Self-Balancing Vehicle Unitary Support Bar and Rotational Constraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-balancing vehicles face challenges in reducing the size and weight of their body while maintaining structural integrity and protecting internal components from dust, debris, and water, as they typically rely on additional frames for rigidity and durability.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a unitary support bar within the housing, coupled with brackets and set screws to limit rotational movement, allowing independent movement of the vehicle's halves and eliminating the need for inner frames, thus providing structural support and protection without additional structural elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional frames are used for structural integrity, then strength and rigidity are improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the support bar and housing into a unitary structure where the support bar is integrated within the housing rather than being a separate frame element. This consolidation eliminates the need for additional inner frames while maintaining structural integrity, directly resolving the contradiction between strength and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support bar serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as a mounting surface for brackets, and works with the slot-and-set-screw mechanism to enable controlled rotation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural frames, reducing device complexity while maintaining strength
2Strength
If additional frames are used for structural integrity, then strength and rigidity are improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the support bar within the housing as a unified structure, the patent eliminates redundant structural components that would add weight. The combined structure achieves the same structural integrity with less total material, directly addressing the weight reduction goal
3Volume of moving object
If the body size is reduced, then device compactness is improved, but protection from environmental elements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the support bar, brackets, and rotational mechanism within the housing structure, creating a compact nested arrangement. This nesting allows the vehicle to maintain a compact size while the housing provides environmental protection for all internal components
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the support structure with the housing, the patent creates a compact integrated unit where the housing serves both as the outer shell for environmental protection and as the structural framework, eliminating the need for larger separate protective frames
4Adaptability or versatility
If independent movement of vehicle halves is enabled, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle into left and right halves that can move independently by enabling rotation of the support bar within the housing. The slot-and-set-screw mechanism allows each side to articulate independently, providing adaptability for navigating uneven terrain while keeping the segmentation mechanism simple
Data Source
AI summary
A self-balancing vehicle includes a vehicle body having a housing with left and right sides which are independently moveable. A unitary support bar is disposed within the housing, and a left drive wheel and an opposed right drive wheel are each coupled to the support bar. A bracket encircles the support bar; the bracket has a cylindrical body formed with a slot through the body. A set screw is fixed to the support bar and is received within the slot to limit rotational movement of the support bar with respect to the bracket.