CN108622289B

CN108622289B - Steering limiting structure of scooter and scooter with same

Info

Publication number: CN108622289B
Application number: CN201810783374.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 夏炜; 胡万略; 邓光极
Original assignee: Shenzhen Delux Industry Co ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Delux Industry Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2018-07-17
Publication date: 2024-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2038-07-17
Also published as: CN108622289A

Abstract

The invention relates to a steering limiting structure of a scooter and the scooter. The steering limiting structure comprises a positioning cylinder and a folding connecting structure, wherein the positioning cylinder is used for being fixedly connected to the frame assembly, the lower end of the folding connecting structure is used for being fixedly connected to the front fork assembly, and the upper end of the front fork assembly penetrates through the positioning cylinder; one of the folding connection structure and the positioning cylinder is provided with a limiting protrusion, the other one of the folding connection structure and the positioning cylinder is provided with a first limiting groove extending along the circumferential direction, and the limiting protrusion can move in the first limiting groove and is limited through the circumferential end part of the first limiting groove in an assembled state. The steering limit structure can conveniently limit the steering range of the front wheels of the scooter under the condition that the handlebar assembly is foldable, and improves the riding safety of the scooter.

Description

Steering limiting structure of scooter and scooter with same

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of scooters, in particular to a steering limiting structure of a scooter. The invention also relates to a scooter.

Background

Scooter is usually including frame subassembly, handlebar subassembly and front fork subassembly, and wherein, frame subassembly is used for bearing the rider, and frame subassembly's front end has the front fork mounting hole, the front fork subassembly rotationally install in the front fork mounting hole, the handlebar subassembly is used for the rider to grasp and control the direction, and the front wheel is installed to the lower extreme of front fork subassembly, and the upper end links to each other with the handlebar subassembly to follow the rotation of handlebar subassembly and adjust the direction of front wheel.

However, the scooter of the prior art often cannot well limit the steering range of the front wheels of the scooter, so that the handle bar assembly of the scooter is easy to turn in an uncontrolled manner, and the scooter is easy to fall down when the steering is too large. In particular, when the handlebar assembly is foldable relative to the frame assembly, the limitation of the steering range of the front wheel is made more difficult by the provision of the folding connection structure therebetween.

Disclosure of Invention

Based on the above-mentioned current situation, the main object of the present invention is to provide a steering limit structure of a scooter, which can limit the steering range of the front wheel of the scooter in a simple manner, and is not affected by a folding connection structure, so as to improve the riding safety of the scooter.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the invention is as follows:

A scooter turns to limit structure for limit scooter's front fork subassembly for frame subassembly turn to scope, include: the positioning cylinder is used for being fixedly connected to the frame assembly, the lower end of the folding connecting structure is used for being fixedly connected to the front fork assembly, and the upper end of the front fork assembly penetrates through the positioning cylinder; one of the folding connection structure and the positioning cylinder is provided with a limiting protrusion, the other one of the folding connection structure and the positioning cylinder is provided with a first limiting groove extending along the circumferential direction, and the limiting protrusion can move in the first limiting groove and is limited through the circumferential end part of the first limiting groove in an assembled state.

Preferably, the first limiting groove is arranged on the upper end face of the positioning cylinder, and the limiting protrusion is arranged on the lower end face of the folding connection structure.

Preferably, the first limiting groove is communicated with the inner hole of the positioning cylinder.

Preferably, the limit projection includes a limit portion and a fixing portion connected to each other, the fixing portion being fixed to a lower end surface of the folding connection structure.

Preferably, the fixing portion fixes the folding connection structure by means of screw connection.

Preferably, the limiting part is a cylinder, and the circumferential end part of the first limiting groove is of an arc-shaped structure.

Preferably, the folding connection structure comprises a first connection part positioned below and a second connection part positioned above, and the first connection part and the second connection part are pivotably connected together through a first pivot so as to enable the folding connection part to be in a folded state or a non-folded state, wherein the limit protrusion is arranged on the lower end face of the first connection part.

Preferably, a second limit groove is formed in the upper end face of the positioning cylinder; the first connecting part is provided with a locking piece capable of sliding along the axial direction; under the folding state, the second connecting part extrudes the locking piece, so that the locking piece slides downwards and is embedded into the second limiting groove, and the first connecting part is prevented from rotating relative to the positioning cylinder.

Preferably, a return spring is provided between the first connection portion and the lock block for returning the lock block after the pressing action of the second connection portion is eliminated.

Preferably, an axial chute is provided on the outer side wall of the first connecting portion, and the locking piece is slidably mounted in the axial chute.

Preferably, the axial chute comprises a side wall and a bottom wall, wherein a guide limit groove is formed in the side wall, a guide limit slide bar is arranged on the side portion of the locking piece, and the guide limit slide bar is in sliding fit with the guide limit groove.

Preferably, a first axial groove is formed in the bottom wall of the axial chute and is used for accommodating the return spring, and a spring compression part is arranged on the locking piece and is inserted into the first axial groove, so that the return spring is pressed between the lower end part of the first axial groove and the spring compression part.

Preferably, the spring compression part is a cylindrical structure screwed to the locking piece.

Preferably, the second limiting groove is communicated with the inner hole of the positioning cylinder.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a scooter, in which the steering range of the front wheel can be well limited, and which is applicable even when the handle bar assembly is foldable, and which has high riding safety.

In order to achieve the purpose, the technical scheme adopted is as follows:

the scooter comprises a front fork assembly and a frame assembly, wherein the front fork assembly rotatably penetrates through a front fork mounting hole of the frame assembly, and further comprises the steering limiting structure, the positioning cylinder is fixedly arranged in the front fork mounting hole, and the upper end of the front fork assembly penetrates through the front fork mounting hole and then is connected with the lower end of the folding connecting structure.

