Tensioned integral wheel

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of integral wheel, six lengths consistent rigid rod is the main supporting part of integral wheel;Each rod endpoint is called the node of structure, flange plate is installed on all rigid rod nodes, flange plate is mainly used for the connection of cable and rod;On one end face, the node of rigid rod is connected by 6 lengths consistent horizontal rigid outer ring, two end faces have 12 rigid horizontal outer rings, rigid outer ring is connected together by cable, rigid outer ring is also connected together by flexible outer ring, and the outer circle of integral wheel is formed;The node of two end faces is connected by 6 lengths consistent diagonal cable, and the node of two end faces is diagonally connected, which plays a role in stabilizing structure;A center rod is arranged at the center of structure, the flange plate is also installed at the two ends of center rod, and all nodes of one end face are connected with the flange plate of center rod end face by horizontal cable, which serves as the axle of wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a novel wheel structure design, which can be mainly applied to transportation vehicles, special environment operation vehicles, and extraterrestrial exploration vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] As society develops, the number of cars on the road continues to increase, and with the advancement of technology, vehicles for special environments are also emerging. In these vehicles, wheels and rubber tires constitute the main supporting components and power transmission mechanisms, thus propelling the vehicle forward.

[0003] Generally, a wheel is a rigid component made of various alloy materials, usually consisting of two main unseen parts: the rim and the spokes. Its primary function is to support the tire. The rim is the part on the wheel that mounts and supports the tire, while the spokes are the supporting parts on the wheel that lie between the axle and the rim. In addition to the above components, a wheel sometimes includes a hub; the rim is the part on the wheel that mounts and supports the tire around its perimeter, forming the wheel together with the spokes. The rim and spokes can be integral, permanently connected, or detachable; the spokes are the devices that protect the wheel rim and spokes of a vehicle. Based on the structure of the spokes, wheels are divided into spoked and rim-type wheels; currently, most mainstream passenger cars use a spoked wheel structure. The hub is a cylindrical metal component on the axle that supports the tire's inner contour. It is also called a wheel rim, steel rim, wheel, or rim. Wheel hubs come in many varieties depending on their diameter, width, forming method, and materials. Tires are flexible components made of rubber, typically consisting of three parts: the outer tire, the inner tube, and the rim belt. Some tires do not require an inner tube; their inner layer has an airtight rubber layer and requires a special rim. The outer tire consists of the tire carcass, the buffer layer (or belt layer), the tread, the sidewall, and the bead. Tires need to be inflated to function and are the primary shock-absorbing component of a vehicle.

[0004] Currently, the vast majority of vehicles on the market use this wheel and tire system. Vehicles using this system offer good shock absorption on smooth roads because tires, being flexible components, deform significantly under external forces, thus dissipating impact energy. However, in practical use, it has been observed that tires are prone to blowouts or skidding due to reduced friction on rough roads. Because of the thin or absent atmosphere on other planets, extraterrestrial rovers cannot use tires and must rely on rigid wheels, resulting in a significant decrease in shock absorption and preventing high-speed movement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to design a novel wheel structure that can achieve shock absorption as a whole wheel, and can also perform the function of vehicle shock absorption without the need for tires.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved as follows: The tensioned integral wheel consists of rigid rods, horizontal rigid outer rings, flexible outer rings, diagonal rigid cables, horizontal rigid cables, and a central rod. Six rigid rods of uniform length form the main supporting components of the tensioned integral wheel; the end point of each rod is called a node of the structure, and flanges are installed on all nodes of the rigid rods. These flanges are primarily used for connecting the cables and rods. On one end face, the nodes of the rigid rods are connected by six horizontal rigid outer rings of uniform length and curvature, resulting in a total of 12 rigid horizontal outer rings on both end faces. These rigid outer rings are connected to the rigid rods by steel cables, and are also connected in series by flexible outer rings, forming the outer circle of the tensioned integral wheel. The nodes on both end faces are connected diagonally in pairs by six diagonal cables of uniform length, stabilizing the structure. A central rod is positioned at the center of the structure, with flanges installed at both ends. All nodes on one end face are connected to the flanges on the end face of the central rod via horizontal steel cables, serving as the wheel's axle.

[0007] Tensioned integral wheels primarily replace the cables at both ends of the basic unit of the tensioned integral structure with rigid, arc-shaped components. While ensuring structural stability, this gives the structure a circular shape and the characteristics of a wheel. To enhance the overall shock absorption, all the arc-shaped rigid components at one end are connected in series via a flexible, fixed outer ring, and a certain preload is applied. This allows the wheel structure to maintain stability while also possessing good flexibility. The outer surface of these arc-shaped rigid components can be covered with flexible rubber material, further enhancing the wheel's shock absorption effect.

[0008] A central rod is added at the center of the structure, and a central cable is added to each node to balance the forces. The central rod is then connected to each node. This allows the wheel to be linked to the vehicle. If it is a driven wheel, a hollow axle can be directly installed with a bearing inside. If it is a driving wheel, the central rod can be replaced with a drive axle.

