Rear Inner Wheel Support Layout to Prevent Front Wheel Lift

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-performance automobiles experience front wheel lift during acceleration, leading to potential rollover, which existing solutions like wheelybars, extended wheelbase, or additional weights either appear unsightly or compromise power-to-weight ratio.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an inner rear wheel axially offset behind the first rear wheel axle with an active support device that generates a supporting force to press the front wheel unit against the ground, maintaining contact and distributing acceleration force effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If additional weights are added to the front axle area to prevent front wheel lift, then the front wheel contact pressure is improved, but the power-to-weight ratio deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefront wheel contact pressureVSAvoidpower-to-weight ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses an active support device that generates a supporting force to counteract the lifting effect during acceleration. Instead of adding static weight, the system dynamically applies a counteracting force through the support device connected to the inner wheel, which presses the front wheel unit against the ground when acceleration occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a wheely bar or extended wheelbase is used to prevent front wheel lift, then vehicle stability is improved, but the vehicle appearance becomes unsightly and may not be permitted on public roads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidvehicle appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an inner wheel arranged between the two rear wheels along a second rear wheel axle that is axially offset rearward. This additional dimension in wheel arrangement allows the support force to be generated without extending the visible wheelbase or adding external structures like wheely bars, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while improving stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If additional support structures are added to prevent front wheel lift, then acceleration safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacceleration safetyVSAvoidsupport system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inner wheel and support device serve multiple functions: they generate supporting force during acceleration to prevent front wheel lift, and can also contribute to power transmission and vehicle guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated anti-lift structures, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

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

Prevents front wheel lift during acceleration, ensuring safe and efficient power transmission and cornering while maintaining attractive aesthetics and optimal power-to-weight ratio.

Implementation Method 1

Upon vehicle acceleration, which leads to a tilting deflection of the axle suspension, the support wheels are automatically pressed against the vehicle, counteracting the front wheels from lifting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP4086091B1Automobile and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 BLUE TECH BV
  • EP4086091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4086091B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4086091B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an automobile with a vehicle body comprising a front wheel assembly with two front wheels, which are steerably mounted on the vehicle body forming a front axle. The automobile also has a rear wheel assembly comprising at least two rear wheels, which are driven and mounted on the vehicle body forming a first rear axle. The rear wheel assembly further comprises at least one inner wheel, which is mounted between the two rear wheels along a second rear axle. Additionally, a support device is provided by which a supporting force can be generated between the at least one inner wheel and the vehicle body, by which the front wheel assembly can be pressed against the ground, particularly when the automobile accelerates. The invention further relates to a method for operating such an automobile.