Omnidirectional Wheel Hub With Integrated Mounting Grooves

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing omnidirectional wheels have complex structures, cumbersome assembly processes, and high manufacturing costs due to their intricate designs.

Innovation Solution

The omnidirectional wheel features a hub with integrally formed mounting grooves for axles and a cover layer on rollers with inclined fixing holes, allowing for easy assembly and reduced part count, simplifying the structure and lowering costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional omnidirectional wheel structure is used, then movement flexibility and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases and assembly becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement flexibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub integrates multiple functions including support, positioning, and driving mechanisms into a single component. The cover integrates protection, sealing, and structural support functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining omnidirectional movement capability and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hub serves multiple purposes: supporting the roller, providing positioning features for the cover, and incorporating the driving mechanism. The cover simultaneously protects internal components, provides structural support, and enables omnidirectional movement. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while preserving movement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional omnidirectional wheel structure is used, then movement flexibility and accuracy are improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement flexibilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The hub and cover are designed as integrated components that simplify the assembly process. The cover can be directly mounted on the hub with the roller, reducing the number of assembly steps. This merging of functions into fewer parts directly reduces assembly time while maintaining omnidirectional movement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional omnidirectional wheel structure is used, then movement flexibility and accuracy are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement flexibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hub integrates multiple functions including support, positioning, and driving mechanisms into a single component. The cover integrates protection, sealing, and structural support functions. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining omnidirectional movement capability and structural integrity, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hub serves multiple purposes: supporting the roller, providing positioning features for the cover, and incorporating the driving mechanism. The cover simultaneously protects internal components, provides structural support, and enables omnidirectional movement. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while preserving movement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3909785B1Omnidirectional wheel

Publication Date: 2023.07.26 FULIAN PRESION ELECTRONICS (TIANJIN) CO LTD

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AI summary

An omnidirectional wheel (100) includes a hub (10) and a number of wheels (20). The hub defines a number of mounting grooves (14). Each mounting groove defines an axle (15) provided therein. Each wheel includes a roller (21) and a cover layer (22). Each of two ends of the roller defines a fixing hole (210). The axle extends through each of the two holes. The cover layer is sleeved on an outer side of the roller.