Self-balancing Foot Platform with Adjustable Telescoping Connector
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-balancing transportation devices with fixed foot platform positions fail to accommodate varying riding preferences and struggle with navigating obstacles, as both wheels contact bumps simultaneously, leading to instability and potential rider displacement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of independently movable foot platform units with a telescoping connector structure that allows adjustable lateral distance and fore-aft movement, enabling one wheel to encounter obstacles first, allowing weight shifting and improved stability during traversal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the foot platforms are fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different riding preferences and performs poorly when encountering obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The foot platforms are made movable relative to the wheel assembly, allowing dynamic adjustment of platform position and spacing. The platforms can move fore-aft and laterally to adapt to different riding preferences and obstacle conditions, transforming the static structure into a dynamic adaptive system.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into separable components: two independently movable foot platforms and a wheel assembly. This segmentation allows each platform to be independently positioned and adjusted, providing versatility while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If both wheels contact bumps simultaneously, then the fixed wheel position provides structural stability, but the rider is thrown forward causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The foot platforms can move independently fore-aft relative to the wheel assembly, allowing the rider to position one platform ahead of the other when encountering obstacles. This dynamic positioning enables weight transfer to the forward platform, improving stability and rider control during obstacle traversal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lateral distance between foot platforms is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but it cannot accommodate different riding preferences
Solution Approach 1:
The connector joining the two foot platforms is made flexible or telescopic, allowing the lateral distance between platforms to be dynamically adjusted. This enables riders to change their stance width according to preference or riding conditions while adding only moderate complexity to the connector structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A fore-aft self-balancing transportation device, typically in a pair, one for the right foot and the other for the left foot of a rider. The platform is limited in size and positioned with a top surface wholly above the drive wheel, such that the platform straddles the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. The wheel may extend laterally to enhance side-to-side stability. The devices are configured for hands-free control, a device being driven forward or backward in response to the fore-aft tilt angle of a rider's foot on the platform (and hence, the fore-aft tilt angle of that platform). Various embodiments and features are disclosed.