Compact Motorized Wheel With Annular Motor and Integrated Braking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile platforms with electric motorized wheels are too large and cumbersome to maneuver heavy loads in narrow spaces, and their significant height prevents them from sliding under loads, while existing solutions either increase height or width, reducing precision and increasing bulk.
Innovation Solution
A compact motorized wheel design featuring a one-piece hub with integrated brushless annular motor, speed reducer, and braking member, which minimizes bulk by parallel integration of motorization and braking functions within the wheel's width, allowing for precise steering and load handling in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single electrically driven wheel is designed to serve as both drive and steering wheel with integrated motorized swashplate and ring gear, then the wheel can provide both drive and steering functions, but the height increases due to stacking of traction and steering systems
Solution Approach 1:
The braking element is nested within the annular motor structure, with the braking element positioned inside the space between the stator and rotor. This nesting arrangement allows the braking system to occupy space within the motor assembly rather than adding to the overall height, thereby providing both drive and braking functions without increasing wheel height.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of stacking the braking system vertically above the motor (increasing height), the braking element is arranged radially within the motor assembly in the horizontal plane. The braking element is positioned between the stator and rotor, utilizing the radial space available in the annular motor structure, thus transitioning from vertical stacking to radial integration.
2Device complexity
If steering is achieved by wheel tire sliding along the ground, then the steering mechanism is simplified, but the movement accuracy is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding steering mechanism with an electromagnetic control system. The brushless annular motor provides precise rotational control of the wheel, and the braking element provides controlled deceleration. This substitution of mechanical sliding with electromagnetic actuation significantly improves movement accuracy while maintaining relatively simple overall system architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If the motor is positioned at a 90° angle with a right-angle gearbox, then the drive system can be compact, but the gear system located above the motor increases the overall bulk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the right-angle gearbox from the drive system. Instead of using a 90° motor positioning with a gearbox above it, the motor is positioned directly above the wheel centerline, and the drive connection is achieved through the annular motor structure that directly drives the wheel hub, removing the bulky gearbox component entirely.
4Length of stationary object
If two drive wheels are mounted opposite each other with steering achieved by speed differential, then the system height is reduced and steering accuracy is improved, but the system width increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality to a single wheel assembly, where one wheel performs both drive and steering functions. The brushless annular motor provides drive torque, while the braking element enables steering through differential braking between left and right wheels. This eliminates the need for separate drive and steering mechanisms, reducing system width compared to dual-wheel configurations.
5Reliability
If the braking system is positioned opposite the engine, then the braking function is provided, but the wheel size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The braking element is nested within the annular motor structure, positioned inside the space between the stator and rotor. This nesting arrangement allows the braking system to occupy space within the motor assembly rather than adding to the overall wheel size, thereby providing reliable braking function without increasing wheel dimensions.
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
The compact wheel design enables mobile platforms to handle loads of several tons in narrow environments with improved precision and safety, adapting to various soil conditions and geometries, while reducing the number of components and using lightweight materials for enhanced performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a brushless annular motor connected to said drive shaft and adapted to generate a rotational drive torque on said shaft
Implementation Method 2
a braking element, said annular motor comprising a motor body, an annular stator mounted on said motor body coaxially with respect to the drive shaft
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Motorized wheel (1) for mobile platform, comprising a hub (10), a motor arrangement, a transmission mechanism, a rotational guidance system mounted movably to rotate about the second housing, and at least one rolling element (50) comprising a rim mounted movably to rotate on said ball bearing systems, a tire (520) mounted on said rim to allow the wheel (1) to roll on the ground and a flange (530) integral with both the rim and the transmission mechanism to transmit the reduced torque force received from the transmission mechanism to the rolling element (50).