Single Driven Wheel Hub for Autonomous Incline Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile wheeled devices require complex electrical and mechanical connections between multiple components to assist in movement, which complicates the system and increases maintenance complexity.
Innovation Solution
A mobile wheeled device with a driven wheel incorporating an electric motor and integrated sensor arrangements that autonomously control the motor based on angular acceleration and inclination, eliminating the need for direct user action measurements and reducing mechanical and electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If multiple separate components (force sensor, controller, motors) are placed on different places, then the system can assist movement, but the system complexity and number of connections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor, controller, and sensor arrangements into an integrated wheel hub assembly. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate components placed on different parts of the mobile wheeled device, thereby reducing the number of electrical and mechanical connections while maintaining automatic movement assistance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel hub assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the motor for movement assistance, contains the controller for autonomous operation, and integrates sensor arrangements for detecting angular acceleration and inclination. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by combining what would traditionally be separate components.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate components are used, then movement assistance can be provided, but the number of electrical and mechanical connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the motor, controller, and sensor arrangements into a single integrated wheel hub assembly, the patent dramatically reduces the number of electrical and mechanical connections required. Instead of needing separate wires and mechanical linkages between multiple components, everything is housed together in one unit.
3Speed
If the motor is controlled based on angular acceleration measurement, then responsive assistance is achieved, but the system requires precise sensor arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by using sensor arrangements to continuously detect angular acceleration of the wheel and feeding this information back to the controller. The controller adjusts motor output in real-time based on this feedback, achieving responsive assistance while the integrated design simplifies the overall system architecture.
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 solution provides efficient and responsive assistance proportional to the force applied, compensating for inclines and declines, while ensuring the wheel is locked and aligned, thus simplifying the system and enhancing user control.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor incorporated into a wheel hub of the driven wheel and configured to drive the wheel
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor arrangement arranged in or at the driven wheel wherein the first sensor arrangement is configured to measure an angular acceleration of the driven wheel
Implementation Method 3
a second sensor arrangement arranged in or at the driven wheel to detect a signal indicative of an inclination in a longitudinal direction of the mobile wheeled device
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A mobile wheeled device comprises a base with undriven wheels and exactly one driven wheel, an electric motor (51) in a wheel hub of the wheel to drive the wheel, a first sensor arrangement (65) at the driven wheel to measure an angular acceleration, a second sensor arrangement (75) at the driven wheel to detect a longitudinal inclination of the device, a third sensor arrangement (71, 72) at the driven wheel for determining if the wheel is free rotational and directionally locked, and a controller (64) to drive the motor without direct user action measurements and only dependent on signals detected by the three sensor arrangements. The controller drives the motor with a drive current dependent on the measured angular acceleration in combination with a tilt compensation current dependent on the inclination of the device. The drive current is allowed only when the wheel is free rotational and directionally locked.