Vehicle Acceleration Control for Low-Impact Terrain Traversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low-speed electric vehicles (LSVs) cause environmental damage due to wheel traction and braking, especially in varied terrains, and there is a need to minimize their environmental impact while ensuring safety and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An electric vehicle system equipped with sensors and a vehicular controller that adjusts operational parameters, such as throttle and braking, based on real-time environmental and vehicle data to minimize surface impact, using a database of operational profiles indexed by geo-location and vehicle parameters like center of gravity and inertia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the LSV engages power for acceleration or braking, then the vehicle can move or stop, but the wheels rip up the natural terrain causing environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle accelerationVSAvoidterrain damage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by continuously adjusting the acceleration profile in real-time based on terrain conditions. The controller modifies acceleration parameters dynamically to match the terrain's load-bearing capacity, transitioning from fixed acceleration patterns to adaptive, condition-based acceleration control that prevents terrain damage while maintaining vehicle mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters by adjusting acceleration rates, velocities, and operational modes based on terrain feedback. The controller modifies acceleration parameters (rate, duration, magnitude) according to terrain type and conditions, transforming the rigid acceleration parameters into flexible, terrain-responsive variables that minimize environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the operator engages power in areas with significant terrain differences, then the vehicle can traverse varied terrain, but it may cause environmental damage or safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain traversal capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using sensors to continuously monitor terrain conditions and feeding this information back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the acceleration profile based on this feedback loop, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying terrain conditions in real-time, thereby preventing environmental damage while maintaining traversability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static, pre-programmed acceleration patterns to dynamic, real-time acceleration control. The acceleration profile continuously adapts to terrain variations through sensor feedback, enabling the vehicle to traverse diverse terrains safely and environmentally responsibly without requiring manual operator intervention for each condition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Speed

If the LSV uses traditional braking, then the vehicle can stop, but it causes surface impact and environmental damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle decelerationVSAvoidsurface impact

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical friction braking with an electric motor-generator based regenerative braking system. The motor-generator acts as a brake by converting kinetic energy back into electrical energy, substituting the mechanical friction-based braking system with an electromagnetic braking mechanism that reduces surface impact and environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of braking (kinetic energy that must be dissipated as heat through friction) into a beneficial outcome (regenerative energy that can be stored and reused). By capturing the energy during deceleration and converting it to electrical energy, the system eliminates the need for friction-based braking and its associated environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS11752882B1Systems and methods for controlling vehicle acceleration to regulate environmental impact

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 AYRO INC

AI summary

A vehicle for traversing an area to regulate a surface impact on a terrain over which the vehicle travels is described. The vehicle includes a motor, a braking system, and a controller coupled to the motor and the braking system. The controller is configured to determine a real-time center of gravity of the vehicle, and the controller is configured to control the vehicle, based on the real-time center of gravity of the vehicle, to regulate the surface impact on the terrain over which the vehicle travels.