360-Degree Rotatable Wheel Assembly for Heavy Mobility Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheels are limited to rotating left or right, restricting their application to heavy mobilities like vehicles due to the large magnetic force required for 360-degree rotation in magnetic levitation systems.
Innovation Solution
A 360-degree rotating wheel apparatus featuring a cap unit, an in-wheel driving unit, and an angle adjustment unit that allows the wheel to rotate 360 degrees around a vertical axis, increasing the traveling range and usability of the mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a magnetic levitation system is used to enable 360-degree wheel rotation, then the traveling range and usability of mobility are improved, but the magnetic force required becomes very large making it inapplicable to heavy mobilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic levitation system with a mechanical suspension system. The cap unit is suspended from the housing via suspension members that allow the cap unit to rotate 360 degrees around the vertical axis. This mechanical approach eliminates the need for large magnetic forces while achieving the same rotational mobility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating principle from magnetic force-based levitation to gravity-based suspension. By using the gravitational force and mechanical linkages instead of electromagnetic forces, the system can support heavy mobilities while maintaining 360-degree rotational capability.
2Force
If conventional wheels are used that only rotate left or right, then the magnetic force requirement is reduced, but the turning radius is fixed and traveling range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic rotational capability to the wheel system. The cap unit can rotate 360 degrees around the vertical axis in addition to the conventional left-right rotation, transforming the fixed turning radius system into a dynamically adaptable one with variable turning radii and multi-directional movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new rotational dimension to the conventional two-dimensional wheel rotation. By enabling 360-degree rotation around the vertical axis, the system transitions from planar movement to three-dimensional orientational control, allowing movement in multiple directions and significantly increasing traveling range.
3Weight of moving object
If a 360-degree rotatable wheel is designed with cap unit and suspension system, then the system becomes applicable to heavy vehicles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wheel assembly into distinct functional modules: the housing, the cap unit, the suspension members, and the in-wheel motor. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates maintenance and manufacturing, reducing the practical complexity despite the enhanced functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap unit serves multiple functions: it houses the in-wheel motor, provides the rotating interface for 360-degree movement, and connects to the housing via suspension members. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving heavy vehicle applicability.
Data Source
AI summary
A 360-degree rotating wheel apparatus may include a cap unit defining a driving space at a lower side of the cap unit; an in-wheel driving unit provided in the driving space in the cap unit and configured to generate a driving force during operation thereof; and an angle adjustment unit coupling the in-wheel driving unit and the cap unit to each other and configured to cause the in-wheel driving unit to rotate in a circumferential direction of the cap unit so that a traveling direction of the 360-degree rotating wheel apparatus determined according to operation of the in-wheel driving unit is changed by 360 degrees around a vertical axis, increasing the traveling range of the wheel apparatus, and which is easily applicable to a mobility to be improved in usability thereof.