Expandable Wheel Radial Roller Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel systems require frequent and costly changes to accommodate different sizes for various applications, making it inconvenient to switch between larger wheels for navigating obstacles and smaller wheels for tight spaces.

Innovation Solution

A wheel design featuring a series of rollers mounted on linkages connected to spokes, which can be radially extended or retracted within a main housing to adjust the wheel's circumference, allowing for easy expansion or contraction by rotating a central plate to change the position of the spokes and rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wheels of different sizes are used for different purposes, then the device can navigate both obstacles and tight spaces effectively, but the complexity of managing and changing wheels increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel size adaptabilityVSAvoidwheel management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel system transitions from static fixed-size wheels to a dynamic adjustable wheel where the circumference can be changed by extending or retracting rollers radially. The plate rotation mechanism dynamically adjusts the spoke positions to transform the wheel between expanded and contracted states, eliminating the need for multiple separate wheels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single wheel structure performs multiple functions by adjusting its circumference. The same wheel can be expanded to navigate obstacles and contracted for tight spaces, making one component universal for tasks that previously required multiple specialized wheels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If wheels are frequently changed to adapt to different applications, then the device can optimize performance for each task, but the time and cost required for wheel changes increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel size adaptabilityVSAvoidwheel change time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel system transitions from static fixed-size wheels to a dynamic adjustable wheel where the circumference can be changed by extending or retracting rollers radially. The plate rotation mechanism dynamically adjusts the spoke positions to transform the wheel between expanded and contracted states, eliminating the need for multiple separate wheels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable wheel mechanism is pre-configured with rollers, linkages, and spokes that can be rapidly repositioned. The plate rotation system allows quick transformation between wheel sizes without requiring removal or installation of separate wheel components, reducing preparation time for task changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple wheels of different sizes are maintained for different purposes, then the device can handle various applications, but the cost of acquiring and maintaining multiple wheels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel size adaptabilityVSAvoidnumber of wheels required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single wheel structure performs multiple functions by adjusting its circumference. The same wheel can be expanded to navigate obstacles and contracted for tight spaces, making one component universal for tasks that previously required multiple specialized wheels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of multiple separate wheels into a single integrated wheel structure. The adjustable circumference mechanism combines the capabilities of different sized wheels into one physical component, reducing the total quantity of wheels needed from multiple separate units to a single multi-functional wheel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10518576B1Expandable wheel

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 AI INC

AI summary

An expandable wheel has rollers arranged radially about a plate within a main housing. Spokes pivotally connected to the plate are attached to linkages on which the rollers are mounted. The rollers and linkages protrude through apertures in the main housing. The rollers form the circumference of the wheel. Rotation of the plate relative to the main housing changes the angle of the spokes relative to radii of the plate. When the spokes are parallel with the radii of the plate, the rollers are pushed radially outward at a maximum distance from the plate, forming the largest wheel circumference. When the spokes are as near perpendicular as possible with respect to the radii of the plate, the rollers are pulled radially inward at a minimum distance from the plate, forming the smallest wheel circumference.