Retractable Mechanical Leg for Fast Rolling and Obstacle Jumping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wheeled mobile devices struggle to effectively navigate both flat ground and obstacles due to the limitations of their wheels, which are not designed for overcoming obstacles.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical leg with a retractable member driven by an extension and retraction mechanism, combined with a travel driving member, allows the leg to switch between two-wheel and three-wheel modes, enabling it to jump over obstacles by extending and retracting the retractable member in conjunction with the wheel's movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a wheel is used for movement on flat ground, then movement speed is improved, but the ability to overcome obstacles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemovement speedVSAvoidability to overcome obstacles
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mechanical leg structure changeable between different configurations. The leg can dynamically switch between a wheel-supported configuration for fast movement on flat ground and a jumping configuration with extended retractable members to overcome obstacles. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt its structure based on the terrain requirements, resolving the contradiction between speed and obstacle-crossing ability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the mechanical leg structure is simplified for easy manufacture, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the passage capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidpassage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mechanical leg into distinct functional modules: a frame, retractable members, driving members, and wheels. Each module can be manufactured independently and then assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining the complex functionality needed for both rolling and jumping modes. The segmented design allows for easier production of each component without compromising the overall passage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4119427B1Mechanical leg and wheeled mobile device
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP4119427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4119427B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4119427B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A mechanical leg and a wheeled mobile device, pertaining to the field of smart wheeled mobile devices. The mechanical leg comprises a frame (1), a retractable member (2), wheels (3), an extension/retraction driving member (4), a travel driving member (5), an auxiliary leg (6), and an auxiliary wheel (7). The extension/retraction driving member (4) is located on a side portion of the frame (1). The retractable member (2) is connected to the extension/retraction driving member (4). The wheel (3) is connected to the retractable member (2). The wheel (3) is further connected to the travel driving member (5). A first end of the auxiliary leg (6) is connected to the auxiliary wheel (7). A second end of the auxiliary leg (6) is located on the frame (1). The retractable member (2) extends or retracts under a driving action of the extension/retraction driving member (4) so as to drive the wheel (3) to jump. The wheel (3) moves under a driving action of the travel driving member (5). When the auxiliary wheel (7) contacts the ground, the mechanical leg moves under a rolling action of the wheels (3) and the auxiliary wheel (7). The mechanical leg can move quickly on flat ground, and when encountering an obstacle, the mechanical leg can also jump passed the obstacle, thereby improving the traveling performance of the mechanical leg.