Omniwheel With Adjustable Roller Sets For Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current omnidirectional wheels, such as spherical and Mecanum wheels, face complexity in movement control, limited applicability due to fixed wheel width, and insufficient ground contact leading to reduced friction and vibration issues, especially on uneven surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An omniwheel design featuring a shaft with adjustable roller sets and elastic couplers, allowing for easy assembly/disassembly to adjust roller count and wheel width, increasing ground contact area and reducing vibration through inclined roller shafts and elastic coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single roller design with high hardness material is used, then the structure is simple, but the ground-contact area is reduced and friction force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single roller is divided into multiple rollers (first roller and second roller) arranged side by side. Each roller contacts the ground at different points, thereby increasing the total ground-contact area and friction force while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple rollers are combined into a single roller set that functions as one unit. The rollers work together to provide increased ground contact and friction, solving the problem of insufficient contact area while keeping the overall structure integrated and simple
2Device complexity
If a fixed wheel width design is used, then the constitution is simple, but the applicability is limited to specific platform sizes and loads
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel width is made adjustable by allowing the addition or removal of roller sets. Users can configure the number of rollers based on specific load requirements and platform sizes, transforming a static design into a dynamic, adaptable system
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel width parameter can be changed by adding or removing roller sets. This allows the same omniwheel structure to be adapted to different platform sizes and load capacities without redesigning the entire system
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid roller structure is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the vibration on uneven ground is not absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The roller structure incorporates flexible elements including elastic couplers that connect adjacent rollers and flexible support structures. These flexible components allow the roller assembly to deform and absorb vibrations when encountering uneven ground, while still being manufacturable with standard elastic materials
4Force
If the ground-contact pressure is high, then the friction force is sufficient, but the ground-contact area is reduced on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The contact force is distributed across multiple rollers instead of concentrated on a single roller. This segmentation maintains sufficient total friction force while increasing the total ground-contact area, as each roller contributes to both force and area
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
Enables flexible support, enhanced ground contact, reduced vibration, and adjustable load capacity, achieving omnidirectional movement without special configurations, suitable for various platforms and surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The coupler includes an elastic coupler
Implementation Method 2
the ground-contact area of the wheel is reduced, resulting in an insufficient friction force
Data Source
AI summary
An omniwheel is provided, which includes an omniwheel shaft, two wheel covers fixed at two ends of the omniwheel shaft, and a plurality of roller sets. The roller sets are coupled between the two wheel covers. Each of the roller sets has a plurality of rollers and at least one coupler, and each of the rollers has a roller shaft. The roller shafts are coupled with each other via the coupler, and each of the roller sets is respectively coupled to the wheel covers via the rollers disposed at two ends of the roller set. The omniwheel shaft and the roller shaft are inclined with respect to each other at an angle.