WO2020035839A1

WO2020035839A1 - Collapsible scooter comprising a hinged joint and hinged joint

Info

Publication number: WO2020035839A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/056976
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian KLOTHMANN; Florian WALBERG
Original assignee: Walberg Urban Electrics Gmbh
Priority date: 2018-08-14
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2020-02-20
Also published as: DE102018119784A1; DE102018119784B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible scooter comprising a hinged joint, and to a corresponding hinged joint. The hinged joint comprises two hinge receiving elements (11, 12) that can be pivoted in relation to each other about a pivoting axis (13), wherein a bar (14) that can be moved between a locking position and an unlocking position is provided on one of the joint receiving elements (11), said bar being able to interact selectively with a bar counter-piece on the other joint receiving element (12) in a pre-determined relative position of the two joint receiving elements (11, 12) in relation to each other, in order to fix the hinged joint. Furthermore, a tensioning lever (24) connected to the bar (14) by means of a spring bar (26) comprising a tension rod (27) and a compression spring (28) is provided, which can be pivoted about a tensioning lever axis (25) from a locking position to an opening position via an unlocking position, wherein the tension rod (27) excentrically acts on the tensioning lever (24).

Description

Folding roller with folding joint and folding joint

The invention relates to a folding scooter with a folding joint, such as a corresponding folding joint.

Folding scooters are known from the prior art. Corresponding scooters usually have two axes, each with a floor roller, between which a running board is arranged. One of the floor casters can be steered via a handlebar, the steering rod of which is guided by a steering column which projects upward substantially perpendicularly to the running board when the scooter is ready to drive. The handlebars usually extend to both sides of the handlebar with their grips and are often height-adjustable.

Such scooters usually have one or more folding and telescopic mechanisms in order to be able to transport and store them in a folded state in a space-saving manner. In the unfolded state, on the other hand, the driving properties and driving stability of non-folding scooters should be achieved if possible.

Using a first folding mechanism, for example, the steering column with the handlebar guided therein can be pivoted into a position in which the handlebar is essentially parallel to the footboard.

In addition, in some known embodiments, the handles of the handlebars can be pivoted into a position substantially parallel to the handlebars by a second folding mechanism, so that the handles no longer protrude laterally beyond the footboard when the scooter is folded. Last but not least, it is known to use the height adjustment of the regularly telescopic handlebar so that the handlebar does not protrude unnecessarily far beyond the other components of the scooter when folded.

The various folding and telescopic mechanisms from the prior art generally each have a quick screw or quick release connection, with which they can be secured at least when the scooter is in a riding condition. However, the loosening and tightening of appropriate quick screw or quick release connectors often require considerable effort. In addition, a possible

Quick screw connection of the folding mechanism of the steering column arranged in slightly dirty areas of the scooter.

Folding the scooter or making it ready to go is therefore cumbersome and can cause dirty fingers.

The object of the present invention is to create a folding scooter with a folding joint and a corresponding folding joint in which the parts known from the prior art no longer occur or only occur to a reduced extent.

This object is achieved by a folding scooter in accordance with the main claim and a folding joint in accordance with claim 9. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the invention relates to a folding scooter comprising a running board arranged between two axles, each with at least one floor roller, and a steering column connected to the running board via a folding joint for a handlebar of one of the two axles with a folded and a riding, unfolded state, the folding joint being two around a common pivot axis relative to each other pivotable hinge receptacles, each of which is connected to the footboard and the steering column, wherein on the Ge steering receptacle between a locking position and egg ner unlocking position movable latch is provided, which in a predetermined relative position of the two Ge joint receptacles can optionally cooperate with each other with a bolt counterpart on the other joint receptacle to fix the folding joint in this position, and wherein a tension rod is provided via a spring rod comprising a tension rod with coaxial thereto arranged compression spring with the bolt, which is about a lever axis can be pivoted between a locking position via an unlocking position to an open position, wherein the spring rod engages eccentrically to the clamping lever axis on the clamping lever and the spring rod is designed such that

- In the locking position of the tensioning lever, the tensioning lever is forced into the locking position and the bolt into the locking position by the compression spring of the spring rod acting between the tensioning lever and the bolt.

- In the unlocking position of the clamping lever, the spring rod is free of power transmission; and

- In the open position of the tensioning lever, the bolt is moved via the tension rod of the spring rod into the unlocking position.

