Magnetic Omni-Wheel Roller Bracket for Flux Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing omni-wheels struggle to effectively traverse surfaces with varying contours due to inefficiencies in magnetic attraction and gap management, leading to reduced traction and increased weight/cost of magnetic materials.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates magnetically inducible hubs and brackets with optimized profiles and protrusions that complement the surface contour, allowing rollers to maintain contact and reduce air gaps, enhancing magnetic flux direction and traction while minimizing magnetic material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If traditional omni-wheel designs are used, then the wheel structure is simple, but the magnetic attraction force is insufficient and gap management is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is divided into modular components including hubs, brackets, and rollers that can be independently optimized. The brackets are segmented with specific profiles (convex, concave, or flat) to match different surface contours, allowing each segment to contribute to reducing air gaps and improving magnetic attraction independently
Solution Approach 2:
Magnetically inducible material is introduced as an intermediary between the magnet and the surface being traversed. This intermediary material directs and concentrates magnetic flux toward the surface, enhancing the magnetic attractive force without requiring additional magnetic material in the wheel itself
2Force
If larger magnets are used to increase attraction, then magnetic attractive force improves, but weight and cost of magnetic materials increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for larger mechanical magnetic components with a magnetic flux directing system using magnetically inducible materials. This substitution allows the same or improved magnetic attractive force to be achieved through flux optimization rather than increasing magnetic material volume, thereby reducing weight
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field distribution parameters by using magnetically inducible hubs and brackets to direct flux concentration toward the surface. This parameter optimization allows smaller magnets to achieve the same effective attraction by improving flux utilization efficiency
3Force
If the wheel profile does not complement the surface contour, then manufacturing is easier, but air gaps increase reducing magnetic attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The brackets are designed with specific local geometries (convex, concave, or flat profiles) that match the local contour characteristics of the target surface. This local quality matching allows the wheel to adapt to different surface types while maintaining consistent magnetic flux distribution and minimizing air gaps across varying surface geometries
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
This configuration improves the magnetic attractive force and traction, reduces the air gap between the wheel and surface, and allows for efficient operation on convex, concave, and flat surfaces, enhancing the wheel's ability to support vehicles in tight spaces with reduced magnetic material requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the hub is made of a magnetically inducible material which directs the flux of the at least one magnet toward the surface being traversed
Implementation Method 2
at least one magnet having an outer face arranged to generally circumscribe the first axial direction
Data Source
AI summary
A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface is provided that includes a magnet and a plurality of rollers disposed around an outer periphery of each of the hubs of the wheels. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is perpendicular to a first axial direction of the wheel. The rollers are supported by a plurality of magnetically-inducible brackets attached to the hub. The brackets are optimally sized and shaped to reduce the space between the magnetized materials of the wheel and the surface upon which the wheel travels.