Intelligent obstacle-overcoming vehicle

• US 7,422,079 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shih-Chi Hsiao
• Original Assignee: Shih-Chi Hsiao
• Inventors: Hsiao, Shih-Chi
• Primary Examiner(s): Ellis; Christipher
• Assistant Examiner(s): EBNER, KATY MEYER
• Application Number:
  US11/363,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20070199743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 180/65.1, 180/907, 280/5.2, 280/5.28, 280/5.32, 280/DIG.10, 301/5.23
• US Class Current: 180/65.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/14 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/046 at least three driven wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/061 for climbing stairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/1075 tilting the whole seat backwards tilting forwards for standing-up or sitting-down aids A61G5/14
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 17/043 Transmission unit disposed in on near the vehicle wheel, or between the differential gear unit and the wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0046 the motor moving together with the vehicle body, i.e. moving independently from the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2007/0061 the motor axle being parallel to the wheel axle
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 7/0007 the motor being electric
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2220/46 Wheel motors, i.e. motor connected to only one wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 Motorized wheelchairs

Abstract

The present invention is a vehicle which has seven degrees of freedom driven by servo motors with brakes so that obstacles of transportation are overcome for a disabled and the disabled can be lifted to a height as tall as a normal person.

Claims

1. An intelligent obstacle-overcoming vehicle, comprising:

(a) a main body, comprising a base frame, a seat and a linkage, said linkage linking said base frame and said seat, said linkage having a motor, said seat having a plurality of distance sensors and a controlling device;

(b) a pair of first wheel sets, said first wheel set comprising a first wheel and a first rocker arm, said first wheel comprising a plurality of lateral moving wheels, said first rocker arm connecting said first wheel set and said base frame; and

(c) a pair of second wheel sets, said second wheel set comprising a second wheel and a second rocker arm, said second rocker arm connecting said second wheel set and said base frame,

wherein said first rocker arm has a first shaft at an end of said first rocker arm, wherein said first shaft connects said first rocker arm and said base frame, connects to a third motor, and is penetrated by a first spindle of a first chain wheel;

and wherein said first rocker arm has a first universal joint at another end of said first rocker arm to connect to said first wheel and a third chain wheel adhering to said first wheel.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said main body further comprises a horizon sensor.

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said controlling device is deposed on a supporting arm of said seat.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said first motor is a servo motor.

5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said third motor is a servo motor.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a first chain connects said first chain wheel and said third chain wheel;

and wherein centers of said first chain wheel, said third chain wheel and said first universal joint are collinear.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a first rubber cushion is located between said first universal joint and a wheel axle of said first wheel;

and wherein said first rubber cushion contains a pair of perpendicular pressure sensors.

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said first universal joint has a pair of first constraint pins;

and wherein centers of said pair of first constraint pins and said first universal joint are collinear.

10. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said second motor and said fourth motor are servo motors.

11. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein a second chain connects said second chain wheel and said fourth chain wheel;

and wherein centers of said second chain wheel, said fourth chain wheel and said second universal joint are collinear.

12. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein a second rubber cushion is located between said second universal joint and a wheel axle of said second wheel;

and wherein said second rubber cushion contains a pair of perpendicular pressure sensors.

13. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein said second universal joint has a pair of second constraint pins;

and wherein centers of said pair of second constraint pins and said second universal joint are collinear.

9. An intelligent obstacle-overcoming vehicle, comprising:

(a) a main body, comprising a base frame, a seat and a linkage, said linkage linking said base frame and said seat, said linkage having a motor, said seat having a plurality of distance sensors and a controlling device;

(b) a pair of first wheel sets, said first wheel set comprising a first wheel and a first rocker arm, said first wheel comprising a plurality of lateral moving wheels, said first rocker arm connecting said first wheel set and said base frame; and

(c) a pair of second wheel sets, said second wheel set comprising a second wheel and a second rocker arm, said second rocker arm connecting said second wheel set and said base frame,

wherein said second rocker arm has a second shaft at an end of said second rocker arm;

wherein said second shaft connects said second rocker arm and said base frame, connects to a fourth motor, and is penetrated by a second spindle of a second chain wheel;

wherein said second spindle connects to a second motor; and

wherein said second rocker arm has a second universal joint at another end of said second rocker arm to connect to said second wheel and fourth chain wheel adhering to said second wheel.