Pedal-Tilt Electric Driver for Quiet Surface Modifier Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional line striping systems with combustion engines are limited by emissions and noise, making them undesirable for indoor applications and nighttime use near residential areas, and manual pushing of ground surface modifying machines is fatiguing.
Innovation Solution
A battery-powered driver with a control circuitry system that uses pedal tilt sensors to control an electric motor for forward and rearward propulsion, allowing intuitive acceleration and deceleration based on pedal tilt angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a combustion engine is used to power the driver, then the driver can provide sufficient power for propulsion, but emissions and noise make it undesirable for indoor applications and nighttime use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the combustion engine (mechanical/chemical system) with an electric motor (electrical system). The electric motor is powered by a battery pack, eliminating the need for fuel combustion. This substitution removes the source of emissions and significantly reduces noise, enabling the driver to operate in previously inaccessible environments such as indoor facilities, warehouses, and nighttime residential areas while maintaining the required propulsion capability.
2Ease of operation
If manual pushing is used to propel the ground surface modifying machine, then no additional power source is needed, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver provides self-propulsion capability to the ground surface modifying machine through an electric motor and battery system. The operator simply needs to control the direction and speed, while the driver's own power system handles the propulsion. This eliminates the need for the operator to physically push or pull the heavy machine, dramatically reducing fatigue and improving ease of operation while maintaining or increasing productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a battery-powered electric motor is used instead of a combustion engine, then emissions and noise are reduced, but the device complexity increases due to addition of battery and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The battery pack serves multiple functions: it powers the electric motor for propulsion, powers the control circuitry, and provides electrical connections for the entire system. The control circuitry integrates multiple functions including motor control, speed regulation, and coordination with the ground surface modifying machine's operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving the emission and noise reduction goals.
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 quiet and efficient operation indoors and at night, reducing operator fatigue by automating the propulsion of ground surface modifying machines.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pedal tilt sensor configured to output one or more signals to the control circuitry indicating a degree of tilt of the at least one pedal
Implementation Method 2
a battery powered electric motor, control circuitry configured to manage delivery of electrical battery power to the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A battery powered driver for propelling a wheeled ground surface modifying machine includes at least one wheel contacting a ground surface, a battery powered electric motor, control circuitry configured to manage delivery of electrical battery power to the electric motor to control a sped of the driver, at least one pedal attached to a pedal axle and tiltable in each of a forward and rearward direction with respect to the pedal axle, and at least one pedal tilt sensor configured to output one or more signals to the control circuitry indicating a degree of tilt of the at least one pedal. The control circuitry is configured to control the electric motor to accelerate the driver forward based on the one or more signals indicating a forward tilt of the at least one pedal, the electrical battery power delivered to the electric motor for forward acceleration proportional to a degree of forward tilt of the at least one pedal, and to control the electric motor to accelerate the driver rearward based on the one or more signals indicating a rearward tilt of at least one pedal, the electrical battery power delivered to the electric motor for rearward acceleration proportional to a degree of rearward tilt of the at least one pedal.