The invention also relates to a lockable folding joint for vehicles comprising two joint receptacles which can be pivoted relative to one another about a common pivot axis, with one joint receptacle being between an interlocking position and an unlocking position of movable latch is provided, which can cooperate in a predetermined relative position of the two joint receptacles with one another optionally with a latch counter piece on the other joint receptacle in order to fix the folding joint in this position, with a spring rod comprising a tension rod with coaxial with it is provided on an orderly compression spring connected to the bolt tensioning lever, which can be pivoted about a tensioning lever axis between a locking position via an unlocking position to an opening position, the spring rod acting eccentrically to the tensioning lever axis on the tensioning lever and the spring rod being designed such that

First, some terms used in connection with the invention will be explained.

A spring rod is considered to be "force-free" if no resulting force is exerted on the elements connected thereby. In addition to embodiments in which no forces at all are exerted by the spring force when the force is not transmitted. rod are transmitted, for example. Because neither the compression spring is tensioned nor the tension rod is loaded, conditions are also considered to be power transmission-free, in which one of the

Compression spring applied force is fully absorbed by the tension rod.

The invention offers the advantage of reliably securing the folding joint when the scooter is in the ready-to-run, unfolded state, while at the same time being easy to operate. In the riding condition of the scooter, the folding joint is fixed by the latch, the latch being held securely in the locking position by the compression spring of the spring.

The compression spring only serves to secure the bolt in the locked position. As a result, the spring force to be applied by the compression spring to secure the bolt can be selected to be significantly lower than if the compression spring had to produce, for example, a force fit comparable to a quick-action connection. As a result, pivoting of the tensioning lever from the locking position - in which it is pressed with the same spring force - into the unlocking position is possible with little effort.

In the unlocked position, the spring rod is free of power transmission. As a result, the bolt initially remains in the unlocking position of the clamping lever in the locking position, so that the folding joint remains fi xed.

Only when the clamping lever is pivoted further towards the opening position, the bolt is moved into the unlocking position by the pull rod. Only then is the fixing of the folding joint released and the handlebar can be swiveled in relation to the running board. In order to make the folding scooter ready to drive again, the folding joint is first pivoted into the corresponding position. As soon as the clamping lever is in the locking position, the bolt is pushed into the locking position, which fixes the folding joint in the position in question. It can be provided that the bolt is pushed before the pivoting of the hinged joint by the pressure spring of the spring rod into the locking position (by the tensioning lever being in the locking position) and resiliently engages in the locking counterpart. It is also possible, however, that the bolt can only be moved into the locking position by corresponding actuation of the tensioning lever after the folding joint has been pivoted completely into the position required for driving readiness.

Also to make it ready to go again, only a small amount of force is required to pivot the tensioning lever from the unlocking position into the locking position.

It is preferred if a pivotable foot lever is provided with a striking surface for the tensioning lever and is arranged in such a way that a force is exerted on the tensioning lever via the stop surface when the foot lever is pivoted in order to move the sen from the locking position into the unlocking position. By means of a corresponding foot lever, the force required for pivoting the tensioning lever from the locking position into the unlocking position can be applied by pressing on the foot lever. Since the folding joint is located in the area of the footboard, the foot lever can be actuated in particular by the foot of a user. Of course, it is also possible to operate the foot pedal by hand. The bolt can be designed as a locking element pivotable about a bolt axis, the bolt counterpart then preferably being a pawl. The latching element can then be pivoted between the locking and unlocking positions. Furthermore, the latching element can have such an external shape that it is deflected in the locking position when the folding joint is opened by the locking counterpart against the pressure force exerted by the compression spring of the spring rod from the locking position, in order then to snap into the locking counterpart due to the compression spring. For this purpose, the ras telement can have suitable sliding surfaces on its outside, on which the locking counterpart, for example a latch, can slide along.

The latch can alternatively be designed as a sliding element, or a corresponding sliding element is provided in addition to a latch designed differently, for example as a latching element. The sliding element has an elongated hole with a rising edge, in which a locking pin biased in the direction of the sliding element for optional engagement in a suitable recess on the other joint receptacle is guided such that the locking pin is optionally moved out of the by the rising edge when the sliding element is moved Depression at the other joint receptacle is raised. In other words, the edge of the elongated hole is provided with a bevel so that the locking pin can engage in a depression in a first position of the elongated hole, while in a second position of the elongated hole it is raised such that it no longer fits into the depression one takes hold. The sliding element is connected directly or indirectly via the bolt to the tensioning lever, wherein it is moved in the opening position of the tensioning lever to a position in which the locking pin is raised sufficiently not to engage in a recess provided for it. If such a sliding element with locking pin as Rie gel or as an additive to the latch on a joint receptacle is provided, a deepening is to be provided on the other joint receptacle for engagement of the locking pin in the unfolded position of the folding joint. However, it is preferred if further recesses are provided on the other joint receptacle, in order to be able to fix the folding joint in further positions by means of optional interventions by the locking pin. For example, the folding joint can be fixed in its folded position so that the folding roller does not accidentally open from the folded position to the ready-to-drive state. This further fi xation can be canceled by swiveling the tensioning lever in the open position.

