Go-Kart Protection Assembly With Deformable Ring Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing go-karts transfer collision energy to the frame, posing safety risks to the driver and vehicle, and have heavy structures that increase fuel and tire consumption.
Innovation Solution
A go-kart with a protection assembly featuring ring bodies and a containment structure that absorb impact energy through elastic deformation, dissipating it across the frame to improve safety and reduce weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid structures are used to absorb vibrations, then vibration absorption is improved, but impact energy is transmitted to the frame causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The protection assembly is divided into multiple independent ring bodies (at least three) distributed along the frame perimeter. Each ring body acts as an independent energy absorption unit, preventing concentrated stress transmission to the frame while maintaining overall structural integrity through distributed segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring bodies are designed with specific geometric parameters (cross-sectional area, wall thickness, material properties) that enable elastic deformation under impact loads. By optimizing these parameters, the system transforms rigid vibration absorption into flexible energy dissipation through controlled deformation, reducing peak force transmission to the frame.
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavy structures are used to absorb vibrations, then vibration absorption is improved, but fuel consumption and tire wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ring bodies function as flexible protective elements with thin-walled structures that absorb vibrations through elastic deformation rather than mass. This flexible shell approach provides vibration damping without the weight penalty of traditional heavy rigid structures, reducing rotational inertia and overall vehicle mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection assembly combines materials with different properties - the ring bodies use elastic materials optimized for energy absorption, while the containment structure provides rigid support. This composite approach achieves vibration absorption performance without requiring uniformly heavy construction throughout the entire vehicle structure.
3Strength
If rigid protection structures are used, then impact protection is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring bodies are designed to dynamically respond to impact forces through elastic deformation, transitioning from a static rigid structure to a dynamic energy-absorbing system. During normal operation, the ring bodies remain flexible and lightweight, but during impact events, they deform to absorb energy, providing strength only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring bodies are pre-positioned around the frame perimeter in a contained configuration, creating a cushioning barrier before impacts occur. This beforehand cushioning allows the use of lighter materials compared to fully rigid structures, as the energy absorption function is prepared in advance through the elastic properties of the ring bodies rather than requiring massive permanent reinforcement.
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 protection assembly effectively absorbs impact energy, enhancing driver and vehicle safety while reducing weight and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of ring bodies is configured to be subjected to a deformation in the event of an impact
Implementation Method 2
a containment structure that surrounds the external surface of the frame and contains the plurality of ring bodies
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a go-kart (100) comprising a frame (10) having an external impact surface (11) adapted to face an impact and a protection assembly (20) for protecting said frame (10). The protection assembly includes: - at least one ring body (21a, 21b) arranged along the external surface (11) of the frame (10); - a containment structure (22) which surrounds the external surface (11) of the frame (10) and contains the at least one ring body (21a, 21b). In particular, the at least one ring body (21a, 21b) is arranged between the external surface (11) and the containment structure (20). The at least one ring body (21a, 21b) is configured to be subjected to deformation in the event of an impact.