WO2012110836A1

WO2012110836A1 - Foldable two-wheeled vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012110836A1
Application number: PCT/HU2012/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zsolt HEGEDÜS; Péter József ÜVEGES; Géza József HIVESSY; Tamás SLEZÁK
Original assignee: MOVEO ZRT
Current assignee: MOVEO ZRT
Priority date: 2011-02-16
Filing date: 2012-02-16
Publication date: 2012-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2013-08-16
Also published as: HUP1100082A2; CN103608255A; TW201244981A

Abstract

The invention is a foldable two-wheeled vehicle (10) comprising a structure holding a front wheel (16) and a rear wheel (20), the holding structure being at least partly a self-carrying shell structure, the self-carrying shell structure comprises a nose element (18) holding an axle of the front wheel (16), a front element (14) providing a handlebar force transmission and adjoining to the nose element (18) with a hinge (54) having a hinge axis arranged crosswise to the axle of the front wheel (16), a central element (24) adjoining to the front element (14) with a hinge (86) having a hinge axis arranged in parallel with an axle the rear wheel (20) and a rear element (22) holding the axle of the rear wheel (20) and hingedly joining to the central element (24) by means of an axle (30) arranged in parallel with the axle of the rear wheel (20).

Description

FOLDABLE TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a foldable two-wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

In city transport and when travelling for distances not longer than 20 to 30 km, bicycles, electric bikes and electric scooters are increasingly used. It is extremely advantageous if these vehicles are foldable. If these vehicles are foldable, they can then be applied also as a supplementary traffic vehicle as a result of being able to fit into the boot of a car in folded state, and if the folded size is appropriate, they can be carried as a luggage even on public transport vehicles. The storing possibilities of foldable two-wheeled vehicles are also much more advantageous than those of the vehicles which cannot be folded, because in a folded state they can be treated as a luggage, and in many cases they can be stored much more securely than unfoldable vehicles. In the case of such vehicles, it has outstanding importance that the folded size and mass is as small as possible, because these factors determine the transportability and storability of the vehicle as well as the possibility to lift and move the folded vehicle. In the case of bicycles, moreover in the case of electric bicycles recently, various folding approaches are broadly applied, but folding is not used so widely for scooters. The reason for this is the significant mass of appliances installed into the scooters in order to achieve the expected speed of 45 km/h, which indeed limits the chances of creating a vehicle of such a mass which lends itself to being lifted, carried and moved by human force. The electric scooters currently have an unladen weight of more than 45 kg, which may even increase to above 100 kg if obsolete materials and technologies (e.g. steel frame, lead batteries) are used. Especially those prior art folding scooters can be advantageously used, which can be folded to a compact size and easily moved even in a folded state.

A two-wheeled vehicle that can be folded into a suitcase is disclosed in GB 2 119 324 A. The disclosed vehicle is of a suitcase shape in folded state, but only some structural elements of the suitcase play a role in the unfolded, i.e. operating state of the vehicle. Certain structural elements of the suitcase have no function at all in the operating state of the vehicle, and only increase the volume of the vehicle in a folded state, in addition to increasing the mass of the vehicle. The structural parts forming a suitcase in the folded state are not components of a self-carrying shell structure of the two-wheeled vehicle, and the other mechanisms of the front and rear wheels are adjoined by further structural elements thereto, constituting structural parts protruding from the body. It is also disadvantageous that in addition to the structural parts of the suitcase, at some points the structure of the vehicle is reinforced by further - in some cases frame-like - structural elements. A further disadvantage of the vehicle described in the document is that in order to make sure that in the folded state the vehicle is of a closed suitcase shape, cover elements increasing the mass are arranged on the handlebar and seat. Two-wheeled vehicles that can be folded into a suitcase are also disclosed in US 4,598,923, US 6,273,442 B1 , CN 1001450696 B, DE 31 12 768 A1 , DE 35 06 129 A1 , and WO 85/01711. However, the disclosed two-wheeled vehicles can be folded in a complicated way, and in order to optimise the shape in folded state the solutions suffer in many cases from serious compromises, have a number of sub- units which simply increase the mass, and in most of the described cases the parts of the suitcase do not constitute a self-carrying shell structure. The assembled configuration of these two-wheeled vehicles is generally not ergonomic.

