Rotatable Wheel Clusters for Wheeled Personal Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transportation solutions, such as self-balancing devices and stair-walkers, fail to efficiently navigate varied terrains like curbs, steps, and gaps, and are often too bulky for easy storage and integration with other transport methods.
Innovation Solution
A device with a planar platform and two wheel clusters, each with independently controllable electric motors, featuring a mechanical latch for secure mounting and detachment, and an electrical connector for power continuity, allowing the device to be assembled and disassembled into three planar parts without tools, enabling smooth navigation over varied terrains and easy storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If self-balancing single axle devices are used, then transportation over flat terrain is achieved, but the device becomes too heavy and bulky for easy stowage and integration with other transport solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable wheel clusters that can be detached from the platform. Each wheel cluster contains the motor, allowing the platform to be stored separately from the wheel assemblies, significantly reducing stowage space while maintaining stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel clusters are designed to rotate 90 degrees from a perpendicular orientation to a parallel orientation relative to the platform. This dimensional transformation enables compact stowage in three-dimensional space while maintaining the functional configuration for stable operation on flat terrain.
2Duration of action of moving object
If single axle devices are used, then reasonable range is achieved, but the device is easily stopped by steps, curbs and other street furniture
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel clusters are designed to be rotatable relative to the platform, transitioning between perpendicular and parallel orientations. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the device to adapt to varied terrain by positioning wheel clusters optimally for navigating steps, curbs, and gaps while maintaining transportation range on flat surfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If two axle systems are used, then stability is improved, but the issue of changes in height at curbs, steps and gaps is not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable wheel clusters provide dynamic adaptability that static two-axle systems lack. By rotating the wheel clusters 90 degrees, the device can navigate height changes at curbs and steps while maintaining the stability provided by the two-axle configuration on level ground.
4Adaptability or versatility
If stair-walkers are used, then ability to deal with stairs is improved, but the device becomes too heavy and bulky for stowage within a vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The stair-navigation capability is achieved through separable wheel clusters that can be detached and stored separately from the platform. This segmentation maintains the ability to handle stairs when deployed while dramatically reducing the volume required for stowage within vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel clusters utilize rotational movement between perpendicular and parallel orientations to achieve compact stowage. This dimensional transformation allows the device to maintain stair-navigation capability while occupying minimal storage space when not in use.
5Ease of operation
If mechanical latch and electrical connector are integrated, then ease of assembly is improved, but complexity of connection system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical latch and electrical connector are combined into an integrated connection system. This merging allows simultaneous mechanical attachment and electrical connection through a single operation, improving ease of assembly while the modular design keeps the overall system complexity manageable.
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 device provides stable and efficient transportation over varied terrains, including curbs and stairs, while being compact enough for easy storage and integration with other transport solutions, enhancing the convenience of first/last mile travel.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical connector conducting electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90° to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.