Articulated Wheel Segmented Loop for Rough Terrain Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wheels are inefficient on rough terrain due to their large size, which compromises stability and maneuverability, and when folded, they do not compact effectively, occupying excessive space.
Innovation Solution
An articulated wheel design featuring an elliptical continuous loop of connected segments with slit separations, allowing for flexibility and point contact, which maintains a small contact patch for efficient rolling and compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional large wheels are used, then the vehicle can roll over rough terrain, but the wheels occupy excessive space when folded and compromise stability and maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is divided into multiple articulated segments that can flex relative to each other. This segmentation allows the wheel to maintain a large effective rolling diameter for rough terrain while collapsing into a compact configuration for storage, directly resolving the volume-reliability contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure that can change its configuration. When deployed, the segments articulate to form a large rolling wheel; when folded, they collapse into a compact shape, enabling the wheel to adapt its volume while maintaining rolling performance
2Volume of moving object
If smaller wheels are used to reduce storage space, then the vehicle becomes more compact when folded, but the wheels are less efficient on rough terrain and require steeper acceleration angles
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated segmentation enables the wheel to present a large rolling circumference to the ground for efficient terrain traversal while maintaining a small folded volume. The segments work together to create an effective large-wheel rolling action without requiring the entire wheel structure to be large in all configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel utilizes dimensional transformation by collapsing in the radial direction while maintaining the circumferential rolling path. This allows the wheel to appear small in storage (reduced radial dimension) while maintaining large rolling efficiency (circumferential dimension) during operation
3Reliability
If traditional wheels are used on mobility chairs, then the chairs can roll over rough terrain, but they become unstable and impossible to steer
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated wheel provides dynamic adaptability that allows it to conform to terrain variations while maintaining a stable rolling pattern. The flexibility of the segments enables the wheel to absorb shocks and maintain contact with the ground, improving both terrain capability and steering control
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel can change its effective rolling radius and articulation parameters to optimize performance for different terrain conditions. This parameter adjustment capability allows the wheel to maintain stability and steerability across varying terrain while preserving rough terrain capability
Data Source
AI summary
A rugged and compact articulated wheel with at least two hubs, and wheeled vehicles that include one or more of such articulated wheels.