US 3,710,883 discloses a foldable two-wheeled vehicle which is assembled by means of frame elements, but in its folded state, the wheels protrude from the structure in a way that the dirt on the wheels is not concealed. Foldable two- wheeled vehicles provided with stiffening rods are described in US 7,077,229 B2 and US 7,159,884 B2. It is a disadvantage of the known solutions that by giving priority to a closed folded form, in many cases the total mass of the foldable two-wheeled vehicle is disadvantageously increased, as well as no effort is made to obtain a smallest possible folded size. In many characteristic cases, the wheels are not overlapping at all in a side view of the folded vehicle. And, in those cases where the overlap of the wheels facilitates to achieve a more compact form, it is complicated to place the wheels in the appropriate positions, and they protrude from the folded structure. To attain that in the folded state the wheels are located as compactly as possible, in many cases disadvantageously small-sized wheels are applied in the vehicles described in the prior art documents. A further disadvantage of the prior art foldable two-wheeled vehicles is in many cases that in a folded state the frame providing a covering of the vehicle does not serve as a self-carrying shell structure.

In view of the social requirements detailed above and of the known solutions and problems, there is a demand for producing a foldable two-wheeled vehicle which has the smallest possible folded size, and in an unfolded state its body serves as a self-carrying shell structure. In addition, it has as low total vehicle mass as possible, i.e. it is free of all elements that merely contribute to giving a more regular form in the folded state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a two-wheeled foldable vehicle, which is free of the disadvantages of prior art solutions. An object of the invention is to produce a folding two-wheeled vehicle which has a self-carrying shell structure, the self-carrying shell structure holding the wheels and providing the handlebar force transmission, and in operating state it contributes to creating an aerodynamic shape. A further object of the invention is to provide a foldable two-wheeled vehicle which can be folded to the smallest possible sizes, but would not contain elements which merely facilitate the compactness of folded shape, in order to achieve as small total vehicle mass as possible. The objects of the invention can be achieved by the two-wheeled vehicle according to claim 1.

A front wheel and a rear wheel holding structure of the inventive two-wheeled vehicle is at least partly a self-carrying shell structure. The self-carrying shell structure comprises a nose element holding the axle of the front wheel, expediently with an interposed axle holding shackle and a shock absorber. A front element providing a handlebar force transmission adjoins to the nose element with a hinge having a hinge axis arranged crosswise to the axle of the front wheel. The front element preferably comprises a handlebar, mirrors, a throttle lever and brake lever, a display showing the speed and other data, a turn indicator switch, a lighting switch and other control devices. A central element is adjoined to the front element with a hinge having a hinge axis arranged in parallel with an axle of the rear wheel. The front element is preferably attached to the central element with a releasable hinge connection as well, supplementing the hinge and creating together a virtual handlebar axle. At least one part of the electric facilities, for example batteries and control electronics are arranged inside the central element. A rear element holding the axle of the rear wheel hingedly joins to the central element by means of an axle arranged in parallel with the axle of the rear wheel. The terms 'parallel' and 'crosswise' are to be understood also as substantially parallel and substantially crosswise arrangements of a tolerance allowed by the actual manufacturing and application. The rear element comprises a preferably removable seat. Furthermore, on the rear element a rail holding the seat, and a number-plate holder are formed, and at least one part of the batteries and control electronics may be arranged in this element.

On the two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention, preferably the joining surfaces of the front element and the nose element, and the joining surfaces of the central element and the rear element comprise elements that ensure an accurate fitting position and prevent a torsional deflection of the joining elements from each other. The two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention is preferably a foldable moped or scooter of extremely small mass. The two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention can be designed with a mass of about 25 kg, which is much lower than the mass of the currently available scooters.

The two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention preferably comprises hub motors mounted on the front wheel and/or the rear wheel, which are especially preferably driven electrically. More preferably, both wheels of the two-wheeled vehicle are driven. The power required for driving the two-wheeled vehicle is preferably gained from the built-in batteries, which are especially preferably arranged under the shell structure of the vehicle. The hub motors are also able to operate in generator mode, in which case extremely preferably a significant part of the brake energy is fed back to the batteries. The efficient range of a two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention can be increased by a human driven mechanism built into the two-wheeled vehicle. A drive increasing the efficient range of the two- wheeled vehicle is provided by pedals which also function as footrests. In this way the wheels can be driven directly or an electric generator can be driven feeding the hub motors or charging the batteries. The two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention has a self-carrying shell structure preferably made of a composite material not yet broadly used in the production of scooters. Preferred examples of the composite material used for producing the shell structure of the inventive two-wheeled vehicle may comprise glass, asbestos or flax fibres or in the case of the important load bearing components even more preferably carbon fibre reinforcement. The binder material of the fibres is resin, for example epoxy. The self-carrying shell structure can provide several functions: provides a new type of form and strength, the units necessary for operation (batteries, motor controllers, operating units, cables, etc.) can be arranged in the shell structure, and it gives a closed structure by folding. The closed structure obtained with the folding can be very preferable, because the dirt getting onto the wheels by using the two-wheeled vehicle is concealed inside the closed structure, therefore at the time of storage or putting it into another vehicle, the structural parts causing the largest contamination are inside the cover. The two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention can be folded in a few steps, and rolling wheels - used in travelling trolleys and bags - assisting the moving of the closed structure emerge from the structure of the two-wheeled vehicle. The two- wheeled vehicle according to the invention can be moved and transported easily even with a larger size when it is only partially folded as described in the following, and in this case the two-wheeled vehicle is moved on its own wheel.

