Offset Wheel Pair Level Compensation for Stair Traversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terrain vehicles face challenges with high weight, lack of level compensation for smooth ride on uneven terrains, and limited adjustability to traverse varying obstacles, such as stairs, leading to inefficient energy use and reduced user independence.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a chassis with pivoting left and right frames and offset wheel pairs, allowing for alternating rotational movement to compensate for vertical displacements and adjust wheel offset based on terrain dimensions, combined with a method for adjusting wheel offset and maintaining an apex point during traversal to ensure a stable and smooth ride.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple serially connected wheel pairs are used to provide increased grip when ascending stairs, then traction is improved, but the vehicle becomes bulky and difficult to maneuver in narrow passages
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into a base plate and two separate frames (left and right), each with its own wheel pair. This segmentation allows the wheel pairs to be positioned laterally offset from each other rather than serially connected, providing traction through the offset configuration while maintaining a compact overall vehicle size that can navigate narrow passages.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging wheel pairs in a serial connection along the direction of motion (one dimension), the invention positions wheel pairs laterally offset from each other in the transverse dimension. This dimensional change allows multiple wheel pairs to provide grip simultaneously without increasing the vehicle's length or bulk, enabling maneuverability in narrow spaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a heavy vehicle design is used to provide stability on uneven terrain, then stability is improved, but the vehicle requires more propelling energy and cannot use elevators with limited load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs dynamic level compensation systems with pivot joints that allow the left and right frames to rotate alternately as wheels encounter vertical displacements. This dynamic adaptation maintains vehicle stability on uneven terrain without requiring excessive weight, as the system actively adjusts to terrain variations rather than relying on static mass for stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle uses adjustable wheel offset parameters that can be modified based on terrain conditions. By changing the offset distance between left and right wheel pairs, the vehicle optimizes its stability and traction characteristics for different terrains without requiring a heavy fixed design, thereby reducing overall vehicle weight and energy consumption.
3Reliability
If the vehicle is optimized for traversing stairs at home, then performance on stairs is improved, but the vehicle cannot adapt to other obstacles with varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle incorporates adjustable wheel offset mechanisms that allow the lateral distance between left and right wheel pairs to be dynamically changed. This enables the vehicle to optimize its configuration for different obstacle types and dimensions, maintaining high traversal performance across varied terrains rather than being fixed for a single application.
Solution Approach 2:
The level compensation system with alternating rotational movement of left and right frames provides a universal solution for traversing various obstacles including stairs, curbs, and uneven surfaces. The system's ability to adapt to different vertical displacement patterns through alternating rotation allows a single vehicle design to handle multiple terrain types effectively.
4Device complexity
If fixed wheel offset is used for level compensation, then the mechanism is simple, but the vehicle cannot adapt to obstacles with varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from fixed wheel offset to dynamically adjustable wheel offset. The offset distance between left and right wheel pairs can be modified based on obstacle dimensions, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple adjustment mechanisms that do not significantly increase overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle having a multiple of level compensation systems is disclosed. The vehicle comprising a chassis having a left frame, a right frame and a base plate, a first level compensation system comprising a pivot joint for pivotably connecting the left and right frames to the base plate around a common rotational axis. A first axial distance from a left rotation axis of a left wheel pair to the rotational axis is different from at least one second axial distance from a right rotation axis of a right wheel pair to the rotational axis, such that the left and right wheel pair have at least one off-set to each other. Moreover a method for traversing stairs with such vehicle is disclosed.