Spherical Multi-Terrain Vehicle With Pedal-Driven Land Water Air Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicles are limited in their ability to operate seamlessly on multiple terrains such as land, water, and air without specific environmental requirements or obstacles, and lack the capability to transition smoothly between these environments.

Innovation Solution

A transparent spherical vehicle with a main outer ring rack and surrounding leaf plates, equipped with rubber tires for land operation, paddles for water operation, and gliding wings for air operation, utilizing a pedaling mechanism to drive the vehicle forward and a control link system to adjust wing angles and speed for efficient movement across terrains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a vehicle is designed to operate on multiple terrains (land, water, air), then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-terrain operation capabilityVSAvoidvehicle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle integrates multiple functional components (rubber tires for land, paddles for water, gliding wings for air) into a single unified structure that can operate across different terrains. The spherical body serves as a universal platform that accommodates all these components, allowing the vehicle to function as a land vehicle, water vehicle, or air vehicle without requiring separate dedicated designs for each terrain type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle structure is divided into distinct functional segments: rubber tires mounted on the spherical body for land operation, paddles attached to the spherical body for water operation, and gliding wings connected to the spherical body for air operation. Each segment can be independently activated or deactivated based on the terrain, reducing the effective complexity by allowing selective use of components rather than requiring all components to function simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the spherical body is provided with covering shells to protect the rider, then the rider safety is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverider protectionVSAvoidspherical body construction precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical body with covering shells is designed to provide inherent protection to the rider during operation, particularly during landing or collision events. The spherical geometry and enclosing shells create a protective capsule that cushions impacts before they reach the rider, eliminating the need for additional complex safety systems while maintaining high protection levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Speed

If the rider pedals to accelerate the spherical body down the slope, then the speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveforward acceleration speedVSAvoidpedaling energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle utilizes periodic pedaling actions by the rider to generate rotational motion of the spherical body. The rider applies energy in periodic pedaling cycles, which through the gear mechanism translates into rotational acceleration. This periodic input is more energy-efficient than continuous propulsion, allowing the vehicle to build up speed through repeated energy applications rather than sustained maximum power output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle is designed to gain initial potential energy by positioning itself at the top of a slope before activation. The rider then pedals to convert this stored potential energy into kinetic energy as the spherical body rolls down the slope. This preliminary positioning allows the vehicle to achieve high speeds with minimal pedaling energy input, as gravity provides the primary acceleration force rather than requiring continuous human power input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 the vehicle to move efficiently on land, water, and air by converting pedaling energy into kinetic energy, maintaining rider safety through controlled descent and landing, and preventing water ingress, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional vehicles.

Implementation Method 1

each of the grooves located at a root portion of the corresponding leaf plate is allowed to roll thereinside a small solid ball 20 with a predetermined weight. The small solid ball 20 would slide back and forth along groove while the spherical body is turned.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12122202B2Multi-functional vehicle autonomously operable under multi-terrain conditions

Publication Date: 2024.10.22 WANG ZHENKUN

AI summary

A completely transparent spherical body is surrounded externally by a plurality of leaf plates arranged in equal spacing along a main outer ring rack of the spherical body. Two rubber tires are included to wrap the spherical body. A rider inside the spherical body pedals to rotate the spherical body forward. A vehicle having the spherical body can be autonomously operated to move on land or water, and in the air. In addition, to operate this vehicle, no specific road or environmental requirement is needed, and no other obstacle, even a traffic accident can stop its movement.