Self-balancing Vehicle Anti-tip Device with Offset Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-balancing vehicles lack a mechanism to ensure stabilization both when commanded by the user and in emergency situations, such as power failures or excessive tilt angles, without the need for redundant control systems, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A self-balancing vehicle equipped with a telescopic foot anti-tip device that includes a movable part with a contact region offset from its longitudinal axis, a linear actuation system, and locking mechanisms, allowing for user-controlled stabilization and automatic emergency deployment to prevent tilting, using a motor-driven guide bar and compression spring for movement and a lifting magnet for automatic unlocking in case of power failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy of control and steering systems is implemented, then vehicle safety is improved, but vehicle cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stabilization function and emergency anti-tip function into a single integrated device. The telescopic foot serves dual purposes: it acts as a stabilization aid during normal operation and as an emergency anti-tip mechanism when failure occurs. This merging eliminates the need for separate redundant systems while maintaining safety functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-tip device is designed with multi-functionality to perform both stabilization operation (assisting user-controlled balancing) and emergency operation (automatic deployment upon failure detection). The single device handles multiple safety scenarios that would traditionally require separate systems, reducing overall complexity and cost.
2Stability of the object's composition
If stabilization means are added to prevent tipping, then vehicle stability in stopped position is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The telescopic foot employs a dynamic structure with movable parts that can transition between retracted and extended positions. The movable part includes a contact portion that can engage with the ground when needed, providing stability only when required rather than being a fixed structural element. This dynamic capability adds stability functionality without requiring complex fixed support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates self-locking mechanisms and automatic deployment capabilities. When failure is detected or stabilization is commanded, the system automatically deploys the telescopic foot without requiring additional complex control systems. The bracing mechanism automatically locks the movable part in position, providing self-service functionality that reduces overall device complexity.
3Device complexity
If contact part is positioned on longitudinal axis, then structure is simplified, but ability to apply stabilizing moment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion of the movable part is deliberately positioned offset from the longitudinal axis of the fixed part. This asymmetric positioning creates a moment arm when the contact portion engages with the ground, generating a stabilizing moment that prevents tipping. The offset position is optimized to provide sufficient lever arm for stabilization while maintaining structural efficiency.
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 provides stable operation both when stationary and in emergency situations, reducing the need for redundant systems and ensuring safety with a simple and reliable structure, while minimizing bulk and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring which bears on a biasing part of the movable part, configured to be biased in compression by the movement of the contact part between the lowered position and the raised position
Implementation Method 2
the contact part having at least one region of contact with the ground which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the fixed part such that the force resulting from the contact with the ground applies a moment to the movable part
Implementation Method 3
a lifting magnet configured to lock the movable part in a locking position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a self-balancing vehicle comprising: a rolling base and an anti-tip device, defined as comprising: a telescopic foot including a fixed part (22) and a movable part (23); a contact piece (64) connected to the movable part (23); a linear actuating device (41), locking means (55) for the movable part (23), configured to automatically unlock the movable part (23); a compression spring; a stop piece; and control means for the actuating device (41) and the locking means (55), configured to both actuate the actuating device (41) and the locking means (55) following a first type of command from the user and automatically actuate the locking means (55) following a second type of command following the occurrence of a pre-established state.