Adaptable Wheelbase Dolly for Variable Energy Storage Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current self-powered dolly vehicles are limited by their energy storage capacity due to space constraints, restricting their range of applications and efficiency in various transport missions.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered dolly vehicle with an adaptable wheelbase, allowing for adjustable frame structures and energy source configurations, enabling the vehicle to extend its energy storage capacity by changing wheelbase length and selecting between different energy sources based on mission requirements, using a control unit to automate these adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wheelbase is extended to increase energy storage capacity, then the range of applications is improved, but the vehicle complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheelbase of the dolly vehicle is made dynamically adjustable between a first position (shorter wheelbase) and a second position (longer wheelbase). The frame structure includes movable components that allow the wheelbase length to be changed based on energy storage requirements, enabling the vehicle to adapt to different transport missions while managing complexity through controlled movement rather than fixed multiple configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The dolly vehicle is designed with universal functionality to operate in multiple modes: it can function as a traditional dolly vehicle with shorter wheelbase for towing, or extend to longer wheelbase for independent long-distance transport with increased energy storage. The same vehicle structure serves both purposes through the adjustable wheelbase mechanism, eliminating the need for separate vehicle types
2Quantity of substance
If the wheelbase is extended to carry additional energy storage, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the space availability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle transitions from a static to a dynamic space configuration. When long-distance transport is required, the wheelbase extends to create additional space for energy storage devices. When towing mode is used, the wheelbase retracts to maintain compact dimensions. This dynamic adjustment allows the vehicle to have large energy storage capacity when needed without permanently occupying excessive space
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses space constraints by utilizing the longitudinal dimension through wheelbase extension rather than increasing width or height. The frame structure is designed to extend in the length direction, allowing energy storage devices to be accommodated along the extended wheelbase without increasing the vehicle's cross-sectional dimensions, thus maintaining space efficiency in lateral and vertical directions
Data Source
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AI summary
A self-powered dolly vehicle unit (130) with an adaptable wheelbase (D1), the dolly vehicle unit comprising a front axle arranged to support a pair of steerable front wheels (950), a rear axle arranged to support a pair of rear wheels (960), a fifth wheel connection (930) for towing a trailer vehicle, a draw-bar attachment mechanism (940) arranged to hold a draw-bar (135), and a frame structure (970) arranged to support the front axle and the rear axle at a variable wheelbase distance (D1) from each other, wherein the frame structure (970) is arranged to be locked at a first wheelbase distance position and at a second wheelbase distance position.