Deployable Wheel Arms for Obstacle Climbing and Compact Rolling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobility technologies lack the ability to seamlessly transition between a cylindrical wheel and an obstacle climbing mechanism, requiring separate attachment or detachment of deployable arms, which impedes efficient operation and adaptability to varying environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus featuring connected deployable arms that transition from a closed state within a cylindrical surface to an open state, allowing the arms to extend outside the cylinder, facilitated by the rotation of an inner cylinder relative to an outer cylinder, enabling simultaneous deployment of multiple arms for stair climbing or obstacle maneuvering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If permanent deployable arms are used for obstacle climbing, then obstacle climbing capability is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and cannot return to a uniform wheel shape for continuous rolling
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable arms are designed to be dynamically deployable and retractable rather than permanently fixed. The mechanism allows the arms to be extended when obstacle climbing is needed and retracted to restore the wheel's uniform cylindrical shape for continuous rolling, enabling the device to adapt its structure based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable arms are nested within the wheel structure when retracted, with the arms fitting inside the wheel's cylindrical body. This nesting arrangement allows the arms to be stored compactly within the wheel's volume, maintaining a smooth uniform exterior when not in use while enabling deployment when needed
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple deployable arms are extended simultaneously, then obstacle climbing capability is improved, but the number of parts and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple deployable arms are controlled by a single rotation mechanism involving the inner and outer cylinders. The rotational movement of the inner cylinder relative to the outer cylinder simultaneously actuates all arms through shared mechanical linkages, merging multiple control functions into one unified actuation system
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotation mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the deployment of all arms, synchronizes their movement, and can adjust their extension magnitude. This universal actuation system replaces what would otherwise require multiple independent control mechanisms for each arm
3Adaptability or versatility
If deployable arms are not concealed when not needed, then obstacle climbing capability is improved, but storage size and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable arms are nested within the wheel's cylindrical body when retracted, with each arm fitting inside the wheel's internal volume. This nesting arrangement allows the arms to be stored compactly within the wheel's volume, maintaining a smooth uniform exterior when not in use while enabling deployment when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The arms transition dynamically between a concealed retracted state within the wheel and an extended deployed state for obstacle climbing. This dynamic concealment allows the device to maintain a compact storage profile during transport while providing full deployable functionality when required
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for connected deployable arms off of cylindrical surfaces including an outer cylinder defining an outer circumference and an inner cylinder concentric with the outer cylinder around a central aperture, one or more primary developable mechanisms linked to one or more secondary developable mechanisms. The deployable arms transition from a first closed state wherein the primary developable mechanisms and secondary developable mechanisms are contained entirely within the outer cylinder outer circumference to a second open state wherein the inner cylinder rotates relative to the outer cylinder, forcing the primary developable mechanisms and secondary developable mechanisms to extend outside the outer cylinder outer circumference.