Patent Publication Number: US-2022234673-A1

Title: Folding device and scooter

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority to Chinese Application Nos. 202110112212.9 and 202120234173.5, both filed on Jan. 27, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the field of transportation tools, and more particularly to a folding device and a scooter with the folding device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Scooters are easy to store and carry due to their reduced overall volume by folding vertical tubes. 
     In the related art, a vertical tube of a scooter is folded and locked by a four-link mechanism, a lock nut or a hook. However, the safety of folding and locking the vertical tube with the above structure is poor, which is easy to loosen due to vibration during riding. Hence, a locking mechanism of the vertical tube will fail and the vertical tube will suddenly fold during riding, causing poor safety of the scooter. 
     SUMMARY 
     A folding device according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes: a first folding seat and a second folding seat arranged opposite to each other and rotatably coupled to each other, the first folding seat being located above the second folding seat; a first locking assembly rotatably coupled to the second folding seat, the first locking assembly being rotatable between a first position where the first locking assembly presses the first folding seat against the second folding seat and a second position where the first locking assembly releases the first folding seat; a second locking assembly coupled to at least one of the first folding seat and the first locking assembly to clamp or release the first folding seat and the first locking assembly; a reset member coupled to at least one of the first locking assembly and the second locking assembly, and configured to perform at least one of resetting the first locking assembly after the first locking assembly is rotated from the first position to the second position, and resetting the second locking assembly after the second locking assembly releases the first folding seat and the first locking assembly. 
     A scooter according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a folding device including: a first folding seat and a second folding seat arranged opposite to each other and rotatably coupled to each other, the first folding seat being located above the second folding seat; a first locking assembly rotatably coupled to the second folding seat, the first locking assembly being rotatable between a first position where the first locking assembly presses the first folding seat against the second folding seat and a second position where the first locking assembly releases the first folding seat; a second locking assembly coupled to at least one of the first folding seat and the first locking assembly to clamp or release the first folding seat and the first locking assembly; a reset member coupled to at least one of the first locking assembly and the second locking assembly, and configured to perform at least one of resetting the first locking assembly after the first locking assembly is rotated from the first position to the second position and resetting the second locking assembly after the second locking assembly releases the first folding seat and the first locking assembly; a vertical tube coupled to an end of the first folding seat away from the second folding seat; and a front stem and fork coupled to an end of the second folding seat away from the first folding seat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a linkage assembly of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view illustrating that a locking block of a folding device is separated from a first groove according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a first locking assembly of a folding device in a transition position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view of another first locking assembly of a folding device in a transition position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a partial enlarged view of part A of the folding device illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a folding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic view of a first locking assembly of a folding device in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view of a folding device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view of a scooter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary and intended to explain the present disclosure, and shall not be construed as limitation on the present disclosure. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , a folding device according to embodiments of the present disclosure includes a first folding seat  1 , a second folding seat  2 , a first locking assembly  3 , a second locking assembly  4 , and a reset member. The first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  are arranged opposite to each other, the first folding seat  1  is located above the second folding seat  2 , and a lower end face of the first folding seat  1  is opposite to an upper end face of the second folding seat  2 . The first folding seat  1  is rotatably coupled to the second folding seat  2 . 
     The first locking assembly  3  is rotatably coupled to the second folding seat  2 , and the first locking assembly  3  is rotatable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first locking assembly  3  presses the first folding seat  1  against the second folding seat  2 , such that the first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  cannot rotate relative to each other. In the second position, the first locking assembly  3  releases the first folding seat  1  such that the first folding seat  1  can rotate relative to the second folding seat  2 . 
     The second locking assembly  4  is coupled to at least one of the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3  to tightly clamp or release the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3 . When the second locking assembly  4  tightly clamps the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3 , the first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  cannot rotate relative to each other. 
