Mobility Scooter Folded Thickness Reduction via Side-Mounted Support Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobility scooters have a large thickness when folded, making them difficult to carry due to the folding mechanism occupying space between the chassis and seat cushion.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design with a support assembly that includes a seat bracket and pedestal at the side of the chassis, allowing the seat to fold outward and the chassis to retract, along with a linkage mechanism that unfolds or folds the seat and chassis, reducing thickness by attaching the seat cushions flat to the chassis surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lifting and folding mechanism is positioned between the chassis and seat cushion, then the seat can be folded, but the folded mobility scooter has large thickness and occupies large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement by moving the folding mechanism from a vertical position (between chassis and seat cushion) to a horizontal position (at the side of the chassis). This dimensional relocation allows the seat to fold outward in a direction that does not increase the thickness of the folded scooter, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving folding functionality and maintaining compact thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the folding mechanism into separate components: a support assembly with a first linkage mechanism for seat folding and a second linkage mechanism for chassis retraction. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each mechanism's path and motion, enabling the seat to fold outward while the chassis retracts separately, thus achieving compact folded dimensions without compromising folding functionality.
2Length of moving object
If the support assembly is positioned at the side of the chassis, then the folded thickness is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support assembly positioned at the side of the chassis serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat, houses the first linkage mechanism for seat folding, and integrates with the second linkage mechanism for chassis retraction. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single integrated assembly, the patent achieves reduced folded thickness without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first chassis frame is slidable relative to the second chassis frame, then the chassis can retract and extend, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the chassis retraction function with the seat folding mechanism by integrating the first linkage mechanism into the support assembly that also contains the second linkage mechanism. This merging allows the slidable chassis frame to be actuated through the same operational input as seat folding, combining two functions into a single mechanism system and thereby reducing overall complexity despite achieving retractable and extendable adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided, including a chassis, a seat, and a support assembly; two ends of the support assembly are rotatably connected with the chassis and the seat, respectively; the support assembly drives the seat to be folded or unfolded; the seat is disposed spaced apart from the chassis when it is unfolded; the seat is attached to the chassis when it is folded; the chassis includes a first chassis frame and a second chassis frame, the first chassis frame is slid relative to the second chassis frame to retract or extend the chassis; the first chassis frame and the second chassis frame are adjacent when the chassis is extended; the first chassis frame and the second chassis frame are partially overlapped when the chassis is retracted; the chassis is retracted or extended while the seat is folded or unfolded.