Folding Bicycle Lock Stem Mechanism for Compact Fork Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current folding bicycles have complex folding mechanisms, resulting in a larger folded size and inability to securely combine the front and rear forks, making them difficult to carry or transport.
Innovation Solution
A folding bicycle design featuring two sets of rear fork brackets connected via a rotating shaft with a shock absorber, a lock stem with a return spring, and a mounting stem with an L-shaped groove, allowing the front and rear forks to be securely clamped together using the spring's elasticity, along with a connecting pillar for the front fork and a saddle support system that adjusts for easier portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex folding mechanism is used to enable the bicycle to fold, then the bicycle can be folded, but the folded size becomes larger and the structure becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the front fork and rear fork into a single folding unit by connecting them through a folding buckle and rotating shaft assembly. This integration allows both forks to fold together into a compact configuration, reducing the overall folded size while maintaining the folding function. The merging eliminates the need for separate folding mechanisms for each fork, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nesting arrangement where the front fork and rear fork are positioned to overlap and fit within each other during the folding process. The forks are designed with rotating shafts and buckles that allow them to collapse into a nested configuration, minimizing the folded dimensions without requiring complex external folding mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If the front fork and rear fork are not securely combined, then the folding mechanism can be simple, but the bicycle becomes difficult to carry or transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a lock stem with a return spring that automatically engages to secure the front and rear forks together in their folded position. This preliminary locking action ensures that the forks remain firmly combined during transport without requiring complex additional fastening mechanisms. The spring-loaded lock provides automatic securing, simplifying the overall structure while ensuring portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring in the lock stem assembly provides automatic locking and securing of the folded forks. The spring mechanism self-activates when the forks are folded, pushing the lock stem into the locked position and securing the forks together without requiring manual intervention or complex external locking systems. This self-service mechanism ensures portability while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used for folding, then the folding function is achieved, but the overall structure becomes more complicated and harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the folding buckle and rotating shaft assembly to serve multiple functions simultaneously. The same components enable both the folding motion and the secure locking of the forks. The L-shaped groove in the lock stem and the positioning protrusion work together to provide both the folding mechanism and the locking function, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the folding and locking functions into integrated assemblies. The lock stem with the return spring is merged with the folding buckle mechanism, allowing a single component assembly to perform both folding and securing operations. This merging reduces the total number of parts and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the required folding function.
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 simplifies the folding process, allows for a more compact and secure folding of the bicycle, enabling better portability and practicality by aligning the wheels and saddle support for easier movement.
Implementation Method 1
the return spring is connected. Through the elasticity of the spring, the lock stem is correspondingly clamped on the front fork
Implementation Method 2
a shock absorber is connected between the these two sets of rear fork brackets of bicycle and is nearby the bicycle frame
Data Source
AI summary
A folding bicycle, including the bicycle frame, the connecting pillar for front fork, the front fork of bicycle, the rear fork bracket of bicycle, the lock stem, the mounting stem of lock stem, and the return spring. According to the design in the present invention, the saddle is folded, the bicycle and the handlebar are retracted and folded and the lock stem is set in sequence. The lock stem is correspondingly clamped on the front fork to tightly fix the front fork and rear fork of the bicycle together using the elasticity of the spring, which could effectively solve the problem that the folding mechanism in the folding bicycle currently available on the market is complicated, the bicycle body after being folded is larger, and the front fork and rear fork of the bicycle body cannot be put together and fixed, resulting in be difficult to carry or transport. Meanwhile, after being folded, the front wheel and the rear wheel are on the same straight line. By adjusting the height of saddle, after the height of saddle is adjusted, the movement of bicycle can be pushed, so that the portability is better and the practicability is stronger, which is more suitable for large-scale popularization and application.