     The reset member is coupled to at least one of the first locking assembly  3  and the second locking assembly  4 . The reset member is configured to reset the first locking assembly  3  after the first locking assembly  3  is rotated from the first position to the second position, and/or reset the second locking assembly  4  after the second locking assembly  4  releases the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3 . It may be understood that the reset member can drive the first locking assembly  3  and/or the second locking assembly  4  to reset, so as to achieve automatic locking of the folding device. 
     For the folding device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, through a two-stage locking arrangement of the first locking assembly  3  and the second locking assembly  4 , the locking stability of the folding device can be improved, preventing locking failure caused by false touch or mechanical vibration, and effectively enhancing the reliability and safety of the folding device. In addition, the automatic locking of the folding device can be achieved by the reset member, improving user experience. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the first folding seat  1  includes a first body  11  and a first protrusion  12 , and the first protrusion  12  protrudes outwards from a periphery of the first body  11 . Similarly, the second folding seat  2  includes a second body  21  and a second protrusion  22 , and the second protrusion  22  protrudes outwards from a periphery of the second body  21 . The first protrusion  12  is arranged opposite to the second protrusion  22 , and a first groove  121  is formed in a side of the first protrusion  12  away from the second protrusion  22 . 
     Furthermore, the first locking assembly  3  is rotatably coupled to the second protrusion  22 . In the first position, at least a part of the first locking assembly  3  is clamped in the first groove  121  such that the first locking assembly  3  presses the first folding seat  1  against the second folding seat  2  by the first protrusion  12 . In the second position, at least the part of the first locking assembly  3  is away from the first groove  121 , such that the first locking assembly  3  releases the first folding seat  1 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , specifically, the first locking assembly  3  includes an unlocking wrench  31  and a locking block  32 . The unlocking wrench is rotatably coupled to the second protrusion  22 , and the unlocking wrench  31  has a cavity. The locking block  32  is fitted in the cavity of the unlocking wrench  31 , and the locking block  32  is movable along a length direction of the unlocking wrench  31  relative to the unlocking wrench  31 , such that an outer end of the locking block  32  is clamped in the first groove  121  in the first position and is away from the first groove  121  before the unlocking wrench  31  moves from the first position to the second position. It should be noted that the outer end of the locking block  32  refers to an end of the locking block  32  close to the first protrusion  12 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the locking block  32  is movable along the length direction of the unlocking wrench  31 . When the unlocking wrench  31  is in the first position, the locking block  32  may be clamped in the first groove  121  or may be away from the first groove  121 . When the outer end of the locking block  32  is clamped in the first groove  121 , the unlocking wrench  31  cannot move from the first position to the second position, that is, the unlocking wrench  31  is locked in the first position, and the unlocking wretch cannot move from the first position to the second position until the locking block  32  gets away from the first groove  121 . Thus, the locking block  32  serves as a safety lock to lock the unlocking wrench  31 , such that the first locking assembly  3  is locked in the first position, which can effectively prevent any unlocking failure caused by false touch. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , in some embodiments, a first bump  122  is arranged on a side of the first protrusion  12  away from the second protrusion  22 . The first bump  122  and the first body  11  are spaced apart from each other and define the first groove  121  therebetween, that is, the first groove  121  is formed between the first bump  122  and the first body  11 . A second groove  321  is formed in the outer end of the locking block  32 . The unlocking wrench  31  is adapted to move from the second position to the first position via a transition position. In the transition position, the first bump  122  is clamped in the second groove  321 . The first bump  122  is away from the second groove  321  when the unlocking wrench  31  is in the first position, in the second position, between the first position and the transition position, or between the second position and the transition position. 