Preferably, the positioning barrel and the front fork mounting hole are circumferentially limited in a mode of matching a radial groove and a radial protrusion.

The steering limit structure can conveniently limit the steering range of the front wheels of the scooter under the condition that the handlebar assembly is foldable, and improves the riding safety of the scooter.

Drawings

The following describes preferred embodiments of a scooter steering limit structure and scooter according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figure:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a folding attachment structure and a steering limit structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a scooter according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a folded state;

FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the scooter of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the folded connection structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of FIG. 4 in full section;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view in full section of the scooter of FIG. 2 with the sleeve of the folding connection structure in a second position;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion of the folded connection structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view in full section of the scooter of FIG. 2 with the sleeve of the folding connection structure in a first position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the folded connection structure of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9A is an enlarged view of the Z area of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view A-A of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view B-B in FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of C-C in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 13-15 show the preferred construction of the first connection of FIG. 1 from different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate the preferred construction of the second connection of FIG. 1 from different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate the preferred construction of the locking handle of FIG. 1 from different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 22-24 illustrate the preferred construction of the lock block of FIG. 1 from different angles, respectively;

FIGS. 25-27 illustrate the preferred construction of the positioning cartridge of FIG. 1 from different angles, respectively;

Fig. 28 is a full cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the sleeve of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

A first aspect of the present invention provides a folding connection structure, a preferred embodiment of which is shown in fig. 1, which can conveniently achieve a transition between a folded state and an unfolded state between two connected parts, and can conveniently lock in the folded state and the unfolded state, so that a portable function can be achieved in the folded state.

The folding connection structure of the invention is suitable for various occasions as long as folding requirements exist between the two connected parts. In particular, the folding connection structure of the present invention is suitable for a scooter, and can be used for connecting a handle bar assembly and a frame assembly, so that the handle bar assembly can be folded relative to the frame assembly, and the whole scooter can be carried by the handle bar assembly in a folded state. Accordingly, a second aspect of the present invention provides a scooter incorporating the folding attachment structure of the present invention, the preferred embodiment of which is shown in figures 2-12.

Referring first to fig. 1-12, the folding attachment structure of the present invention includes: a first connection portion 9, a second connection portion 2, a locking handle 7 and a locking member 7'. Wherein the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2 are pivotally connected together by a first pivot 12 so as to be pivotable relative to each other for switching between a folded state (e.g. an angle between the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2) and an unfolded state (e.g. an upright state between the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2, e.g. coaxial with each other), the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2 being adapted to connect two parts to be connected, such as a frame assembly 100 and a handlebar assembly 200 of a scooter, respectively. The locking handle 7 is pivotally mounted to the first connection 9 and the locking member 7' is pivotally mounted to the second connection 2. In the unfolded state, the locking handle 7 can be buckled with the locking part 7' to lock the first connecting part 9 and the second connecting part 2 in the unfolded state, as shown in fig. 6-9; in the folded state, the locking handle 7 can abut against the locking member 7' and/or the second connecting portion 2 to lock the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2 in the folded state, as shown in fig. 2-5, so that the folded connecting structure can be carried in the folded state.

For example, for the scooter shown in fig. 2-12, the first connecting portion 9 may be connected to the frame assembly 100, and the second connecting portion 2 may be connected to the handlebar assembly 200 (as shown), or vice versa. The following description of the present invention will take the embodiment shown in the drawings as an example, that is, the case where the first connecting portion 9 is connected to the frame assembly 100 and the second connecting portion 2 is connected to the handlebar assembly 200.

When the first connecting part 9 and the second connecting part 2 are in the folded state, the handlebar assembly 200 is folded relative to the frame assembly 100, so that the scooter can be stored and carried; when the first and second connection portions 9 and 2 are in the unfolded state, the handlebar assembly 200 stands upright with respect to the frame assembly 100 so that the scooter can ride.

Therefore, the folding connection structure of the present invention can lock the first connection portion 9 and the second connection portion 2 in the folded state, so that the folded state can be effectively maintained between the first connection portion 9 and the second connection portion 2, and even if an external force acts on one of the two, the folding connection structure will not pivot to the non-folded state, thereby realizing the carrying function in the folded state. When the folding connection structure is used for a scooter, the scooter in a folded state can be conveniently carried by the handlebar assembly 200.

