Omnidirectional Wheel Receptacle Modules for Bearing Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing omnidirectional wheels with opposing wheel discs face challenges in precise bearing alignment and are prone to torsion-induced displacement, complicating installation and reducing bearing precision, due to the need for narrow production tolerances and potential axial offset of bearings.

Innovation Solution

The omnidirectional wheel design features receptacle modules that allow each roller body to be preinstalled and adjusted independently, with these modules attached to both wheel discs, forming a bridge-like support that separates the discs and transfers torsion forces, enabling precise alignment and adjustment of each roller body without relying on the wheel discs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If roller bodies are borne directly on the insides of the wheel discs, then the structure is simplified, but all bearing positions must be precisely matched during production and installation is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the bearing support function into separate modular units (receptacle modules) that are attached to the wheel discs. Each receptacle module independently supports one or more roller bodies, allowing individual adjustment and assembly without requiring precise matching of all bearing positions across the entire wheel disc. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining structural simplicity while enabling easier manufacturing and installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle modules serve as intermediary components between the wheel discs and the roller bodies. These modules provide the bearing surfaces and allow for adjustment mechanisms that facilitate precise positioning during assembly without requiring the wheel discs themselves to have precisely matched bearing positions. This intermediary layer resolves the manufacturing and installation complexity issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If narrow production tolerances are used for side walls, then bearing alignment precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearing alignment precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces adjustable receptacle modules that can be positioned and adjusted after assembly rather than requiring fixed precise positions during manufacturing. This dynamic adjustment capability allows bearing alignment precision to be achieved through adjustment mechanisms rather than through narrow production tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing difficulty and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle modules are pre-assembled with adjustment mechanisms that enable precise bearing alignment to be achieved during assembly rather than requiring precise manufacturing of the wheel discs themselves. This preliminary preparation of modular units with adjustment capabilities resolves the contradiction between precision and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Force

If high moment is applied to the omnidirectional wheel, then driving force is improved, but torsion of the hub causes rotation movement of wheel discs relative to each other

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriving forceVSAvoidwheel disc alignment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the connection between wheel discs and roller bodies through separate receptacle modules. This segmentation allows each module to independently accommodate and compensate for torsional forces and relative rotations of the wheel discs, preventing the accumulation of misalignment that would occur in a rigid integrated structure. The modular design maintains stability under high driving forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If opposing wheel discs are used with rollers borne directly on them, then the support structure is simplified, but all bearing positions must be precisely aligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidbearing position alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle modules act as intermediary components that carry the bearing positions and alignment functions separate from the wheel discs themselves. This allows the simplified opposing wheel disc structure to be maintained while the precise alignment function is transferred to the adjustable receptacle modules, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and alignment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8496299B2Omnidirectional wheel and method for the assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2013.07.30 KUKA DEUT GMBH

AI summary

An omnidirectional wheel has a hub that is rotatable around a rotational axis, and two wheel discs connected to the hub and spaced coaxially on the hub. A number of roller bodies are located between the wheel discs, evenly distributed around a circumferential edge of the wheel. The respective roller axes of the roller bodies are aligned at a diagonal angle relative to the rotational axis, and are each supported in a freely rotating manner between the wheel discs at opposite ends thereof. Each roller body is mounted in a freely rotating manner in respective modules respectively attached to the wheel discs.