Patent Application
20200361560
The present disclosure generally relates to scooters, and more particularly to a foldable electric scooter.
With the economic development, many social problems, such as energy shortage, vehicle emission pollution, and urban traffic jams, have become increasingly apparent since travelling has increased enormously. Travelling is an important part of an individual's day-to-day life. The individual may be required to travel for various reasons such as work, education, vacation, or the like. Generally, the individual may use one or more modes of transportation, such as a two-wheeler vehicle, a three-wheeler vehicle, a four-wheeler vehicle, or the like, for travelling. These vehicles may be fuel-based vehicles that require fossil fuel to power their engines. However, such fossil fuel-based vehicles produce a large amount of heat, pollution, and noise which may be undesirable and may lead to global warming and many health hazards. Also, the fossil fuel used in these vehicles are scarcely available in the nature and needs to be conserved. In recent years, electric vehicles have become more and more popular among various users as a new generation of convenient transportation. Among various electric vehicles, an electric scooter is an emerging short distance mode of transportation that is favored by the users because it can be carried around easily. Portability is an important factor for the users to consider when choosing the electric scooters. Electric scooters are getting popular for good reasons. It is simple, compact, and multi-purposeful in many situations. However, there are still many issues to solve for further improvement in the society at a large scale. For example, for the size, the more compact, the better. And if it is foldable, there may be an infinite potentiality for smart folding facilitating portability all around. In addition to the spatial flexibility, the scooter must be multi-purposeful in a creative sense, enabling the scooter used in many otherwise distinct fields of usage. In light of the foregoing, there exists a need for a technical and reliable solution that solves the above-mentioned problems and presents an improved electric scooter that is easy to fold and carry.
It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular electric scooter described herein, as there can be multiple possible embodiments of the present disclosure which are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric scooter. The electric scooter comprises at least a first platform, a second platform, and a hollow member with a handlebar assembly. The first platform and the second platform are removably or fixedly attached or connected to each other by means of a folding mechanism. The folding mechanism comprises a plurality of components, a cylindrical nut, and one or more legs. The plurality of components, the cylindrical nut, and the one or more legs are removably or fixedly attached or connected together by means of a shaft such that the one or more legs are rotatable or movable along the shaft and the first platform is foldable along the shaft in a manner in which the first platform is parallel to the hollow member.
In an embodiment, each of the one or more legs is a rigid plastic or metallic structure having a defined shape. Further, each of the one or more legs is provided with an additional wheel that is available for use when the electric scooter has been folded.
In an embodiment, a bottom side of the first platform comprises a slot arrangement for holding or storing or placing the one or more legs with one or more additional wheels. In one example, the one or more legs automatically come out from the slot arrangement while the electric scooter is being folded. In another example, the one or more legs are manually taken out from the slot arrangement by a user while the electric scooter is being folded.
In an embodiment, the handlebar assembly is attached or connected to the hollow member and comprises a plurality of handles including a left handle and a right handle. In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a plurality of wheels including a front wheel and a rear wheel. At least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel is connected to a drive motor through a transmission shaft. In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a brake for controlling a braking operation of the electric scooter. The brake is embedded in the left handle of the handlebar assembly. In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises an accelerator for controlling a speed regulating operation of the electric scooter. The accelerator is embedded in the right handle of the handlebar assembly. In one example, the folded electric scooter is moved forward when a user manually push against it. In another example, the folded electric scooter is automatically moved forward when the user uses or presses the accelerator button.
In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a scooter stand that allows the electric scooter to be kept upright without leaning against another object. In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a locking device with a retractable cable. The locking device is used to deter scooter theft by fastening the electric scooter to a fixed object by means of the retractable cable. In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a charging cable or means that is used for charging one or more batteries of the electric scooter. The charging cable is retractable and is hidden within the first platform of the electric scooter.
In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises the one or more batteries including at least a primary battery and a secondary battery. The primary battery is installed in the hollow member of the electric scooter and the secondary battery is installed in a storage compartment of the electric vehicle. The storage compartment may be installed at a front side of the hollow member of the electric vehicle.
In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a digital instrument panel for displaying one or more defined information including at least a speed of the electric scooter, a battery level or health of one or more batteries of the electric scooter, and a network connectivity of the electric scooter. In an embodiment, the electric scooter further comprises a back light provided on a rear side of the first platform. The back light may always be in a turned ON state such that the back light emit light all the time.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, in light of the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is illustratively shown and described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” may also include plural references. For example, the term “an article” may include a plurality of articles. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention. There may be additional components described in the foregoing application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification.
Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components, which constitutes a foldable electric scooter. Accordingly, the components have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the present invention.
References to terms “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”, “yet another embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, “another example”, “yet another example”, and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, and “including”, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements or entities. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements or priorities. While various exemplary embodiments of the disclosed electric scooter have been described below, it should be understood that they have been presented for purposes of example only, and not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does not limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the below teachings or may be acquired from practicing of the present invention, without departing from the breadth or scope.