The preferred construction of the first connecting part 9 is shown in fig. 13-15, the preferred construction of the second connecting part 2 is shown in fig. 16-18, and the preferred construction of the locking handle 7 is shown in fig. 19-21.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 13 to 15, the first connecting portion 9 is a hollow member, the side wall of which is provided with an axial slit 901 penetrating the inside and outside of the side wall, and is further provided with a screw fastening hole 902 for making the axial slit 901 small by the fastening action of a screw fastener (such as the screw 17 in fig. 1) so as to fix the first connecting portion 9 to the members to be connected in a clasping manner. In particular use, the first connection portion 9 is slipped over a component to be connected (such as the scooter front fork assembly 300 shown in fig. 5-9) and is locked by the screw 17 so as to be held tightly against the corresponding component. A first pivot hole 903 is further provided in a side wall of the first connecting portion 9 for mounting a first pivot 12 to pivotally connect the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2. A third pivot hole 904 is also provided in the side wall of the first connecting portion 9 for mounting the third pivot shaft 8 for pivotally mounting the locking handle 7 to the first connecting portion 9. The axes of the first pivot hole 903 and the third pivot hole 904 are parallel, and are provided on both sides of the upper side end (i.e., the end connected to the second connecting portion 2, which may be referred to as an inner side end) of the first connecting portion 9, respectively.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 16 to 18, the second connecting portion 2 is a hollow tubular member, and a lower side end (i.e., an end connected to the first connecting portion 9, which may be referred to as an inner side end) thereof is provided with a fourth pivot hole 201 for the first pivot shaft 12 to pass through. The lower side end of the second connecting portion 2 is further provided with a second pivot hole 203 for pivotally mounting the locking member 7'. The axes of the fourth pivot hole 201 and the second pivot hole 203 are parallel, and are provided on both sides of the lower side end of the second connecting portion 2, respectively. The upper end of the second connecting part 2 (which may be referred to as the outer end in relation to the inner end) is provided with a connecting tube section 202 of reduced outer diameter for a fixed connection with the components to be connected, for example by means of an interference connection and/or an adhesive joint. In particular use, the connecting tube segment 202 of the second connector 2 is inserted into a component to be connected (e.g., the scooter handlebar assembly 200 shown in fig. 5-9) to effect a fixed connection.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the locking member 7' includes a second pivot shaft 5 and a locking post 4, where the second pivot shaft 5 is pivotally connected to the second connecting portion 2, for example, two ends of the second pivot shaft are respectively installed in the second pivot shaft holes 203 and can pivot relative to the second connecting portion 2, and a first end (a lower end in fig. 1) of the locking post 4 is fixedly connected (for example, screwed or welded) to the second pivot shaft 5, and a second end (an upper end in fig. 1) is a free end for buckling with the locking handle 7.

Correspondingly, as shown in fig. 20, the locking handle 7 is provided with a receiving cavity 701. Since the locking handle is pivotally mounted on the first connection 9, in the unfolded state, the locking handle 7 can be pivoted towards the locking member 7', and during pivoting, the second end of the locking post 4 can enter the receiving cavity 701 to complete the snap-fit between the locking handle 7 and the locking member 7', the snap-fit state being shown in fig. 7 and 9. In the snap-fit condition, the second end of the locking post 4 and the receiving cavity 701 abut against each other in the axial direction, so that they cannot be separated from each other in the axial direction, and thus the first connecting portion 9 and the second connecting portion 2 can be locked in the unfolded condition together with the first pivot 12. When the scooter adopts the folding connection structure of the present invention, the handle bar assembly 200 can be stably in an upright state with respect to the frame assembly 100, so that riding can be safely performed.

Preferably, the second end of the locking post 4 is a ball-shaped structure, so as to facilitate the buckling process with the accommodating cavity 701.

Preferably, the accommodating cavity 701 is in a ball-and-socket structure, so that the ball structure of the locking post 4 can be matched with the accommodating cavity to achieve more accurate matching. Of course, the accommodating cavity 701 may not adopt a ball-and-socket structure, so long as the buckling process can be ensured to be smoothly performed, and the necessary axial abutting action can be provided after the buckling.

Preferably, in a state in which the engagement between the locking handle 7 and the locking part 7' is completed, the axis of the locking post 4 and the axis of the folding connection structure are parallel to each other or form an acute angle therebetween, wherein in the case of forming an acute angle, the second end of the locking post 4 is inclined toward the axis of the folding connection structure (i.e., the axis of the second connection part 2). The above arrangement makes the locking between the locking handle 7 and the locking member 7' not easy to be released, thereby ensuring the reliability of the locking action.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the locking member 7' further comprises a resilient biasing member 6 for providing a biasing force to the locking post 4 such that the locking post 4 is deflected outwardly without being snapped, i.e. such that its second end is deflected towards the radially outer side of the second connection portion 2 for snap-engagement with the locking handle 7.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the elastic biasing member 6 is a torsion spring, and the torsion spring is sleeved on the second pivot 5, and has a first end fixed by the locking post 4 and a second end fixed by the second connecting portion 2.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 19 to 21, the locking handle 7 is provided with a first supporting portion 702, and the first supporting portion 702 is disposed closer to the free end (i.e., the other end opposite to the pivot connection end, which is the upper end in the drawing) of the locking handle 7 than the housing cavity 701. In the folded state, the locking handle 7 can pivot towards the locking part 7' and during pivoting the first support 702 can be supported on the second pivot 5, as shown in fig. 5, to prevent the folded connection from being converted into the unfolded state. In the case shown in fig. 5, for example, when the entire scooter is carried by grasping the handle bar assembly 200, since the first supporting portion 702 of the locking handle 7 is supported on the second pivot shaft 5, the handle bar assembly 2 cannot be pivoted toward the upright position, and only the entire scooter can be lifted, so that the carrying function in the folded state can be conveniently achieved.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 5 and 19, the supporting surface of the first supporting portion 702 is a concave arc surface, so that when the first supporting portion is supported on the second pivot 5, the first supporting portion and the second supporting portion can be well prevented from loosening, and the reliability of locking in the folded state is ensured.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 19-21, the side of the locking handle 7 is provided with a first boss 703, for example, two first bosses 703 provided on the left and right sides. As shown in fig. 16-18, the second connection portion 2 is provided with second bosses 204, for example, two corresponding second bosses 204. In the folded state, the locking handle 7 can pivot towards the locking part 7' and during pivoting the first boss 703 can be brought to abut the second boss 204, as shown in fig. 4, to prevent the folded connection structure from being converted to the unfolded state. In the case shown in fig. 4, for example, when the entire scooter is carried by grasping the handle bar assembly 200, since the first boss 703 of the locking handle 7 abuts against the second boss 204, the handle bar assembly 2 cannot be pivoted toward the upright position, and only the entire scooter can be lifted, so that the carrying function in the folded state can be conveniently achieved.