     When the unlocking wrench  31  is in the transition position, the first bump  122  is clamped in the second groove  321 . The first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  are in a primary locking state—only the first locking assembly  3  is working and the second locking assembly  4  is not working. In such a case, the user can ride safely. Afterwards, the user may continue to turn the unlocking wrench  31  to be moved into the first position, and the folding device is in a secondary locking state—the first locking assembly  3  and the second locking assembly  4  are working at the same time and the locking block  32  is also working, which can ensure that the folding device will not be opened due to false touch. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, the first locking assembly  3  further includes an unlocking knob  33  coupled to the locking block  32 . The unlocking knob  33  is arranged on the unlocking wrench  31  and may move along the length direction of the unlocking wrench  31  to drive the locking block  32  to move in the cavity of the unlocking wrench  31 . Specifically, the unlocking knob  33  is located on an outer side of the unlocking wrench  31  and is convenient for the user to operate. During use, the user can adjust the relative position of the locking block  32  and the first groove  121  to lock or unlock the unlocking wrench  31 , by simply toggling the unlocking knob  33  by hand. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, a mounting groove is formed in a side of the unlocking wrench  31  away from the first body  11  and is in communication with an inner chamber of the unlocking wrench  31 . The locking block  32  has a second bump  322 , and the second bump  322  is fitted in the mounting groove. The reset member includes a reset compression spring  34  arranged in the mounting groove. A first end of the reset compression spring  34  is coupled to an end of the second bump  322  away from the second folding seat  2 , and a second end of the reset compression spring  34  is coupled to a wall surface of the mounting groove. In other words, the locking block  32  has the second bump  322  located in the mounting groove; the unlocking knob  33  is coupled to the second bump  322  to drive the locking block  32  to move; and the reset compression spring  34  is arranged between the second bump  322  and the wall surface of the mounting groove, such that the second bump exerts an action force towards the first groove  121 . 
     With this arrangement, the user can turn the locking block  32  away from the first groove  121  by the unlocking knob  33 , such that the unlocking wrench  31  is rotated from the first position to the second position to release the first folding seat  1 . When the user moves the unlocking wrench  31  from the second position to the first position, under an action of the reset compression spring  34 , the locking block  32  is automatically clamped into the first groove  121  to lock the unlocking wrench  31 , such that the unlocking wretch  31  cannot rotate. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, the reset member further includes a reset torsion spring  35  arranged at a junction of the unlocking wrench  31  and the second protrusion  22 . The reset torsion spring  35  exerts an action force to turn the unlocking wrench  31  to the first position. The user moves the unlocking wrench  31  from the first position to the second position, and folds the first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  or makes the first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  arranged oppositely. Afterwards, the unlocking wrench  31  may automatically reset and move from the second position to the transition position, to press the first folding seat  1  against the second folding seat  2 . In such a way, it is possible to prevent the user from forgetting to reset the unlocking wrench  31  due to carelessness, and the folding device can be more reliable. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in some embodiments, the second locking assembly  4  is a linkage assembly  41 . A first end of the linkage assembly  41  is rotatably coupled to the first folding seat  1 , and a second end of the linkage assembly  41  is rotatably coupled to the first locking assembly  3 . The linkage assembly  41 , the first folding seat  1 , the second folding seat  2 , and the first locking assembly  3  are sequentially coupled end to end to form a four-link mechanism. 
     In the second position, there is an angle between a length direction of the linkage assembly  41  and a length direction of the first locking assembly  3 , and the four-link mechanism may rotate freely. In the first position, the length direction of the linkage assembly  41  is parallel to the length direction of the first locking assembly  3 , the four-bar mechanism is in a locking state, only the first locking assembly  3  may move to the second position, that is, move to the outside, and other components cannot be moved or rotated. Further, the first locking assembly  3  cannot move freely under the action of the locking block  32 , and the first locking assembly  3  and the second locking assembly  4  are working at the same time, such that the locking is stable and reliable. 
