Foldable Walker Locking Mechanism Resolves Grip Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable walkers have design flaws where the manually operated portions interfere with the user's grip, causing inconvenience during use and taking up valuable space.
Innovation Solution
A foldable walker design featuring a front frame with sleeve tubes, side frame units, and folding operating units, where the locking pin is radially inwardly extending and the lock releasing member is manually operable from the upper opening, allowing smooth folding and unfolding without obstructing the hand grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the manually operated portion is disposed under and proximate to the hand grip for facilitating operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the gripping space is taken up and the walking convenience is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The operating portion is moved from the horizontal plane (under the hand grip) to the vertical plane (above the hand grip at the upper end of the upright tubular wall). This dimensional relocation eliminates interference with the user's grip while maintaining ease of operation through the biasing spring mechanism that provides automatic return to locked position
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism uses a locking pin that engages with locking recesses at different angular positions to copy and maintain both the unfolded and folded positions. The biasing spring copies the locking action by automatically returning the locking pin to engaged position after manual actuation, eliminating the need for separate locking and unlocking operations
2Ease of operation
If the locking unit includes a manually operated portion near the hand grip, then the folding operation is facilitated, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin, connecting member, and biasing spring are merged into a single integrated locking unit that combines both locking and unlocking functions. The actuating member is integrated with the connecting member, eliminating the need for separate actuating mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of folding operation
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin serves multiple functions: it engages with locking recesses to hold both unfolded and folded positions, acts as a connecting element between the connecting member and the front rod segment, and works with the biasing spring to provide automatic return. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system
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 convenient operation and storage of the walker without interfering with the user's grip, enhancing usability and simplifying the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The locking pin has a retained end which is disposed upwardly of the upwardly facing retaining portion, and extends radially and inwardly from the retained end toward the axis. The locking pin is movable along the axis between a locking position, where the retained end is engaged with a selected one of the unfolding and folding recessed regions to hold the respective side frame unit
Implementation Method 2
a biasing spring 17 sleeved around the locking pin 16 to bias the locking pin 16 upwardly
Implementation Method 3
an actuating lever 18 pivotably connected to the front leg 122 at a middle portion 182, and having an actuating and manually operated portions 181, 183 at the front and rear sides of the middle portion 182, respectively
Implementation Method 4
another conventional foldable walker as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,575 has the locking unit 13 further having a connecting rod 19 which is connected between the actuating lever 18 and the locking pin 16
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable walker includes a front frame having sleeve tubes, two side frame units and two folding operating units. Each sleeve tube has an upwardly facing retaining portion around the upper periphery thereof. Each side frame unit has a front rod segment and an adaptor coaxially and rotatably mounted to the respective sleeve tube. Each folding operating unit is disposed within the adaptor and has a locking pin extending transversely and movably disposed to be engaged with or disengaged from the upwardly facing retaining portion, and a lock releasing member movably mounted on the adaptor at an upper opening and operable manually to move the locking pin to unlock the side frame unit relative to the front frame.