Skateboard Front Wheel Pivot Axis Inclination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing skateboard type vehicles fail to effectively replicate the trajectories, postures, and sensations of snow or water sports on firm ground, particularly in making turns without skidding, and lack simplicity, reliability, ease of use, maintenance, scalability, and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A skateboard type vehicle with a pivoting front wheel assembly that inclines relative to the ground, allowing self-steering and automatic return to alignment, combined with a robust and adjustable design for enhanced stability and responsiveness, featuring a platform with a specific angle and offset configuration for improved maneuverability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front wheel is mounted with a pivot axis perpendicular to the ground, then the vehicle structure is simple, but the vehicle cannot effectively replicate snowboard or surfboard sensations and cannot make turns without skidding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of the pivot axis from perpendicular to the ground to inclined relative to the ground (forming an angle between 65° and 85° with the ground plane). This parameter change enables the front wheel to automatically return to the center position after steering input, replicating the sensation of snowboard or surfboard carving while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure.
2Device complexity
If the pivot axis is inclined at a small angle, then the structure is simpler, but the vehicle stability and responsiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies an optimal range for the pivot axis inclination angle (65° to 85° relative to the ground). This parameter optimization ensures that the front wheel has sufficient geometric trail for automatic centering while maintaining responsive steering. The offset distance between the pivot axis intersection point and the wheel contact point is also optimized to enhance stability and responsiveness without excessive structural complexity.
3Speed
If the front wheel contact point is directly under the pivot axis, then the steering response is immediate, but the vehicle cannot achieve stable carving turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an offset parameter between the front wheel contact point and the pivot axis intersection point with the ground. The contact point is positioned offset toward the rear of the vehicle by a distance between 60 mm and 150 mm relative to the pivot axis intersection point. This offset creates geometric trail that provides stable carving turns while maintaining responsive steering through the inclined pivot axis configuration.
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 vehicle achieves stable and responsive movement, allowing users to replicate snowboard or surfboard sensations, including carving, while being easy to use, maintain, and scalable, with improved stability and comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the pivot axis of the front wheel is inclined relative to a mean plane of the ground, the orthogonal projection of said pivot axis in a plane orthogonal to the mean plane of the ground forming with said mean plane of the ground an open angle towards the front of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the front wheel being in contact with the mean plane of the ground at a point of contact which is offset towards the rear of the vehicle by an offset distance comprised between 60 mm and 150 mm relative to a point of intersection of the pivot axis with the mean plane of the ground
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a skateboard-type vehicle (1) comprising a platform (2) to which a front wheel (9) support assembly (8) is connected, the front wheel being mounted so as to pivot about a pivot axis (C-C′) which is inclined with respect to a mean plane (P2) of the ground (S), the projection of said pivot axis in a plane (P3) orthogonal to the mean plane of the ground forming, with the latter, a forwardly open angle (a) of between 65° and 85°, the front wheel being in contact with the mean plane of the ground at a contact point (17) offset towards the rear by a distance (d) of between 60 mm and 150 mm with respect to a point (18) of intersection of the pivot axis with the mean plane of the ground.