     In some embodiments, the second locking assembly  4  is a pressing member  42  coupled to the first locking assembly  3 , and the first folding seat  1  is provided with a positioning member  43 . In the first position, the pressing member  42  presses against a side of the positioning member  43  away from the second folding seat  2  to tightly clamp the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3 , in which case the first locking assembly  3  and the second locking assembly  4  work conjunctively, and the second locking assembly  4 , the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3  cannot move relatively. In the second position, the pressing member  42  is away from the positioning member  43  to release the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3 , in which case neither the first locking assembly  3  nor the second locking assembly  4  works, and the first folding seat  1  and the first locking assembly  3  may rotate freely. 
     Specifically, the pressing member  42  is cylindrical, the positioning member  43  is cylindrical, and an axial direction of the pressing member  42  is perpendicular to an axial direction of the positioning member  43 . A flange is arranged on an end of the pressing member  42  away from the first locking assembly  3 . The flange may press against the positioning member  43  and get away from the positioning member  43 . The flange is clamped at a side of the positioning member  43  close to the first body  11 , and the flange can prevent the pressing member  42  from slipping off the positioning member  43 , which may lead to a better locking effect. The pressing member  42  is a bolt, and the bolt may be slightly adjusted by rotation, such that a pressing allowance between the pressing member  42  and the positioning member  43  can be adjusted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the scooter according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a folding device, a vertical tube  5  and a front stem and fork  6 . The folding device is the folding device according to the above embodiments of the present disclosure. The vertical tube  5  is coupled to an end of the first folding seat  1  away from the second folding seat  2 . The front stem and fork  6  is coupled to an end of the second folding seat  2  away from the first folding seat  1 . The other end of the vertical tube  5  is configured to mount a handle, and the front stem and fork  6  is configured to couple a front stem and fork and a frame  7 . 
     The folding device according to some specific examples of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the folding device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a first folding seat  1 , a second folding seat  2 , a first locking assembly  3  and a second locking assembly  4 . The first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  are arranged oppositely. The first locking assembly  3 , the second locking assembly  4 , the first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  are rotatably coupled end to end in sequence to form a four-link mechanism. 
     Specifically, the first folding seat  1  and the second folding seat  2  are coupled by a first rotating shaft  13 , and the first locking assembly  3  and the second folding seat  2  are coupled by a second rotating shaft  23 . The second locking assembly  4  is a linkage assembly  41 . The linkage assembly  41  includes a connecting rod  413 , as well as a third rotating shaft  411  and a fourth rotating shaft  412  located at both ends of the connecting rod  413 . The connecting rod is coupled to the first locking assembly  3  through the third rotating shaft  411 , and the connecting rod is coupled to the first folding seat  1  through the fourth rotating shaft  412 . 
     The first folding seat  1  includes a first body  11  and a first protrusion  12 , and the first protrusion  12  protrudes outwards from a periphery of the first body  11 . The second folding seat  2  includes a second body  21  and a second protrusion  22 , and the second protrusion  22  protrudes outwards from a periphery of the second body  21 . The first protrusion  12  is arranged opposite to the second protrusion  22 , and a side of the first protrusion  12  away from the second protrusion  22  is provided with a first groove  121 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 8 , the first locking assembly  3  includes an unlocking wrench  31 , a locking block  32 , an unlocking knob  33 , a reset compression spring  34 , and a reset torsion spring  35 . The unlocking wrench is rotatably coupled to the second protrusion  22 . The unlocking wrench  31  is rotatable between the first position and the second position. The unlocking wrench  31  has a cavity, and the locking block  32  is fitted in the cavity of the unlocking wrench  31 . The unlocking knob  33  is arranged on the unlocking wrench  31  and coupled to the locking block  32 , and the unlocking knob  33  drives the locking block  32  to move along a length direction of the unlocking wrench  31 , such that the locking block  32  approaches or gets away from the first groove  121 . 