It is an interesting feature of the two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention that it preferably has a multifunctional seat, which functions on the two-wheeled vehicle as a high strength seat, a backrest or a boot, and is preferably arranged on the rear element. The seat is preferably removable from the two-wheeled vehicle. Especially preferably, the seat is provided with straps enabling its use as a backpack. The seat can be fixed on the two-wheeled vehicle at various distances from the footrest, which is important to make sure that the vehicle can be comfortably used by short and tall persons as well.

The foldable two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention has a self-carrying shell structure, which accomplishes the handlebar force transmission and holds the wheels. 'Holding' the wheels means that the wheel is clamped in an axle holding case, which allows rotation and is attached to the self-carrying shell structure through a shock absorber.

The foldable two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention can be folded to the smallest possible size as compared with the operating state dimensions, and the protruding structural parts are either placed inside the folded up shell structure in a folded state or they can be folded over the shell structure. The structural elements protruding in the folded state, such as handlebar, mirrors, number-plate holder, are not separately covered in order to minimise the mass, except for the front wheel protruding from the nose element turned to be adjacent to the central element in the folded state. A mudguard can be folded over the front wheel in the folded state in a way that it fully covers the protruding part of the wheel, thereby preventing the scattering of the wheel dirt. When folding up the foldable two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention, the rear wheel is positioned in the enclosed space created by the central element and the rear element, and therefore the contamination may not freely escape from that either.

Preferably, a front light is fitted on the two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention. Furthermore, the seat may comprise a stiffening frame and a clamping element. The clamping element is configured to slip on a rail arranged on the rear element, and the seat is pressed against the rail by folding down the seat base preferably in an arbitrary position along the length of the rail. Preferably, a rear light and a brake light are arranged on the stiffening frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to drawings, in which : Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an operating state of a foldable two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is the two-wheeled vehicle of Fig. 1 in a first intermediate folding state, Fig. 3 is the two-wheeled vehicle of Fig. 1 in a further intermediate folding state,

Fig. 4 is the two-wheeled vehicle of Fig. 1 in a still further intermediate folding state,

Fig. 5 is the two-wheeled vehicle of Fig. 1 in a folded state,

Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a seat of a two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention, in front view,

Fig. 6B is a perspective view of the seat of a two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention, in a rear view,

Fig. 7A is a side view of an embodiment of the two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention where the footrest is arranged on the central element,

Fig. 7B is a side view of another embodiment of the two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention where the footrest is arranged on the nose element,

Fig. 8 is a detail of the two-wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1 , depicting the contour of the nose element, Fig. 9 is a detail of the two-wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1 , depicting the contour of the rear element,

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the joining of the front element and the nose element of the two wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1 , in a folded state,

Fig. 11 is a detail of the two-wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1 , depicting the contour of the central element, and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the joining of the central element and the rear element of the two-wheeled vehicle shown in Fig. 1 , in a folded state. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. In the embodiment depicted, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 is preferably a scooter, which can be preferably driven by petrol or more preferably by electric means. In the case of electric drive, the batteries for the drive are arranged under the self- carrying shell structure. The self-carrying shell structure consists of the following structural units: a front element 14 carrying a handlebar 12 according to the depicted embodiment, a nose element 18 holding a front wheel 16, a central element 24 joining to the front element 14, and a rear element 22 holding a rear wheel 20 and configured to secure a seat 26.