It can be seen that in the folding connection structure of the present invention, locking of the folded state can be achieved in either one or both of two ways (cooperation of the first boss 703 and the second boss 204, or cooperation of the first supporting portion 702 and the second pivot 5).

As can be seen from the above description, the folding connection structure of the present invention can conveniently complete the locking by only the pivotal movement of the locking handle 7, both in the folded state and in the unfolded state, and the operation process is time-saving and labor-saving, and the locking effect is very reliable. When unlocking is required, the locking handle 7 is only required to be manually pivoted in the opposite direction.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the first end surface (i.e., the end surface of the inner side end, in the drawing, the upper end surface) of the first connecting portion 9 is opposite to the first end surface (i.e., the end surface of the inner side end, in the drawing, the lower end surface) of the second connecting portion 2, the second boss 204 is disposed on the first end surface of the second connecting portion 2 (as shown in fig. 16-18), and an avoidance step 905 (as shown in fig. 14-15) is disposed on the first end surface of the first connecting portion 9, so as to avoid the second boss 204, so that in the unfolded state, the first boss 703 and the second boss 204 do not interfere with the butt joint of the first end surface of the first connecting portion 9 and the first end surface of the second connecting portion 2.

Preferably, as mentioned above, the second connecting part 2 is a hollow tubular member, as shown in fig. 16-17, provided with a hollowed-out area 205 in the wall of the tube for receiving the locking handle 7 in the unfolded state. Thus, when the locking handle 7 is in the locked position (i.e., the locked position) in the unfolded state, the locking handle 7 can be integrally hidden in the hollowed-out area 205, which is attractive and safe, and can effectively prevent the locking handle 7 from being accidentally released.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 16 to 17, the hollowed-out area 205 is enlarged in size of a portion for receiving the free end of the locking handle 7, so as to form an operation space for operating the locking handle 7.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the first connecting portion 9 is provided with a locking piece 14 that can slide along an axial direction. As shown in fig. 5, in the folded state, the second connecting portion 2 presses the first end (upper end in the drawing) of the lock piece 14, so that the lock piece 14 slides toward the second end (lower end in the drawing) of the first connecting portion 9, and so that the second end of the lock piece 14 protrudes from the second end of the first connecting portion 9 for preventing the first connecting portion 9 from rotating in the folded state, for example, the first connecting portion 9 can be prevented from rotating by stopping the lock piece 14 circumferentially.

The above arrangement for preventing rotation of the first connecting portion 9 is very advantageous for scooter. Since a scooter generally includes a front fork assembly 300, a front wheel is mounted at a lower end of the front fork assembly 300, in order to allow the handle bar assembly 200 to conveniently steer the front wheel, the handle bar assembly 200 and the front fork assembly 300 may be connected by the folding connection structure of the present invention, for example, the first connection portion 9 is connected to an upper end of the front fork assembly 300, and the front fork assembly 300 is rotatably mounted at a front end of the frame assembly 100, so that the handle bar assembly 200 can also freely rotate with respect to the frame assembly 100. In this case, when it is necessary to carry the entire scooter through the handle bar assembly 200, if the handle bar assembly 200 can be prevented from rotating with respect to the frame assembly 100, the convenience and stability of carrying can be enhanced.

Specifically, a corresponding limit groove may be provided on a member below the first connection portion 9, so that the second end of the locking piece 14 is embedded in the limit groove, thereby conveniently realizing a circumferential stop for the locking piece 14.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the folding connection structure of the present invention further includes a positioning cylinder 16 located below the first connection portion 9 and fixedly connected to a fixed portion of a member to be connected (e.g., the frame assembly 100), and the upper end of the front fork assembly 300 is connected to the first connection portion 9 through the positioning cylinder 16, as shown in fig. 5. As shown in fig. 25-26, a second limiting groove 161 is formed on the upper end surface of the positioning barrel 16, and in a folded state, the second connecting portion 2 presses the locking piece 14, so that the locking piece 14 slides downward and is embedded in the second limiting groove 161 as shown in fig. 5, thereby preventing the first connecting portion 9 from rotating relative to the positioning barrel 16.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 and 5, a return spring 15 is provided between the first connecting portion 9 and the locking piece 14 for returning the locking piece 14 after the pressing action of the second connecting portion 2 is eliminated. That is, when the folding connection structure is shifted to the unfolded state, the handle bar assembly 200 is pivoted to the upright position, at which time the scooter should be able to travel normally, and thus the handle bar assembly 200 should not be limited in rotation. Due to the action of the return spring 15, the locking piece 14 can automatically return after the extrusion action of the second connecting portion 2 is eliminated, and leaves the second limiting groove 161, so that the rotation function of the first connecting portion 9 is restored.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 13, an axial sliding groove 906 is provided on an outer sidewall of the first connecting portion 9, and the locking piece 14 is slidably mounted in the axial sliding groove 906 (refer to fig. 1). By providing the axial sliding groove 906, on the one hand, the mounting and limiting of the locking piece are facilitated, and on the other hand, the hiding of the locking piece 14 is facilitated, so that the appearance of the folding connection structure is attractive.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 13, the axial chute 906 includes a side wall 9061 and a bottom wall 9062, wherein a guiding and limiting groove 9063 is provided on the side wall 9061; as shown in fig. 22-24, a guiding and limiting slide bar 141 is disposed on a side portion of the locking piece 14, and the guiding and limiting slide bar 141 is slidably matched with the guiding and limiting groove 9063, so that the locking piece 14 is slidably mounted on the first connecting portion 9, and the locking piece 14 is prevented from falling off.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 13, a first axial groove 9064 is provided on the bottom wall 9062 of the axial chute 906, for accommodating the return spring 15; as shown in fig. 1, the lock block 14 is provided with a spring compression portion 13, and the spring compression portion 13 is inserted into the first axial groove 9064, so that the return spring 15 is compressively located between the lower end portion of the first axial groove 9064 and the spring compression portion 13. Thus, when the second connecting portion 2 presses the first end (i.e., the upper end) of the lock block 14, the spring compressing portion 13 compresses the return spring 15 further downward during the downward sliding of the lock block 14, so that the compressed return spring 15 can rebound immediately after the pressing action of the second connecting portion 2 is eliminated, thereby returning the lock block 14.

