Spherical Wheel Vehicle Steering via Multi-Axis Rear Sphere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional balance bikes are difficult for young children to control, as they require complex foot steering and weight shifting to navigate, which can be challenging for children under two years old.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a front sphere rotatable about a single transverse axis and a rear sphere rotatable about multiple axes, with a support member connected pivotally to the frame, allowing the rear sphere to rotate about a second axis and the frame to pivot about a third axis, enabling intuitive balance and directional control through body position shifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional balance bikes are used, then children can learn balance and coasting, but young children under two years old find them difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into two independent spherical wheels instead of conventional rigid wheels and frame. Each sphere can rotate independently about multiple axes, allowing the front and rear of the vehicle to move and steer independently, which simplifies the overall steering mechanism for young children
Solution Approach 2:
The spheres are mounted to rotate about multiple axes rather than fixed single axes. The front sphere rotates about a transverse axis while the rear sphere rotates about both transverse and longitudinal axes, creating a dynamic steering system that automatically adapts to the rider's movements and weight shifts without complex controls
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rear sphere is mounted on a support member with pivotal connection, then the sphere can accommodate direction changes, but the mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear sphere is mounted on a support member that allows rotation about two axes (transverse and longitudinal) rather than a fixed single-axis mounting. This dynamic multi-axis rotation capability enables the rear sphere to automatically accommodate changes in direction and maintain balance without requiring complex steering mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The support member combines multiple rotational functions into a single mounting structure. By integrating both transverse and longitudinal rotation capabilities into one support member, the design achieves complex directional adaptability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
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
This design simplifies steering and balance for young riders by allowing the vehicle to respond to weight shifts, providing a more stable and intuitive riding experience by automatically adjusting the direction of the rear sphere to maintain balance and facilitate turning.
Implementation Method 1
a support member is connected pivotally to a rear portion of the frame and projects longitudinally of the vehicle and downwardly from the point of connection to the frame to a remote part of the support member; the rear sphere is connected to the remote part of the support member for rotation about a second axis which is transverse and fixed relative to the support member; and the support member is pivotal with respect to the frame about a third axis which extends downwardly and longitudinally of the vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A vehicle (1) comprises a frame (17); a front ground engaging sphere (2) which is rotatable about a first axis which is transverse and fixed relative to the frame (17); a rear ground engaging sphere (3) which is rotatable about a plurality of axes, and gripping portions (11) which are provided towards the front of the vehicle (1), for a rider to hold. A support member (25) is connected pivotally to a rear portion of the frame (17) and projects longitudinally of the vehicle (1) and downwardly from the point of connection to the frame (17) to a remote part of the support member (25). The rear sphere (3) is connected to the remote part of the support member (25) for rotation about a second axis which is transverse and fixed relative to the support member (25). The support member (25) is pivotal with respect to the frame (17) about a third axis which extends downwardly and longitudinally of the vehicle (1).