Steering System for Small Mobility with Dynamic Caster Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small mobility devices lack stability when turning due to the absence or minimal caster angle, causing the center of gravity to shift forward and resulting in loss of control and potential injury from centrifugal force during rapid steering.
Innovation Solution
A steering system that utilizes a multi-link mechanism with main and sub link members to adjust the position and angle of casters in response to the movement of the user's center of gravity, maintaining a constant reference distance between joints when straight and altering it during turns to steer the casters effectively, thereby controlling centrifugal force and enhancing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a conventional small mobility device is used with minimal or no caster angle, then the structure is simple, but the center of gravity shifts forward during turns causing loss of control and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic steering system where the caster angle is not fixed but automatically adjusts based on the user's center of gravity movement. The multi-link mechanism allows the caster assembly to change its orientation dynamically during turns, maintaining stability without requiring complex active sensors or actuators. This resolves the contradiction by making the structure adaptable rather than statically simple or complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The steering system operates passively by utilizing the user's own center of gravity movement to automatically adjust the caster angle. When the user shifts their weight during a turn, the mechanism translates this movement into appropriate caster angle adjustments without requiring external power or complex control systems. This self-regulating capability provides reliability without adding device complexity.
2Speed
If the steering wheel is rapidly rotated during acceleration, then steering response is fast, but centrifugal force causes the user to lose center or be seriously injured
Solution Approach 1:
The caster angle adjustment mechanism provides preliminary counteraction to centrifugal force by automatically positioning the caster assembly to offset the harmful effects during turns. Before the user experiences loss of control from centrifugal force, the system has already adjusted the steering geometry to compensate for the turning dynamics, thereby preventing injury while maintaining fast steering response.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the center of gravity is directed forward in small obstacles, then the structure is stable in straight line, but conduction defect occurs during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the caster angle based on the user's center of gravity position and movement. During straight-line travel, the caster maintains a stable orientation for straight line stability. During turns, the mechanism automatically changes the caster angle to accommodate the shifting center of gravity, ensuring smooth turning control without conduction defects. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between straight-line stability and turning ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A steering apparatus of a small mobility is provided. The steering apparatus is applied to one of a front wheel portion and a rear wheel portion connected to a body thereof. The apparatus includes a main link member that is connected to the body through a plurality of main link arms to move left and right casters in the forward and backward directions due to link movement of the main link arms when the body center of gravity is moved to the left and right directions. A sub link member is connected to the caster through a hub shaft when connected to the main link member through a plurality of sub link arms and changes a steering angle of the left and right casters moved by the main link member through link movement of the respective sub link arm.