Hydropneumatic Wheel-Tilting Control for Low-Speed Vehicle Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tilting wheel vehicles face issues with lateral imbalance and instability due to locked tilting systems, leading to potential vehicle overturning and difficulty in maintaining verticality on uneven road surfaces, especially at low speeds and temporary stops.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic or pneumatic circuit system with a motorized pump and control unit, connected to suspension cylinders, adjusts fluid transfer to maintain vehicle verticality and control tilting angles based on vehicle parameters, ensuring stability and balance without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the tilting system is locked at low speeds, then the vehicle structure is simplified and ease of operation is improved, but vehicle stability deteriorates on uneven road surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidvehicle stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tilting lock system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic controllable state. The system allows the tilting mechanism to be locked when stationary or moving slowly on flat surfaces, but becomes unlockable when detecting uneven road surfaces or requiring tilting maneuvers, thus adapting between stability and maneuverability based on operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect road surface conditions, vehicle speed, and tilting angle to automatically control the tilting lock mechanism. When uneven surfaces are detected or when tilting is required for stability, the system automatically unlocks the tilting mechanism, providing feedback-based adaptive control to maintain vehicle stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the tilting system is locked during movement, then device complexity is reduced, but vehicle reliability deteriorates due to lateral imbalance risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidvehicle reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of road surface conditions and vehicle operating state before allowing tilting lock engagement. The control unit prevents locking when conditions are unfavorable (uneven surfaces, high speed, or when tilting is needed), proactively avoiding reliability issues before they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors vehicle speed, road surface conditions, and tilting angle through sensors and automatically adjusts the tilting lock state. When imbalance or instability is detected, the system automatically unlocks the mechanism, providing real-time feedback control to maintain safety without requiring complex mechanical redundancy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system effectively maintains vehicle verticality and adjusts tilting angles for improved stability, preventing skids and collisions, while requiring minimal modifications and installation costs.

Implementation Method 1

the transfer of said working fluid from said first chamber to said second chamber results in an increase of the volume of said second chamber while the transfer of said working fluid from said second chamber to said first chamber results in an increase in the volume of said first chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic fluid transfer: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

said system comprises an electric pump in fluid connection with said first connection means, wherein said system further comprises a control unit for the electric control of said electric pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric motor actuation: Linear Motor

Data Source

PatentEP3917820B1Hydropneumatic system for controlling the tilting of two wheels of a vehicle and a vehicle equipped with said system
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 QOODER SA
  • EP3917820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3917820B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3917820B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

An intelligent hydropneumatic system for controlling the tilting of two wheels of a vehicle and a vehicle equipped with said system. An intelligent hydro-pneumatic system for controlling the tilting of two wheels of a vehicle, mechanically connected to the chassis of said vehicle by means of a first oscillating anchor arm (B1) and a second oscillating anchor arm (B2) respectively, the system including at least a first cylinder (10) and a second cylinder (20) suitable to be interposed between said chassis and said first oscillating anchor arm (B1) and said second oscillating anchor arm (B2) respectively, wherein said first (10) and second (20) cylinders include respectively a first chamber (101) and a second chamber (202) both with variable volume and containing a working fluid, wherein the transfer of said working fluid from said first chamber (101) to said second chamber (202) results in an increase in the volume of said second chamber (202) while the transfer of said working fluid from said second chamber (202) to said first chamber (101) results in an increase in the volume of said first chamber (101), and wherein said system comprises first connection means (23) which connect said first chamber (101) and said second chamber (202) so that said working fluid can be transferred alternately from said first chamber (101) to said second chamber (202) and from said second chamber (202) to said first chamber (101).