Two-Stage Quick-Release Structure for Foldable Bicycle Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quick-release structures for foldable bicycles are insecure and prone to detachment during use, and they leave unsightly welding marks, compromising both safety and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage quick-release structure featuring a first and second tubing member connected via a pivoting portion, an elastic hook, and a safety fastener with a second buckling portion, which forms a secure two-stage buckle to prevent unintentional release and minimizes visible welding marks by integrating with the bicycle frame's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single buckling hook is used to combine bicycle frames, then the assembly process is simple, but the connection is insecure and prone to detachment during use
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two independent buckling hooks instead of using a single hook. The first buckling hook provides initial connection while the second buckling hook provides additional security. This segmentation allows each hook to be simpler in design while the combination achieves higher reliability, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and connection security.
2Strength
If combining blocks are soldered on the bicycle frame, then the connection is strong, but apparent welding marks are left that compromise aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the combining blocks from direct contact with the bicycle frame surface. Instead of soldering blocks directly on the frame, the design uses tubing members that wrap around the frame, with combining blocks positioned laterally. This extraction eliminates visible welding marks on the frame while maintaining strong connections through the tubing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The combining blocks are nested within or integrated into the tubing member structure rather than being separate external components soldered to the frame. The tubing member itself serves as the mounting structure, concealing the combining blocks and eliminating visible welding marks while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If combining blocks have widths larger than the bicycle frame diameter, then the connection is secure, but the appearance is not attractive
Solution Approach 1:
The combining blocks are extracted from the front and rear positions where they would be visible on the frame diameter. By positioning them laterally on the tubing members, the design maintains their functional width for secure connection while removing them from the aesthetic field of view on the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The combining blocks are repositioned from the radial dimension (where they would exceed frame diameter and be visible) to the lateral dimension (along the length of the tubing member). This dimensional change allows the blocks to maintain their functional width for security while becoming invisible from the front and rear views of the bicycle.
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 two-stage buckle structure enhances safety and aesthetics by providing a secure connection between bicycle frames without visible welding marks, ensuring the structure remains stable during use and easy to assemble/disassemble.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic hook (15) pivotally assembled on another side of the second tubing member (12)
Implementation Method 2
The first pivoting portion (13) is passing through the first connecting member (111) and the second connecting member (121), so that the first tubing member (11) is rotated to connect with the second tubing member (12) via the first pivoting portion (13)
Data Source
AI summary
A two stage quick-release structure includes a first tubing member, a second tubing member, a first pivoting portion, a first buckling portion, an elastic hook and a safety fastener. When the user assembles the foldable bicycle for bicycling, the first tubing member is rotated to connect with the second tubing member via the first pivoting portion, so that the elastic hook correspondingly buckles with the first buckling portion to form a first stage buckle; then, the safety fastener is rotated to correspondingly buckle with the elastic hook so as to form a second stage buckle. The two stage buckle contributes the assembling of the foldable bicycle with ease and convenience. Furthermore, via the two stage buckle structures, the connection between the front bicycle frame body and the rear bicycle frame body are tightly secured.