Electric Motorcycle Storage Box with Electromagnetic Lock and Torsion Spring Lid

The problem

Riders who use motorcycles or electric scooters for daily transport often carry helmets, gloves, rain gear, or small parcels. Standard storage boxes mounted behind the seat typically use a mechanical key lock or a cable-pull lever hidden under the seat. To open the box, the rider must dismount, find the correct key, insert it, turn it, and lift the lid manually. If the rider is wearing heavy gloves or carrying items in both hands, this sequence is slow and awkward. Cable-release mechanisms require regular adjustment because the cable stretches over time, and routing the cable through the frame adds assembly steps during manufacturing. Mechanical key cylinders also expose a slot where dust and rainwater collect, leading to corrosion and stiff operation after months of outdoor exposure. A locking method that removes the physical key and the cable while still securing the lid firmly would simplify the rider’s routine and reduce maintenance points.

The solution

The patent describes a storage box designed to solve these issues through three linked components:

1. A torsion spring hinge inside the box. The lid connects to the box body via a molded connecting plate. This plate has a flat section screwed to the lid and a bent section that curves inward. A rotating shaft passes through the bent section, and the pivot point sits entirely inside the box body. A torsion spring wraps around this shaft, with one end braced against the box wall and the other grafted into the bent section of the connecting plate. The spring constantly pushes the lid toward the open position.
2. An electromagnetic lock. Fixed to a mounting plate inside the box body, away from the hinge end, the lock contains a spring-loaded deadbolt. In the default state, the deadbolt extends upward and catches a lock hook screwed to the lid, holding it shut against the spring’s force. The deadbolt features an upward wedge surface. When the lock receives power, the deadbolt retracts into the lock housing, releasing the hook.
3. A handlebar button switch. The electromagnetic lock is wired to a button switch installed on the motorcycle handlebar. The lock draws power from the vehicle’s battery. Pressing the button energizes the lock, pulls back the deadbolt, and allows the torsion spring to swing the lid open immediately. Wire fixing buckles inside the box route the electrical cables neatly.

Who it is for

• Electric motorcycle and scooter manufacturers looking for a factory-fitted storage option that integrates with the vehicle’s existing electrical system and eliminates mechanical key logistics.
• Aftermarket motorcycle accessory brands that sell top cases and trunk boxes to commuters who want keyless convenience without modifying their bike’s wiring extensively.
• Fleet operators and delivery services using two-wheeled electric vehicles, where drivers open and close the box dozens of times per shift and need fast, reliable access.
• Powersports wholesalers supplying dealers with practical add-on accessories for urban commuter bikes.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. Closing the lid - The rider pushes the lid down. The lock hook (5) slides over the wedge surface of the deadbolt (71), pushing it down momentarily until the deadbolt springs back up and catches the hook’s protrusion (51). The torsion spring (4) is compressed and stores energy.
2. Opening the lid - The rider presses the button switch (15) on the handlebar (16). Current flows from the battery to the electromagnetic lock (7). The deadbolt (71) retracts into the lock body, clearing the hook.
3. Automatic lift - With the hook released, the stored energy in the torsion spring (4) rotates the connecting plate (3) around the shaft (9), lifting the lid automatically. The limit stop bar (24) prevents the lid from swinging past its intended angle.
4. Securing contents - Inside, items rest on a felt lining bonded to the box floor. The sealing strip (23) compresses between the lid and the box rim to block rain and dust.

Applications

Urban commuting on electric scooters

Daily commuters park their scooters and need quick access to helmets or bags. Pressing a handlebar button opens the box instantly without searching for keys, speeding up the transition from riding to walking.

Delivery riders and courier fleets

Couriers open their cargo boxes repeatedly throughout a shift. A button-operated electromagnetic lock reduces hand fatigue compared to turning a key each time, and the automatic lid lift keeps one hand free to hold packages.

Touring and recreational riding

Riders stopping at viewpoints or fuel stations store gloves and maps inside the box. The sealed lid protects contents from sudden rain, and the internal felt lining prevents metal or plastic items from rattling during travel.

Shared micro-mobility vehicles

Fleet operators managing shared electric mopeds need durable, tamper-resistant storage. An electronic lock tied to the vehicle’s ignition circuit ensures the box only opens when the authorized rider powers the system.

Where it is less suitable

• Off-road motorcycles - Heavy vibration and mud exposure may interfere with the electromagnetic lock’s moving parts; purely mechanical latches are often preferred for extreme off-road conditions.
• Bicycles without batteries - The lock needs vehicle power (the patent example uses a 12V lock), making it unsuitable for standard pedal bicycles unless an auxiliary battery pack is added.