WO2019069323A1

WO2019069323A1 - Chassis-less vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2019069323A1
Application number: PCT/IN2018/050630
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ganesh SURYAWANSHI
Original assignee: Suryawanshi Ganesh
Priority date: 2017-10-05
Filing date: 2018-10-04
Publication date: 2019-04-11

Abstract

Disclosed is a chassis less vehicle. The chassis less vehicle comprises at least two pair of wheels. Specifically, each pair of wheel comprises first wheel and the second wheel comprising a motor, a driving unit, a plurality of power supplying means, at least one microcontroller configured within the hub thereof forming agile wheel. The chassis less vehicle further comprises at least one flipper configured on each end of the pair of wheel. The chassis less vehicle further comprises a communication means and a plurality of sensors configured on the hollow shaft of each pair of wheel. The chassis less vehicle provides access to area where human cannot reach or the area which is hazardous to the humans.

Description

CH ASSI S-LESS VEH I CLE

Field of invention The present invention relates to robotics and more particularly, the present i nvention relates to remote operated scalable m ulti uti lity chassis less vehicle.

Background of the invention During rescue operations, and also in an area which are unreachable or hazardous for human bei ngs, it is very difficult for an individual to go in such areas. Enteri ng in such areas without havi ng any prior knowledge of the condition and situation of such unidentified places often creates dangerous situations.

Drones and si mi lar ki nd of device are avai lable for such ki nd of situation which can provide a larger picture. However , drones havi ng camera attached thereto have disadvantage that they can provide only aerial view of the area to be identified and cannot predict or show actual ground level difficulties.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a device or vehicle which overcomes above-mentioned drawbacks.

Objects of the i nvention

An object of the present invention to provide a light weight and portable vehicle which can move i n unreachable or hazardous area, Another object of the present invention isto provide unmanned vehicle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle which can communicate remotely.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a chassis less vehicle. The chassis less vehicle comprises at least two pair of wheels. Each pair of wheel is movably coupled to the other pair of wheel by resilient joint means. Specifically, each pair of wheel comprises a hollow shaft with a first end having a first wheel attached thereto and a second end having a second wheel attached thereto. The first wheel and the second wheel comprises a motor, a driving unit, a plurality of power supplying means, at least one microcontroller configured within the hub thereof forming agilewheel.

The chassis less vehicle further comprises at least one flipper configured at the first end and the second end. Specifically, the at least one flipper is operably coupled to the microcontroller for lifting and dragging the wheel.

The chassis less vehicle further comprises a communication means configured on the hollow shaft in between the first end and the second end and a plurality of sensors configured on thehollow shaft of each pair of wheel. Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of a chassis less vehicle, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic drawing of a pair of wheel of the chassis less vehicle, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the chassis less vehicle of figure 2 with three pairs of wheels.;

Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the chassis less vehicle of figure 2 with straight/ normal flippers

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the chassis less vehicle of figure 2 with crescent flippers; and

Figure6 shows schematic drawing of the vehicle of figure 4 climbing the steps; and

Figure 7 shows a block diagram of control system of the chassis less vehicle.

Detailed description of the invention The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.

Referring now to figure 1-7, there is shown a chassis-less vehicle (100), (hereinafter the 'vehicle (100)') in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle(100) comprises at least two pair of wheels (10, 20), at least oneflipper (30), a communication means (not numbered) and a plurality of sensors (not numbered).

Each pair of wheel of the at least two pair of wheels (10, 20) is movably coupled to the other pair of wheel by resilient joint means (40). In an embodiment, each pair of wheel, for example, (10) is movably coupled to the other pair of wheel (20) by resilient joint means (40) such as spring loaded joints as shown in figure 2. In preferred embodiment, each pair of wheel (10, and 20) comprises a hollow shaft. For example, the pair of wheel (10) comprises a hollow shaft (12). The hallow shaft (12) comprises a first end having a first wheel (14) attached thereto and a second end having a second wheel (16) attached thereto. Specifically, the first wheel (14) and thesecond wheel (16) comprises a motor (24), a motor driving unit, a plurality of power supplying means (26), at least one microcontroller configured within a hub thereof forming agile wheel as shown in figure 1. In an embodiment, the plurality of power supplying means (26) are configured around the motor (24) within the hub so as to accommodate maximum number of power supplying means (26) in the wheel. The microcontroller is capable of wirelessly communicating with a user controlled console at remote location.

