Human-Powered Vehicle with Large Front Wheel and Tilting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-motorized vehicles for commuting, such as foldable scooters and skateboards, have not achieved widespread adoption due to issues with rolling resistance, safety, compactness, and ease of use, particularly in crowded environments like public transport, and fail to effectively utilize human propulsion for efficient distance travel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design that carries most of the user's weight on a large front wheel, with a small steerable rear wheel, featuring a tilting mechanism and adjustable steering pivot axis to enhance braking and steering, allowing for efficient propulsion, steering, and braking through natural walking or running motions without pedals or handlebars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a large front wheel is used to reduce rolling resistance, then rolling resistance is reduced, but the vehicle size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle divides the wheel functions by using a large front wheel for rolling and a small rear wheel for steering and stability, allowing each wheel to be optimized for its specific purpose rather than requiring both wheels to be large
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different wheel sizes to different locations - a large front wheel for low rolling resistance and a small rear wheel for maneuverability - optimizing each location's specific requirements rather than using uniform wheel sizes throughout
2Ease of operation
If a tilting mechanism with adjustable steering pivot axis is added to enhance braking and steering, then braking and steering performance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steering pivot axis is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the geometry to be optimized for different operating conditions (braking vs. steady-state steering) and user preferences, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adaptable one
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting mechanism serves multiple functions: it enhances braking effectiveness by allowing weight transfer, improves steering response, and enables the vehicle to adapt to different terrains and user abilities, making a single mechanism perform multiple critical functions
3Productivity
If the vehicle is designed for efficient human propulsion, then propulsion efficiency is improved, but the vehicle may be less stable for less fit individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle allows users to adjust the steering pivot axis geometry to change the mechanical characteristics, enabling fit users to optimize for speed and efficiency while less fit users can adjust for greater stability and easier control
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle design enables users to self-adjust the steering geometry to match their own physical capabilities, allowing each user to customize the vehicle characteristics to their needs without requiring external modification or professional adjustment
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a vehicle (30) drivable in use by a person walking or running whilst seated comprising: a frame (28); a large diameter front wheel (12) non-steerable with respect to the frame (28), a seat (18) for supporting a user's weight whilst walking or running, the frame (28) configured to carry the seat (18) suspended on the front wheel (12), a small diameter, steerable rear wheel (32) journalled to the frame (28) at a steering pivot axis (40), the seat (18) being rotatable forwardly with respect to the front wheel (12) and comprising a seat base (19) for supporting a user and further comprising a backrest (22) for engaging the user's back in use. The large front wheel (12) may be of approximate diameter of a user's leg (typically an adult human), thus the large front wheel (12) may be of similar size to a bicycle wheel for the user.