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The car is stabilized by a small but powerful gyro.
If the car slides or needs to slow down, the wheel is pulled in, and the 4 wheels catch on. When steering the weight is manipulated to drop the two front wheels so it becomes a "3 wheeler".
Allows for easy parking, better efficiency (no differential,
less traction during drive).
Ditched extra idea: For saving money and space, the old 4 wheels or at least 2 back wheels can serve as the gyro. But it probably won't be safe, and not built for flywheel speeds.
4 wheel car, 1 wheel drive
http://jalopnik.com...tury-segway+fighter
Gyro-stabilized car with retracting outrigger wheels at low speeds. Circa 1914. [Cedar Park, Jul 23 2010]
[link]
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Weight, cost, and energy consumption of the gyro and support structure bound to outweigh any benefits. And it would be dramatically unstable. |
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I take back the gyro. Lower the front wheels whenever slowing down, or stability needed. It would be like riding a bike. Once in speed your all set. |
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"Weight, cost, and energy consumption of the gyro and support structure bound to outweigh any benefits. And it would be dramatically unstable" |
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Exactly! No matter which configuration we settle on, the above is a great reason for doing this (+) |
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Wouldn't this seriously hurt tha car's ability to put down power (less traction), which is why most good new cars have all or four wheel drive? |
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I saw a 5-wheeled concept racing car in a science mag some years ago: a large central wheel for driving, 4 light-weight outriggers (always on the ground, unlike this design) for steering etc. I can't find a link. |
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I prefer the idea of a car with four wheels in a
'diamond' orientation, and the two outside wheels
retractable, so at speed it's like a motorbike. |
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+ OK, putting my own weight in, so it gets attention (and is ballanced back to zero). |
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Lower the wheels on starboard! |
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