Roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel

Abstract

The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel (100) includes a rim (1), a support ring (2), a plurality of wheel pieces (3), and a plurality of rollers (4). The wheel pieces (3) are rotatably mounted on the support ring (2) and are arranged circumferentially along the outer circumference of the rim (1) so as to surround the central axis of the rim (1). The support ring (2) is installed concentrically with the rim (1). The rollers (4) are pivotally connected to both sides inside the rim (1) and are in rolling contact with the outer circumference of the wheel pieces (3). The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel (100) has the advantages of being freely rotatable, having a simple structure, and being easy to assemble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an omniwheel, and particularly to a roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel.

Background Art

[0002] Existing omniwheels have multiple roller groups assembled to the rim to achieve rolling in all directions. Each roller group includes a holder, a large roller, and a pair of small rollers. The large roller is pivotally connected to the holder so as to be rotatable, and the two small rollers are respectively located on both sides of the large roller and pivotally connected to the holder. In the same omniwheel designed in this way, there are not only two different types of rollers, but the outer shape of the holder also needs to be specially designed according to the outer shapes of the large and small rollers. By doing so, the omniwheel not only has a more complex structure, but also is more cumbersome to install and inconvenient to assemble.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel that can rotate freely, has a simple structure, and is easy to assemble.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] To achieve the above object, the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to the present invention includes a rim, a support ring, a plurality of wheel pieces, and a plurality of rollers. The wheel pieces are rotatably mounted on the support ring and are circumferentially arranged along the outer periphery of the rim so as to surround the central axis of the rim. The support ring is installed concentrically with the rim. The rollers are pivotally connected to both sides inside the rim and are in rolling contact with the outer periphery of the wheel pieces.

[0005] Compared to conventional technology, in the present invention, the wheel piece is mounted on a support ring and arranged circumferentially along the outer circumference of the rim, so that the support ring is concentric with the rim. Furthermore, rollers are installed and pivotally connected to both sides inside the rim. As the rollers make rolling contact with the wheel piece, the wheel piece and the support ring are stably supported on the outer circumference of the rim, and these wheel pieces constitute a single wheel, fulfilling the purpose of the entire omniwheel rolling back and forth around the central axis of the rim. In addition, each wheel piece can rotate stably and smoothly around its own central axis, thus fulfilling the purpose of the omniwheel rolling from side to side. For this reason, the present invention can roll in multiple directions, is freely rotatable, has fewer parts to combine, has a simple and compact structure, and is extremely easy to assemble.

[0006] Preferably, the central axes of the wheel piece and the roller are both perpendicular to the central axis of the rim.

[0007] Preferably, the rollers are installed circumferentially so as to surround the central axis of the rim.

[0008] Preferably, a mounting groove is provided on the outer side of the rim so as to be recessed in the circumferential direction. The roller and the wheel piece are installed within the mounting groove. The mounting groove is capable of accommodating the support ring and a portion of the wheel piece. This allows only the other parts of the wheel piece to be exposed, concealing unnecessary components, improving the aesthetics of the omniwheel, reducing the overall volume of the omniwheel, and making the structure more compact and rational.

[0009] Specifically, the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel further includes a roller holder. The roller holder is mounted circumferentially within the mounting groove so as to surround the central axis of the rim. The installation of the roller holder makes the assembly of the rollers easier and more convenient.

[0010] Preferably, the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel further includes a positioning holder. The positioning holder is positioned between two adjacent wheel pieces to position the wheel pieces axially. This prevents misalignment of the wheel pieces in the axial direction of the support ring, improving the stability of the omniwheel structure and the safety of operation.

[0011] Specifically, the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel further includes a bearing. The bearing is mounted between the support ring and the wheel piece. The inner ring of the bearing abuts between two adjacent positioning holders. The installation of the bearing allows the wheel piece to rotate more stably and smoothly.

[0012] Specifically, bushings are formed extending from opposite sides of the positioning holder. The bushings abut against the inner ring of the bearing located on the same side.

[0013] Preferably, the wheel piece includes an inner ring and an outer ring sleeve. The outer ring sleeve is fitted and secured to the outer circumference of the inner ring.

