Independent Rotating Suspension for Level Load Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles face challenges in safely transporting and stabilizing large-sized items like rolls of sheet products, which can shift during navigation over uneven surfaces, potentially causing damage to the load, vehicle, and surrounding structures.
Innovation Solution
A suspension system for autonomous vehicles that decouples the front and rear suspensions and includes a bi-directional conveyor system, allowing independent reaction to surface topology and maintaining a level load-bearing surface, along with a four-bar linkage system for dynamic rotation and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a conventional suspension system is used for transporting large-sized items, then the vehicle can navigate uneven surfaces, but the load may shift or become unstable during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into independent front and rear suspension assemblies, each capable of moving separately to accommodate uneven surfaces while maintaining load stability. The four-bar linkage mechanism is segmented into multiple interconnected components that work independently yet cooperatively
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system employs dynamic four-bar linkage mechanisms that allow continuous adjustment of wheel positions and orientations in response to varying terrain conditions. The rotatable frames and linkage bars enable the system to adapt its configuration dynamically during motion
2Reliability
If the suspension system is designed for stability on uneven surfaces, then load stability is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The four-bar linkage mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides suspension, maintains load levelness, accommodates uneven surfaces, and enables stable transport of various load types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The four-bar linkage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the wheels and the load-bearing surface, translating complex terrain variations into smooth, controlled motions that maintain load stability without requiring direct complex control of each wheel
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle uses a coupled suspension system, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to independently react to surface topology is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into independent front and rear suspension assemblies, each capable of moving separately to accommodate uneven surfaces while maintaining load stability. The four-bar linkage mechanism is segmented into multiple interconnected components that work independently yet cooperatively
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system employs dynamic four-bar linkage mechanisms that allow continuous adjustment of wheel positions and orientations in response to varying terrain conditions. The rotatable frames and linkage bars enable the system to adapt its configuration dynamically during motion
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle (100) that includes a first rotatable frame (104) that includes a first wheel assembly (112) and a second wheel assembly (114). The vehicle also includes a second rotatable frame (116) that includes a third wheel assembly (116) and a fourth wheel assembly (118). The vehicle further includes a base frame (102) configured to support a weight-bearing load. The vehicle further includes an axle member (120) engaging the first rotatable frame, the second rotatable frame, and the base frame, wherein the first rotatable frame is rotatable about the axle member relative to the base frame and independent of the second rotatable frame, and the second rotatable frame is rotatable about the axle member relative to the base frame and independent of the first rotatable frame.