It is preferred if two bolts and / or sliding elements with locking pins are provided symmetrically to a plane perpendicular to the common pivot axis of the joint receptacles. This offers the advantage of a symmetrical power transmission via the folding joint compared to the plane mentioned.

At least one of the joint receptacles can be formed in one piece with the running board or the steering column. It is of course also possible for one joint receptacle to be formed in one piece with the running board, the other joint receptacle to be formed in one piece with the steering column.

Furthermore, an electric drive can be provided for at least one of the floor rollers.

To explain the folding joint according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1: an embodiment of an inventive

Folding scooter with folding joint according to the invention;

2a, b: detailed representations of the folding joint according to the invention from FIG. 1; and

Figure 3a-d: schematic representation of a folding process of the

Hinged joint from Figure 2a, b.

A folding scooter 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG.

The folding roller 1 comprises two axes perpendicular to the sheet plane, each with a bottom roller 3. The bottom roller 3 is rotatably mounted on one end of a footboard 4, while the other bottom roller 3 is mounted on a handlebar 5. The handlebar 5 is rotatably guided in a steering column 6, whereby the bottom roller 3 mounted thereon can be steered. The steering column 6 is connected to the footboard 4 via a folding joint 10. With the aid of the folding joint 10, the folding roller 1 shown in FIG. 1 in the ready-to-drive state can be folded up in such a way that the steering column 6 is aligned parallel to the running board 3.

The bottom roller 3 mounted on the running board 4 is driven by an electric wheel hub motor 7, which is supplied with electrical energy via a battery integrated in the running board 4.

In Figure 2a, b, the folding joint 10 is shown in different views. The folding joint 10 is shown in FIGS. 2a, b in the folded and locked state. The folding joint 10 comprises two joint receptacles 11, 12 which can be pivoted relative to one another via a pivot axis 13. One hinge mount 11 is connected to the folding scooter 1 according to FIG. 1 to the steering column 6, the other hinge mount 12 to the running board 4. It is also possible for the joint receptacles 11, 12 to be formed in one piece with the respective components 4, 6.

At one joint receptacle 11 are symmetrical to one

(Not explicitly shown) plane perpendicular to the pivot axis 13, two bolts 14 are arranged, which are pivotable about a common bolt axis 15 and are designed as locking elements. As a counterpart for these bolts 14 two pawls are provided as bolt counterpart 16 on the other joint receptacle 12, into which the bolts 14 are locked in the illustrated locked state of the folding joint 1 and thus prevent the two joint receptacles 11, 12 from pivoting relative to one another.

With the bolts 14 are - also symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis 13 - two sliding elements 17 are arranged, which are moved when the bolt 14 is pivoted. At the end remote from the bolts 14, the sliding elements 17 have elongated holes 18 (see FIG. 3a), which are surrounded by a rising edge 19. In the elongated holes 18 biased locking pins 21 are guided by the spring 20, which engage in the illustrated locked state in the provided recesses 22 on the other joint receptacle 12, whereby an additional locking of the Klappge steering 10 is achieved in the open state shown. As explained in more detail below, the locking pins 21 can be raised so far by moving the sliding elements 17 due to the rising edge 19 that they no longer engage in the recesses 22, with which then the lock is released. At the other Ge steering receptacle 12 are further recesses 23 are provided, in which the locking pins 21 in the collapsed state of the folding joint 10 or in the folded state of the folding scooter 1 can intervene in order to achieve a locking of the folding joint 10 in this state.

To secure the bolt 14 and sliding elements 17 in the position presented and for unlocking the folding joint 10 is arranged on the joint receptacle 11, on the bolt 14 and Schiebeele elements 17, a clamping lever 24 is provided which is pivotable about the clamping lever axis 25. The tensioning lever 24 is connected via an eccentric to the tensioning lever axis 25 spring rod 26 with the bolt 14 and above that also with the sliding element 17. The spring rod 26 comprises a tension rod 27 and a compression spring 28, wherein the tension rod 27 is slidably attached to the bolts 14 and can only transmit tensile forces between the bolts 14 and the tensioning lever 24 when the stop 27 'is attached to the fastening 14'. The interplay between tension lever 24, spring rod 26, bolt 14 and sliding elements 17 is explained in more detail below in connection with Figures 3a-d.