The spring compressing portion 13 may take any suitable structure, and may be, for example, a projection structure welded or integrally formed on the rear surface side of the lock piece 14. Preferably, however, the spring compressing portion 13 is a cylindrical structure that is screwed to the locking piece 14, and for this purpose, as shown in fig. 22 to 24, a threaded hole 142 is provided in the locking piece 14, so that the spring compressing portion 13 can be conveniently mounted to the locking piece 14, so that both the manufacturing process and the mounting process of the locking piece 14 are simplified, and the spring compressing portion 13 can directly use a set screw to function.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 25-26, the second limiting groove 161 is communicated with the inner hole of the positioning cylinder 16, so that the processing process of the second limiting groove 161 can be simplified, and the thickness dimension of the locking piece 14 can be ensured to be enough, so that the rigidity and the strength of the locking piece can be ensured to meet the requirements.

It will be appreciated that the positioning barrel 16 is not required, and thus the second limiting groove 161 need not be provided on the positioning barrel 16, but may be provided on other components below the folding connection structure, such as the corresponding position of the scooter frame assembly 100, so long as the components are stationary relative to the frame assembly 100, the steering limitation of the handlebar assembly 200 in the folded state is achieved.

The engagement of the locking piece 14 and the second limiting groove 161 prevents the handlebar assembly 200 from rotating relative to the frame assembly 100 in the folded state, thereby improving the operability and stability of the folding and carrying.

However, for the scooter, when the handlebar assembly 200 is in the unfolded state (i.e. in the upright position), the front wheel steering, i.e. the front fork assembly 300, is often required to be operated within a certain range, and for this reason, the folding connection structure of the present invention cooperates with the positioning tube 16 to form a steering limiting structure of the scooter, which is used for limiting the steering range of the front fork assembly 300 of the scooter relative to the frame assembly 100.

Specifically, as also shown in fig. 1, the steering limiting structure of the present invention includes: positioning barrel 16 and the aforementioned folding attachment structure. The positioning cylinder 16 is fixedly connected to the frame assembly 100, and the lower end of the folding connection structure (i.e., the lower end of the first connection portion 9) is fixedly connected to the front fork assembly 300, see fig. 5, 7 and 9. Wherein the upper end of the front fork assembly 300 passes through the positioning cylinder 16 and can rotate relative to the positioning cylinder 16. One of the folding connection structure and the positioning cylinder 16 is provided with a limiting protrusion 10, and the other is provided with a first limiting groove 162 (see fig. 25-26) extending along the circumferential direction, wherein in the assembled state, the limiting protrusion 10 can move in the first limiting groove 162 and limit the steering range between the folding connection structure and the positioning cylinder 16 through the circumferential end part of the first limiting groove 162.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings of the present invention, the first limiting groove 162 is provided on the positioning cylinder 16 (see fig. 25 to 26), and the limiting projection 10 is provided at the lower end of the folding connection structure (specifically, the lower end of the first connection part 9, see fig. 1), and is embedded in the first limiting groove 162 so as to protrude downward. Since the first limiting groove 162 extends a certain size along the circumferential direction, the limiting protrusion 10 can move within the extending range of the first limiting groove 162 until abutting against the circumferential end of the first limiting groove 162.

Alternatively, the first limiting groove 162 may be disposed at a lower end of the folding connection structure (specifically, a lower end of the first connection portion 9), and the limiting protrusion 10 is disposed on the positioning cylinder 16, is embedded in the first limiting groove 162 in an upward protruding manner, and may move within an extension range of the first limiting groove 162 until abutting against a circumferential end of the first limiting groove 162.

Since the two ends of the folding connection structure are fixedly connected to the handle bar assembly 200 and the front fork assembly 300, respectively, and the positioning cylinder 16 is fixedly mounted to the frame assembly 100, the above structure also achieves the limitation of the steering range of the handle bar assembly 200 and the front fork assembly 300 with respect to the frame assembly 100, that is, the limitation of the steering range of the front wheel.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 25 to 26, the first limit groove 162 is provided on the upper end surface of the positioning cylinder 16; as shown in fig. 1, the limit projection 10 is provided on the lower end surface of the folding connection structure.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 25-26, the first limit groove 162 is formed through the inner hole of the positioning cylinder 16, so that the size of the limit projection 10 is correspondingly increased, thereby ensuring the strength and rigidity thereof.

Preferably, the limiting projection 10 may include a limiting portion and a fixing portion connected to each other, the fixing portion being fixed to the lower end surface of the folding connection structure, and preferably being fixed to the lower end surface of the first connection portion 9 by screwing or welding, and the limiting portion being adapted to cooperate with the first limiting groove 162 to perform a steering limiting function. Preferably, the limiting part is a cylinder, and the circumferential end of the first limiting groove 162 is of an arc structure, so that the limiting part and the first limiting groove 162 can smoothly contact when moving to the circumferential end of the first limiting groove, and surface contact can be realized. In a specific implementation, the limit projection 10 may be formed by a cylindrical head, wherein a cylindrical head portion of the cylindrical head forms the limit portion, and a threaded portion of the cylindrical head forms the fixing portion.

