Deformable Composite Wheel With Elastic Cables for Lunar Terrain

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-pneumatic wheels fail to provide adequate load bearing, shock absorption, and deformation capabilities under extreme conditions like those on the Moon and Mars, while being heavy and costly.

Innovation Solution

A deformable wheel with a hub, annular tread made of composite material, and metal cables connected by elastic members, featuring a protective layer to maintain flexibility and robustness, with a simplified design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If a laminated annular strip with multiple ferrules and interposing layers is used to achieve uniform contact pressure and strong deformation capability, then the wheel can deform strongly on loose soil, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pressure uniformityVSAvoidwheel weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel structure is segmented into discrete functional components: a simplified annular tread made of composite material and radial cables arranged in segments. This segmentation allows the tread to deform locally while maintaining overall structural integrity, achieving uniform contact pressure without requiring multiple ferrules and interposing layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using composite materials with specific elastic properties for the annular tread. The tread material is selected to have appropriate elasticity and deformability, allowing it to conform to loose soil surfaces and distribute contact pressure uniformly without the need for complex laminated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If a laminated annular strip with multiple ferrules and interposing layers is used to achieve uniform contact pressure and strong deformation capability, then the wheel can deform strongly on loose soil, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact pressure uniformityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel structure is segmented into discrete functional components: a simplified annular tread made of composite material and radial cables arranged in segments. This segmentation allows the tread to deform locally while maintaining overall structural integrity, achieving uniform contact pressure without requiring multiple ferrules and interposing layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by using composite materials with specific elastic properties for the annular tread. The tread material is selected to have appropriate elasticity and deformability, allowing it to conform to loose soil surfaces and distribute contact pressure uniformly without the need for complex laminated structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If conventional non-pneumatic wheels are made more elastic to improve shock absorption, then shock absorption capability increases, but load bearing capacity and endurance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorption capabilityVSAvoidload bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials for the annular tread, combining materials with different mechanical properties. The composite structure provides both the elasticity needed for shock absorption and the strength required for load bearing and endurance. The radial cables made of steel or other high-strength materials provide structural support while the composite tread material provides elastic deformation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 wheel achieves low and uniform contact pressure, maintains flexibility at extreme temperatures, and reduces manufacturing costs while ensuring robustness and endurance.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member making it possible to modulate the radial stiffness of the cables

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

each elastic member being associated with an abutment able to limit its deformation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical constraint:

Implementation Method 3

a layer of composite material coated with at least one protective layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal stability:

Data Source

PatentEP4706985A1Deformable wheel with simplified design for lunar and martian conditions

Publication Date: 2026.03.11 VENTURI LAB SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a deformable wheel (2) with non-pneumatic load bearing intended to equip a vehicle for rolling under extreme conditions such as those encountered on the Moon and on Mars, comprising a hub (4), a annular tread (6) intended to be in contact with the soil, positioned around the hub which is concentric therewith and comprising a layer of composite material coated with at least one protective layer, and a plurality of metal cables (8) whose outer diameter is comprised between 0.2 mm and 5 mm, each cable connecting the hub (4) to the tread while being fixed, on the one hand by an external end (8a) to the tread, and on the other hand by an internal end (8b) to the hub by means of an elastic member (18) making it possible to modulate the radial stiffness of the cables, each elastic member being associated with an abutment (12, 14) able to limit its deformation.