Furthermore, a foot lever 29 cooperating with the tensioning lever 24 via an impact surface 30 (see FIG. 3a) is also provided. The foot lever is pivotable about the foot lever axis 31 and is basically held by the tension spring 32 in the position shown in Figure 2a, b.

The pivot axis 13, the locking axis 15, the tension lever axis 25 and the foot lever axis 31 run parallel to one another. In Figures 3a-d, the functioning of the folding joint is now

10 described in more detail. The hinged joint 10 is shown in a sectional view in principle, with FIGS. 3b and c additionally showing the representation of the one joint receptacle

11 has been omitted to show the position of the bolt 14.

Figure 3a shows the folding joint 10 in the locked state also shown in Figure 2a, b. In this state, the bolts 14 are in the locked position and are latched into the pawls 16 (cf. FIG. 2b). At the same time, the sliding elements 17 are in such a position that the locking pins 21 engage in the depressions 22 (cf. likewise FIG. 2b).

In this state, the compression spring 28 of the spring rod 26 is compressed and thus exerts force both on the latches 14 and on the tensioning lever 24 (indicated by arrows 90). By this force 90, the bolts 14 are pushed into the locking position and thus secured there. The sliding elements 17 connected to the bolts 14 are also held in the position shown in FIG. 3a.

Because of the eccentric connection of the spring rod 26 with respect to the tensioning lever axis 25, the force 90 results in a torque (indicated by arrow 91) which holds the tensioning lever 24 in the locking position shown in FIG. 3a.

The pull rod 27 is pushed so far into the fastening 14 'that the stop 27' does not abut it. Consequently, the tension rod 27 is force-free in the state shown.

The foot lever 29 is held by the tension spring 32 with its striking surface 30 on the tension lever 24. If the locking of the hinged joint 10 is to be released, a force 92 can be exerted on the foot lever 29, for example with the foot, from which, due to the stop surface 30, a torque acting against the torque 91 is exerted, with which the tensioning lever 24 is rotated so far until the direction of the torque 91 reverses and the tensioning lever 24 is then pivoted further into the unlocking position until the compression spring 28 of the spring rod 26 has completely relaxed. This state reached in this way is shown in FIG. 3b, the joint receptacle 11 being hidden.

The compression spring 28 is completely relaxed in the position shown in FIG. 3b. At the same time, the stop 27 'of the tension rod 27 is still not in contact with the fastening 14' on the bolts 14. As a result, the position of the bolts 14 and the sliding elements 17 with the locking pins 21 remains in relation to the fully locked state, as shown in Figure 3a, unchanged, namely in the locked position. The hinged joint 1 thus remains locked even in the unlocked position of the tensioning lever 24.

The locking is only released when the tension lever 24 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow 93. It should be noted that the clamping lever 24 is basically free of forces and can therefore be moved easily. By pulling the tension lever 24 in the direction 93, it is initially pivoted further until the stop 27 'of the tension rod 27 bears against the fastening 14'. By pivoting the clamping lever 24 further into the opening position shown in FIG. 3c, the latches 14 and the sliding elements 17 connected thereto are moved into the unlocking position via the stop 17 'which then lies against the attachment 14'. In FIG. 3c, in addition to the joint receptacle 11, the sliding element 17 is hidden for a better illustration of the unlocking position. As immediately apparent in this figure, the bolt 14 shown is no longer in engagement with the pawl 16. In addition, the locking pin 21 due to the rising edge 19 around the slot 18 from the recess 22 in the other joint receptacle 12 (see figure 2a, b) raised. As a result, the folding joint 10 is no longer locked and can be folded in the direction indicated by the arrow 94.

In Figure 3d, the folding joint 10 is shown in the fully folded state. The locking pins 21 engage in the recesses 23 on the joint receptacle 12, whereby the folding joint 10 is secured in the position shown. The reset required for the engagement of the locking pins 21 takes place due to the preloading of the 20, which basically urges the locking pins 21 to engage. Due to the rising edge 19, on each of which a locking pin 21 slides, as far as no opposing force acts on the tensioning lever 24, the sliding elements 17 and thus also the bolts 14 are shifted into the locking position shown in FIG. 3d, even if in this case only the locking pins 21 actually cause locking.

