Self-Stabilizing Platform Assembly for High-CG Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing product transport systems fail to effectively stabilize products with high centers of gravity during movement, leading to tip-over incidents that can cause injury and damage, especially when transported over rough terrain or by vehicles that accelerate or brake suddenly.
Innovation Solution
A self-stabilizing platform assembly equipped with multiple torque-generating devices, such as flywheels, and a stability control system that adjusts their rotational speed based on sensor data to maintain product stability during transport, counteracting tilts and uneven terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a product has a high center of gravity to reduce its footprint during transport, then the transport efficiency is improved, but the stability of the product during movement deteriorates, leading to tip-over incidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies counterweight principle by using torque-generating devices (flywheels) that produce stabilization torque to counteract the destabilizing effect of the high center of gravity. The flywheels generate rotational inertia that resists changes in orientation, effectively creating a stabilizing moment that opposes the tipping moment caused by the elevated center of gravity, thus preventing tip-over while maintaining the compact transport configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by using actively controlled torque-generating devices that can adjust their rotational speed and generated torque in real-time based on the platform's orientation and movement conditions. The stability control system dynamically modulates the flywheel speeds to provide appropriate stabilization torque during various transport scenarios, including sudden movements, rough terrain, and loading/unloading operations.
2Productivity
If the vehicle moves the product quickly to improve transport productivity, then the transport time is reduced, but the stability of the product deteriorates due to sudden acceleration and braking
Solution Approach 1:
The stability control system performs preliminary action by detecting anticipated stability issues (such as upcoming rough terrain or required maneuvers) and pre-adjusting the flywheel rotational speeds before the destabilizing event occurs. This allows the system to be proactively prepared to counteract expected disturbances, maintaining stability even during high-speed transport and sudden vehicle maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control through sensors that continuously monitor the platform's orientation, acceleration, and velocity, feeding this information to the stability control system. The control system processes this feedback in real-time and adjusts the torque-generating devices accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains stability during high-speed transport by constantly adapting to actual movement conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle traverses rough terrain to deliver the product, then the delivery capability is improved, but the stability of the product deteriorates due to uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The platform assembly implements self-service stability control by using its own integrated torque-generating devices and control system to automatically compensate for disturbances caused by rough terrain. The system independently detects terrain-induced tilts through sensors and generates appropriate stabilization torque without requiring external intervention, enabling the platform to maintain stability autonomously during transport over uneven surfaces.
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 system effectively prevents product tip-over by generating stabilization torque, ensuring safe transport of high-center-of-gravity products over various terrains and during vehicle maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
multiple torque-generating devices, such as flywheels, and a stability control system that adjusts their rotational speed
Data Source
AI summary
Product transport structures are provided which include a self-stabilizing platform assembly configured to support a product on a deck of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and to stabilize the product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product. The self-stabilizing platform assembly includes multiple torque-generating devices and a stability control system. The multiple torque-generating devices are controllable to produce a stabilization torque within the self-stabilizing platform assembly, and the stability control system is configured to control operation of the multiple torque-generating devices. The stability control system is configured to adjust operation of one or more torque-generating devices of the multiple devices to produce the stabilization torque to facilitate stabilizing the product during moving of the self-stabilizing platform assembly and product.