Vehicle Wheel Coupling Device for Slope Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles face issues with wheel pivoting when driving on slopes or mountains, where gravity causes both wheels to pivot undesirably in the same direction, leading to instability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle equipped with an adjusting device that includes a coupling mechanism allowing the wheels to pivot in opposite directions, utilizing active or passive mechanisms such as servomotors, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems to control wheel positioning and prevent unwanted pivoting, ensuring stability on varying terrain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wheels are allowed to pivot freely to adapt to ground conditions, then the vehicle can adapt to varying terrain, but gravity causes both wheels to pivot undesirably in the same direction when driving on slopes
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling device is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the two wheels. This coupling device restricts the pivoting motion to prevent both wheels from pivoting in the same direction on slopes, while still allowing them to pivot in opposite directions for ground adaptation. The coupling device acts as a mediator that enforces the desired pivoting behavior without completely restricting wheel movement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a coupling device is introduced to prevent wheels from pivoting in the same direction, then vehicle stability on slopes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is designed with dynamic characteristics, incorporating springs and dampers that allow the system to adapt its behavior based on operating conditions. The spring elements provide flexible coupling that naturally resists same-direction pivoting through elastic forces, while the damper elements dissipate energy to control oscillations. This dynamic design achieves stability without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device utilizes passive mechanical elements (springs, dampers, and geometric constraints) that automatically enforce the desired pivoting behavior without requiring external power sources or active control systems. The system self-regulates the wheel pivoting based on the mechanical properties of the coupling elements and the forces acting on the vehicle, eliminating the need for additional actuators or control electronics.
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 effectively prevents wheels from pivoting in the same direction, maintaining stability and allowing adaptation to ground conditions, even on slopes, thereby enhancing vehicle performance and preventing damage to spiked rollers when driving on hard surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one coupling device couples the wheels of a vehicle axle in such a way that pivoting of the wheels in the same direction, as would occur when driving along a slope or mountain as described above, is at least partially prevented
Implementation Method 2
If the vehicle described in EP 2 835 044 A1 drives along a slope or mountain in such a way that one wheel is uphill and the other wheel is down the valley, the influence of gravity can cause both wheels to pivot undesirably in the direction of the valley
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b~1c
Figure 2a~2b
AI summary
Vehicle (1) with a connection device (2) for attachments and at least one vehicle axle (3) on which a first and a second wheel (4, 5) are rotatably mounted, wherein at least one joint (6, 7) is provided between each wheel (4, 5) and the vehicle axle (3), which allows each wheel (4, 5) to pivot about a pivot axis (8, 9) which is transverse to the vehicle axle (3) and at least approximately horizontal, wherein an adjusting device is provided by which the pivoting of the wheels (4, 5) about the pivot axes (8, 9) can be influenced.