Pendulum Nacelle Vehicle with Pivoting Crossbeams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles with tilting nacelles lack maneuverability, especially on uneven terrain, due to constraints in ground contact and stability, which affects their ability to navigate sloping terrains and maintain balance in bends without electronic assistance.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is designed with independent crosspieces that can pivot to maintain contact with the ground, allowing the nacelle to tilt automatically in bends while keeping crosspieces parallel to the ground, enhancing ground clearance and freedom of rotation for displacement supports, and incorporating a steering pivot system that adjusts to improve stability and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a conventional rigid chassis with fixed crossbeams, then the structural strength and stability are maintained, but the maneuverability on uneven terrain deteriorates due to inability to adapt to ground contours
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into separate crossbeams (front crossbeam and rear crossbeam) that are not rigidly connected by longitudinal members. Each crossbeam can pivot independently around the articulation axis, allowing them to adapt to uneven terrain separately while maintaining overall structural integrity through the platform connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The crossbeams are designed with pivoting capability around the articulation axis, transforming the rigid chassis into a dynamic structure. This allows the crossbeams to rotate and adjust their orientation according to terrain conditions, improving adaptability while maintaining strength through controlled movement rather than rigid fixation.
2Measurement precision
If the vehicle uses electronic or computer means to control tilting in turns, then the precision of tilt control is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle utilizes its own motion and centrifugal force generated during turns to automatically tilt the nacelle. The pendulum mechanism self-regulates the tilt angle based on the vehicle's speed and turning radius, eliminating the need for external electronic sensors, processors, and actuators to control the tilting motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic control systems with a pure mechanical pendulum-based tilting mechanism. The physical laws of pendulum motion and centrifugal force naturally provide the required tilt control, substituting electronic measurement and actuation with passive mechanical response.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle uses a frame-like chassis with longitudinal members connecting crossbeams, then the structural rigidity is improved, but the lateral access to the platform deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the longitudinal members that normally connect crossbeams in a conventional frame chassis. This extraction of connecting elements eliminates the obstruction to lateral access while the crossbeams remain connected through the platform, providing sufficient structural stability without the need for a rigid framed structure.
4Length of stationary object
If the crossbeams are positioned at the height of the wheel hubs, then the ground clearance is maintained, but the freedom of rotation of the displacement supports deteriorates due to obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The crossbeams are repositioned from the horizontal plane at wheel hub height to the vertical dimension in the upper part of the gondola. This dimensional relocation allows the crossbeams to pivot around the articulation axis without interfering with the rotational movement of the displacement supports, as their paths of motion no longer intersect.
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
This design improves maneuverability and stability on uneven terrain, reduces the need for electronic assistance, and simplifies the vehicle structure, leading to increased comfort, safety, and reduced weight and consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the gondola tilts inwards when turning solely due to centrifugal force and proportionally to it
Implementation Method 2
a crossbeam can pivot according to the stresses exerted on the travel supports connected to it, particularly according to the terrain profile at each of these travel supports
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~7
Figure 1d~1f
AI summary
The vehicle (1) comprises: -a chassis that comprises a front crossmember (2) and a rear crossmember (3); - a nacelle (10) receiving a person or a load, mounted pivoting relative to the central part of the crossmembers (2, 3) about a substantially longitudinal articulation axis (6), the centre of gravity of the nacelle being located beneath said articulation axis (6); -a front axle and a rear axle each comprising two movement supports (4, 5) for moving on the ground, each movement support being connected to the end part of the corresponding crossmember by a link system (17); the crossmembers, located in the top part of the nacelle, being separate parts linked to each other only by the nacelle, via the articulation axis, so as to be able to pivot about the articulation axis (6) independently of one other.