Wheeled platforms

Abstract

A wheeled platform 100 is disclosed, which is characterized by high mobility and reliability, and which can be used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platform 100 has fore and aft body portions 130, 132, each body portion 130, 132 having first and second sides 106, 108. Overlapping wheels 112, 114, 116, 118 are rotatably attached to the first side 106 and overlapping wheels 120, 122, 124, 126 are rotatably attached to the second side 108. The fore body portion 130 can be connected to the aft body portion 132 via an articulation element 133.

Description

CITATION OF PROVISIONAL APPLICATION[0001]This application for patent is a non-provisional application claiming the priority of U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 60 / 194,922 filed Apr. 4, 2000.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to wheeled platforms and wheeled vehicles in general, and in particular, relates to apparatus, configurations and methods for providing highly mobile wheeled platforms suitable for a variety of uses, including, but not limited to, robotic devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The application of robotic devices and general-purpose transport platforms has enjoyed enormous growth in recent years, across all sectors of industrial, military and consumer / household operations, for a range of tasks limited only by the imagination of those employing such devices. These have included such disparate applications as surveillance, bomb disposal, industrial maintenance and household chores. In response to these demands, a number of co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0023]The present invention provides wheeled platforms characterized by high mobility and reliability, which are readily used in a wide range of applications including transport and robotic devices. The wheeled platforms described herein can be operated on rough or steep terrain or surfaces; can ascend and descend conventional (and non-standard) stairs, whether indoors or outdoors; and can climb steep pitches smoothly. On stairs, the disclosed platforms can climb and descend with a minimum of step-induced dynamics, such as heave, pitch, and roll.

[0024]In addition, the disclosed platforms can turn-in-place (with a turning circle coextensive with the platform), are efficient, conservative of energy usage, and relatively simple in construction, and thus relatively inexpensive and lightweight.

[0025]The wheeled platforms described herein can be scaled (by component selection and overall dimension) so as to pass through standard doorways, crawl under standard furniture, and ensure low power consumption. In such embodiments, the wheeled platforms can include motive elements (whether electric, internal combustion or other) so that the platforms can propel themselves on level, uneven, or hilly ground, or over thresholds; and can maneuver on level terrain or on stairs, turning or changing direction as needed or directed.

Problems solved by technology

Although the above-described devices represent advances over previous designs, wheeled platforms and devices such as those disclosed in the above-listed U.S. patents have notable limitations.

They are typically inefficient, complex, cumbersome, heavy, and poorly suited to high-mobility operations on rough terrain or surfaces, such as traversing steep slopes, maneuvering around obstacles, and ascending or descending ramps or stairs.

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