     A mounting groove is formed in a side of the unlocking wrench  31  away from the first body  11  and is in communication with an inner chamber of the unlocking wrench  31 . The locking block  32  has a second bump  322  located in the mounting groove. The unlocking knob  33  is coupled to the second bump  322  to drive the locking block  32  to move. The reset compression spring  34  is arranged between the second bump  322  and a wall surface of the mounting groove, and the second bump exerts an action force towards the first groove  121 . The reset torsion spring  35  is arranged at a junction of the unlocking wrench  31  and the second protrusion  22 , and the reset torsion spring  35  exerts an action force to turn the unlocking wrench  31  to the first position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , a first bump  122  is arranged on a side of the first protrusion  12  away from the second protrusion  22 , and a first groove  121  is formed between the first bump  122  and the first body  11 . A second groove  321  is formed in an outer end of the locking block  32 . The unlocking wrench  31  is adapted to move from the second position to the first position via a transition position. In the transition position, the first bump  122  is clamped in the second groove  321 , and the first folding assembly  3  is working, such that the folding device achieves the primary locking. 
     Locking and unlocking processes of the folding device will be illustrated below. 
     Locking process: the unlocking wrench  31  is in the second position, the folding device is in a folded state, and the user turns the first folding seat  1  to change the folding device from the folded state to an upright state. In this process, the unlocking wrench  31  automatically changes from the second position to the transition position under an action of the reset torsion spring  35 , and the first bump  122  is clamped in the second groove  321 . At this time, the folding device achieves the primary locking, that is, only the first locking assembly is working and the second locking assembly is not working. Afterwards, the user moves the unlocking wrench  31  from the transition position to the first position by hand, and the outer end of the locking block  32  is automatically clamped in the first groove  121  under the action of the reset compression spring  34 . At this time, the folding device achieves the secondary locking, that is, the first locking assembly  3  and the second locking assembly  4  are working at the same time, and the locking block  32  is clamped in the first groove  121 , in which way the unlocking wrench  31  may be prevented from moving to the second position and serve as a safety lock. 
     Unlocking process: the user toggles the unlocking knob  33 , and the unlocking knob  33  drives the locking block  32  to get away from the first groove  121 . At this time, the locking block  32  fails, and the user moves the first locking assembly  3  from the first position to the second position via the transition position. In the transition position, the first locking assembly  3  is working, the second locking assembly  4  fails, and the folding device is in the primary locking state. Afterwards, the users continues to move the unlocking wrench  31  to the second position, the first locking assembly  3  fails, and hence the folding device is unlocked. 
     In the description of the present disclosure, it should be understood that terms such as “central,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “axial,” “radial” and “circumferential” should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawings under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience and simplicity of description and do not indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to have a particular orientation and be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Thus, these terms shall not be construed as limitation on the present disclosure. 
     In addition, terms such as “first” and “second” are used herein for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance or to imply the number of indicated technical features. Thus, the feature defined with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly comprise one or more of this feature. In the description of the present disclosure, the term “a plurality of” means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless specified otherwise. 
     In the present disclosure, unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “coupled,” “fixed” and the like are used broadly, and may be, for example, fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; may also be mechanical or electrical connections or communicate with each other; may also be direct connections or indirect connections via intervening structures; may also be inner communication or interaction of two elements, which can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations. 
     In the present disclosure, unless specified or limited otherwise, a structure in which a first feature is “on” or “below” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, and may also include an embodiment in which the first feature and the second feature are not in direct contact with each other, but are contacted via an additional feature formed therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature “on,” “above,” or “on top of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely “on,” “above,” or “on top of” the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height higher than that of the second feature; while a first feature “below,” “under,” or “on bottom of” a second feature may include an embodiment in which the first feature is right or obliquely “below,” “under,” or “on bottom of” the second feature, or just means that the first feature is at a height lower than that of the second feature. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “an example,” “a specific example,” or “some examples,” means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Thus, the above terms throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, those skilled in the art can integrate and combine the different embodiments or examples and the features of the different embodiments or examples described in this specification without contradicting each other. 
     Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present disclosure, and various changes, modifications, alternatives and variations may be made in the embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.