Hands-Free Velocipede With Rider Weight Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of designing a two-wheel tandem vehicle that can be steered and balanced without a handlebar, as existing solutions have not successfully demonstrated hands-free operation due to the inherent instability and complexity of balancing on two wheels.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight wheeled vehicle propelled by the rider using a pair of hand-grasped poles, where the rider's lower body stabilizes and steers the vehicle by shifting weight and using footholds, allowing the upper body to focus on propulsion, and incorporating a saddle and footholds to support the rider's weight and provide additional stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a two-wheel tandem vehicle is designed without a handlebar to enable hands-free operation, then the rider's upper body is freed for propulsion, but the vehicle becomes inherently unstable and difficult to balance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary stabilization mechanism consisting of a rider support structure with footrests and a rider weight transfer system. This intermediary system mediates between the rider's body and the vehicle frame, providing the necessary stability control that would otherwise require handlebar intervention. The footrests serve as intermediate contact points allowing the rider to stabilize themselves without hand contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle design enables the rider to self-stabilize through body positioning and weight distribution on the saddle and footrests. The rider's lower body and core muscles actively maintain balance without external assistance from handlebars, making the system self-regulating through human physiological control mechanisms.
2Productivity
If the rider uses their lower body to steer and balance the vehicle, then the upper body is available for pole propulsion, but the steering and balancing functions become more complex and require coordinated body movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rider's body functions into distinct zones: the lower body (legs and feet) is assigned to steering and balancing tasks through interaction with the footrests and saddle, while the upper body (arms and hands) is dedicated to propulsion via the poles. This functional segmentation allows each body region to optimize its performance without interference from conflicting tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the steering and balancing control by utilizing the rider's weight transfer capabilities between the saddle and footrests. Instead of purely horizontal handlebar movements, the rider can shift weight vertically and laterally through three-dimensional body positioning, creating additional degrees of freedom for control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a saddle and footholds are added to support the rider's weight, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The saddle and footrest structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides rider support for stability, enables weight transfer for balance control, and facilitates the hands-free operation mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A two wheeled vehicle is propelled by the feet of a rider and hand-grasped poles when pushing against the ground. A forward wheel on a forward member and a rear wheel on a rearward member align along a longitudinal axis. The forward member rotates about a vertical steering axis. A saddle supports the rider. A torso brace allows the rider to balance and steer the device.