Amphibious Vehicle Hull and Propulsion for Land-Water Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle systems are limited to land use and require separate systems for water use, which is inadequate for applications such as disaster relief, commercial operations, and recreational activities that require both land and water access.
Innovation Solution
The development of an amphibious vehicle system that includes a watertight buoyant body structure, multiple propulsion systems (such as propellers and paddle-wheel drive), and advanced control systems, allowing the vehicle to operate seamlessly on land and water, with optional air propulsion for navigating obstacles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate vehicle systems are used for land and water, then each system can be optimized for its specific environment, but the overall system complexity increases and requires multiple vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines land and water vehicle systems into a single amphibious vehicle that integrates both terrestrial and aquatic propulsion capabilities. The vehicle merges a land-based wheel propulsion system with a water-based propeller system into one unified platform, eliminating the need for separate vehicles while maintaining environmental optimization through dedicated propulsion mechanisms for each medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The amphibious vehicle is designed as a universal platform that can operate in multiple environments (land and water) using different propulsion modes. The vehicle incorporates a dual-propulsion system with wheels for land travel and a propeller for water travel, allowing a single vehicle to perform functions previously requiring separate specialized vehicles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If amphibious capabilities are added to electric vehicles, then versatility across land and water is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle employs a dynamic propulsion system that can switch between different operational modes (land/water, different propulsion types) based on environmental conditions. The system includes a controller that dynamically selects and adjusts the appropriate propulsion mechanism, allowing the vehicle to adapt to varying terrains and water conditions while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than fixed mechanical configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The propulsion system is segmented into distinct functional modules (land propulsion with wheels, water propulsion with propeller, air propulsion with rotors) that can operate independently or in combination. This modular segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall system architecture through clear separation of concerns and independent controllability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple propulsion systems are integrated, then operational flexibility across different media is improved, but ease of operation and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle incorporates sensors and controllers that monitor environmental conditions (land/water interface, terrain type, water depth) and automatically adjust the propulsion system configuration. The control system receives feedback from various sensors and dynamically optimizes the operation of wheels, propeller, and rotors, reducing the operational burden on the user while maintaining maximum flexibility across different media.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The amphibious vehicle system provides users with a versatile and adaptable transportation solution that can traverse land and water, enhancing accessibility for disaster relief, commercial operations, and recreational activities while offering extended usage times with waterproof and removable battery modules.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic propulsion system configured to propel the amphibious vehicle on land and in water
Implementation Method 2
a watertight buoyant body structure configured with a twin hulled front portion
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments disclose an amphibious vehicle system including a unibody, one-piece watertight buoyant body structure, filled with closed cell foam to create buoyancy in case of leakage, configured to carry at least one user and cargo, at least one motor drive system having at least one waterproof battery module, replaceable in a watertight compartment, coupled to the watertight buoyant body structure configured to drive at least one propulsion system to propel the amphibious vehicle with at least three wheels on land, a twin hulled front portion segueing to a single rear hull housing the motor and differential with water channels to funnel water flow to a propeller, at least one boat propeller water propulsion system coupled to a self-contained motor that pivots configured to propel the amphibious vehicle through water, and wherein the self-contained motor is configured to steer the amphibious vehicle in water.