Hubless Wheelchair Drive Module With Integrated Platform Leveling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheelchairs lack efficient mechanisms for easy seat/platform level adjustments while minimizing vehicle weight, as current solutions often compromise on weight reduction and additional functionalities like shock absorption.
Innovation Solution
A hubless drive module with an integrated seat/platform level mechanism, including a rim with an inner driving-guiding race, a motor, and a cushioned mechanism for shock absorption, allowing for easy adjustments via a screw unit and threaded bar system, combined with a battery module and anti-tilt functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wheelchairs with separate seat adjustment mechanisms are used, then seat level adjustment functionality is provided, but the vehicle weight increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seat adjustment mechanism with the wheel hub assembly into an integrated unit. The motor, threaded bar, and adjustment components are housed within the wheel hub, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining full seat level adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel hub assembly serves multiple functions: it provides both the driving function (motor and wheel rotation) and the seat adjustment function (via the threaded bar and platform mechanism). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity and weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional wheelchairs with separate seat adjustment mechanisms are used, then seat level adjustment functionality is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is merged with the wheel hub assembly, combining what would traditionally be separate systems (wheel drive and seat adjustment) into a single integrated unit, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism components (motor, threaded bar, platform) are nested within the wheel hub assembly structure. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functional elements into a compact integrated unit, reducing the overall number of separate components and simplifying the device architecture.
3Weight of moving object
If hubless wheels are used, then vehicle weight is reduced, but shock absorption functionality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shock absorption mechanism is integrated into the wheel hub assembly alongside the adjustment mechanism. This combination allows the hubless wheel design to maintain full shock absorption capability through dedicated dampers and cushioning elements while keeping vehicle weight reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly incorporates shock absorption elements (dampers, cushioning mechanisms) that are pre-integrated into the hub structure. This beforehand cushioning ensures that shock absorption functionality is built-in from the design stage, maintaining reliability even with the lighter hubless wheel construction.
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
Enables easy seat/platform level adjustments with enhanced shock absorption and reduced weight, utilizing carbon-based structural materials and innovative design to improve mobility and efficiency in urban and unpaved environments.
Implementation Method 1
a shock absorbing element connecting the platform fixture and the base
Implementation Method 2
a threaded bar driven into rotation by the motor of the platform level adjustment mechanism, wherein the base is connected with the threaded bar using a corresponding inner thread, ensuring base movement occurring together with rotation of the threaded bar
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is related to a hubless drive module including a rim (1) with an inner driving-guiding race (2) and a tyre (3) on the outer side of the rim (1), installed rotatably on the main bearing panel (4) and a drive motor (5) with a power transmission system (6) transmitting power onto the driving-guiding race (2) and a control module, characterised in that it includes a platform (8) level adjustment mechanism (7) installed rotatably inside the rim (1) and connected with the main bearing panel (4), wherein the platform (8) level adjustment mechanism (7) includes a top driven module (9) and a bottom driven module (10) connected using at least one guide (11), a screw unit (12) located between the top driven module (9) and the bottom driven module (10), provided with a cushioned mechanism (13) connecting with the platform (8), the platform (8) level adjustment mechanism (7) motor (14) and a threaded bar (15) driven into rotation by the motor (14), wherein the cushioned mechanism (13) connecting with the platform (8) includes a platform (8) fixture (16), a base (17) and a shock absorbing element (18) connecting the platform (8) fixture (16) and the base (17), and the platform (8) fixture (16) and the base (17) may move along the guide (11) and the base (17) is connected with the threaded bar (15) using the corresponding inner thread, ensuring base (17) movement occurring together with rotation of the threaded bar (15), thus executing the platform (8) level adjustment. The invention is also related to a wheelchair using the hub-free drive module