Amphibious Vehicle Stability via Low Center of Gravity Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current amphibious and semi-solid surface vehicles are either unstable, require human operation, or are designed for specific purposes, limiting their use in accessing dangerous or hard-to-reach areas for rescue and recreational activities.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled amphibious vehicle with a low center of gravity, capable of remote control operation, and adaptable to various surfaces such as water, mud, ice, and snow, featuring floating cylindrical wheels with decouplers for independent rotation and a compact design for minimal dimensions and low cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a vehicle is designed to float on water with a high centre of gravity, then it can move on water surface, but it becomes unstable and capsizes easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater movement capabilityVSAvoidvehicle stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by positioning heavy components (motor, battery, control system) in the lower central part of the vehicle body, creating a low centre of gravity that counteracts the destabilizing effect of the high centre of gravity required for water flotation. This dual-centre-of-gravity design enables the vehicle to maintain stability on water while preventing capsizing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Productivity

If a vehicle is designed with specific propulsion means for water, then it can move efficiently on water, but it cannot adapt to semi-solid surfaces like snow or mud

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater movement efficiencyVSAvoidsurface adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing the propulsion system to function effectively on multiple surfaces. The water jet pump serves as the primary propulsion mechanism for water movement, while the wheeled structure with broad contact area enables the same vehicle to traverse semi-solid surfaces like snow, mud, and sand. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for surface-specific vehicle modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the vehicle's support structure adaptable to different terrains. The wheeled configuration allows the vehicle to dynamically adjust its interaction with the ground, providing traction on semi-solid surfaces while maintaining water mobility. The vehicle transitions between water jet propulsion and wheel-based propulsion based on the surface type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a vehicle requires human operation, then it can be controlled precisely, but it cannot approach dangerous sites without exposing the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by equipping the vehicle with autonomous navigation capabilities including GPS reception, inertial reference systems, and automated control systems. The vehicle can operate independently without requiring a human operator to be physically present, thereby eliminating exposure to dangerous environments while maintaining operational precision through remote or autonomous control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a vehicle is designed with complex propulsion and control systems, then it can perform multiple functions, but it becomes expensive and difficult to repair

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the vehicle into distinct functional modules: propulsion system (water jet pump), power system (battery and motor), control system (remote control and navigation), and support structure (body and wheels). This modular design enables independent manufacturing, testing, and repair of each subsystem, simplifying production while maintaining versatile functionality. Damage to one module does not necessarily compromise the entire vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 vehicle achieves stability and versatility, enabling straight and curved movements, turning, and reverse capabilities on diverse surfaces without human intervention, suitable for search and rescue, monitoring, and recreational uses while minimizing environmental impact and cost.

Implementation Method 1

Two hollow cylindrical floating bodies (2), connected to each other by a longitudinal central element (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10875370B2Self-stabilising two-wheeled vehicle, in particular an amphibious vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 DEF TECH SAS DI ETTORE DE FRANCESCO & C

AI summary

Disclosed is a vehicle with only two parallel independent drive wheels, capable of moving on a solid or semi-solid ground, as well as on water if provided with blades on the wheels. The vehicle is stable in that it has a unit for lowering the center of gravity, which are housed in the wheels, which are in turn internally hollow for this purpose.