Vehicle Level Compensation System for Uneven Terrain Traversal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing terrain vehicles face challenges with high weight, lack of level compensation for smooth ride on uneven terrains, and limited adjustability to traverse varying obstacles, leading to inefficient power transfer and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle design featuring a chassis with pivoting left and right frames connected by a pivot joint, offset wheel pairs, and adjustable wheel displacement units, along with a base plate levelling unit and a second level compensation system for maintaining a level seat foundation, allowing for adaptable traversal of different terrains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple serially connected wheel pairs are used to provide grip when ascending stairs, then traction is improved, but the vehicle becomes bulky and difficult to maneuver in narrow passages

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetractionVSAvoidvehicle bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle divides the wheel assembly into multiple independent wheel pairs (front wheel pair and rear wheel pair) that can operate semi-independently. Each wheel pair can be positioned optimally for different terrain conditions, providing reliable traction without requiring a single large complex wheel assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by allowing the wheel pairs to be positioned at different heights and the seat to pivot around a horizontal axis. This enables the vehicle to maintain a compact horizontal footprint while achieving effective stair-climbing capability through vertical wheel placement and seat rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If heavy materials are used to provide stability for large payload, then vehicle stability is improved, but weight increases limiting elevator access and requiring more propelling energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle stabilityVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle employs an asymmetric frame structure with the left and right frames extending perpendicular to the rotational axis at different positions. This asymmetric configuration provides stable support for the payload while distributing weight efficiently, avoiding the need for excessive weight to achieve stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle uses a dynamic seat mounting system that allows the seat to pivot around a horizontal rotational axis. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the vehicle to maintain stability across varying terrains and payload conditions without requiring a heavy fixed structure, as the system adapts its configuration to maintain balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the vehicle is optimized for traversing specific staircase dimensions, then performance on that terrain is improved, but the vehicle lacks adaptability to other obstacles with varying dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain traversal performanceVSAvoidadjustability to different terrains
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle incorporates multiple adjustable parameters including wheel pair spacing, wheel size, and seat pivot position. These dynamic adjustments allow the vehicle to optimize its configuration for different terrain types and obstacle dimensions, maintaining reliable performance across diverse environments rather than being fixed for a single terrain type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle design integrates multiple functions into a single platform: it can traverse flat terrain, climb stairs of various dimensions, and navigate obstacles by adjusting wheel pair configuration and seat position. This multi-functional capability allows one vehicle to replace several specialized vehicles, achieving versatility without sacrificing terrain-specific performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If fixed wheel configuration is used to simplify vehicle structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the vehicle cannot efficiently traverse varying obstacles with different dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle structure complexityVSAvoidadjustability to different terrains
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle divides the wheel system into separable wheel pairs that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows relatively simple adjustment mechanisms to achieve multiple configurations, rather than requiring a completely fixed complex structure or a fully reconfigurable system, thus balancing simplicity with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2810860B1Vehicle having a level compensation system
Publication Date: 2017.03.22 ZOOMABILITY
  • EP2810860B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2810860B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2810860B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~7

AI summary

A vehicle (100) having a multiple of level compensation systems is disclosed. The vehicle comprising a chassi (101) having a left frame (102), a right frame (103) and a base plate (104), a first level compensation system comprising a pivot joint (105) for pivotably connecting the left and right frames to the base plate around a common rotational axis (106). The first level compensation system comprises a base plate levelling unit (132) arranged to reduce a rotational movement of the base plate upon a rotation of the left and right frames around the rotational axis.