Pivot Drive Unit Center of Gravity Wheel Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drive units for hand pallet jacks and trucks often rely on springs to prevent drive wheel idling, which may not be sufficient and can lead to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit configuration where the support frame is pivotable about a pivot axis, with the drive wheel supported by this frame and a prime mover positioned on the opposite side, utilizing the center of gravity of the pivot unit to press the drive wheel onto the floor surface, eliminating the need for a spring and enhancing contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring is used to prevent drive wheel idling, then the drive wheel can be kept in contact with the floor surface, but the device complexity increases and reliability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the spring component from the system by using the natural center of gravity of the pivot unit to provide the necessary downward force on the drive wheel, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining reliable contact between the drive wheel and floor surface
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot unit's center of gravity automatically provides the downward force needed to keep the drive wheel in contact with the floor surface through gravitational action, eliminating the need for external spring mechanisms and enabling the system to self-regulate wheel contact
2Device complexity
If the center of gravity of the pivot unit is disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel, then the drive wheel can be pressed onto the floor surface without a spring, but the weight distribution becomes asymmetric
Solution Approach 1:
The invention deliberately creates asymmetric weight distribution by positioning the center of gravity of the pivot unit on the opposite side of the pivot axis from the drive wheel, using this asymmetry to generate the necessary leverage and downward force on the drive wheel through the fulcrum action of the pivot axis
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 configuration effectively prevents drive wheel idling by leveraging the pivot unit's center of gravity and fulcrum principle, ensuring consistent contact with the floor surface, and can further utilize a spring for added reliability if needed.
Implementation Method 1
the pivot axis functions as a point of fulcrum, the center of gravity of the pivot unit functions as a point of effort, and a point, at which the drive wheel and a floor surface makes contact with each other, functions as a point of load, whereby the drive wheel can be urged downward by the law of lever
Implementation Method 2
the center of gravity of the pivot unit is disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A drive unit includes a support frame, a drive wheel and a prime mover. The support frame is disposed to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The drive wheel is supported by the support frame. The prime mover is supported by the support frame. The prime mover drives the drive wheel. The support frame and at least one member form a pivot unit. The at least one member pivots together with the support frame. The pivot unit has a center of gravity disposed on the opposite side of the pivot axis with respect to the drive wheel.