Triple-Hinge Folding Bicycle Frame with Central Locking Pin

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bicycles are inconvenient for storage and transportation due to their integrated frames, and existing folding bicycle designs often have bulky and inconvenient folding structures.

Innovation Solution

A folding bicycle with a hinge device that allows the front, center, and rear frames to pivot about a central hinge shaft, featuring a locking pin member and operating lever for stable unfolding and compact folding, along with rolling members for smooth rotation and a load-distributing support unit for ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an integrated frame is used in conventional bicycles, then structural strength is maintained, but storage and transportation convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage and transportation convenienceVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bicycle frame is divided into multiple separable components (front frame, center frame, rear frame) that can be folded relative to each other while maintaining structural integrity through hinge connections. This segmentation enables compact folding for storage and transportation while preserving the necessary structural strength during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a foldable frame structure is implemented, then storage and transportation convenience is improved, but the folding structure becomes bulky and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding convenienceVSAvoidfolding structure size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame components are designed to nest within each other when folded, with the front frame, center frame, and rear frame arranged in a compact nested configuration. This nesting approach minimizes the overall volume of the folded bicycle while maintaining ease of operation through the hinge mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Stability of the object's composition

If a hinge device with locking mechanism is used, then stability in unfolded state is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability in unfolded stateVSAvoidhinge device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge device incorporates a self-locking mechanism that automatically maintains the unfolded state through its own structural design, eliminating the need for additional locking components or complex control systems. The hinge structure itself provides the stability function, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables a convenient and compact folding structure while maintaining stability in the unfolded state, facilitating easy storage and transportation by allowing the bicycle to be folded in a triple configuration.

Implementation Method 1

The locking pin member may be configured to pass through the front frame, the center frame and the rear frame, and if a pressing force by the operating lever is canceled, to release the fixed unfolded state of the front frame, the center frame and the rear frame through an elastic force.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The center frame may be provided with a plurality of rolling members configured to guide a rotation by performing a rolling-contact with a front rim of the front frame and a rear rim of the rear frame.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling-contact: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2711278B1Folding type bicycle
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 HL MANDO CORP
  • EP2711278B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2711278B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2711278B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A folding type bicycle including a front frame (100) provided with a front wheel (10) and a handle (24), a center frame (200) provided with pedals (30) and a saddle (40), a rear frame (300) provided with a rear wheel (50), and a hinge device (400) to enable the three frames (100,200,300) to pivot about one another, to be foldable with respect to one another, wherein the hinge device (400) comprises a hinge shaft (440) configured to rotatably connect the three frames (100,200,300) to one another at a central portion of the hinge shaft (440), an operating lever (450) provided at an end portion of the hinge shaft (440), and a locking pin member (500) provided while being spaced apart from the hinge shaft (440) to fix an unfolded state of the three frames (100,200,300) in accordance with pivoting of the operating lever (450).