Deformable Vehicle Wheel Mechanism for Turn-Induced Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel structures with tires and suspension devices fail to effectively absorb distortion caused by turning, especially when heavy objects like in-wheel motors are mounted, leading to reduced damping and increased space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A wheel deformation mechanism with a crank motion system using arm-connected rotors and band-shaped leaf springs that allows for uniform force distribution and adjustable outer diameter through rotor control, eliminating the need for a conventional suspension device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suspension device is provided between wheels and vehicle body, then damping effect is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the suspension device function with the wheel structure itself by incorporating a deformation mechanism directly into the wheel. The wheel includes a deformable body with multiple deformation portions that can change shape in response to road irregularities, eliminating the need for a separate suspension device between the wheel and vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel structure serves multiple functions: it provides rolling motion, absorbs shocks through deformation, and supports the vehicle body. The deformable wheel body simultaneously performs the functions of both the traditional wheel and suspension system, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heavy objects such as motor are mounted on the wheel, then in-wheel motor function is achieved, but damping effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is divided into multiple deformation portions distributed around the wheel body. Each deformation portion can independently deform to absorb shocks, providing distributed damping capacity that can handle the added weight of in-wheel motors while maintaining overall damping effectiveness.
3Speed
If conventional tire structure is used, then wheel rotation is achieved, but ability to absorb contact patch distortion during turning is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel body is designed to be dynamically deformable rather than rigid. The deformation portions can change shape in response to lateral forces during turning, allowing the contact patch to adapt to the distortion caused by turning while maintaining traction and reducing stress on the wheel structure.
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 mechanism effectively absorbs wheel contact patch distortion during turns by distributing force across multiple parts, maintaining the wheel's shape and reducing the need for additional suspension, allowing for adjustable vehicle height and posture control.
Implementation Method 1
Distortion of a wheel contact patch during turning of the vehicle is absorbed while being distributed to a plurality of parts due to distortion of a rubber tread that is multiply divided into band shapes and due to leaf springs supporting the shape of the tread.
Implementation Method 2
A wheel is incorporated with an expansion and contraction mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 that uses a crank motion by an arm connecting between two rotors sharing a rotation shaft and a grounding portion of an outer periphery of the wheel.
Data Source
AI summary
[Technical Field] The present invention relates to a wheel deformation mechanism and a structure of a vehicular shock-absorbing device using the mechanism. [Technical Problem] In the conventional suspension device, there are problems that a vibration damping effect for an in-wheel motor vehicle is too low to alleviate an impact on the wheel and that a mounting space is required on the vehicle body side. There is a problem that since the conventional tire is poor in ability to absorb distortion of a contact patch caused by turning, the contact patch of the wheel is subjected to horizontal friction at the time of direction change. [Solution] An expansion and contraction mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 that connects two rotors and a band-shaped tread by a movable arm is incorporated in a wheel, [Main Use of Invention] The vehicle wheel is expanded and contracted by a rotation speed difference between the two rotors so as to control the posture of the vehicle body.