Movable Foot Platforms for Swing Scooter Ergonomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swing scooters have fixed horizontal foot plates that lead to inefficiency in force transfer and ergonomic strain due to the need for users to maintain horizontal foot positioning while propelling the scooter, resulting in loss of contact and ankle strain.
Innovation Solution
The design features pivotable foot platforms that can angle laterally, allowing users to apply force more efficiently and naturally, reducing strain by allowing the platforms to adjust with the user's foot movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foot plates are fixed in a horizontal plane, then the structure is simple and stable, but force transfer efficiency is reduced and ankle strain occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The foot platforms are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot laterally in response to user foot movements. This dynamic adjustment maintains continuous contact between the user's feet and the platforms, maximizing force transfer efficiency while eliminating the need for complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot platforms automatically adjust their angle in response to user foot movements without requiring external control. The platforms self-adjust to match the user's natural foot angling motion, eliminating the need for sensors, motors, or complex control mechanisms while maintaining optimal force transfer.
2Ease of operation
If foot plates are fixed horizontal, then manufacturing is simple, but user ergonomics deteriorate due to ankle strain
Solution Approach 1:
The foot platforms are designed to pivot laterally on their support legs, allowing them to dynamically adjust to the user's foot movements. This simple mechanical freedom of movement improves ergonomics by eliminating ankle strain while maintaining a straightforward manufacturing process that only requires adding a pivot mechanism to the existing foot plate structure.
3Reliability
If foot plates are fixed, then contact is lost during side-to-side movement, but adding movable platforms increases structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The foot platforms are made pivotable on their support legs, allowing them to dynamically follow the user's foot movements. This ensures continuous contact between the user's feet and the platforms throughout the propelling motion, while the support leg structure remains relatively simple, requiring only a pivot connection rather than complex active tracking systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect there is provided a swing scooter, comprising a frame, a steering member, a front wheel, at least two support legs, and at least two platforms. A rear wheel support is pivotally attached each support leg. A rear wheel is rotatably attached to each rear wheel support. Each platform is movably attached to an associated support leg, and positioned for supporting a foot of a user. Each platform has a longitudinal platform axis and is movable between a first position in which the platform is angled down laterally towards a first lateral side of the swing scooter, and a second position in which the platform is angled down laterally towards a second lateral side of the swing scooter. The platform is movable to the first and second positions by movement of the foot of the user.