As shown in fig. 27, the positioning cylinder 16 includes a large diameter section 163 and a small diameter section 164 connected in the axial direction, the inner diameters of the large diameter section 163 and the small diameter section 164 being the same. The upper end surface of the positioning cylinder 16 is the outer end surface of the large-diameter section 163, and the first limiting groove 162 and the second limiting groove 161 are arranged on the outer end surface of the large-diameter section 163. Because of the large wall thickness of the large diameter section 163, it is possible to provide the first limit groove 162 and the second limit groove 161 on the outer end surface of the large diameter section 163.

When the positioning cylinder 16 is mounted on the frame assembly 100 of the scooter, the small diameter section 164 may be inserted into a corresponding portion (e.g., a front fork mounting hole) of the frame assembly 100 and axially positioned by means of a stepped structure between the large diameter section 163 and the small diameter section 164.

To achieve circumferential fixation of the positioning cylinder 16 relative to the frame assembly 100, radial ribs 165 are provided on the outer side wall of the small diameter section 164 of the positioning cylinder 16 for mating with radial grooves in the corresponding portion of the frame assembly 100, such that the positioning cylinder 16 cannot rotate relative to the frame assembly 100.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the folding joint structure of the present invention further includes a screw connection sleeve 11 for fixing the first joint 9 to a corresponding component to be joined (for example, the scooter front fork assembly 300 shown in fig. 5 to 9). The screw connection sleeve 11 includes a male screw portion and a flange portion at one end (upper end in the drawing) of the male screw portion. Specifically, the first connecting portion 9 is held tightly outside the upper end portion of the front fork assembly 300 by the action of the pair of screws 17, and the inner hole of the upper end portion of the front fork assembly 300 is provided with an internal thread, with which the external thread portion of the thread connecting sleeve 11 is engaged and screwed, so that the flange portion is pressed against the stepped surface inside the first connecting portion 9, thereby fixing the first connecting portion 9 to the front fork assembly 300.

In order to improve the aesthetic property and the safety reliability of the folding connection structure and the corresponding scooter of the present invention, the folding connection structure of the present invention may further include a sleeve 1 sleeved on the outer sides of the first connection part 9 and the second connection part 2, thereby forming a sleeve type folding connection structure, as shown in fig. 1.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, the telescopic folding connection structure of the present invention includes: the first connecting part 9, the second connecting part 2, the locking mechanism and the sleeve 1. Wherein the preferred construction of the first connection part 9 and the second connection part 2 is as described above, both being pivotably connected together, for example by means of a first pivot 12. The locking mechanism is used to lock the folding connection structure in an unfolded state, for example comprising the locking handle 7 and the locking member 7' described above. The sleeve 1 is sleeved on the radial outer sides of the first connecting part 9 and the second connecting part 2, so that the first connecting part 9, the second connecting part 2 and the locking mechanism can be at least partially covered and hidden, and the sleeve 1 can slide between a first position and a second position.

As shown in fig. 8-9, when the sleeve 1 is slid to a first position (for example, when the sleeve 1 is slid up to an upper limit position as applied to a scooter), the locking mechanism and the first pivot shaft 12 are exposed, at which point the locking mechanism can be operated so that the folding connection structure can be shifted to a folded state; as shown in fig. 6-7, when the sleeve 1 is slid to the second position (again, for example, when the sleeve 1 is slid down to the lower limit position as applied to a scooter), the locking mechanism and the first pivot 12 are at least partially hidden within the sleeve 1, at which time the locking mechanism cannot be operated, so that the folding connection cannot be shifted to the folded state.

Since the sleeve 1 can at least partially cover and hide the locking mechanism and the first pivot 12, and can also completely expose the locking mechanism and the first pivot 12, the folding operation can be facilitated when folding is required, and the folding operation can be prevented when folding is not required (when normal operation is performed), thereby ensuring the convenience of operation and the safety when normal operation is performed. In normal operation, since the sleeve 1 is in the second position, on the one hand, the locking mechanism cannot be unlocked, and on the other hand, even if the locking mechanism is not functional, the sleeve 1 itself can prevent the folding movement between the first connection portion 9 and the second connection portion 2, thereby providing a double guarantee, ensuring that no accidental folding occurs.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 6-7, not only the locking mechanism and the first pivot 12 are completely hidden within the sleeve 1, but also the first connection 9 and the second connection 2 are almost completely hidden within the sleeve 1, so that these components are almost invisible from the outside, whereby the appearance integrity of the entire folded connection can be improved by the sleeve 1.

Obviously, the situation shown in fig. 6-7 is the normal working state of the folding connection structure of the invention. For example, when it is applied to a scooter, the sleeve 1 may be provided to have the same color and/or pattern as the handle bar assembly 200, the frame assembly 100 on the upper and lower sides thereof, thereby securing the aesthetic appearance of the scooter.

Preferably, when the sleeve 1 is in the first position, as shown in fig. 8 to 9, the first end (lower end in the drawing) of the sleeve 1 is close to the outer end (upper end in the drawing) of the second connecting portion 2, so that all of the first connecting portion 9, all of the locking mechanism, all of the first pivot 12, and most of the second connecting portion 2 are exposed for unlocking operation; when the sleeve 1 is in the second position, as shown in fig. 6-7, the first end (lower end in the drawing) of the sleeve 1 is close to the outer end (lower end in the drawing) of the first connecting portion 9, and the second end (upper end in the drawing) of the sleeve 1 is close to the outer end of the second connecting portion 2, so that most of the first connecting portion 9, all of the locking mechanism, all of the first pivot 12, and most of the second connecting portion 2 can be covered and hidden, multiple security assurance is achieved, and appearance integrity is improved.