[0009] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are: This invention can achieve vehicle shock absorption without the need for tires, relying solely on a tensioned integral wheel structure. The overall mass of the tensioned integral wheel of this invention is significantly reduced compared to traditional wheels. The tensioned integral wheel of this invention has excellent road condition adaptability and will not experience tire blowouts. The tensioned integral wheel of this invention can be used for extraterrestrial exploration rovers. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a tensioned integral six-bar unit;

[0011] Figure 2 , Figure 3This is a structural diagram of a tensioned integral structure wheel;

[0012] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the fixed outer ring structure;

[0013] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a flange used for cable-stayed connections;

[0014] In the diagram, 1—tension rod; 2—horizontal rigid cable; 3—fixed outer ring; 4—rigid outer ring; 5—flange; 6—center rod; 7—diagonal cable. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0016] The tensioned integral wheel is mainly designed from tensioned integral units, and its main structure is shown in the attached figure. Figure 1 As shown, a tensioned monolithic structure consists of a continuous cable net structure that bears tensile force and discontinuous bar members that bear compressive force within it. Each member of the tensioned monolithic structure only bears axial force, thus giving it advantages such as lightweight, strong shock absorption capacity, and a high stiffness-to-mass ratio. Mechanical analysis of the tensioned monolithic structure shows that by applying prestress, the structure can achieve self-stability and possess a certain degree of stiffness. A tensioned monolithic structure can withstand external loads far exceeding its own mass without failure.

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, the tensioned integral wheel consists of 6 rigid rods 1, 12 horizontal rigid cables 2, 2 flexible outer rings 3, 12 horizontal rigid outer rings 4, 1 central rod 6, and 6 inclined rigid cables 7. Six rigid rods 6 of uniform length form the main support structure of the tensioned integral wheel. The end of each rod is called a node of the structure. Flanges 5 are installed on all nodes of the rigid rods. The flanges 5 are mainly used for connecting the cables and rods. On one end face, the nodes of the rigid rods 1 are connected by six horizontal rigid outer rings 4 of uniform length and curvature. There are a total of 12 rigid horizontal outer rings 4 on the two end faces. The rigid outer rings 4 are connected to the rigid rods 1 by steel cables. The six rigid outer rings 4 on one end face are also connected in series by flexible outer rings 3 to form the outer circle of the tensioned integral wheel. The nodes on the two end faces are connected by six rigid diagonal cables 7 of uniform length to stabilize the structure. A central rod 6 is set at the center of the structure. Flanges are also installed at both ends of the central rod. All nodes on one end face are connected to the flanges on the end face of the central rod 6 by horizontal steel cables 2, which serve as the axle of the wheel.

[0018] The tensioned integral wheel consists of six tension rods 1 as the main supporting components. Each rod has a flange 5 installed at both ends, and the rods and cable components are connected via these flanges. The cables at both ends are replaced with rigid outer rings 4, and flexible fixed outer rings 4 connect all the arc-shaped outer rings 3 at one end, forming the outer edge of the entire wheel. Diagonal cables 7 connect the nodes at both ends at an angle. A central rod 6 is added at the center of both ends of the central rod, with flanges also installed at both ends. The nodes on the same end are connected to the flanges at the ends of the central rod using rigid cables 2. This completes the tensioned integral wheel.

[0019] Add a central rod 6 at the center of the whole wheel, and connect the rods at each end face to it with horizontal steel cables 2 to form the wheel axle. If it is a driven wheel, it can be replaced with a hollow cylinder and a bearing can be installed.

[0020] When the tensioned integral wheel travels on a road with good conditions, the rigid outer ring is also wrapped with a rubber outer edge. With good flexibility, the integral wheel can also ensure the roundness of the wheel, thus achieving a faster speed and being less prone to slipping.

[0021] Due to the characteristics of the tensioned monolithic structure, when subjected to external impacts and vibrations, all adverse factors can be automatically distributed throughout the entire structure, thus achieving a stable state. Tensioned monolithic structure wheels can continue to be used even on roads with poor conditions or where there are no roads. When a wheel gets stuck in a pothole, a typical wheel can only be lifted out by the power of the other wheels on the vehicle. However, with a tensioned monolithic structure wheel, the stuck wheel can also use its own power to extricate itself. When the wheel gets stuck, because the rigid rod and cable of the wheel only bear axial force, the rod nodes on the wheel will support the ground, essentially providing the wheel with a fulcrum. Combined with the vehicle's power, this fulcrum can be used to push the wheel out of the pothole. Therefore, due to this characteristic, the tensioned monolithic structure wheel can be used on most types of terrain, greatly increasing the driving range of vehicles equipped with it.

Claims

1. A tensioned integral wheel, characterized in that: It includes rigid rods, rigid outer rings, flexible outer rings, diagonal rigid cables, horizontal rigid cables, and a central rod. Each rigid rod has a node at its end. Flanges for connecting the cables and rods are installed at the nodes at both ends of the rigid rod. The nodes of the rigid rods on one end face are connected by rigid outer rings of the same length and curvature. The rigid outer rings and rigid rods are connected together by steel cables. The rigid outer rings on each end face are connected in series by flexible outer rings to form the outer circumference of the tensioned integral wheel. The nodes on two end faces are connected diagonally to each other by diagonal cables of the same length. Flanges are installed at both ends of the central rod, and all nodes on both end faces are connected to the flanges on the central rod end face by horizontal steel cables, serving as the wheel axle. There are a total of 12 rigid outer rings on both end faces and 6 diagonal cables. A central rod is connected to each node by adding a central cable through the force balance of each node, thus linking the wheel to the vehicle. If it is a driven wheel, a hollow axle is directly installed and a bearing is installed inside the axle; if it is a driving wheel, the central rod is replaced with a drive shaft.

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