Omni-wheel Core Member Segmentation and Sleeve Interlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional omni-wheels have annular core members that are costly, heavy, and complex due to machining or casting, requiring significant thickness for mechanical strength, which increases weight and complexity in assembly.
Innovation Solution
An omni-wheel design featuring an annular core member with mutually opposing ends fitted into sleeve members, forming a secure and stiff junction, with sleeve members supporting free rollers and secured by fasteners, allowing for even load transmission and interlocking to prevent movement, and using spacers retained by spring members to prevent foreign intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the annular core member is made by machining or casting metallic members to ensure mechanical strength, then the strength is improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The annular core member is divided into two semi-circular halves that are joined together. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the required mechanical strength. The sleeve members are also segmented into semi-cylindrical parts that interlock to form a complete cylindrical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve members serve dual functions: they support the free rollers and simultaneously join the two semi-circular halves of the annular core member together. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall structure.
2Strength
If the annular core member is made with significant thickness to ensure mechanical strength, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the core member into two thinner semi-circular halves that are joined together, the structure achieves the required strength without needing a single thick component. This segmentation allows for optimized thickness while maintaining structural integrity through the joining mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve members act as intermediary elements that join the two semi-circular halves together. These sleeves provide the necessary structural reinforcement at the junction points without requiring the entire annular core member to be thick throughout, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the annular core member is made of two pieces joined together to allow free roller installation, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core member is segmented into two semi-circular halves that can be manufactured separately and then joined together. This segmentation facilitates easier manufacturing and assembly of the free rollers, while the joining mechanism is designed to be straightforward rather than complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining function is merged into the sleeve members themselves, which serve both to support the free rollers and to join the two semi-circular halves together. This eliminates the need for separate joining components, thereby reducing device complexity despite the multi-piece construction.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional joining methods are used for the two pieces of the annular core member, then the assembly is completed, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: supporting the free rollers and joining the two semi-circular halves of the annular core member. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate joining components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve members are universal components that serve multiple purposes in the omni-wheel assembly. They provide structural support, facilitate free roller installation, and join the semi-circular halves together, thereby simplifying the overall design and reducing the number of specialized components needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an omni-wheel including an annular core member for rotatively supporting a plurality of free roller that is light, economical and strong. The omni-wheel comprises an annular core member having at least one junction defined by mutually circumferentially opposing ends thereof, a plurality of sleeve members defining an inner bore and passed onto the core member and a free roller rotatably supported on an outer surface of each sleeve member in a coaxial relationship, wherein the mutually opposing ends of the annular core member at each junction are fitted into either end of the inner bore of the corresponding sleeve member.