Pivot Frame Support for Narrow Track Vehicle Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Narrow track vehicles, such as delta configuration recumbent or semi-recumbent tricycles, tend to overturn during high-speed turns, posing safety concerns due to their instability, and existing solutions that use powered actuators increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A support frame assembly comprising a pivot frame assembly and a fixed frame assembly with counteracting struts that enhance stability by allowing pivotal movement relative to each other, providing counteracting forces during turns, thus maintaining the vehicle upright without adding significant weight or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If powered actuators are used to maintain vehicle upright position during turns, then stability is improved, but weight and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the powered actuator components from the system, replacing them with a passive mechanical support frame assembly that uses gravitational force and geometric design to achieve stability without complex powered mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame assembly functions as a counterweight mechanism, positioned to provide balancing force against the vehicle's tendency to overturn during turns, using the vehicle's own weight distribution rather than external powered actuators
2Stability of the object's composition
If powered actuators are used to maintain vehicle upright position during turns, then stability is improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame assembly serves as a passive counterweight system that uses the vehicle's existing mass distribution and gravitational force to provide stability during turns, eliminating the need for additional heavy powered actuator components
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame assembly is designed to automatically provide stability through its geometric configuration and connection to the vehicle frame, utilizing the vehicle's own motion and weight without requiring external powered assistance
3Strength
If a rigid fixed frame is used to support the vehicle, then structural strength is improved, but stability during high-speed turns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic characteristics to the frame structure by allowing the support frame assembly to pivot and adjust its position relative to the vehicle frame during turns, enabling the rigid structure to adapt to changing operational conditions and maintain stability
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
The support frame assembly significantly enhances the stability of narrow track vehicles during high-speed turns, allowing operators to navigate safely by applying counteracting forces, thereby reducing the risk of overturning.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of struts coupled to the pivot frame assembly and fixed frame assembly, each strut in the pair of struts comprising a first end coupled to the vertical beam of the pivot frame assembly and a second end coupled to the horizontal beam of the fixed frame assembly, wherein the pair of struts apply counteracting forces
Data Source
AI summary
A support frame assembly mounted to a narrow track vehicle to enhance stability during turns is provided. The support frame assembly includes a pivot frame assembly coupled to the narrow track vehicle and having a horizontal beam connected to a vertical beam, the horizontal beam supporting the seat of the narrow track vehicle thereon, a fixed frame assembly coupled to the narrow track vehicle and having a horizontal beam pivotably mounted to the vertical beam of the pivot frame assembly, and a pair of struts coupled to the pivot frame assembly and fixed frame assembly. The pair of struts apply counteracting forces on the vertical beam of the pivot frame assembly in response to pivotal movement of the pivot frame assembly relative to the fixed frame assembly.