Transportable Machine With Motorized Track for Stair Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sewer cleaning machines are cumbersome to transport due to their weight and size, and hand trucks are limited in handling large loads and navigating uneven surfaces like stairs.
Innovation Solution
A transportable machine with an elongated frame, a track system featuring a motor-driven endless belt, and a power supply that includes a controller to manage power usage and alert the user when insufficient for climbing stairs, allowing for efficient maneuvering over various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand truck is used to transport a load, then the load can be moved from one location to another, but the hand truck becomes cumbersome when the load becomes too large or when transporting up stairs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a track system that can dynamically adapt its configuration. The track includes adjustable components that can change position and orientation to accommodate different terrain conditions, including stairs and uneven surfaces. This allows the transport device to transition from a static hand truck configuration to a dynamic, terrain-adaptive configuration, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability to terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the track system into multiple independent components that can be adjusted separately. The track includes separate adjustment mechanisms for different sections, allowing each segment to be optimized for specific terrain features. This modular approach enables the system to maintain ease of operation while gaining versatility across diverse terrains.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a motor is added to drive the endless belt, then the transportable machine can maneuver over diverse terrains including stairs, but the power supply may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a controller that continuously monitors power supply status and provides feedback to the system. The controller detects when the power supply is insufficient for climbing stairs and responds by alerting the user or shutting off the motor. This feedback mechanism prevents power depletion and ensures the motor-driven track system operates within available energy constraints, resolving the contradiction between adaptability to terrain and power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a track system with endless belt is used, then the machine can navigate uneven surfaces and stairs, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a track system that performs multiple functions within a single integrated structure. The endless belt track serves both as a propulsion mechanism for climbing stairs and as a stabilization system for uneven surfaces. The same basic components are used across different terrain scenarios, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high adaptability to various terrains.
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 seamless transport of sewer cleaning machines and similar loads over diverse terrains, including stairs, by optimizing power usage and providing traction support, thus reducing manual effort and preventing tipping.
Implementation Method 1
an endless belt configured to rotate about the roller
Implementation Method 2
The controller is configured to monitor the power supply, determine when the power supply is insufficient to climb a set of stairs
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable machine including an elongated frame having a top end and a bottom end, a handle disposed on the top end of the frame, a base disposed on the bottom end of the frame, where the base and the frame together define a space configured to receive and support a load, and a wheel disposed on the bottom end of the frame. A track is coupled to the frame, where the track includes a roller and an endless belt configured to rotate about the roller. A motor is coupled to the roller, where the motor is operable to drive the endless belt, and a power supply provides power to the motor.