Fig. 1 shows that the front element 14 serves not only for holding the handlebar 12 with the brake levers, but also for holding mirrors 40, and there are front lights 34 also installed on the front element 14. Also can be seen a hinge 54 formed along a line connecting the front element 14 and the nose element 18, by which the nose element 18 is attached to the front element in a way that it can be turned in a position adjacent to the front element 14. The method of fixing and folding will be described in details later on. There is also a strap 50 on the nose element 18, which serves in the preferred embodiment depicted by Fig. 1 for fixing the nose element 18 in the folded state. Of course, other preferred fixing means can be conceived for fixing the nose element 18 in folded state. A mudguard 46 is arranged on the nose element 18 and the mudguard has a turned out position. When the mudguard 46 is turned out and it is supplemented with a wheel cover 56, it fully covers the front wheel 16 in the folded state. The front element 14 joins to the central element 24 in a way to be detailed later on, so that it can be folded over the central element 24. The two-wheeled vehicle 10 preferably comprises a footrest 28 formed in a foldable way. In this embodiment, the footrest 28 is formed on the central element 24. The footrest 28 co-operating with an appropriate generator, can also be configured as a pedal preferably contributing to or replacing the driving of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. In Fig. 1 the joining surfaces of the central element 24 and the rear element 22 can be seen, which surfaces have a starting point in an axle 30. Around the axle 30, the rear element 22 can be turned below the central element 24 in a way to be detailed later on. Furthermore, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 preferably comprises a kickstand 32. The kickstand 32 is especially preferably fixed to the axle 30 which connects the central element 24 and the rear element 22. Prior to the starting of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 or before folding up the two-wheeled vehicle 10, the kickstand 32 can be turned below the shell structure of the rear element 22. Furthermore, a number- plate holder 38 is joined to the rear element 22. In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , the number-plate holder 38 serves not only for holding the number-plate, but also in the folded state for fixing the rear element 22 to the central element 24 by means of a protrusion on its backside. Of course, other preferred fixing methods are also possible for fixing the rear element 22 in a closed position. The central element 24 and the rear element 22 have a curved shape fitting to each other in the folded state, preferably in a way so as to support a mudguard and a rear wheel 20 covering function of the rear element 22. In addition, the curved form contributes to ensure that the central element 24 is slim in the vicinity of the feet, which helps in taking up position for a passenger of the two-wheeled vehicle 10.

Fig. 1 also shows a seat 26. In the embodiment shown in the figure, the seat 26 is fixed to the rear element 22. The seat 26 is preferably provided with a stiffening frame 36 so that it provides appropriate support for the passenger of the two- wheeled vehicle 10. The seat 26 has a seat base 42, which, when folded down as shown in Fig. 1 , fixes the seat 26 to the rear element 22. By folding up the seat base 42, the seat 26 can be removed from the rear element 22.

The front wheel 16 held by the nose element 8 and the rear wheel 20 held by the rear element 22 are preferably provided with a prior art hub motor for driving purposes, which is preferably electrically drivable, and its small size and small mass contribute to the two-wheeled vehicle 10 having as low total vehicle mass as possible. Figs. 2 to 5 illustrate the folding steps of the foldable two-wheeled vehicle 10.

Fig. 2 shows a first folding state of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. In this folding state, the seat 26 shown in Fig. 1 has already been removed from the rear element 22, and the footrest 28 has already been folded in. The bar end of the handlebar 12 of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be preferably adjusted by an eccentric fast lock on the top of the handlebar 12. It is important to have an adjustment option when folding, because the handlebar 12 is a relatively extensively protruding part of the body, and by folding it a much more compact folded state can be achieved. The option of folding in the handlebar 12 also contributes to the comfort of the person who uses the two-wheeled vehicle 10: the bar end of the handlebar 12 can be folded out more for a tall person, and in the case of a short person it is to be folded out less. During the folding, the right hand side (in the driving direction ) bar end of the handlebar 12 may be driven out of its holder in order to be matched more appropriately to the central element 24, by actuating a handlebar release mechanism 106 shown in Fig. 12. In the folding state shown in Fig. 2, the right hand side bar end of the handlebar 12 has already been folded down and turned downwards after unlocking. It is not necessary to fold in such a way the left hand side bar end of the handlebar 12, because by folding in the nose element 18, the left hand side bar end of the handlebar 12 fits, even without turning, into a geometry emerging on the left hand side of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. The easy locking of the handlebar 12 is ensured by eccentric units and front gear wheels that transfer the load.

