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Toys and engineering materials
Toys and engineering materials

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3.3 The hoverboard

You have seen examples of the influence of newly developed structural and functional materials on the ‘creation’ of new toys. As you approach the end of this course, consider the hoverboard shown in Figure 15.

A hoverboard is a self-balancing motor-driven personal transporter. Sophisticated electronic logic boards control the balance through gyroscopes (devices used to control stability), and the speed and direction of motion through pressure sensitive controllers.

The key components of the hoverboard, namely high-capacity energy storage systems, energy-efficient motors, sophisticated electronic logic boards, sensitive gyroscopes as well as high-strength structural alloys and polymers are shown in the following figure.


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Figure 15 The key components of a hoverboard. Click on the hotspots for more information.
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Figure 1.2o shows five photographs of a hoverboard toy. The hoverboard has two horizontal platforms to support the feet – they are joined by a narrow, cylindrical section. There is a wheel attached to the outside of each platform.

Top left: red hoverboard with a person standing on it. Hotspot text: Die-cast polymer outer shell that is cheap to manufacture, waterproof and tough to resist knocks and bumps.

Middle left: this shows the outer shell alone – the hollow parts that will contain the actual platforms and the wheels. They are not joined. The Hotspot text is the same as above.

Bottom right – this shows the chassis – two flat metallic parts joined by a horizontal cylindrical axis – there appears to be a joint between them so that the tow sections can rotate independently around a horizontal axis through the length of the hoverboard. Hotspot Text: Die-cast aluminium chassis that is strong enough to take the load of the rider, stiff enough to ensure a stable ride and lightweight.

Top right – this photograph shows the chassis with wheels, motors, electronic circuitry and battery.

Hotspot text for wheel: Wheel with integrated motor which provides drive to each wheel separately and saves space by supporting the motor.

Text for battery: Polymer protected lithium ion battery. The protective cover is light, resistant to chemicals and can be joined to create a waterproof seal.

Text for circuitry: Electronic circuitry to control the drive train.

Bottom right - this image shows a wheel. It has a black, rubber tyre on a silver rim. Between the wheel and hub is circuitry and several small coils of tightly wound copper wire. A short cylindrical section of axle is joined to the middle of the wheel, and has wires passing through it.

Text for tyre: The rubber (elastomer) tyre that is tough and wear-resistant, providing good tyre to ground surface adhesion for grip.

Text for motor: Copper motor coils ensure good electrical conductivity, thereby minimising energy loss through joule heating.

Figure 15 The key components of a hoverboard. Click on the hotspots for more information.
Interactive feature not available in single page view (see it in standard view).

Clearly, high-capacity batteries in combination with energy-efficient motors are needed to maximise the distance that can be travelled per charge. Similarly, high-precision gyroscopic systems and sensors are essential to ensure the stability and controllability of the hoverboard and hence the safety of the rider. Perhaps the least technologically demanding parts of a hoverboard seem to be its load-bearing components, such as the chassis, wheel bearings and drive shaft. However, optimum design and selection of materials for such components will require an insightful understanding of the loading mechanisms.