[0014] Specifically, positioning ribs are provided around the outer circumference of the inner ring's surface. Locking grooves are provided around the inner wall of the outer ring sleeve. The locking grooves engage with the positioning ribs. This allows the outer ring sleeve to be fixed to the inner ring, improving the stability of the connection.

[0015] Preferably, the rim includes a left rim and a right rim. The left rim is fixedly connected to the right rim coaxially. By installing the rim in a left wheel and right wheel combination configuration, the rim can be easily manufactured, the mounting of the wheel piece and rollers is facilitated, and the convenience of assembly is improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded view of the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the structure of a roller-supported multi-piece omni-wheel according to the present invention with the rim removed. [Figure 4] This is a radial cross-sectional view of the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a magnified view of section A in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is an axial cross-sectional view of the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view of the positioning holder for a roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] To explain in detail the technical content, structural features, and effects realized of the present invention, embodiments and drawings will be used to describe them below.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel 100 according to the present invention includes a rim 1, a support ring 2, a plurality of wheel pieces 3, and a plurality of rollers 4. The wheel piece 3 has an annular cross-section, is rotatably mounted on the support ring 2, and is circumferentially arranged along the outer circumference of the rim 1 so as to surround the central axis of the rim 1. The support ring 2 is installed concentrically with the rim 1. The rollers 4 are pivotally connected to both sides inside the rim 1 and are in rolling contact with the outer circumference of the wheel piece 3. The rollers 4 are installed circumferentially so as to surround the central axis of the rim 1. The central axes of the wheel piece 3 and the rollers 4 are both perpendicular to the central axis of the rim 1.

[0019] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a mounting groove 1a is provided on the outside of the rim 1 so as to be recessed in the circumferential direction. The roller 4 and the wheel piece 3 are installed in the mounting groove 1a. The mounting groove 1a is capable of accommodating the support ring 2 and a portion of the wheel piece 3. This allows only the other portion of the wheel piece 3 to be exposed, hiding unnecessary parts, improving the aesthetics of the omniwheel, reducing the overall volume of the omniwheel, and making the structure more compact and rational. Specifically, the roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel 100 further includes a roller holder 5. The roller holder 5 is mounted circumferentially in the mounting groove 1a so as to surround the central axis of the rim 1. The installation of the roller holder makes the assembly of the roller 4 easier and more convenient. The lower end of the roller holder 5 is fitted and fixed to a fixing column in the rim. Two branch portions 51 are formed extending from the upper end of the roller holder 5 toward both sides of the mounting groove 1a of the wheel piece 3. A pivot shaft 52 is provided at the branching portion 51. The rollers 4 are pivotally connected to the pivot shaft 52. Alternatively, the pivot shaft 52 may be installed in a straight line, and multiple rollers 4 may be pivotally connected to a single pivot shaft 52, in order to suit the circular structure surrounded by the wheel piece 3 and to ensure that the rollers 4 make proper rolling contact with the wheel piece 3. In this embodiment, three rollers 4 are pivotally connected to a single pivot shaft 52, and the surfaces of the rollers 4 located on both sides are arc-shaped and suitable for the wheel piece 3. Furthermore, the pivot shaft 52 may be installed in an arc shape or a bent structure. This allows the surface of each roller 4 to make complete contact with the corresponding surface of the wheel piece 3, making the rolling smoother.

[0020] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the roller-supported multi-piece omni-wheel 100 further includes a positioning holder 6 and a bearing 7. The positioning holder 6 is installed between two adjacent wheel pieces 3 to position the wheel piece 3 in the axial direction. This prevents displacement of the wheel piece 3 in the central axis direction of the support ring 2, improving the stability of the omni-wheel structure and the safety of operation. The bearing 7 is mounted between the support ring 2 and the wheel piece 3. Between two adjacent positioning holders 6 abuts against the inner ring of the bearing 7. By installing the bearing 7, the wheel piece 3 can be rotated more stably and smoothly. More specifically, bushes extend from both opposite sides of the positioning holder 6 respectively. The bush abuts against the inner ring of the bearing 7 located on the same side as it.