Fig. 3 shows a next folding state of the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1. In this folding state, the rear element 22 has already been folded under the central element 24. Before folding the rear element 22 under the central element 24, the air is drained from the rear shock absorber 72 by means of a button 55, thereby facilitating the folding process. The central element 24 is configured in a way that the rear wheel 20 fits into the hollow located in the bottom of the central element 24. In this embodiment, the footrest 28 arranged on the central element 24 is introduced into the rear element 22 during the folding process. In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2, a small protrusion on the inner side of the number- plate holder 38 can be observed, which protrusion clicks into an indent, formed on the central element 24, after turning the rear element 22 below the central element 24. In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the rear element 22 and the central element 24 are fixed to each other by means of this fixing mechanism. Of course, a different preferred fixing method may also be used to fix the rear element 22 in a closed position. A rear reflector 57 provided on the back of the rear element 22 can be observed in Fig. 3. The rear reflector 57 is installed with a supplementary purpose on the seat 26, next to the rear light 67 configured as shown in Fig. 6B. The axle 30 connecting the rear element 22 and the central element 24 will be described in details in connection with Fig. 12. In the folding state shown in Fig. 3, the front element 14 together with the nose element 18, forming one unit in this position, are folded over the central element 24. The folding of the front element 14 over the central element 24 is carried out by actuating a hinge 86 shown in Fig. 11. The configuration of the front element 14 and the central element 24 is such that in a folded state, the front element 14 fits to the central element 24. In a folded state, by means of appropriate fixing, the front element 14 can be advantageously fixed to the central element 24. In this folded state, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be rolled on the front wheel 16, and can be suitably hold by means of a shaped piece 108 shown in Fig. 12, which is part of the fixing element 74 shown in Fig. 9 connecting the central element 24 and the rear element 22.

Fig. 4 shows a further folding state of the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1. In this folding state, the nose element 18 is folded in to be adjacent to the central element 24 and to the rear element 22, by means of the hinge 54 shown in the figures above. The components of the hinge 54 enabling the folding in of the nose element 18 and the other components of the joint between the nose element 18 and the front element 14 will be described in connection with Fig. 10. In Fig. 4 a clamping element 64 is shown which enables the fixing of the nose element 18 to the front element 14. In this folded state, the folded structure of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 may be supported by and moved on rolling wheels 44. Preferably, the rolling wheels 44 are configured in a way so as to facilitate the moving of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 in a folded state, and they are arranged on the central element 24 and on the rear element 22, respectively.

In Fig. 5 the final folded state of the embodiment depicted by Fig. 1 is shown. In this folding state, in comparison with the folding states depicted in the previous figures, the arm 48 is pulled out from the front element 14, and the mudguard 46 is turned out, and from under the mudguard 46 the wheel cover 56 is turned out to cover the front wheel 16. The arm 48 can be pulled out from the joining surface of the front element 14 and the nose element 18. In the operating state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10, the arm 48 is located under the shell of the front element 14. The folded up two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be rolled by means of a pulled out arm 48, similarly to a trolley suitcase. The folded two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be placed into the boot of a car or lifted to a transport vehicle, in this preferred embodiment with two hands, holding the pulled out arm 48 and the other handle located in the upper part of the number-plate holder 38.

Fig. 6A shows the seat 26. The seat 26, also functioning as a backrest, is made of a composite material, and comprises a frame 36 preferably cushioned, a seat base 42 and a storing part 61. By folding down the seat base 42, the seat 26 is fixed to the rear element 22 of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 in a way that the clamping element 63 is pressed against the rail 70 shown in Fig. 9, by folding down the seat base 42. The clamping element 63 is preferably made of metal. The position of the seat 26 can be adjusted continuously on the rail 70, which is a strapped slipway. By moving on the rail 70, the seat 26 can be adjusted to be at a distance from the footrest 28 corresponding to the height of the person using the two-wheeled vehicle 10. The clamping element 63 is pressed by a stretch based on eccentric principles against the rail 70; the fixed position of the seat 26 is preferably secured by the mass of the passenger also in the running state. The seat base 42 and the frame 36 of the seat 26 with the lighting on it can be removed together. By folding up the seat base 42 the eccentric piece is unlocked, and then the frame 36 can be removed towards the back of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. The control of the lighting on frame 36 and its power supply are provided with a watertight bayonet joint, which can be disconnected. The power supply of the lighting is introduced into the frame 36 through an opening 65.

Fig. 6B shows the seat 26 from its back. This figure provides a better view of the storing part 61 provided with straps 52 enabling its use as a backpack. The backpack fixed to the seat 26 allows the simple carrying of the seat 26 and provides the storing part 61 for the transporting of a smaller baggage. Fig. 6B also shows a rear light 67 arranged on the frame 36. Such a configuration of the rear light 67 is advantageous, because the brake and position indicator lights constituting the rear light 67 are raised to an appropriate height for better visibility.

