Stowable Electric Mobility Apparatus for Urban Family Transit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobility solutions for families in urban settings are inefficient, as they often require lengthy waiting times for transportation and involve children walking long distances, which can be unexciting and inconvenient, especially in city centers where driving and parking are costly and mass transit is point-to-point.
Innovation Solution
A compact, stowable mobility apparatus equipped with power assist motors, a battery, and a controller connected to a motor for autonomous operation, featuring a frame, body, seat, and wheels, along with a tether cord and transceiver for remote control, designed to navigate urban environments efficiently and safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If mass transit is used for transportation, then parking costs are saved, but children must walk long distances and waiting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility apparatus serves as an intermediary transportation solution between mass transit and private car usage. It can be stored in mass transit vehicles and deployed at destinations, eliminating the need for long walks and waiting times while avoiding parking costs and environmental issues associated with private cars in city centers
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus replaces the mechanical system of walking with an electrically-powered mobility device. The electric motor propels the apparatus, substituting human physical effort with electrical power from the battery, thereby reducing energy loss and making transportation more efficient for families
2Ease of operation
If private cars are used for transportation, then door-to-door mobility is achieved, but parking costs and environmental issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility apparatus is segmented into compact components that can be easily stored in mass transit vehicles and quickly assembled at destinations. This segmentation allows the system to provide door-to-door mobility without requiring large parking spaces, thus avoiding parking costs and reducing environmental impact in city centers
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential mobility function from the private car system by creating a standalone, electric-powered apparatus that can be independently deployed. This extracted mobility solution eliminates dependence on private car ownership and associated parking infrastructure, reducing both costs and environmental impact
3Device complexity
If traditional mobility devices are used, then simplicity is maintained, but they lack power assist for extended family travel
Solution Approach 1:
The mobility apparatus combines multiple functions into a single device: it serves as both a simple transport device and a powered mobility solution for extended travel. The electric motor and battery system enable the apparatus to handle both short and long distance travel, making it versatile for various family outing scenarios while maintaining relatively simple operation
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 mobility apparatus reduces travel time, enhances family experiences by allowing longer journeys together, while being compact enough for mass transit storage and safe navigation through urban environments with autonomous control and remote operation.
Implementation Method 1
a battery for supplying electricity to the motor
Implementation Method 2
a motor for driving at least one of the plurality of wheels attached to the frame
Data Source
AI summary
A mobility apparatus includes a frame, a body surrounding the frame having a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, and first and second lateral sides, a seat located on the top side of the body, a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, a motor for driving at least one of the plurality of wheels attached to the frame, a battery for supplying electricity to the motor, and a controller for directing movement of the mobility apparatus. The top side of the body includes seats for children to ride the mobility apparatus. The mobility apparatus may also include a tether cord or handrails for directing movement of the mobility apparatus, or the mobility apparatus may follow a transmitter or autonomously drive.