Foldable Trolley Linkage Mechanism for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing children's trolleys have complex structures that make them difficult to fold and unfold, resulting in large volumes that are inconvenient for storage and transportation when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A foldable trolley design featuring a humanized structural layout with a spindle-connected front wall group, a flexible transitional connecting rod, and a curved bar connecting structure between the seat frame connector and front supporting tube, allowing for simultaneous folding and unfolding of components, which can be carried using an extension handlebar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the trolley structure is made complex to provide more functions, then the functionality is improved, but the folding operation becomes difficult and the folded volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is divided into multiple independent linkages including handlebar linkage, seat frame linkage, front supporting tube linkage, and rear supporting tube linkage. Each linkage can be folded independently through its own mechanical structure, allowing the complex functional trolley to be segmented into manageable folding units that operate separately rather than as a monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic folding mechanisms where linkages transition between extended and folded states through coordinated mechanical movements. The handlebar, seat frame, and supporting tubes are designed with movable joints and connecting rods that enable smooth transitions between operational and compact configurations, maintaining ease of operation despite increased functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trolley structure is made complex to provide more functions, then the functionality is improved, but the folded volume becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley components are designed to nest within each other when folded. The seat frame connects to the handlebar through the lower supporting tube, creating a nested arrangement where smaller components fit within or alongside larger ones. This nesting strategy significantly reduces the overall folded volume while preserving all functional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding mechanism utilizes multi-dimensional space optimization by arranging linkages to fold in different spatial directions rather than a single plane. The handlebar, seat frame, and supporting tubes are configured to collapse along multiple axes, transforming the three-dimensional structure into a compact form that minimizes volume occupation during storage or transport.
3Ease of operation
If the trolley is designed to be foldable, then the portability is improved, but the unfolding operation becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The trolley is designed with pre-configured linkage structures where components are positioned and oriented to facilitate automatic or semi-automatic unfolding. The connecting rods, joints, and bracing pieces are arranged in advance to guide the unfolding sequence, reducing the cognitive and physical complexity required by the user while maintaining portability benefits.
4Ease of operation
If the trolley structure is simplified to ease folding, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the folding function into specific dedicated components such as the lower supporting tube linkage and connecting rods, separating the folding mechanism from the main load-bearing structure. This allows the folding operation to be simplified in these specific components while the overall structural stability is maintained through the integrated design of the handlebar, seat frame, and wheel assemblies that retain their structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This Patent Aplication has disclosed a kind of foldable and carriable trolley consisting of the front wheel group, the rear wheel group, the seat frame (11) and the handlebar (1,3); the handlebar includes the top tube (1) and the bottom tube (3), and the rear end of the bottom tube (3) is connected to the top tube through the mobile upper joint (9); the upper end of the front foot tube (6) and the rear foot tube (5) can be flexibly connected to the front end of the handlebar bottom tube (3), the middle-upper part of the rear foot tube (5) is connected to a rotatable lower supporting tube (4), and the tail end of the lower supporting tube can be rotatably connected to the lower end of the handlebar top tube (1). This Patent Aplication has the following advantages: as the handlebar (1,3), the front foot tube (6), the rear foot tube (5) and the seat frame (11) are connected to each other, they can be folded quickly and simultaneously. After they are folded, the overall volume becomes smaller and all the parts can be carried using an extension handlebar. Besides, they can be unfolded simultaneously and consequently produce great convenience for the user.