Obstacle Traversing Wheel Assembly with Secondary Climbing Wheels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel-bearing devices are inefficient for traversing obstacles and uneven terrain, requiring excessive force or torque and often resulting in unstable conditions, especially when attempting to climb varying vertical heights, and are costly and complex to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

An obstacle traversing wheel assembly featuring a primary wheel member and secondary wheel members with radially extending supporting-surface-engaging portions that impart climbing movement to the primary wheel, allowing for stable and efficient traversal of obstacles by reducing the force and torque required, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional wheel assembly is used, then manufacturing cost is low and structure is simple, but obstacle traversing capability is poor and excessive force is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle traversing capabilityVSAvoidforce required for traversal

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is segmented into a primary wheel member and multiple secondary wheel members (at least five supporting-surface-engaging portions). The secondary wheel members are distributed around the primary wheel member and can independently engage with obstacles, allowing the system to handle obstacles of varying heights without requiring excessive force on the primary wheel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If centered climbing wheel attachment is added, then obstacle climbing capability is improved, but stability deteriorates due to three-point contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle climbing capabilityVSAvoidoperational stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding a single centered climbing wheel, the invention distributes at least five supporting-surface-engaging portions (secondary wheel members) around the primary wheel member at different angular positions. This distribution ensures that during obstacle traversal, multiple contact points are maintained with the supporting surface, preserving stability while enabling effective obstacle climbing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional climbing mechanisms are added, then obstacle traversing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle traversing capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary wheel members are integrated with the primary wheel member in a unified structure. The secondary wheel members can be attached to the primary wheel member's rim or hub, sharing common rotational axes or coordinated rotation, thereby combining multiple functions (support, climbing, stability) into a single integrated assembly rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary wheel members serve multiple functions: they provide supporting-surface engagement during normal rolling, act as climbing elements when engaging obstacles, and contribute to maintaining stability during traversal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated climbing mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If deployable protrusions are added to wheel, then obstacle traversing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobstacle traversing capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary wheel members are designed with curved or rounded profiles that extend radially outward from the primary wheel member. This curved geometry allows them to naturally roll over obstacles and engage with supporting surfaces smoothly, eliminating the need for complex deployable protrusion mechanisms while maintaining effective obstacle traversing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9586441B2Obstacle traversing wheel assembly

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 KTECH CONCEPTS

AI summary

An obstacle traversing wheel assembly can include at least one primary wheel member mounted with a primary axis of rotation and capable of rolling engagement with a supporting surface, and at least one secondary wheel member mounted with a secondary axis of rotation. The secondary wheel member can have a plurality of surface engaging protrusions which enable the wheel assembly to traverse an obstacle by imparting climbing movement to the primary wheel member in response to engagement with the obstacle. The surface engaging protrusions can be defined by rolling wheel members. The obstacle traversing wheel assembly can be incorporated on a wide variety of wheel-bearing devices, such as wheelchairs, personal transportation devices, and intravenous fluid support racks.