Adjustable Hub Wheel Mechanism for Active Terrain Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheels lack extended functionality in terms of adjustable hub positioning relative to the outer wheel ring, limiting their ability to efficiently rotate and adapt to various terrains and loads.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an adjustment mechanism that allows the hub to be continuously adjusted relative to the outer wheel ring, using a system of adjustable support elements that can deflect the hub from the geometric center, generating a leverage force to drive the wheel's rotation, and optionally deform the wheel ring to adapt to surface contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the hub is rigidly connected to the outer wheel ring, then the wheel structure is simple and stable, but the wheel cannot be actively adjusted or driven to rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The hub is made dynamically adjustable relative to the outer wheel ring through support elements with adjustable lengths. The support elements can be actively extended or retracted to change the hub's radial position, enabling the wheel to adapt to different terrains and loads while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel is divided into functionally independent segments: the outer wheel ring, the hub, and adjustable support elements connecting them. This segmentation allows the support elements to be independently adjusted to change hub position without affecting the overall wheel structure, enabling active adaptation while keeping the design manageable.
2Productivity
If additional drive systems like electric motors are added to the wheel, then the wheel can be actively driven, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel becomes self-driven through the active adjustment of support elements that generate propulsive force by changing hub position. The system uses its own structural components (support elements) to provide both structural support and driving function, eliminating the need for separate motor systems and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements serve multiple functions: they structurally support the hub, enable active adjustment of hub position for terrain adaptation, and generate propulsive force for driving the wheel. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drive systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining active driving capability.
3Force
If the hub is deflected from the geometric center to generate leverage force, then the wheel can be driven, but the support elements must be actively adjusted which increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements use active length adjustment to dynamically position the hub relative to the wheel center, creating leverage force for rotation. By making the support element lengths adjustable, the system can actively control hub position to generate propulsive force while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is merged with the support elements themselves. The support elements are designed with active length adjustment capability, combining the structural support function with the hub positioning function in a single integrated component, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel is designed to adapt to various terrains and loads, then the versatility increases, but the structural complexity and adjustment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel achieves terrain adaptation through dynamic adjustment of support element lengths, which actively repositions the hub to optimize wheel performance for different terrains and loads. This dynamic capability allows the wheel to adapt to varying conditions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements serve multiple functions including structural support, hub positioning, terrain adaptation, and propulsive force generation. This multi-functionality allows the wheel to adapt to various terrains and loads using the same components, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous rotation and adaptation to terrain, eliminating the need for additional drives like electric motors, providing integrated suspension, damping, steering, and energy recuperation, with proportional acceleration independent of load status and speed, and the ability to overcome obstacles like stairs or curbs.
Implementation Method 1
The hub is actively displaced relative to the outer wheel ring by the adjusting device and/or the outer wheel ring is actively moved relative to the hub, in particular in order to cause the wheel to rotate by this displacement or movement.
Implementation Method 2
The support elements (e.g. spokes and/or struts) that can be adjusted in length in this way allow the hub to be deflected in a targeted and active manner from the geometric center of the wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wheel (10), having an outer wheel ring (20), a hub (30), and at least one supporting device (40) by means of which the outer wheel ring (20) is supported on the hub (30), wherein an adjusting device (48) is provided, by means of which the hub (30) can be adjusted relative to the outer wheel ring (20).