[0021] Also, referring to FIG. 5, the wheel piece 3 includes an inner ring 31 and an outer ring sleeve 32. The outer ring sleeve 32 is externally fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the inner ring 31. On the outer periphery of the surface of the inner ring 31, positioning ribs 311 are provided circumferentially. On the inner wall of the outer ring sleeve 32, locking grooves 321 are provided circumferentially. The locking groove 321 engages with the positioning rib 311. This makes it possible to fix the outer ring sleeve 32 to the inner ring 31, improving the stability of the connection. The outer ring sleeve 32 may be made of a slightly soft wear-resistant material, such as a rubber material. The inner ring 31 may be made of a high-hardness material, such as an aluminum alloy material.

[0022] Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the rim 1 includes a left rim 11 and a right rim 12. The left rim 11 is coaxially fixed and connected to the right rim 12 by bolts. By installing the rim 1 in the form of a combination of the left rim 11 and the right rim 12, the rim 1 can be easily processed, and the attachment of the wheel piece 3 and the roller 4 becomes easy, improving the convenience of assembly.

[0023] In this embodiment, the numbers of the positioning holders 6, the bearings 7, and the wheel pieces 3 are all 48. The central angle formed by two adjacent wheel pieces 3 or two adjacent positioning holders 6 is 7.5 degrees. Naturally, the numbers of the wheel pieces 3 or the positioning holders 6 may be less than or more than this. A person skilled in the art can calculate the central angle formed by two adjacent wheel pieces 3 based on the numbers of the wheel pieces 3 or the positioning holders 6 and the radius of the omnidirectional wheel, and further calculate the lengths of the two bushes of the positioning holder 6, but the detailed description thereof is omitted here.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, in the present invention, the wheel piece 3 is mounted on the support ring 2 and arranged circumferentially along the outer periphery of the rim 1, so that the support ring 2 is concentric with the rim 1. Further, the rollers 4 are installed and pivotally connected to both sides inside the rim 1. By the rollers 4 rollingly contacting the wheel piece 3, the wheel piece 3 and the support ring 2 are stably supported on the outer periphery of the rim 1, and these wheel pieces 3 constitute an entire wheel. In addition to achieving the purpose of the omnidirectional wheel rolling back and forth so as to surround the central axis of the rim 1, each of the wheel pieces 3 can stably and smoothly rotate around its own central axis, and the omnidirectional wheel can achieve the purpose of rolling left and right. Therefore, the present invention can roll in multiple directions, is free to turn, has few component combinations, has a simple and compact structure, and is extremely easy to assemble.

[0025] The above disclosure is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the scope of rights of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent changes made within the scope of the claims of the present invention are still included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A roller-supported multi-piece omni-wheel, Including a rim, support ring, multiple wheel pieces and multiple rollers, The wheel piece is rotatably mounted on the support ring and is arranged circumferentially along the outer circumference of the rim so as to surround the central axis of the rim. The support ring is installed concentrically with the rim, The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel is characterized in that the rollers are pivotally connected to both sides inside the rim and make rolling contact with the outer circumference of the wheel piece.

2. The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the central axes of both the wheel piece and the roller are perpendicular to the central axis of the rim.

3. The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the rollers are installed circumferentially so as to surround the central axis of the rim.

4. On the outer side of the rim, a mounting groove is provided so as to be recessed in the circumferential direction. The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the roller and the wheel piece are installed within the mounting groove.

5. Further includes a roller holder, The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 4, characterized in that the roller holder is mounted circumferentially within the mounting groove so as to surround the central axis of the rim.

6. Further includes a positioning holder, The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning holder is installed between two adjacent wheel pieces to position the wheel pieces in the axial direction.

7. Further including bearings, The bearing is mounted between the support ring and the wheel piece. The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 6, characterized in that it abuts against the inner ring of the bearing between two adjacent positioning holders.

8. Bushings are formed extending from opposite sides of the positioning holder, The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 7, characterized in that the bush abuts against the inner ring of the bearing located on the same side.

9. The wheel piece includes an inner ring and an outer ring sleeve, The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer ring sleeve is fitted and fixed to the outer circumference of the inner ring.

10. Positioning ribs are provided around the outer circumference of the surface of the inner ring. A locking groove is provided around the inner wall of the outer ring sleeve. The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking groove engages with the positioning rib.

11. The rim includes the left rim and the right rim, The roller-supported multi-piece omniwheel according to claim 1, characterized in that the left rim is fixed and connected coaxially with the right rim.

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