Two-wheeler Frame Concave Section for Compact Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-wheeled vehicles that fold for compact storage often require the removal or conversion of components, making the folding and unfolding process difficult and time-consuming, and they typically maintain a large thickness in the collapsed state, making storage in certain volume ratios challenging.
Innovation Solution
A two-wheeled vehicle design featuring a frame with a concave section, pivotable front and rear wheels via hinges, and foldable footrests that allow the wheels to be fixed in the folded position, enabling the vehicle to be folded into a compact, thin shape without requiring the dismantling of individual components, with the frame's concave section surrounding the wheels' circumference for efficient storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the front and rear wheels are folded in the direction of a frame so that they overlap, then the vehicle achieves a compact folded state, but the thickness becomes relatively large making it difficult to stow in certain volume ratios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the folded wheels inside the concave section of the frame structure. The front and rear wheels are positioned within the recess formed by the concave frame sections, allowing them to be nested within the vehicle's own structure rather than extending outward, thereby reducing the overall folded thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear folding arrangement (wheels folded parallel to frame) to a three-dimensional arrangement by utilizing the concave section of the frame. The wheels are folded into the depth of the concave recess, changing the folding dimension from horizontal/vertical to radial/inward, which significantly reduces the external thickness of the folded vehicle.
2Volume of moving object
If components are removed or converted to achieve compact folding, then the pack size is reduced, but the folding and unfolding process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the folding operation into independent hinge-based segments for the front and rear wheels. Each wheel can be folded independently via its own hinge mechanism, allowing parallel operation and simplifying the folding process. The segmentation of the frame into concave sections also allows each wheel to be positioned independently within its designated recess.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is pre-designed with concave sections that are specifically shaped and positioned to receive the folded wheels. This preliminary structuring of the frame eliminates the need for complex adjustment or conversion of components during folding - the wheels simply pivot into the pre-formed recesses, significantly reducing the time and complexity of the folding operation.
3Length of stationary object
If the frame is designed with a concave section to surround the wheel circumference, then the folded thickness is reduced, but the frame structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The concave sections of the frame serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the structural shape needed to receive folded wheels, they act as the receiving recesses for wheel storage, and they contribute to the overall structural integrity of the frame. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
4Reliability
If foldable footrests are used to fix the wheels in folded position, then the vehicle achieves secure fixation in compact state, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footrests are designed to automatically engage with the folded wheels through simple folding motion. When the wheels are folded into the concave sections, the footrests naturally pivot into position and make contact with the wheels, providing automatic fixation without requiring separate locking mechanisms or manual intervention. This self-service approach provides reliable fixation while minimizing additional device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a two-wheeled vehicle (1000) having a frame (30) comprising at least one concave segment (32), and having a front and a rear wheel (10, 20), wherein the front and/or the rear wheel (10, 20) is pivotally mounted on the frame (30) by means of at least one hinge, so that the two-wheeled vehicle (1000) can be folded open or up by a pivot motion of the front and/or the rear wheel (10, 20), and wherein the frame (30) is disposed at least in segments between the front and the rear wheel (10, 20) in the folded-open state. According to the invention, at least some regions of the circumference of the front and/or rear wheel (10, 20) in the folded-up state of the two-wheeled vehicle (1000) are enclosed by the concave segment (32) of the frame (30). The invention further relates to the use of the two-wheeled vehicle (1000) in a trolley function, and to a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, comprising a two-wheeled vehicle (1000), wherein the two-wheeled vehicle (1000) is fixedly and reversibly connected to the motor vehicle (200).