Robotic Platform Wheel Assembly with External Power Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional caster wheels for robotic platforms face issues such as exposure to harsh environments, limited maneuverability due to wire entanglement, and increased risk of damage from impacts when power and brake assemblies are located within the wheel circumference.
Innovation Solution
The robotic platform features a power assembly and brake assembly positioned outside the wheel circumference, with independent drive motors and a bevel gear arrangement allowing 360-degree rotation and differential drive for enhanced steering and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the power assembly is positioned within the circumference of the wheel, then the structure is compact, but the power assembly is exposed to harsh environmental conditions and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The power assembly is extracted from the wheel circumference and positioned externally on the robotic platform. This extraction resolves the contradiction by protecting the power assembly from harsh environmental conditions and impacts while maintaining a compact overall structure through external mounting arrangements.
2Device complexity
If electrical wires are routed to the power assembly within the wheel, then the connection is simple, but the wheel cannot rotate 360 degrees without wire entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The power assembly is extracted from the wheel circumference and positioned externally, eliminating the wire entanglement problem. The external positioning allows the wheel to rotate 360 degrees freely without electrical wires running through the wheel hub, thus resolving the contradiction between connection simplicity and maneuverability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the power assembly is located within the wheel circumference, then the installation is straightforward, but the assembly is susceptible to damage from falls or drops
Solution Approach 1:
The power assembly is extracted from the vulnerable wheel circumference and positioned in a protected location on the robotic platform. This extraction resolves the contradiction by providing impact resistance against falls or drops while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized external mounting interfaces.
4Volume of moving object
If the brake assembly is positioned within the wheel circumference, then the braking mechanism is compact, but the brake is exposed to environmental conditions and impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The brake assembly is extracted from the wheel circumference and positioned externally on the robotic platform. This extraction resolves the contradiction by protecting the brake from environmental conditions and impacts while maintaining a compact overall structure through external mounting arrangements.
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 protects the power assembly from environmental conditions and impacts, enables free 360-degree rotation without wire entanglement, and provides improved steering and maneuverability through differential drive capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The bevel gear may couple the first drive shaft end to the axle such that rotation of the drive shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the caster wheel about the drive axis
Data Source
AI summary
A robotic platform may include a chassis, left and right wheel assemblies, and a controller. The left and right wheel assemblies may include a caster wheel, a motor, a shaft, and a bevel gear. The wheel may be mounted to an axle for rotation about a drive axis and steering about a steering axis. The drive shaft may have one end coupled to the axle and another end wrapped by a respective belt to control rotation of the shaft about the steering axis. The bevel gear may couple the shaft to the axle so rotation of the shaft about the steering axis controls rotation of the wheel about the drive axis to drive the platform in a substantially horizontal direction. The controller may control the left and right drive motors independently, to provide differential drive. Various other assemblies, robots, and methods are also disclosed.