Barrier-overpassing transporter

• US 7,784,569 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2008
• Issued: 08/31/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Chiao Tung University (Government of The Republic of China)
• Original Assignee: National Chiao Tung University (Government of The Republic of China)
• Inventors: Lee, Yu-Hsien, Guo, Fang-Fu, Lin, I-Chung, Wong, Kian-Poh, Cheng, Pi-Ying
• Primary Examiner(s): Boehler; Anne Marie M
• Application Number:
  US12/027,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20080185795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 280/5.26, 280/5.28, 280/5.2, 280/DIG.10, 180/209, 180/21, 180/22, 180/24.02, 180/24.06, 180/24.07, 180/24.08, 180/8.2, 180/8.3, 180/901, 180/907, 180/41, 180167-169
• US Class Current: 180/8.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/046 at least three driven wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/061 for climbing stairs
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 5/063 with eccentrically mounted wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 180/907 Motorized wheelchairs

Abstract

The present invention discloses a barrier-overpassing transporter, which comprises: a support frame carrying a rider or another load; a sensing/adjusting module detecting a tilting state of the support frame and maintaining the support frame in a horizontal state; a ground contact module arranged below the support frame supporting an effective load and lifting the support frame to overpass a surface of a barrier; and a wireless transceiver module collecting and transmitting information to enable adjustments and activities responding to interior states of the transporter. Thereby, the present invention can provide a safe, stable, reliable, comfortable, convenient and low-cost barrier-overpassing transporter.

Claims

1. A barrier-overpassing transporter comprising:

a support frame supporting an effective load;

a sensing/adjusting module coupled to said support frame, detecting a tilting state of said support frame and maintaining said support frame in a horizontal state;

a ground contact module arranged below said support frame supporting said effective load and lifting said support frame to overpass a surface of a barrier; and

a wireless transceiver module arranged on said support frame, collecting and transmitting information to enable adjustments and activities responding to interior states of said transporter, said wireless transceiver module further including

a radio-frequency identification tag attached to said barrier-overpassing transporter and recording identity of a user and related information; and

a user side wireless signal module installed in said barrier-overpassing transporter and used to receive and transmit information.

2. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein said sensing/adjusting module further comprises:

a sensing device coupled to said support frame and used to detect a tilting state of said support frame; and

a balance mechanism device joined to said support frame and maintaining said support frame in a horizontal state according to signals output by said sensing device.

3. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 2 further comprising a deformable protection housing covering said balance mechanism device.

4. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 2, wherein said sensing device is a multi-directional tilt-sensing device.

5. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein said ground contact module further comprises:

at least one rotation arm coupled to a base and used to rotate said ground contact module;

at least one ground contact element pivotally coupled to ends of said rotation arm and driven by said rotation arm to rotate with respect to center of said rotation arm to enable said transporter to overpass a barrier; and

a driving device installed in said ground contact module and generating a current, wherein said current is amplified by a servo amplifier to drive a wheel servo motor and a cluster servo motor.

6. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 5, wherein at least four contact points of said ground contact elements contact a ground.

7. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 5, wherein said ground contact elements are manually or automatically controlled.

8. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 5, wherein said ground contact elements include at least one pair of wheels driven by said rotation arm to rotate with respect to center of said rotation arm.

9. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein said support frame can rotate.

10. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein height of said support frame with respect to a ground can be changed by rotation of said ground contact elements driven by said rotation arms, activities of another mechanism, or another mechanical skill.

11. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein when said barrier-overpassing transporter moves uphill, said support frame is maintained in a horizontal state, and body'"'"'s gravity center is moved toward a same direction as said transporter advances.

12. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein when said barrier-overpassing transporter moves downhill, said support frame is maintained in a horizontal state, and body'"'"'s gravity center is moved toward a direction opposite to an advance direction of said transporter.

13. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein said user side wireless signal module receives signals from environment and interior of said barrier-overpassing transporter and then sends out said signals.

14. A barrier-overpassing transporter according to claim 1, wherein said signals said user side wireless signal module receives from environment and interior of said barrier-overpassing transporter include:

a ratio of length to width of a staircase, a staircase slope, rider information, and safe-operation information of said barrier-overpassing transporter.