Pivot Joint Tricycle with Biasing Handlebar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tricycle designs face issues such as the need for separate purchases for high and low rider configurations, complex and costly conversion mechanisms, instability due to excessive handlebar turning, frustration in steering corrections, and challenging home assembly due to numerous parts and alignment requirements.
Innovation Solution
A tricycle design featuring a pivot joint with a locking mechanism for easy configuration changes, a biasing mechanism to maintain the handlebar in a preferred direction, and non-circular cross-sectional tubing for simplified assembly and alignment, allowing for quick and tool-less assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If convertible mechanisms are added to allow configuration changes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and safety concerns arise from exposed parts
Solution Approach 1:
The tricycle is divided into separable frame components (first frame member and second frame member) that can be independently positioned and connected. The seat assembly can be detached and repositioned between high rider and low rider configurations without requiring complex internal conversion mechanisms within a single frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members are designed with pivot joints that enable dynamic reconfiguration. The first frame member can rotate relative to the second frame member through the pivot joint, allowing the seat assembly to transition between different height positions and configurations in a controlled manner.
2Ease of operation
If handlebar rotation is unrestricted to allow full steering control, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates due to excessive turning
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism applies a preliminary counteracting force to the handlebar rotation through the biasing member connected to the spring. This spring-based system pre-limits the turning angle by providing resistance before excessive rotation occurs, preventing instability while maintaining steering control within safe ranges.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate parts are used for assembly, then adaptability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to alignment complexities
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot joint incorporates asymmetric geometric features including a non-circular aperture in one frame member and a corresponding non-circular projection on the other frame member. This asymmetric design provides self-alignment during assembly, ensuring proper orientation of the first frame member relative to the second frame member without requiring complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric geometric features in the pivot joint enable self-aligning assembly. The non-circular aperture and projection automatically orient the frame members correctly when connected, allowing the assembly process to self-correct alignment issues without requiring external tools or complex procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable vehicle includes a first frame member, a second frame member, and a biasing mechanism. The first frame member includes a front wheel and a handlebar configured to turn the front wheel in various directions. The second frame member has at least one rear wheel and is coupled to the first frame member such that the first frame member can rotate with respect to the second frame member. The biasing mechanism is operatively coupled to the first and second frame members and biases the front wheel in a preferred direction, such as a straight direction. The biasing mechanism may include a resilient gasket and a cavity having at least partially corresponding polygonal cross sections.