Preferably, a limiting mechanism is provided between the first connection 9 and/or the second connection 2 and the sleeve 1 for holding the sleeve 1 in the first and/or second position. By providing the corresponding stopper mechanism, the sleeve 1 can be stably held in the first position and also can be stably held in the second position unless it is slid to another position by an external force (such as a force applied by an operator), whereby occurrence of unexpected situations such as erroneous operation can be prevented.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the limiting mechanism includes a first set of bead screws 3 disposed on the second connecting portion 2 near an outer end (upper end in the drawing), and the first set of bead screws 3 includes, for example, 4 or other numbers of bead screws; as shown in fig. 28, a first groove 101 is provided on the inner side wall of the sleeve 1 near the first end (lower end in the drawing), and the first set of ball screws 3 are engaged with the first groove 101 to hold the sleeve 1 in the first position, as shown in fig. 8 to 9 and fig. 12.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 28, a second groove 102 is provided on the inner side wall of the sleeve 1 near the second end (upper end in the drawing), and the first set of bead screws 3 cooperate with the second groove 102 to hold the sleeve 1 in the second position, as shown in fig. 6-7 and 10.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1, the limiting mechanism may further comprise a second set of bead screws 18 arranged on the first connecting portion 9 near the outer end (lower end in the drawing), the second set of bead screws 18 comprising, for example, 4 or other number of bead screws, the second set of bead screws 18 cooperating with the first groove 101 to hold the sleeve 1 in the second position, as shown in fig. 6-7 and 11. That is, by providing the second set of the wave bead screws 18, the grooves of both the upper and lower ends of the sleeve 1 can be fitted with the corresponding wave bead screws, thereby holding the sleeve 1 in the second position more firmly. Since the sleeve 1 is in the second position in the normal working state (i.e., in the unfolded state) of the folded connection structure, the safety and reliability can be further ensured by limiting and holding both ends of the sleeve 1.

In actual use, if it is desired to fold the folding connection, for example the handlebar assembly 200 of a scooter, the sleeve 1 can be slid to the first position and held in the first position by the first set of beaded screws 3 and the first channel 101 in cooperation, at which time the locking handle 7 can be operated to unlock the second connection part 2 so that it can be pivoted relative to the first connection part 9 to effect folding and the locking handle 7 can lock the second connection part 2 in the folded state.

On the contrary, if the folding connection structure needs to be restored to the unfolded state, for example, the handlebar assembly 200 of the scooter is erected for riding, the locking handle 7 can be operated to unlock the folded state, then the handlebar assembly 200 can be erected to enable the first connection part 9 and the second connection part 2 to be in the coaxial connection state and locked by the locking handle 7, then the sleeve 1 can be slid to the second position, and the first set of the ball screw 3 and the second set of the ball screw 18 are respectively matched with grooves at the upper end and the lower end of the sleeve 1 to keep the sleeve 1 in the second position.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 28, the limiting mechanism further includes an inner boss 103 disposed at a first end (lower end in the drawing) of the sleeve 1, the inner boss 103 is located at a lower side (i.e., a side close to the first end) of the first groove 101, and a side wall of the first set of bead screws 3 protrudes from an outer side surface of the second connecting portion 2, so as to limit and stop the inner boss 103, as shown in fig. 9A. That is, when the sleeve 1 slides from bottom to top to the first position, referring to fig. 9 and 9A, since the side wall of the first set of bead screws 3 is higher than the outer side surface of the second connection part 2, after the first set of bead screws 3 are engaged with the first groove 101, the inner boss 103 cannot go beyond the first set of bead screws 3, so that the sleeve 1 cannot slide upward continuously, that is, cannot be separated from the second connection part 2, thereby ensuring inseparability between the sleeve 1 and the folded connection structure.

In particular, the second set of bead screws 18 should be installed so that the side walls thereof do not limit the inner boss 103, so that the inner boss 103 can smoothly pass over the second set of bead screws 18.

At the time of assembly, the sleeve 1 may be fitted starting from the outer end (lower end) of the first connecting portion 9, and may be fitted before the first connecting portion 9 is fixed to the member to be connected (such as the front fork assembly 300). When it is desired to fix the first connection 9 to the component to be connected, the sleeve 1 can then be slid into the first position, thereby completely exposing the first connection 9 and leaving the second connection 2 in the folded position relative to the first connection 9, at which point the first connection 9 can be fixed to the component to be connected (e.g. the front fork assembly 300) using the screw 17 and the threaded connection sleeve 11. Thereafter, the folded connection structure is converted to an unfolded state and the sleeve 1 is slid to a second position, thereby exposing the connection tube section 202 of the outer end of the second connection part 2, at which time the second connection part 2 can be fixed to the component to be connected (e.g., the handle bar assembly 200) through the connection tube section 202. Thus, the assembly between the folding connection structure of the present invention and the components to be connected is completed.

On the basis of the above work, another aspect of the present invention provides a scooter, as shown in fig. 2 to 9, which includes a frame assembly 100, a handle bar assembly 200 and a front fork assembly 300, and further includes the folding connection structure and the steering limiting structure provided in the foregoing of the present invention.

Specifically, the two ends of the folding connection structure (i.e., the first connection part 9 and the second connection part 2) of the present invention can be respectively connected with one of the frame assembly 100 and the handle assembly 200, thereby conveniently realizing the folding function of the handle assembly 200, and the whole scooter can be carried by the handle assembly 200 in the folded state, so that the carrying is convenient.

Preferably, the first connecting portion 9 is connected to the frame assembly 100, and the second connecting portion 2 is connected to the handlebar assembly 200, that is, the first connecting portion 9 is located below, the second connecting portion 2 is located above, and in the folded state, the locking handle 7 supports the second pivot shaft 5 from below, so that locking for the folded state is more stable and reliable.

