Posture-Sensing Pedal for Handlebar-Free Vehicle Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing human-machine interaction vehicles without a handle bar are difficult to manipulate when the user is sitting or standing on one foot, reducing the fun and effectiveness of operation.

Innovation Solution

A human-machine interaction vehicle with a support frame, a pedal, a first position sensor, and a controller that detects attitude information to drive the wheels, allowing the vehicle to move forward, backward, and turn based on user posture, using sensors like pressure sensors or flexible structures to detect deformation and rotation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional two-wheel human-machine interaction vehicle without a handle bar is used, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the user cannot effectively manipulate the vehicle when sitting or standing on one foot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidvehicle structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical handle bar control with a sensor-based detection system. Pressure sensors and flexible structures detect user attitude and foot position, converting mechanical input into electronic signals that the controller processes to drive the wheels, enabling one-foot operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces flexible structures and position sensors as intermediaries between the user's foot and the wheel drive system. These components detect and transmit user attitude information to the controller, which then controls wheel rotation based on the detected signals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pressure sensors and flexible structures are added to detect user attitude, then the ease of manipulation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation versatilityVSAvoidsensor and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller serves multiple functions: it receives signals from pressure sensors, processes flexible structure deformation data, detects user attitude information, and controls both wheel rotation and direction based on a single integrated system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible structures that change physical parameters (deformation, resistance, capacitance) in response to user pressure and attitude, allowing the same component to provide multiple detection capabilities without adding separate sensors for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effective manipulation of the vehicle by detecting user attitude and controlling wheel movement, allowing users to operate the vehicle with one foot, enhancing the fun and functionality of the interaction.

Implementation Method 1

A self-balancing bicycle is provided and comprises a bicycle body and a steering control system and a central control assembly arranged on the bicycle body. The bicycle comprises a front and rear dip angle measuring assembly. Bicycle body steering information is judged by analyzing pressure data collected by the pressure measuring assembly.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure detection: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The first position sensor may be a flexible structure configured to detect the attitude information of the user standing on the pedal by detecting deformation amounts at different orientation of the flexible structure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeformation detection: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP3334646B1Human-machine interaction vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 HANGZHOU CHIC INTELLIGENT TECH
  • EP3334646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3334646B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3334646B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~3A

AI summary

An all-attitude human-machine interaction vehicle (100) includes a vehicle body (10) and two wheels (20) coupled with the vehicle body (10). The vehicle body (10) includes a support frame (11), a pedal (12) disposed on the support frame (11), a first position sensor (13), a shaft (15), and a controller (16). A majority of the shaft is embedded into the pedal (12). The first position sensor (13) is configured to detect attitude information of a user standing on the pedal (12). The controller (16) is configured to drive the wheels (20) to rotate according to the attitude information. The all-attitude human-machine interaction vehicle (100) can detect attitude information of a user standing on the pedal (12) and drive the wheels (20) to rotate according to the attitude information. Furthermore, sitting or even standing on one foot, the user can still manipulate the all-attitude human-machine interaction vehicle (100), which further adds to the fun in manipulation.