Motorized Hub Platform Control Without Self-Balancing Instability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-balancing motorized vehicles with two wheels face stability issues due to rider overcompensation, leading to loss of control, and high power consumption, with added stability measures causing interference with obstacles and hills.
Innovation Solution
A motorized platform with independent drive assemblies, including a mount bracket body connected to a platform, drive hub assemblies with motors, and optional suspension and sensors for motion detection, enhancing stability and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If self-balancing mechanisms are used to maintain rider attitude, then the rider can control the vehicle, but the rider may overcompensate and lose control causing the platform to scoot out quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical self-balancing mechanism with an electronically controlled system that uses sensors to detect rider attitude and motors to adjust wheel speed differentially. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous mechanical counterbalancing that causes instability, while providing smoother and more reliable control through electronic feedback loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to continuously monitor rider attitude and feeding this information back to the control system, which then adjusts motor output accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism prevents overcompensation by providing proportional responses to rider inputs, thereby improving stability control while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If electronic circuitry and self-balancing mechanisms are added, then rider control is improved, but power consumption increases rapidly depleting the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic sensing and control updates rather than continuous high-power operation. The sensors periodically detect rider attitude changes, and the motors provide intermittent corrective torque only when needed to maintain balance or respond to rider input. This periodic action significantly reduces average power consumption while preserving rider control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-balancing system serves itself by using minimal power for sensing and only activating motors when balance correction or propulsion is required. The system autonomously maintains balance through low-power sensor monitoring and engages high-power motor assistance only during transient events, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining operational control.
3Reliability
If a third wheel is added to increase stability, then accidents are minimized, but interference with moving over tall obstacles and up steep hills occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic stability control through independent motor control of each wheel rather than adding a fixed third wheel. The electronic control system continuously adjusts wheel speeds to maintain stability on various terrains, providing adaptive stability that does not compromise terrain capability. This dynamic approach allows the vehicle to navigate obstacles and hills while maintaining control through differential wheel speed adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Motorized hub assemblies for use with platforms and the corresponding motorized platforms are presented. At least one of the hub assemblies can be a motor and can contain an internal motor to propel the platform when activated. In some embodiments, the motorized platform has two sets of motorized wheels or two sets or motorized treads for differential rate maneuvering. In some embodiments, different base platforms are mounted to a single set of wheels or a single tread to provide a sporty style ride. A handlebar can also be implemented for greater stability. In all cases, there is no requirement for an electronic stabilization platform.