Folding Foot Plate Structure with Insert Locking for Mobility Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal mobility devices, such as kickboards, face issues with foreign substances getting stuck between levers or links and difficulty in managing the gap of the coupling structure for fixing in an unfolded state, leading to durability and assembly challenges.
Innovation Solution
A folding structure with a front foot plate and a rear foot plate that overlap via hinge shafts, featuring apertures, insert protrusions, and locking members with latching jaws and elastic members, which apply tension and compressive force to secure the plates together, reducing the likelihood of damage and gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking structures using levers and links are employed, then the folding mechanism can achieve locking function, but foreign substances may become stuck between components and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: insert protrusions on one foot plate and corresponding apertures with locking members on the other foot plate. This segmentation eliminates complex interconnected levers and links, preventing foreign substances from becoming trapped between multiple moving parts while maintaining reliable locking through the simplified insert-aperture interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the intermediate lever and link components from the locking mechanism. By directly connecting foot plates through insert protrusions and apertures with locking members, the harmful intermediate elements that trap foreign substances are removed, achieving a cleaner, more durable locking system.
2Reliability
If coupling structures with multiple components are used to fix foot plates in unfolded state, then locking function is achieved, but gap management becomes difficult and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking and positioning functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The insert protrusions and apertures with locking members serve both to lock the foot plates in the unfolded state and to define the precise gap between them. This merging eliminates the need for separate gap adjustment mechanisms, simplifying the overall coupling structure while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling structure achieves multiple functions simultaneously: the insert protrusions and apertures provide locking, positioning, and gap control in a single integrated system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, making assembly more convenient while ensuring reliable fixation in the unfolded state.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional folding structures are used, then foot plates can be folded for storage, but foreign substance accumulation and complex assembly procedures reduce convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes complex assembly procedures by using a simplified insert-aperture locking mechanism that requires minimal steps. The locking members simply need to be inserted through the apertures and engaged with the insert protrusions, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or multiple assembly steps required by traditional folding structures.
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
Enhances durability and convenience of assembly by reducing the possibility of damage to insert protrusions and minimizing gaps when locked, while improving waterproofing and aesthetic appearance.
Implementation Method 1
elastic members disposed between the locking members and the front foot plate and applying elasticity to the locking members in a direction in which the locking members are latched by the latching jaws
Data Source
AI summary
A folding structure of a personal mobility device includes a front foot plate having an internal space and a hinge shaft at an upper end of a rear end. A rear foot plate includes a hinge shaft overlapping the front foot plate hinge shaft, at an upper end of a front end, being folded over the front foot plate or unfolded there-behind by rotating about the hinge shafts, and extending in a front foot plate extension plane when rotating to be unfolded. Apertures are formed at a rear end portion of the front foot plate. Insert protrusions protrude from a front end portion of the rear foot plate and are inserted into the internal space through the apertures when the rear foot plate is rotated to be unfolded. Locking members are disposed in the internal space, fix the insert protrusions by locking thereto, or release the fixed insert protrusions.