Skate Wheel Platform Pivoting for Independent Foot Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-powered wheeled transportation devices that encircle the foot of the user lack independent foot movement capabilities, and those that provide independent foot movement do not encircle the foot.
Innovation Solution
A human-powered wheeled transportation device with a frame, rotary couplings, and a foot placement platform that rotates in unison with the wheel, allowing for independent foot movement by pivoting or detaching the platform, and featuring rollers with grooves to guide a wheel track, preventing dust and rainwater accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the foot placement platform is secured to the frame with inflexible constraints (pivot link), then the foot placement platform remains stationary relative to the frame, but independent foot movement is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the static, inflexible pivot link with a dynamic system consisting of rotary couplings, rollers, and a pivoting foot placement platform. The platform can now rock back and forth and pivot independently while remaining connected to the frame, allowing users to move their feet independently without twisting motions. The rotary couplings enable controlled movement while maintaining connection between the platform and frame.
2Ease of operation
If the foot placement platform is made pivotable to allow independent foot movement, then ease of operation improves, but structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into multiple independent components: the frame, rotary couplings, rollers, and foot placement platform. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the rollers provide stable support while the rotary couplings enable controlled pivoting. The platform is divided into movable and fixed portions, with the ability to pivot within controlled limits, thus maintaining stability while enabling independent foot movement.
3Manufacturing precision
If rollers with grooves and wheel track are used to guide rotation, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into integrated components. The rollers combine rotational support, guiding, and alignment functions into a single element. The grooves in the rollers and the corresponding track on the wheel are designed as complementary features that work together as a unified guiding system. This merging reduces the need for separate alignment mechanisms while maintaining manufacturing precision through the interlocking groove-track geometry.
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
Enables users to move sideways and pivot feet independently while maintaining foot encirclement, enhancing mobility and ease of use by allowing the wheels to pivot automatically in response to foot motion without inflexible constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The wheel has a peripheral track, which projects along an inner periphery of the wheel and fits into the grooves so that the track guides along the grooves of the rollers as the rollers rotate in unison with rotation of the wheel
Implementation Method 2
A pivot link extends between the inner circular rims of two wheel skates to connect them together. Such has the effect of constraining the foot placement platform against moving relative to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
Two skate wheel devices each with a foot placement platform, a frame and a wheel. The wheel rotates relative to the frame. The user inserts both feet into respective platforms within the skate wheel devices while the devices rest on pavement. After shifting weight to one of the wheel skate devices, the other raised so that the foot is generally horizontal as opposed to pointing to the pavement. The wheel skate device with the raised foot is then rolled to the side. The user then raises the other wheel skate device so that its foot also points generally horizontally and rolls that wheel skate device in the same direction as the other to build momentum. The platform may rock back and forth relative to the wheel. Grooved rollers may be sandwiched between spaced apart frame elements.