Fig. 7A is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the footrest 28 is fixed to the central element 24, similarly to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5. In a further embodiment shown in Fig. 7B, the footrest 28 is formed on the nose element 18 in a foldable way. This embodiment is especially advantageous, because in this configuration, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be manufactured with a shorter axle spacing, as the footrest 28 is located ahead compared to the position in the so far discussed embodiments. Consequently, in this embodiment, the central element 24 and the rear element 22 can preferably have a shorter design, which leads to a smaller folded state compared to the previous embodiments.

In Fig. 8 the front part of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 according to Fig. 1 is shown. In the figure the units arranged under the shell structure of the nose element 18 are depicted. For better understanding, the contour of the nose element 18 is also shown on the figure. The figure shows axle support shackle 62 which can turn around two-sided fixing points 60. The fixing points 60 are fixed by means of a perforated load transfer insert to the inner surface of the nose element 18. One end of a front shock absorber 58 is fixed to the end point of the axle support shackle 62. The other end of the front shock absorber 58 is fixed to the fixed part of a clamping element 64. Therefore, the axle of the front wheel 6 is directly coupled to the self- carrying shell structure by means of the axle support shackle 62, and by using the front shock absorber 58, the suspension of the front wheel 16 is also provided. The movable part of the clamping element 64 may also be well observed, and when this is hooked into the protrusion on the front element 14, the front element 14 and the nose element 18 can be coupled.

Fig. 9 shows the rear part of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. The figure shows the units inside the rear element 22. For better understanding, the contour of the rear element 22 is also shown. It is shown in the figure that the axle of the rear wheel 20 is adjoined to a rear fork 71 , which is able to turn around the axle 30. The rear fork

71 of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 is of a horizontal arrangement generally used in scooters and motorcycles. A brake calliper of the rear wheel 20 is located on the rear fork 71 , and a rear shock absorber 72 is linked to the rear fork 71. The upper joint of the rear shock absorber 72 is fixed to the fixed part of a clamping element 74 provided on the rear element 22. The front shock absorber 58 and the rear shock absorber 72 of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 are so-called air springs. Preferably, before folding up, the air is released from the rear shock absorber 72 in order to allow easier folding. The air can be released from the rear shock absorber

72 by means of button 55 shown in Figs. 1 to 5 and located on the left hand side of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 when facing the direction of movement. When the two- wheeled vehicle 10 is reassembled, the rear shock absorber 72 can be put into action again by means of the button 55. The rear fork 71 of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 is able to turn on the joint axle 30 of the rear element 22 and the central element 24. The figure also shows the kickstand 32 folded under the shell structure of the rear element 22. The kickstand 32 can also be turned around the axle 30. Similarly to the clamping element 64, the clamping element 74 is adjoined to the central element 24 and the rear element 22 by a releasable coupling.

Fig. 10 shows the joining surfaces (hereinafter front joining surfaces) of the front element 14 and the nose element 18 together with the associated structural elements of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. The front joining surfaces of the two- wheeled vehicle 10 can be turned by approx. 180° against each other. The junction is a hinged structure, hinge plates 82 of which are laminated into or glued to the joining surfaces of the front element 14 and the nose element 18. Lamination into the material means that an element of a material structure other than that of the composite is placed between the composite layers before the solidification of the composite to ensure that the fitted structure increases the strength of the composite. The loads arising on the fitted elements are transferred as a distributed load by these components to the composite structure. The hinge plate 82 is associated with the clamping element 64 which ensures the clamping of the front element 14 and nose element 18. The movable part of the clamping element 64 is on the nose element 18, and a metal hook is on the front element 14. Important components of the front joining surface are the two concave positioning elements 76 and the two convex positioning elements 78, which have a positioning and load transferring function, in addition to preventing the twisting of the front element 14 and the nose element 18 away from each other. The material of the concave positioning element 76 and the convex positioning element 78 is typically metal. On the front joining surface, the arm 48 assisting the moving of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 in the folded state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 is accessible, which arm can be pulled out of the shell structure of the front element 14, and a handle can be formed by bending it in 90°, as shown in Fig. 5. In addition, the front joining surface has cable apertures 80 which serve for guiding the brake and electric cables and for accommodating those in the folded state. The length of the applied cables is dimensioned so that neither in the folded state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10, nor in the operating state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 should they carry any loads.

