Foldable Tricycle with Latching Rear Support for Compact Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable tricycle designs are inefficient, making them inconvenient and costly for shipping, storage, and handling due to their large size and complex folding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A foldable tricycle design that includes a pair of rear wheels, a front wheel, a foldable seat, a foldable armrest, a parental handle, and a latching mechanism that allows the tricycle to be easily folded into a compact package, with dimensions not exceeding 150cm, and features such as a swivel wheel, detachable pedals, and a trolley-like folded position for easy rolling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable tricycle design is implemented, then storage and shipping space is reduced, but the folding mechanism becomes complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tricycle frame is divided into separate modular components including a front assembly (front wheel, handlebars, front bracket) and a rear assembly (rear wheels, seat bracket, rear frame element). These segments can be independently folded and stored, reducing overall volume while maintaining structural integrity through simple pivot connections rather than complex interlocking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism allows the rear frame element to pivot and nest alongside the front frame element, with the seat bracket pivoting to align with the front bracket. This nesting arrangement compactly stores the tricycle in a space-efficient configuration without requiring complex folding structures, achieving compact storage through geometric alignment of simple rigid components.
2Ease of operation
If existing folding mechanisms are used, then the tricycle can be folded, but the folding process is inefficient and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connections between frame elements and brackets are pre-configured in the design, with pivot axes and connection points predetermined during manufacturing. This preliminary structural arrangement allows the folding action to proceed smoothly without requiring complex real-time adjustments or multiple intermediate steps, reducing folding time and improving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex locking and unlocking mechanisms to control folding, the design employs simple pivot connections that allow free rotation in both directions. The folding and unfolding actions are inverted in complexity - the simple structural geometry enables efficient folding without requiring elaborate control systems, making the process convenient and rapid.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a foldable tricycle, operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an attendant pushing the tricycle. The tricycle comprising: a pair of rear wheels, each rotatably supported by a rear support; a foldable seat comprising a chair and a back support, for accommodating said tricycle rider; a foldable arm rest, connected to said foldable seat; a parental handle, for steering said tricycle by said attendant pushing the tricycle; a main frame, configured to rotatably hold said rear support, to support said foldable seat, to rotatably support said rider handle, to rotatably support said fork; and a latching mechanism, capable of locking and unlocking the rotatable movement, of the rear support, in relations to the main frame.