Articulated Wheel Mechanism for Portable Electric Vehicle Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Known two-wheeled electric vehicles, such as hoverboards and Segway PT, are impractical for users due to their weight and bulk when not in use, making them difficult to transport and store.

Innovation Solution

A portable electric vehicle design featuring a vertical stem with articulated wheels that can be selectively moved between a deployed and stored position, using high-strength, low-weight materials and pivot joints that allow the wheels to be easily folded for compact storage, along with integrated motion command sensors and electric motors for operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the vehicle uses fixed rigid wheels, then it provides stable support and reliable operation, but it increases weight and bulk making it difficult to transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is segmented into multiple components: wheel, hub, platform, and stem sections that can be independently moved or folded. This segmentation allows the vehicle to be disassembled or compacted for transport while maintaining structural integrity during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle employs dynamic wheel configurations where wheels can be rotated from a horizontal operating position to a vertical storage position. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same structure to provide stable support during operation while minimizing bulk during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the vehicle uses fixed rigid wheels, then it ensures reliable operation, but it increases bulk and reduces ease of storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle reliabilityVSAvoidvehicle volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly incorporates dynamic positioning capability, allowing wheels to be rotated between horizontal (operational) and vertical (storage) positions. This dynamic transformation enables the vehicle to maintain reliable wheel-ground contact during operation while reducing to a compact form for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel and hub assemblies are designed to nest or fold against the central stem when in vertical storage position. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall volume occupied by the vehicle during storage while preserving all functional components for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If the vehicle uses heavy materials, then it provides structural strength and stability, but it reduces portability and ease of transportation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle structure utilizes composite material construction combining lightweight materials (such as aluminum alloys or carbon fiber) with strategic reinforcement. This allows the vehicle to maintain sufficient structural strength for safe operation while minimizing overall weight to improve portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle is divided into modular segments (stem sections, wheel assemblies, platform) that can be independently handled or folded. This segmentation allows users to manipulate smaller, lighter sections during transport while the complete assembled structure provides necessary structural strength during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the vehicle has fixed wheel configuration, then it maintains operational stability, but it reduces adaptability for different storage conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidstorage adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated wheel mechanism serves multiple functions: providing stable support during operation, enabling compact folding for storage, and allowing the vehicle to adapt to various storage environments. This multi-functionality increases versatility without compromising operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11524742B2Portable electric vehicle with articulated wheels

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

An electric vehicle includes a stem and a base with wheels. The base is at a first end of the stem, with symmetrical elements of the base opposed across a stem axis. Elements on each side include a wheel, a drive motor, a platform and pivot joints. The wheel has an axis of rotation. The drive motor is connected to the wheel. The platform is between the wheel and the stem. A first pivot joint connects the stem and the platform. A second pivot joint connects the platform and the wheel. In a first orientation, the platforms are substantially perpendicular to the stem and in a second orientation the platforms are substantially parallel to the stem. The wheel axes are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially perpendicular to the stem axis in the first orientation and the second orientation.