Multidirectional Wheel Rollers With Raised Traction for Soft Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multidirectional wheels are limited to hard, smooth surfaces due to the use of non-deformable rollers, which cause slippage and reduced control on softer surfaces, and adding traction elements increases power requirements and stress on the wheel assembly.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of rollers with raised traction inducing elements to enhance grip on softer surfaces, allowing for improved maneuverability and control without significantly increasing power consumption or stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smooth non-deformable rollers are used on hard surfaces, then multidirectional movement is enabled, but slippage occurs and control is reduced on softer surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The roller surface is designed with localized raised traction inducing elements distributed across the roller surface. These elements are concentrated at the contact patch with the floor surface, providing enhanced grip where needed while maintaining the smooth non-deformable characteristics in other areas for efficient rolling motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller surface geometry is modified by adding raised elements that change the local surface parameters. The raised elements create variable surface height and texture, transforming the uniform smooth surface into a textured surface that provides mechanical interlocking with softer surfaces while maintaining overall roller integrity.
2Reliability
If traction elements are added to rollers, then grip on soft surfaces is improved, but power requirements and stress on wheel assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of covering the entire roller surface with traction elements, only a portion of the roller surface is equipped with raised elements. The density and distribution are optimized to provide sufficient traction for soft surfaces while minimizing the rotational resistance that would increase power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised traction inducing elements are designed with specific dimensional parameters including height, spacing, and surface area ratios. These parameters are optimized to provide adequate mechanical interlocking with soft surfaces while maintaining low enough rotational resistance to avoid excessive power consumption.
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 solution provides enhanced traction and control on soft surfaces, enabling precise odometry measurements and efficient multidirectional maneuvers, such as rapid starts and stops, while maintaining low operational stress.
Implementation Method 1
Each roller in the plurality of rollers has a surface including a series of raised traction inducing elements
Data Source
AI summary
A multidirectional wheel assembly includes a set of rollers for multidirectional movement. The multidirectional wheel includes multiple rollers mounted around the wheel's circumference, with each roller rotating around an axis that is not parallel to the main rotation axis of the wheel. Each roller rotates independently around a separate axis. Each roller includes a series of traction inducing elements. These traction inducing elements provide increased traction when traversing in the forward, backward, and lateral direction on various surfaces.