Variable wheel diameter wheel for planetary exploration

By combining origami units with cam mechanisms, the problem of complex and low reliability of existing variable diameter wheel structures has been solved, achieving wheel diameter adjustment with large variable diameter ratios and high maneuverability, adapting to the extreme environment of planetary exploration.

CN122185755APending Publication Date: 2026-06-12TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY +1
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
Filing Date
2026-03-18
Publication Date
2026-06-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing variable diameter wheels have complex structures, low reliability, low redundancy in the drive system, discontinuous deformation, and poor load-bearing capacity, making it difficult to maintain high maneuverability and stability in extreme planetary environments.

Method used

The drive system combines origami units with a cam mechanism, using a single power source to drive multiple transmission rods to move synchronously, thereby achieving diameter control. The combination of the folded frame and the metal mesh tread forms a structure that combines rigidity and flexibility, ensuring synchronous diameter change and load-bearing capacity.

Benefits of technology

It achieves wheel diameter adjustment with a large variable diameter ratio, improves the wheel's maneuverability and stability in extreme environments, reduces system failure rate and structural weight, and meets the needs of high-speed cruising and strong obstacle crossing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN122185755A_ABST
    Figure CN122185755A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The application discloses a variable-diameter wheel for planetary exploration, comprising a wheel hub, a variable-diameter wheel rim and a driving assembly, the wheel hub is formed with a plurality of limiting grooves which are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and each of which extends in the radial direction; the variable-diameter wheel rim is arranged at the outer periphery of the wheel hub and comprises a plurality of origami units which are sequentially connected in the circumferential direction; each of the origami units is adapted to be folded or unfolded; the driving assembly comprises a driving turntable and a plurality of transmission rods; the driving turntable rotates around the center of the wheel hub; the driving turntable is formed with a plurality of guide grooves; one end of each of the transmission rods is in sliding connection with the guide grooves, and the other end is in connection with the corresponding origami unit; and each of the transmission rods is in matched connection with the corresponding limiting groove; wherein the driving assembly is adapted to drive the plurality of origami units to be synchronously folded or unfolded, so as to adjust the diameter of the variable-diameter wheel rim. The application utilizes the coupling deformation characteristics of the origami ring and the forced synchronism of the cam mechanism, realizes the rigid-flexible combined diameter control, and has high structural reliability and high bearing capacity.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art