Preferably, when the folding joint structure of the present invention includes the sleeve 1, the outer diameter of the portion of the handle bar assembly 200 for connection with the second joint part 2 is less than or equal to the maximum outer diameter of the second joint part 2, so that the sleeve 1 can be smoothly slid onto the handle bar assembly 200 when sliding upward, as shown in fig. 8 to 9, thereby exposing the second joint part 2 to the maximum extent so as to provide a sufficient operation space for the locking mechanism.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 6-7, the outer diameter of the portion of the frame assembly 100 for connecting with the first connecting portion 9 is equal to the outer diameter of the sleeve 1, so that the sleeve 1 can form a consistent outer surface with the corresponding portion of the frame assembly 100 when in the second position, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance.

In addition, in order to realize the control of the handlebar assembly 200 for steering the front wheel of the scooter, the front fork assembly 300 rotatably passes through the front fork mounting hole on the frame assembly 100 and is connected with the handlebar assembly 200 through the steering limiting structure provided in the foregoing aspect of the invention, wherein the positioning cylinder 16 is fixedly mounted in the front fork mounting hole, and the upper end of the front fork assembly 300 passes through the front fork mounting hole and is connected with the lower end of the folding connection structure (i.e., the lower end of the first connection part 9). Thus, by rotating the handle bar assembly 200, the steering of the front wheels of the scooter can be controlled, and at the same time, the steering range of the front wheels can be limited within a predetermined range by the steering limitation of the steering limiting structure.

Preferably, the positioning barrel 16 and the front fork mounting hole are circumferentially limited in a manner of matching radial ribs 165 and radial grooves.

It is easy to understand by those skilled in the art that the above preferred embodiments can be freely combined and overlapped without conflict.

It will be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive, and that all obvious or equivalent modifications and substitutions to the details given above may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the underlying principles of the invention, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. The utility model provides a limit structure turns to for limit the front fork subassembly of scooter for the steering range of frame subassembly, its characterized in that includes: the positioning cylinder is used for being fixedly connected to the frame assembly, the lower end of the folding connecting structure is used for being fixedly connected to the front fork assembly, one of the folding connecting structure and the positioning cylinder is provided with a limiting protrusion, the other one of the folding connecting structure and the positioning cylinder is provided with a first limiting groove extending along the circumferential direction, and in an assembled state, the limiting protrusion can move in the first limiting groove and is limited through the circumferential end part of the first limiting groove;

the first limiting groove is arranged on the upper end face of the positioning cylinder, and the limiting protrusion is arranged on the lower end face of the folding connection structure;

The folding connection structure comprises a first connection part positioned below, a second connection part positioned above, a locking handle and a locking component, wherein the first connection part is a hollow member, the second connection part is a hollow tubular member, and the first connection part and the second connection part are pivotally connected together through a first pivot so as to enable the folding connection part to be in a folding state or a non-folding state, and the limiting protrusion is arranged on the lower end face of the first connection part; the upper end of the front fork assembly penetrates through the positioning cylinder to be connected with the first connecting part;

a second limiting groove is formed in the upper end face of the positioning cylinder; the first connecting part is provided with a locking piece capable of sliding along the axial direction; under the folding state, the second connecting part extrudes the locking piece, so that the locking piece slides downwards and is embedded into the second limiting groove, and the first connecting part is prevented from rotating relative to the positioning cylinder.

2. The steering limit structure of claim 1, wherein the first limit groove is through-going with the inner bore of the positioning barrel.

3. The steering limit structure according to claim 1, wherein the limit projection includes a limit portion and a fixing portion connected to each other, the fixing portion being fixed to a lower end face of the folding connection structure.

4. A steering limit structure according to claim 3, wherein the fixing portion is fixed to the folding connection structure by screwing.

5. The steering limit structure according to claim 3, wherein the limit portion is a cylinder, and a circumferential end of the first limit groove is an arc-shaped structure.

6. The steering limit structure according to claim 1, wherein a return spring is provided between the first connecting portion and the lock piece for returning the lock piece after the pressing action of the second connecting portion is eliminated.

7. The steering limiting structure according to claim 6, wherein an axial chute is provided on an outer side wall of the first connecting portion, and the lock piece is slidably mounted in the axial chute.

8. The steering limit structure according to claim 7, wherein the axial chute comprises a side wall and a bottom wall, wherein a guiding limit groove is formed in the side wall, a guiding limit slide bar is arranged on the side portion of the locking piece, and the guiding limit slide bar is in sliding fit with the guiding limit groove.

9. The steering limiting structure according to claim 8, wherein a first axial groove is provided in a bottom wall of the axial chute for accommodating the return spring, and a spring compression portion is provided in the lock block, and the spring compression portion is inserted into the first axial groove so that the return spring is compressively positioned between a lower end portion of the first axial groove and the spring compression portion.

10. The steering limit structure according to claim 9, wherein the spring compression portion is a columnar structure that is screwed to the lock block.

11. The steering limiting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second limiting groove is communicated with an inner hole of the positioning cylinder.

12. The scooter comprises a front fork assembly and a frame assembly, wherein the front fork assembly rotatably penetrates through a front fork mounting hole of the frame assembly, and the scooter is characterized by further comprising a steering limiting structure according to one of claims 1-11, wherein the positioning cylinder is fixedly arranged in the front fork mounting hole, and the upper end of the front fork assembly penetrates through the front fork mounting hole and then is connected with the lower end of the folding connection structure.

13. The scooter of claim 12, wherein the positioning barrel and the front fork mounting hole are circumferentially limited by mating radial grooves and radial protrusions.