Further, another pair of wheel (20) comprises a hollow shaft having awheel attached to both end. Specifically, hub of each wheel includes a motor, a plurality of supplying means and microcontroller configured therein. However, these are not numbered again and described in detail for sake of brevity of the invention. In an embodiment, the each wheel each pair of wheel (10, and 20) is covered with elastic material (28) for providing quick and easy movement of thewheel as shown in figure2.

In an embodiment, the plurality of power supplying means (26) are the batteries positioned around the motor within the hub of each wheel of the each pair of wheel (10,20)

Though the pair of wheel (10) and the pair of wheel is described above for the purpose of brevity of the invention, it is evident to those skilled in the art to use multiple numbersof pair of wheelsto form the vehicle (100) of thepresent invention.

The at least one flipper (30) is configured at outer central portion of each wheel of each pair of the wheels. Specifically, the each flipper (30) isoperably coupled to the motor (24) and the microcontroller for lifting and dragging the wheel. In an embodiment, the flipper (30) may is ordinary/ straight (32) in shape or crescent (34) in shape.

In an embodiment, the flippers (30) are configured perpendicular to hollow shaft (12). The flippers (30) after receiving input form the microcontroller aid the vehicle (100) to push and drag when road conditions prevail. Also, the flippers (30) help thevehicleto climb stairs.

Specifically, figure 3 shows the vehicle (100), with three pairs of wheels and ordinary/ straight flippers (30). The flippers (30) act as the arm of the vehicle to lift and drag the vehicle (100) while in mud conditions, climbing stairs and the like. Figure 4 shows embodiment of the vehicle (100) of figure 1 with ordinary/ straight flippers (32). The flippers (32) act as the arm of the vehicle to lift and drag the vehicle (100) while in mud conditions, climbing stairs and the like.

Figure 5 shows the vehicle (100), with four pairs of wheels wheel and curved or crescent flippers (34). The curved or crescent flippers (34) act as an aid while climbing st airs thus reducing the power requirement. Figure 6 shows, the vehicle (100) which is subjected to climb ordinary normal stairs with the help of ordinary/ straight flippers (32). The figure represents step by step climbing of the vehicle (100) using pair of wheels (10, 20) and flippers (20). The communication means is operably coupled to the microcontroller. In preferred embodiment, communication means comprises an antenna (42) to send and receive signals, at least one image capturing device and positioning system (PS) module/ navigation module configured on the hollow shaft (12). The positioning system (PS) module/ navigation module provides current location for tracking of the vehicle (100).

The antenna (42) configured on the central portion of the hollow shaft (12) in- between the two wheels of the pair of wheels (10, 20). The antenna (42) is made of resilient means so that the antenna (24) can bend for height disturbances and resiliently return to an upright position when released. The antenna (42) antenna transmits the signal to a receiver of the console positioned in remote location, so asto passthe information in real time. In an embodiment, the at least one image capturing device (50) is mounted on the hollow shaft (12). The least one image capturing device (50) includes a plurality of camera, for example thermal imaging and infrared camera which serves as forward looking eye even at night conditions. In an embodiment, the thermal imaging and infrared camera has a 360 degree vision which provides ease to view and thus provides less mobility to change directions. In an embodiment, the image capturing device (50) has a transparent cover (52) like glasswhich preventsthe image capturing device (50) from damaging. The image capturing device (50) provides live streaming of real time environment for surveillance of the area such the areas which are unreachable or hazardous for human beings. The operation image capturing device (50) is controlled by the microcontroller. Specifically, the videos captured by the image capturing device (50) are transmitted wirelessly to the user through a video transmitter module (not shown). The PS(54) is provided on the hollow shaft for navigation purpose. The hollow shaft (12) also includes a flash light feature for luminosity when needed.

