Collapsible Scooter Handlebar Control for Joint Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding scooters face difficulties in collapsing the support frame elements, which can be cumbersome and lead to unintentional unlocking, potentially causing injuries, especially when the scooter is near a standing surface.
Innovation Solution
A locking device is implemented with a control element arranged on the handlebar, allowing the joint to be released without lifting the scooter, using a guide tube and mechanical coupling to facilitate easy operation and prevent unintentional unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control element is arranged on the joint (prior art), then the locking device can be operated, but the operation becomes cumbersome and unintentional unlocking may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is extracted from the joint area and relocated to the handlebar area, separating the control function from the joint mechanism. This allows the control element to be positioned away from potential collision surfaces while maintaining functional connection through the engagement element mechanism, thereby preventing unintentional unlocking during riding.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement element serves as an intermediary between the control element on the handlebar and the locking mechanism at the joint. This mediator transmits the locking/unlocking command from the distant control position to the joint mechanism, enabling reliable operation without requiring the control element to be physically adjacent to the joint.
2Ease of operation
If the control element is arranged near the standing surface, then the scooter can be operated in standing position, but the risk of unintentional unlocking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is extracted from the vulnerable joint area and repositioned on the handlebar, which is naturally held by the user's hands during operation. This extraction removes the control element from the collision zone near the standing surface while maintaining accessibility for operation from standing position.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the joint is locked with engagement elements, then the scooter structure is stable, but the folding process becomes difficult and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement element acts as a mediator that provides stable locking when engaged but can be easily disengaged through the control mechanism. The mechanical design allows the engagement element to maintain firm joint connection during normal use while enabling simple folding through controlled disengagement via the handlebar-mounted control element.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
A collapsible scooter comprising at least one supporting frame (28) with a front supporting frame portion (2) as the first element to be adjusted and a rear supporting frame portion (3) as the second element to be adjusted, or a supporting frame (28) as the first element to be adjusted with a holding rod (29) coupled thereto as the second element to be adjusted, wherein the elements to be adjusted are connected via a joint (1), which joint (1) comprises a first engagement element (9) connected to the first element to be adjusted and a second engagement element (10) connected to the second element to be adjusted, wherein the joint (1) is blockable by an engagement position of the engagement elements (9, 10) blocking a relative movement of the engagement elements (9, 10), wherein the first engagement element (9) is movable relative to the second engagement element (10) from a release position into at least one blocking position, in which the first engagement element (9) is in engagement with the second engagement element (10), by an actuation by means of an operating element (25), which is coupled mechanically to the first engagement element (9), which operating element (25) is arranged separately from the joint (1), for example on a link (6), on the holding rod and/or on a mudguard (26).