Fig. 11 shows the adjoining of the front element 14 and the central element 24. The steered part of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 is the front element 14 and the nose element 18 coupled by the clamping element 64. The axis of rotation of the steered part is a virtual handlebar axle, which consists of two independent structural elements. One independent structural element is a bottom axle stub 90, which is housed and turns in a lower hinge plate 88. The lower hinge plate 88 and the upper hinge plate 89 are able to turn around a hinge 86 which is perpendicular to the virtual handlebar axle, and even when folded up, it provides a fixed connection between the front element 14 and the central element 24. The lower hinge plate 88 is preferably fixed to a hinge plate 82 shown in Fig. 10. The other independent structural element of the virtual handlebar axle is an upper axle stub 92, which is fixed to the central element 24 and is adjoined to the front element 14 by a releasable coupling. In the operating state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10, the lower axle stub 90 and the upper axle stub 92 provide a fixed joint between the steered unit and the central element 24. The upper axle stub 92 is received by the appropriate part of axle 94 according to the figure. The axis of rotation defined by the lower axle stub 90 and the upper axle stub 92 is the virtual handlebar axle. When folding the two-wheeled vehicle 10, the axle 94, i.e. the releasable coupling between the front element and the central element, can be released by means of releasing pins 96 from an axle holder case 98 of the front element 14. In the operating state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10, the releasing pins 96 preferably ensure by means of springs that when the axle 94 is pressed into the axle holder case 98, a fixed coupling is provided between the front element 14 and the central element 24. When the releasing pins 96 are switched to their released positions when folding the two-wheeled vehicle 10, the axle 94 is separated from the axle holder case 98, as a result of which this upper coupling is terminated between the front element 14 and the central element 24. When the upper axle stub 92 is released in this way, the front element 14 turns around the hinge 86 providing the junction of the lower hinge plate 88 and the upper hinge plate 89, and can be bent over the central element 24. Having a turning function, the lower hinge plate 88 and the upper hinge plate 89 are laminated into or glued to the composite self-carrying shell structure, and the boreholes 99 are provided therein for the brake and cable wires.

Fig. 12 shows the joining surfaces (hereinafter rear joining surfaces) of the central element 24 and the rear element 22. The rear joining surfaces of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be turned by 180° to each other. In folded state, the two elements are folded over each other, and the central element 24 and the rear element 22 are configured accordingly. The rear joining surfaces turn by means of the axle 30. The turning joints of the metal plates which make up the hinged structure for strengthening the joining surfaces of the central element 24 and the rear element 22 are fitted on the axle 30. The hinged structure is preferably laminated in or glued to the rear element 22 and the central element 24, and especially preferably they are laminated under the composite material representing the joining surfaces. The axle 30 providing the turning of the central element 24 and the rear element 22 also holds the rear fork 71 and the kickstand 32. By means of the kickstand 32, parking the two-wheeled vehicle 10 upright in an operating state can be ensured. The kickstand 32 is preferably wider than the width of the two-wheeled vehicle 10 in the operating state. The kickstand 32 is under the shell structure of the rear element 22 during running and in folded state.

The further significant components of the rear joining surfaces are two concave positioning elements 102 and two convex positioning elements 104, the material of which is typically metal, and which have a positioning and a load transferring role preventing twisting in the operating state of the two-wheeled vehicle 10. The clamping element 74 is associated with the rear joining surfaces, and said clamping element fixes to each other the rear element 22 and the central element 24. The movable part of the fixing element 74 is on the rear element 22, and the central element 24 holds a shaped component 108 which fixes the moving part of the clamping element 74. The shaped component 108 can be applied as a handle for facilitating moving, if the two-wheeled vehicle 10 is partially folded. Two rolling wheels 44 are arranged on the rear joining surfaces. The rolling wheels 44 facilitate the moving of the folded up two-wheeled vehicle 10 in the folded state of the two- wheeled vehicle 10. If the rolling wheels 44 are arranged on the joining surfaces of the central element 24 and the rear element 22, there are apertures 100 for receiving the rolling wheels 44 in a folded up position on respective parts of the joining surfaces opposite the rolling wheels 44. The axle 30 ensures the routing of the brake and cable between the central element 24 and the rear element 22. Fig. 12 shows a handlebar release mechanism 106 by which the folded in handlebar 12 can be turned out of its position.

