Kick Scooter Folding Mechanism with Arc Guide Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary kick scooter folding structures are inefficient, leading to insecure connections, incomplete collapse, and tedious operation, affecting safety and convenience during use and storage.
Innovation Solution
A folding mechanism featuring a mounting case with a torsion spring and connecting arms with arc guide slots and notches, allowing for easy pivoting and secure positioning of the upright tube relative to the deck, enabling efficient folding and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-sectioned mechanism with quick disassembling structure is used for the upright tube, then the folding operation becomes simpler and faster, but the connection security deteriorates and complete collapse cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The folding mechanism is divided into multiple functional components: a rocking arm for initiating folding motion, connecting arms with arc guide slots for controlled movement, and positioning notches for secure locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving both easy operation and reliable connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring acts as an intermediary element that provides continuous force during the folding operation. It enables the rocking arm to smoothly transition between positions while maintaining connection security, mediating between the user's input and the final collapsed state.
2Ease of operation
If a two-sectioned mechanism with quick disassembling structure is used for the upright tube, then the folding operation becomes simpler and faster, but the operation time increases due to tedious releasing and fixing
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning notches are pre-configured at specific locations along the arc guide slots to automatically engage at the correct moments during folding and expansion. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for manual adjustment or complex locking operations, reducing operation time while maintaining ease of use.
3Ease of operation
If a two-sectioned mechanism with quick disassembling structure is used for the upright tube, then the folding operation becomes simpler and faster, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates leading to incomplete collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The arc guide slots are designed with curved geometry that guides the connecting arms through a precise arc-shaped path during folding. This curvature ensures that the upright tube follows the correct trajectory to achieve complete collapse and neat positioning, improving positioning accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If a two-sectioned mechanism with quick disassembling structure is used for the upright tube, then the folding operation becomes simpler and faster, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to incomplete collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The arc guide slots guide the connecting arms through a smooth curved path that ensures the upright tube collapses completely and neatly. This curved guidance prevents misalignment or partial collapse, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the folded scooter while keeping the operation simple.
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 mechanism ensures easy operation, secure folding, and effective size reduction for storage, while maintaining safety and aesthetics by providing a reliable and efficient folding process.
Implementation Method 1
a rocking arm (32) pivotally mounted in the mounting case (31) by a pivot bar (320), the pivot bar (320) being provided with a torsion spring (33) fit thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A kick scooter includes a deck, an upright tube, and a folding mechanism. The upright tube is mounted by the folding mechanism to the deck. The folding mechanism includes a mounting case mounted on the deck and two connecting arms attached to the upright tube. The mounting case is pivotally mounted to a rocking arm that is provided with a position-restoring preloading force and has a free end to which a moving bar is attached. The two connecting arms are respectively formed with arc guide slots opposite to each other and centered at a pivotal joint to receive a moving bar of the rocking arm to extend therethrough for being guided thereby to move. Each arc guide slot has two ends respectively formed with a folding positioning notch and an expanding positioning notch for selectively positioning the moving bar therein as being biased by the position-restoring preloading force.