach 2:
Complex multi-step mechanical locking procedures are replaced with simple spring-loaded or gravity-assisted automatic engagement mechanisms. The locking action is substituted from a complex manual operation to a simple passive mechanical response that occurs automatically when components are positioned correctly, reducing the physical effort and cognitive steps required
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 allows for easy and safe folding/unfolding, significantly reducing storage space requirements while being convenient for users, especially those with mobility issues, and enhancing portability.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a locking mechanism with a fastening hook, torsion spring, and elastic piece
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a locking mechanism with a fastening hook, torsion spring, and elastic piece
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable vehicle having a foldable seat (7) which is mounted between a rear wheel support (102) and a foldable frame (100), the foldable seat (7) comprising: a seat (71); a first support bar (72); and a second support bar (73); a third support bar (74); a linkage bar (8); and a locking mechanism (75); wherein a front end of the seat (71) is pin-jointed with an upper end of the rear wheel support (102), a rear end of the seat (71 ) is pin-jointed with an end of the first support bar (72), another end of the first support bar (72) is pin-jointed with an end of the second support bar (73), another end of the second support bar (73) is pin-jointed with an end of the linkage bar (8), a connection portion (731) between the two ends of the second support bar (73) is pin-jointed with the rear wheel support (102), and another end of the linkage bar (8) is pin-jointed with the foldable frame (100); and wherein an end of the third support bar (74) is pin-jointed with the first support bar (72), a first long hole (711) is opened on a side wall of the seat (71), a shaft pin (741) is disposed at another end of the third support bar (74), the shaft pin (741) is disposed in the first long hole (711) in a sliding manner, the locking mechanism (75) comprises a fastening hook (751), a rear end of the fastening hook (751) is pin-jointed with a fixing shaft (712) disposed at a bottom portion of the seat (71), and is capable of being separately fastened with the shaft pin (741).