In preferred embodiment, the hollow shaft (12) comprises a bracket (12a) positioned thereon for holding tools, and water pipe thereon which are required for operation in an situation where human access is limited.

The vehicle (100) further comprises wherein the light emitting diodes (LEDs) (60) located on the hollow shaft (12) to locate and visualize at low light conditions.

The vehicle (100) further comprises a plurality of sensors (70) are located besides each wheel of the pair of wheel (10, 20) to sense the information of the travelling surfaces. Based on the input of the artificial intelligence (Al) based sensors (70) and the microcontroller activates the flippers (30) for lifting the vehiclefor dragging or climbing. Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the communication between the microcontroller of the vehicle (100) and a user controlled console operated from remote location. The wireless signals are received and are transmitted to the microcontroller/ microprocessor for required processing. The operating signal received by the microcontroller and the microcontroller process those signal to takes corresponding action. Specifically, the microcontroller drives the motors (14, 24) through motor driving unit. The powering to the motors (14, 24) isdonethrough theplurality of power supplying means(26).

Specifically, the power supplying means (26) provides power to the plurality of imaging devices (50), the LEDs (60), the antenna (42) and similar power requiring units of the vehicle (100). In an embodiment, the BMS (Battery Management System) is provided there for battery protection and to exhibit charge and discharge status thereof. Though the present invention is depicted as a chassis less vehicle, it is evident to those skilled in the art that constructional features of the present invention can be used form a robot for assisting to users in areas which are hazardous or inaccessible by human beings. Advantages of the invention

1. Thevehicle(IOO) of thepresent invention isalightweight, portable which helps in the areas where human access is not possible. 2. The vehicle (100) of the present invention isdeployable and extremely maneuver able, and can serve as a forward-looking eye

3. The vehicle (100) carries out surveillance by sending real time video streaming. This can also be done at low light and night time by using night vision cameras. Here, 360 degree cameras can also serve better viewing angle and direction.

4. The vehicle (100) having a independent driver and controller for each wheel, provides ability to climb terrain by controlled and monitored speed. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without

Claims

I Claim

1. Achassis-lessvehiclecomprising:

at least two pair of wheels, each pair of wheel movably coupled to the other pair of wheel by resilient joint means , each pair of wheel having,

a hollow shaft with a first end having a first wheel attached thereto and a second end having a second wheel attached thereto, the first wheel and the second wheel having a motor, a driving unit, a plurality of power supplying means, at least one microcontroller configured within the hub thereof forming agilewheel;

at least one flipper configured at the first end and the second end, the at least one flipper operably coupled to the microcontroller for lifting and dragging the wheel;

a communication means configured on the hollow shaft in between the first end and the second end; and

a plurality of sensors configured on the hollow shaft of each pair of wheel.

2. The chassis- 1 ess vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the each wheel is covered with elastic material.

3. The chassis-less vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power supplying means are plurality of batteries.

4. The chassis- 1 ess vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the resilient joint means are spring loaded joints.

5. The chassis-less vehicle as clai med i n claim 1 , wherein the communication means comprises an antenna to send and receive signals, at least one image capturing device and positioning System module.

6. The chassis-less vehicle as clai med i n claim 1 , wherei n the flippers are any one of a regular shaped and crescent Shaped.

7. The chassis-less vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hollow shaft comprises a bracket positioned thereon for tools, and water pipe.

8. The chassis-less vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light emitting diodes (LEDs) is located on the hollow shaft to locate and visualize at low light conditions.

9. The chassis-less vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is capable of wirelessly communicating with a user controlled console at remote location.