Portable Powered Roller for Vehicle Wheel Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable self-powered vehicle pushing systems are lightweight and lack sufficient traction, making it difficult to move heavy wheeled vehicles or structures efficiently, especially when there is no suitable supporting surface available, and they often require engagement with delicate or configured vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
A portable powered roller assembly with a battery-driven roller mounted in a rolling support structure, utilizing a torque multiplying transmission to engage with the vehicle's wheel surface, providing both lifting and motive forces without relying on traction wheels or engaging with the vehicle's frame, and featuring operator controls and a dead-man activation switch for intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If portable self-powered vehicle pushing systems use lightweight construction, then ease of operation is improved, but traction force is insufficient to move heavy vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a powered roller as an intermediary device that transfers force from the operator to the vehicle wheel. The roller engages with the wheel's circumferential surface and uses a battery-powered drive unit with torque multiplying transmission to amplify the operator's input force, effectively mediating between the lightweight operator and the heavy vehicle without requiring the operator to directly push or pull the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the force application by using a battery-powered drive unit with torque multiplying transmission. This transforms the operator's limited input force into high torque output that can effectively move heavy vehicles. The system also changes the engagement method from direct frame contact to wheel surface contact, allowing force application at optimal locations
2Force
If traditional pushing systems engage with vehicle frame or bumper components, then motive force can be transferred to the vehicle, but delicate or configured vehicle components may be damaged or engaged is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The powered roller serves as an intermediary that contacts only the wheel's circumferential surface, avoiding direct contact with the vehicle's frame, body, or bumper components. This mediates the force transfer process by using the wheel itself as the interface, eliminating the risk of damage to delicate vehicle components while still effectively transferring motive force to move the vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vehicle's own wheel as the engagement surface, allowing the wheel to serve dual purposes: its original function of supporting vehicle movement and as the interface for receiving external pushing force. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate engagement components that could potentially damage the vehicle
3Power
If driven traction wheels are used on supporting surface, then motive force is generated, but sufficient traction cannot be provided against the supporting surface for heavy vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The powered roller acts as an intermediary that generates motive force through engagement with the wheel's circumferential surface rather than relying on traction wheels contacting the supporting surface. The battery-powered drive unit with torque multiplying transmission provides the necessary force amplification, and the roller's design allows it to dig into or grip the wheel surface, effectively transferring power without depending on the friction between the supporting surface and the device's own wheels
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 efficient, controlled slow-speed rolling movement of wheeled vehicles or structures without the need for external power sources or suitable supporting surfaces, ensuring safe and effective operation even on elevated or fragile vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a battery-powered drive unit coupled through a torque multiplying transmission
Implementation Method 2
Rotational movement of the roller in engagement with the circumferential surface of the vehicle wheel or structure draws the powered roller assembly towards, and under, the curved circumferential surface of the vehicle wheel, acting as a wedge to imparting a force to the vehicle wheel or structure
Implementation Method 3
The portable powered roller assembly consists of a roller mounted in a rolling support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A portable powered roller assembly configured to impart a motive force to a wheeled vehicle or structure consists of a roller mounted in a rolling support structure. The roller is rotationally driven by a battery-powered drive unit coupled through a torque multiplying transmission, and is configured for engagement with the circumferential surface of a vehicle wheel. Rotational movement of the roller in engagement with the circumferential surface of the vehicle wheel draws the powered roller assembly towards, and under, the curved circumferential surface of the vehicle wheel, imparting a force to the vehicle wheel which include both a lifting force perpendicular to the supporting surface on which the powered roller is resting, and a motive force parallel to the surface.