The steps of folding the two-wheeled vehicle 10 are summarised below. First, the seat 26 is to be removed from the two-wheeled vehicle 10 by folding up the seat base 42, followed by the folding in of the footrests 28, the handlebar 12 and the display unit. After that the fixing element 74 is released, so that the rear element 22 can be folded under the central element 24 such that the rear element 22 receives the footrests 28. The rear element 22 is fixed to the central element 24 by means of the protrusion on the number-plate holder 38. Next, by means of the releasing pins 96, the releasable coupling is disconnected between the front element 14 and the central element 24, the front element 14 is folded over the central element 24, and by means of the appropriately configured protrusion and indent it is fixed thereto. In this folding state, the two-wheeled vehicle 10 can be rolled on the rear wheel 20. In order to achieve a more compact folded state, the clamping element 64 is released, so that the nose element 18 can be positioned next to the front element 14, and fixed by means of a strap 50. In order to achieve an even more compact form, on the same side where the folded in nose element 18 is located, the handlebar release mechanism 106 is used to turn the appropriate arm of the handlebar 12. Finally, the folded up two-wheeled vehicle 10 is raised on the rolling wheels 44, and by means of pulling out the arm 48 it is simply made movable.

The invention is, of course, not limited to the preferred embodiments described in details above, but further versions, modifications and developments are possible within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

The two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention may not only be a motor-driven vehicle, for example a scooter, but also a bicycle driven by human force. In addition, the two-wheeled vehicle according to the invention can be configured preferably in a way that human drive is more or less supplemented by any arbitrary engine, for example, a petrol or electrically driven engine.

Claims

1. A foldable two-wheeled vehicle (10) comprising a structure holding a front wheel (16) and a rear wheel (20), the holding structure being at least partly a self-carrying shell structure,

characterized in that the self-carrying shell structure comprises

- a nose element (18) holding an axle of the front wheel (16),

- a front element (14) providing a handlebar force transmission and adjoining to the nose element (18) with a hinge (54) having a hinge axis arranged crosswise to the axle of the front wheel ( 16) ,

- a central element (24) adjoining to the front element (14) with a hinge (86) having a hinge axis arranged in parallel with an axle of the rear wheel (20) and

- a rear element (22) holding the axle of the rear wheel (20) and hingedly joining to the central element (24) by means of an axle (30) arranged in parallel with the axle of the rear wheel (20).

2. The vehicle (10) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the nose element (18) is attached to the front element (14) in a way that it can be turned in a position adjacent to the front element (14).

3. The vehicle (10) according to claim 2, characterised in that a mudguard (46) is arranged on the nose element (18), the mudguard (46) having a turned out position, in which, supplemented with a wheel cover (56), it fully covers the front wheel (16) in the folded state.

4. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the front element (14) is attached to the central element (24) with a releasable hinge connection as well, supplementing the hinge (86) and creating together a virtual handlebar axle.

5. The vehicle (10) according to claim 4, characterised in that the releasable joint between the front element (14) and the central element (24) can be released by releasing pins (96).

6. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that rolling wheels (44) facilitating the moving of the two-wheeled vehicle (10) in a folded state are arranged on the central element (24) and/or the rear element (22).

7. The vehicle (10) according to claim 6, characterised in that the rolling wheels (44) are arranged on the joining surfaces of the central element (24) and of the rear element (22), and there are apertures (100) for receiving the rolling wheels (44) in a folded state on respective parts of the joining surfaces opposite the rolling wheels (44).

8. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the joining surface of the front element (14) and of the nose element (18), and the joining surface of the central element (24) and of the rear element (22) are provided with components that ensure an accurate fitting position and prevent a torsional deflection of the joining elements from each other, preferably with concave positioning elements (76, 102) and convex positioning elements (78, 104).

9. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised by comprising a footrest (28) formed in a foldable way on the nose element (18) or on the central element (24), preferably as a pedal for contributing to driving the two-wheeled vehicle (10).

10. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a seat (26) removably arranged on the rear element (22).

11. The vehicle (10) according to claim 10, characterised in that the seat (26) comprises a stiffening frame (36) and an adjoining clamping element (63), the clamping element (63) is configured to slip on a rail (70) arranged on the rear element (22) and is pressed against the rail (70) when the seat base (42) of the seat (26) is folded down, preferably in an arbitrary position along the length of the rail (70).

12. The vehicle (10) according to claim 11 , characterised in that a rear light and/or a brake light is arranged on the stiffening frame (36).

13. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that the seat (26) is provided with straps (52) enabling its use as a backpack.

14. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that it comprises a kickstand (32) fixed to the axle (30) connecting the central element (24) and the rear element (22).

15. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that it comprises hub motor mounted on the front wheel (16) and/or on the rear wheel

(20).

16. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the self-carrying shell structure is made of a composite material.

17. The vehicle (10) according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the edges of the central element (24) and that of the rear element (22), which are joined in the folded state, have a curved shape, preferably supporting a mudguard function of the rear element (22).