Amphibious Vehicle Wheel Assembly Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional amphibious vehicles face challenges in efficiently transitioning between land and water due to fixed wheel or track assemblies, which limit their versatility and operational range, especially in shallow water where conventional boats may ground.
Innovation Solution
The amphibious vehicle features selectively rotatable arms and wheel or track assemblies that can be lowered, raised, and retracted based on water depth, allowing for adaptive propulsion on both land and water using a buoyant hull and a boat motor, with each assembly comprising powered wheels or tracks that can be positioned automatically for optimal operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wheel assemblies are fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different water depths and terrain is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assemblies are made dynamically positionable through selectively rotatable arms that can pivot between lowered and raised positions, and selectively bendable arms that can adjust the horizontal position of wheels. This dynamic positioning system allows the vehicle to adapt to varying water depths and terrain conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wheel assemblies are lowered for land travel, then traction on land is improved, but risk of grounding in shallow water increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selectively rotatable arms enable dynamic adjustment of wheel assembly positions between lowered (for land traction) and raised (for water operation) states. This dynamic positioning eliminates the grounding risk by allowing the vehicle to adapt wheel positions to current operational conditions, whether on land or in shallow water.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect water depth and terrain conditions, providing feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts wheel assembly positions to appropriate levels, preventing grounding in shallow water while ensuring proper traction on land.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wheel assemblies are used for land propulsion, then land mobility is enhanced, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assemblies serve multiple functions: providing traction on land when lowered, and being raised or retracted for water operation. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to achieve both land and water capability without requiring separate propulsion systems, thereby limiting weight increase despite the added versatility.
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
This design enables seamless transition between land and water, preventing grounding in shallow water and facilitating efficient travel and storage by automatically adjusting wheel or track positions, enhancing the vehicle's operational range and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyant hull
Data Source
AI summary
An amphibious vehicle comprises a buoyant hull, a boat motor affixed to the hull to propel the amphibious vehicle in water, two or more powered wheel assemblies affixed to the hull to propel the amphibious vehicle on land, and two or more selectively rotatable arms affixing each wheel assembly to the hull. One or more of the wheel assemblies are affixed to opposing sides of the hull. Two or more selectively rotatable arms affix each wheel assembly to the hull. The arms affixing each respective wheel assembly are selectively rotatable in unison to move the respective wheel assembly between a lowered position and a raised position.