Omnidirectional Treadmill via Crown Gear Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional omnidirectional treadmills face issues such as load shocks, wear, complex constructions, slow response behavior, and instability due to indirect coupling of belt units, leading to inefficient movement in multiple spatial directions without significant spatial position change.
Innovation Solution
The design features connected belt units with swivel-mounted support frames and continuous endless belts driven by gear wheels and toothed shafts, utilizing crown gears for direct rotational coupling between adjacent units, ensuring stable and synchronized movement in both spatial directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If discrete belt units are indirectly coupled by friction or complex mechanisms, then movement in multiple directions is enabled, but load shocks and wear increase due to coupling differences and sudden engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges adjacent belt units into a single continuous endless belt that runs across multiple belt units. This eliminates the need for coupling elements between discrete units, preventing load shocks and wear associated with indirect coupling. The continuous belt ensures synchronized movement and stable force transmission across all belt units during omnidirectional motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the omnidirectional treadmill surface into multiple discrete belt units, each capable of independent movement in the second spatial direction. This segmentation allows each unit to be precisely controlled while maintaining overall surface integrity through the continuous belt, enabling versatile omnidirectional movement without compromising reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If many small parts and complex mechanisms are used to achieve omnidirectional movement, then directional versatility is improved, but device complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple belt units into a single continuous belt structure, eliminating the need for numerous coupling elements, sliding surfaces, and intermediate transmission mechanisms. This merging approach significantly reduces the number of parts while maintaining the ability to achieve omnidirectional movement through coordinated movement of the continuous belt across segmented support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous belt serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the running surface, transmits motion across multiple belt units, synchronizes movement in both spatial directions, and eliminates the need for separate coupling mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining omnidirectional capability.
3Device complexity
If friction coupling is used between endless belts, then construction is simplified, but movement synchronization deteriorates under higher loads due to differences in adjacent belt movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into discrete belt units while maintaining a continuous belt. This segmentation allows each unit to be independently supported and driven, ensuring precise synchronization under load. The continuous belt spans multiple segmented units, creating a rigid connection that prevents relative movement and maintains synchronization without relying on friction coupling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If gear wheels are suddenly engaged with toothed shafts during curve phase, then movement in second spatial direction is achieved, but shocks, delays and noises occur during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous engagement of the gear wheels with the toothed shaft throughout the entire operation, including during curve phases. The continuous endless belt maintains constant tension and contact, allowing smooth transmission of motion without sudden engagement or disengagement. This continuity eliminates shocks, noises, and delays that would occur with intermittent gear engagement.
5Device complexity
If belt units lack stable supporting frame with sliding surface, then construction is simplified, but surface stability deteriorates resulting in poor running surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple belt units with individual supporting frames into a unified structure. Each belt unit has its own stable supporting frame with sliding surfaces, and these frames are connected to form a continuous stable platform. The continuous endless belt spans across all supported units, integrating them into a single stable running surface that provides both structural integrity and smooth operation.
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 provides a stable, efficient, and wear-resistant omnidirectional treadmill surface that allows for smooth movement in any direction without significant spatial position change, reducing load shocks and wear, and enhancing operational stability.
Implementation Method 1
The rotational movement of rolls (3) of adjacent belt units (1) is coupled by crown gears (15) with direct contact in vicinity of axis (6) requiring no further elements
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an omnidirectional treadmill which has several connected belt units with supporting frames and endless belts which are moved revolving in the first spatial direction. In the second spatial direction, the endless belts of the belt units are moved. The endless belts are driven in the second spatial direction preferably by gear wheels mounted on rolls and by a toothed shaft. The movement of all endless belts is synchronized by coupling with special tooth form crown gears arranged between the belt units.