Variable Width Wheel Mechanism for Parallel Parking
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Solution Overview
Problem
When parallel parking near boundary stones, vehicles often suffer wheel damage due to insufficient parking spaces and the need to park close to these structures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a wheel structure that can vary its width, specifically by moving an outer wheel closer to an inner wheel using a hydraulic driver, to reduce the overall width and prevent contact with roadside structures during parallel parking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vehicle parks close to the boundary stone to maximize parking space utilization, then the parking efficiency is improved, but the wheel may contact the boundary stone causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel width is made dynamically adjustable through a variable width mechanism. The mechanism includes an inner wheel connected to the axle, an outer wheel connected to the inner wheel, and a driver (hydraulic or electric) that moves the outer wheel along the longitudinal direction of the axle to vary the overall wheel width. This dynamic adjustment allows the wheel to narrow when approaching boundary stones, preventing contact and damage while maintaining normal width for regular driving conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of wheel width is changed based on parking conditions. The controller detects parallel parking situations and generates control signals to activate the driver, which adjusts the wheel width parameter. During parallel parking near boundary stones, the wheel width is decreased to prevent contact, while in normal driving conditions, the wheel maintains its standard width for optimal performance.
2Reliability
If the wheel width is reduced to prevent contact with boundary stones, then the wheel protection is improved, but the vehicle width adjustment mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into two independent parts: an inner wheel connected to the axle and an outer wheel connected to the inner wheel. This segmentation allows the outer wheel to move independently relative to the inner wheel along the longitudinal direction of the axle, enabling width adjustment without complicating the fundamental wheel structure. The coupling member connects these segments while allowing the necessary movement.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic driver is used to actuate the variable width mechanism. The hydraulic driver generates power in response to control signals from the controller, moving the outer wheel along the longitudinal direction of the axle. This hydraulic actuation provides a compact and efficient means of achieving wheel width adjustment without requiring complex mechanical linkages or manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer wheel moves along the longitudinal direction of the axle to vary wheel width, then the wheel width adjustability is improved, but the mechanical complexity of the coupling mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling member serves multiple functions: it connects the inner wheel and outer wheel, allows the outer wheel to move along the longitudinal direction of the axle, and maintains the structural integrity of the wheel assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in mechanical complexity while achieving wheel width adjustability.
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 effectively prevents wheel damage by narrowing the wheel width during parallel parking, ensuring safe and damage-free parking near boundary stones.
Implementation Method 1
The driver may be a hydraulic driver for generating the power in a hydraulic manner.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment vehicle includes a wheel having a width that is changeable and a controller configured to generate a control signal for changing the width of the wheel. The wheel includes an inner wheel connected to an axle of the vehicle, an outer wheel connected to the inner wheel, and a driver. The driver is configured to move the outer wheel along a longitudinal direction of the axle of the vehicle to change the width of the wheel by generating power in response to the control signal.