Tilting Three-Wheeled Chassis for Stable Cornering Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-wheeled vehicles face limitations in stability and traction during turns due to uneven terrain and tire scrub, and there is a need for systems that can automatically maintain alignment with a net force vector to reduce rollover risk and enhance traction.
Innovation Solution
A tiltable three-wheeled vehicle design with a pair of front wheels coupled to a tiltable chassis via a mechanical linkage, a single rear wheel driven by a motor, and a controller that uses sensors to tilt the chassis and steer the vehicle to maintain alignment with a median plane, allowing for automatic steering and rider support platform transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If three-wheeled vehicles use a fixed chassis configuration, then the structure is simple, but stability and traction are reduced during turns on uneven terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is made tiltable relative to the wheel assembly, allowing dynamic adjustment of the chassis orientation during turns. The tilt actuator enables the chassis to lean into turns, improving stability and traction by aligning the vehicle's center of gravity with the turn radius, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the vehicle uses manual steering only, then the control system is simple, but the ability to automatically maintain alignment with net force vector is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses sensors to detect the vehicle's orientation and turn radius, calculates the net force vector considering gravity and centrifugal force, and automatically adjusts the chassis tilt angle via the tilt actuator to maintain alignment with the net force vector. This feedback mechanism improves reliability of alignment while managing control system complexity through automated calculations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle is designed for manual operation only, then the structure is simpler, but versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is designed with dual operational capability: it can operate in manual mode with the rider using handlebars and pedals, or in autonomous mode where the controller automatically controls steering and tilt. The tilt actuator and sensor system serve both modes, providing versatility without excessive structural 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
The solution enhances stability and traction by automatically adjusting the vehicle's tilt and steering to align with gravitational and centrifugal forces, reducing rollover risk and improving handling on uneven terrain.
Implementation Method 1
the net force vector is determined by gravity in combination with any applicable centrifugal force applied to the chassis
Implementation Method 2
the net force vector is determined by gravity in combination with any applicable centrifugal force applied to the chassis
Implementation Method 3
a pair of front wheels coupled to a tiltable chassis by a first mechanical linkage
Data Source
AI summary
A tiltable vehicle is configured to transform between an autonomous mode and a rideable mode by pivoting the handlebars and steering column of the vehicle about a pitch axis. In the autonomous mode, the steering column is folded back toward the chassis and a tiltable chassis of the vehicle is prevented from tilting. In the rideable mode, the steering column is unfolded and the chassis is free to tilt. In some examples, a tiltable vehicle includes features beneficial for vehicle-sharing, such as parking devices or a basket. These features may be included on any suitable vehicle and are not limited to use on transforming vehicles.