Kick Scooter Steering Lock Using Projection-Groove Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kick scooters experience steering control malfunctions due to spring fatigue, leading to unreliable locking mechanisms over time.
Innovation Solution
A kick scooter design featuring a lock assembly with a flexible protruding member, a push button, and a detent system with an elastic member, which allows for secure locking and unlocking of the steering control by pivoting the front wheels, using a projection and grooves mechanism to engage and disengage the steering tube and deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lock mechanism with spring is used in the steering control, then the steering control can be locked and unlocked, but the spring becomes fatigued over time causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring component from the lock mechanism entirely. The locking function is achieved through a projection that engages with a groove in the connecting member, eliminating the spring and thus preventing spring fatigue malfunctions while maintaining the locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple projection-g groove engagement mechanism instead of a complex spring-based system. This simpler mechanism, while potentially less sophisticated, provides reliable locking without the durability issues of spring fatigue, effectively replacing a long-lived but fragile spring system with a simpler, more reliable alternative.
2Reliability
If a projection and groove mechanism is used to lock the steering control, then spring fatigue is eliminated, but the locking mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring component from the system, reducing mechanical complexity. The locking function is achieved through a straightforward projection-g groove engagement between the lock assembly and connecting member, which is simpler than a spring-based system while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection on the lock assembly automatically engages with the groove in the connecting member through the elastic member's movement, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional springs or complex mechanisms. The elastic member naturally returns the projection to the engaged position.
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 the reliability and durability of steering control by preventing spring fatigue-related malfunctions, ensuring consistent and secure locking and unlocking of the steering mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member interconnecting the projecting member and the support block wherein the projecting member further projects out of the through aperture to fasten the steering tube and the deck together
Implementation Method 2
a flexible protruding member formed on the through hole
Data Source
AI summary
A kick scooter includes a deck including a through hole in a hole, a flexible protruding member formed on the through hole, and a head tube having a through aperture; a steering tube including an aperture; a lock assembly including a projection having two parallel grooves, and a push button; a spring biased detent for fastening the steering tube and the deck together; and a steering control including a connecting member having a cavity; two pivotal members each having an end secured to a front wheel, and a bearing in a through hole; two cylinders each in either end of the connecting member and another through hole; and a biasing member biased between the cylinders. The steering control is unlocked with the protruding member in one groove and the pivotal members configured to pivot about the bearings. A pressing of the push button locks the connecting member.