Vehicle Tilt Control via Adjustable Actuators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loading and unloading vehicles can be difficult due to ergonomic limitations, such as objects being in awkward positions or out of reach, especially when the object is stored on a vehicle's roof, where height and strength limitations hinder access to the object or its handling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of adjustable actuators and a controller system that allows the vehicle to tilt to a desired angle, facilitating easier access by adjusting the vehicle's height based on the user's physical capabilities, terrain, and object characteristics, using sensors and user input to determine the optimal tilt angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle maintains a standard horizontal position, then the vehicle structure remains simple and stable, but loading and unloading objects becomes difficult due to ergonomic limitations and awkward positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vehicle body tiltable relative to the wheel assembly through adjustable actuators. The vehicle transitions from a fixed horizontal position to a dynamically adjustable tilted position, allowing the main body to rotate about a longitudinal axis by a controlled angle to facilitate loading and unloading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vehicle into two main functional parts: a fixed wheel assembly and a tiltable main body. This segmentation allows independent movement of the body relative to the wheels, enabling the body to tilt while the wheel assembly remains stationary, thus solving the ergonomic access problem without complicating the overall vehicle structure
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle tilts to facilitate object access, then ergonomic accessibility improves, but vehicle stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the vehicle tilt angle based on operational needs. The body can tilt to an optimal angle for loading/unloading objects, then return to a horizontal stable position when not in use. This dynamic positioning allows temporary stability at tilted angles during operations while maintaining overall vehicle stability
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle tilts to the desired angle before the loading or unloading operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that objects are at the optimal height and angle for ergonomic access before the user interacts with them, preventing instability during the actual loading/unloading process
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to control vehicle tilt are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of actuators of a vehicle, where each actuator is to be length adjustable, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuators, where the controller to vary a height of at least one of the actuators to adjust a tilt of the vehicle to facilitate loading or removal of an object relative to the vehicle.