Removable Battery Box Step for Self-Balancing Scooter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Segways have complex designs that complicate battery replacement and user interaction, with fixed steps and battery packs that are difficult to remove and recharge.

Innovation Solution

A Segway design featuring a removable box that serves as both a battery storage unit and a step, allowing easy swapping and recharging, where the box's cover forms the footboard and can be entirely removed from the platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed step and fixed battery pack design is used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of battery replacement and user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of battery replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is divided into modular components: a removable box containing the battery pack, and a fixed base structure. The box can be easily detached and replaced, allowing users to swap batteries without tools or complex procedures, while the fixed base maintains structural integrity during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable box serves multiple functions: it houses the battery pack for power supply, acts as a step for user entry, and provides structural support when attached. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while improving ease of battery replacement.

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If a fixed step design is used, then structural integrity is improved, but adaptability and ease of maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidadaptability for maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The platform structure is segmented into a permanent base and a removable box. The base maintains structural integrity and houses fixed components, while the box can be detached for battery replacement or upgrades, providing adaptability for maintenance without compromising overall structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a completely fixed structure to a dynamic hybrid structure where the box can be attached during operation for structural support and detached when maintenance is needed. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between operational stability and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If separate battery pack and step components are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and user interaction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidcomponent assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack housing and step function are merged into a single integrated box component. This unified design simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be produced and assembled, while also simplifying user interaction since users deal with one component rather than multiple separate parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The box is designed as a universal component that combines battery storage, step functionality, and structural support. This multi-functional integration reduces overall device complexity by eliminating redundant components and simplifying the assembly process during manufacturing.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3393897B1Self-balancing scooter or personal transporter
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 UNIVERSITE PARIS SUD 11
  • EP3393897B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3393897B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP3393897B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a self-balancing scooter comprising a platform (1) that includes a footstep (2), two wheels (10), and a gyroscopic stabilizing element (15) that acts on wheel driving motors (14) in such a way as to ensure that the self-balancing scooter is balanced and moves. According to the invention, the self-balancing scooter comprises a housing (20) which accommodates a battery (21) supplying power to the motors and is closed by a lid, the housing being removably accommodated on the platform of the self-balancing scooter such that the lid forms a footstep (2) of the self-balancing scooter.