The foldable electric scooter of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly with respect to
In an embodiment, the first platform 102a and the second platform 102b are horizontal platforms or decks and are removably or fixedly attached or connected to each other by means of the folding mechanism 118 such that the first platform 102a may be folded by a user (as and when required) by using the folding mechanism 118. The first platform 102a may be folded in a manner in which the first platform 102a may be parallel to the hollow member 104. The first platform 102a may be further connected to a rear wheel such as the first wheel 108a. In an embodiment, the second platform 102b may be permanently attached or connected to the hollow member 104. The hollow member 104 may be perpendicular (or inclined at some defined angle) with respect to at least one of the first platform 102a or the second platform 102b. The second platform 102b and/or the hollow member 104 may be further connected to a front wheel such as the second wheel 108b. The hollow member 104 may be configured to operate as a steering means for steering or controlling a direction of movement of the second wheel 108b.
In an embodiment, the electric scooter 100 further includes a control device and a motor drive-connected to at least one of the front or rear wheel through a transmission shaft. The control device may include a controller, the first brake 130a (such as an electromagnetic brake switch connected to the front frame and configured to control a braking operation of the electric scooter 100), and the accelerator 132 (such as an electromagnetic speed regulating switch configured to control a speed regulating operation of the electric scooter 100). The electromagnetic brake switch, the electromagnetic speed regulating switch, and the drive motor are all connected to the controller. In an exemplary embodiment, when the electromagnetic speed regulating switch is pressed, the controller controls the drive motor to perform speed regulation according to changes of an output voltage of a Hall element in the electromagnetic speed regulating switch. Some parts in the electromagnetic brake switch and the electromagnetic speed regulating switch may be used in common, thereby improving universality of the parts and reducing production costs. In an exemplary embodiment, the electromagnetic brake switch may be embedded or provided or installed in the left handlebar 126a and the electromagnetic speed regulating switch may be embedded or provided or installed in the right handlebar 126b.
In an embodiment, the electric scooter 100 further includes a clutch that may be connected between the drive motor and the transmission shaft, and the clutch may be connected to the controller. In an exemplary embodiment, the front frame may be provided with a clutch switch (not shown) for controlling various operations of the clutch and the clutch switch is connected to the controller. During a riding process, the controller may be configured to control the clutch to enable the drive motor to be drive-connected to the transmission shaft so that the drive motor may drive the speed regulation, braking, and other functions of the electric scooter 100. When the battery is dead or a user needs to ride the electric scooter 100 by himself, the clutch switch may be pressed to disconnect the drive motor from the transmission shaft.
In an embodiment, the electric scooter 100 further includes one or more batteries such as a primary battery and a secondary battery. The one or more batteries may be rechargeable or interchangeable batteries that are used to power the driver, the motor, the folding mechanism, lights, displays, and any central processor used (CPU) in the foldable motorized scooter as described herein. The power source, for example, the rechargeable or interchangeable batteries used to power the driver may be disposed in certain embodiment anywhere on the scooter, so long they can be in electronic communication with the scooter's driver and a recharging power source. In an example, the batteries form an integral part of the front wheel, the rear wheel, or both. In an example, the primary battery may be installed inside the hollow member 104 and the secondary battery may be installed inside the storage compartment 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the primary battery may be used as primary source of power for driving the electric vehicle 100 during its operation, and the secondary battery may be used for powering lights or display or horn of the electric scooter 100. In some emergency scenario where the primary battery is completely discharged or a charging level of the primary battery is less than a threshold value, the secondary battery may be used as an emergency source of power for driving the electric vehicle 100 during its operation. Further, a person having ordinary skills in the art would understand that the storage compartment 120 and the secondary battery in the storage compartment 120 have been provided for illustrative purpose only and should not be construed as limiting to the present invention. In many other scenarios, the electric scooter 100 may not include the storage compartment 120 as shown in
In an embodiment, the scooter stand 110 is a device on the electric scooter 100 that allows the electric scooter 100 to be kept upright without leaning against another object or the aid of a person. The scooter stand 110 is usually a piece of metal that flips down from the frame and makes contact with the ground. It is generally located in the middle of the electric scooter 100 or towards the rear. Some electric scooters may have two stands, one at the rear, and another in the front.
In an embodiment, the locking device 112 is a security device on the electric scooter 100 that is used to deter scooter theft, generally by fastening the electric scooter 100 to a fixed object, e.g., a bike rack. In an embodiment, the charging means or cable 114a (as shown in
In an embodiment, the switch 124 is a release mechanic switch. This switch 124 may act as an electronic of mechanic release switch that can be used by a user to unlock the folding mechanism of the electric scooter 100. For example, when the user wants to fold the electric scooter 100, then the user may press the switch 124 to unlock the folding mechanism of the electric scooter 100. Once unlocked, the electric scooter 100 may be folded by the user. In an embodiment, the first brake 130a is front brake and is used for applying braking operation on the front wheel of the electric scooter 100. The second brake 130b is a rear brake and is used for applying braking operation on the rear wheel of the electric scooter 100. The second brake 130b is a manual brake that is above the rear wheel. The second brake 130b is a cap which acts as mudguard and a rear brake.
Also, as shown in
While various embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims. Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is accordingly defined by the following claims.