To release the lock, the tensioning lever 24 must be pulled again in the direction 94. The folding joint 10 can then be pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 3b, where the latch 14 and the locking pins 21 snap back into the pawl or the recesses 22. Finally, the clamping lever 24 only has to be pressed into the position shown in FIG. 3a in order to secure the locking of the folding joint 10.

Claims

claims

1. folding scooter (1) comprising a between two axes (2) with at least one floor roller (3) arranged footboard (4) and a folding joint (10) with the footboard (4) connected steering column (6) for one Handlebar (5) one of the two axles (2) with a collapsed and a ready-to-use unfolded state, the folding joint (10) comprising two joint receptacles (11, 12) which can be pivoted relative to one another about a common pivot axis (13) one of which is connected to the running board (4) and the steering column (6),

characterized in that

on one joint receptacle (11) between a locking position and an unlocking position movable bolt (14) is provided, which in a predetermined rela tive position of the two joint receptacles (11, 12) zueinan either with a bolt counterpart (16) on the other Ren joint receptacle (12) can cooperate in order to fix the folding joint (10) in this position, and a spring rod (26) comprising a tension rod (27) with a compression spring (28) coaxially arranged with the bolt (14) Connected tensioning lever (24) is provided, which can be pivoted about a tensioning lever axis (25) between a locking position via an unlocking position to an opening position, the spring rod (27) acting eccentrically to the tensioning lever axis (25) on the tensioning lever (24) and the spring rod (26) is designed such that

- In the locking position of the tensioning lever (24) by the compression spring (28) acting between the tensioning lever (24) and bolt (14) of the spring rod (26) of the tensioning lever (24) is pushed into the locking position and the bolt (14) into the locking position,

- In the unlocked position of the clamping lever (24), the spring rod (26) is free of power transmission; and

- In the open position of the clamping lever (24), the bolt (14) is moved into the unlocking position via the tension rod (27) of the spring rod (26).

2. folding scooter according to claim 1,

characterized in that

a pivotable foot lever (29) is provided with a stop surface (30) for the tensioning lever (28) and is arranged in such a way that a force is exerted on the tension lever (24) via the stop surface (30) when the foot lever (29) is pivoted to move the clamping lever (24) from the locking position to the unlocking position.

3. folding scooter according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the bolt (14) is a locking element which can be pivoted about a bolt axis (15) and the bolt counterpart (16) is preferably a pawl.

4. folding scooter according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the bolt (14) is designed as a sliding element or a sliding element (17) is connected to the bolt (14), the sliding element (17) having an elongated hole (18) with a rising edge (19), in which a sliding element (17) 17) preloaded locking pin (21) for selective engagement in a suitable recess (22) on the other Joint receptacle (12) is guided such that the locking pin (21) through the rising edge (19) when Ver pushing the sliding element (17) is optionally lifted from the United recess (22) on the other joint receptacle (12).

5. folding roller according to claim 4,

characterized in that

on the other joint receptacle (12) further depressions (23) are provided in order to be able to fix the folding joint (10) in further positions by selectively engaging the locking pin (21).

6. folding roller according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

two bolts (14) and / or sliding elements (17) with locking gel pin (21) symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the common pivot axis (13) of the joint receptacles (11, 12) are provided.

7. folding scooter according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

at least one of the joint receptacles (11, 12) is formed in one piece with the running board (4) or the steering column (6).

8. folding roller according to one of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

an electric drive (7) for at least one of the floor rollers (3) is provided.

9. Lockable folding joint (10) for vehicles comprising

two about a common pivot axis (13) relative to one another of the pivotable hinge receptacles (11, 12), with one hinge receptacle (11) having a movable latch between a locking position and an unlocking position (14) is provided which, in a predetermined relative position of the two joint receptacles (11, 12) to one another, can optionally cooperate with a locking counterpart (16) on the other joint receptacle (12) in order to fix the folding joint (10) in this position,

characterized in that

a via a spring rod (26) comprising a tension rod (27) with coaxially arranged compression spring (28) with the Rie gel (14) connected to the tension lever (24) is provided, which is about a tension lever axis (25) between a locking position via an unlocking position can be pivoted to an opening position, the spring rod (27) acting eccentrically to the clamping lever axis (25) on the clamping lever (24) and the spring rod (26) being designed such that

- In the locking position of the tensioning lever (24) by the compression spring (28) acting between the tensioning lever (24) and bolt (14) of the spring rod (26), the tensioning lever (24) is pushed into the locking position and the bolt (14) into the locking position .

10. folding joint according to claim 9

characterized in that

the folding joint (10) is designed according to one of claims 2 to 6.