Segmented Omni-Directional Wheel Assembly via Radial Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wheel designs for omni-directional vehicles are laborious to assemble due to the requirement of precise joining of free rollers, which affects the cylindrical shape and performance if not done correctly.
Innovation Solution
The wheel features an annular member with a joint that can be opened to fit free rollers, secured by a fastener, allowing for efficient assembly without the need for two halves of the annular member, and includes spacers to prevent deformation and ensure an endless shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the annular member is formed as a continuous ring and free rollers are mounted using threaded bolts, then the wheel can be assembled, but the assembly process becomes highly laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member is divided into two separate arcuate members that can be independently manufactured and then joined together. This segmentation allows for easier assembly by eliminating the need for complex threaded bolt fastening of individual free rollers, as the arcuate members are connected using simpler joining mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a radial dimension to the assembly process by using radially extending protrusions and grooves. This dimensional approach allows the arcuate members to be joined in a straightforward radial alignment manner, significantly reducing assembly complexity and time compared to traditional threaded bolt methods.
2Reliability
If the free rollers are joined at high precision to achieve a true cylindrical shape, then the wheel performance is maintained, but the manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the annular member into two arcuate members with standardized joining features, the invention reduces the precision requirements for individual free roller joining. The modular design allows for easier manufacturing while maintaining overall wheel performance through the standardized connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the joining parameters from high-precision threaded bolt fastening to a simpler protrusion-groove interface system. This parameter change reduces manufacturing complexity by allowing for greater tolerance in the joining process while still achieving the required cylindrical shape and wheel performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If the annular member is opened to fit free rollers, then assembly becomes easier, but the endless shape and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The annular member is intentionally segmented into two arcuate members that connect through a joint. This segmentation provides an opening for easy assembly of free rollers while the designed joint structure with protrusions and grooves ensures the endless shape and structural integrity are maintained when connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint structure acts as an intermediary element between the two arcuate members. It provides the necessary connection features (protrusions and grooves) that allow the members to be easily assembled while maintaining the continuous endless shape required for proper wheel function.
Data Source
AI summary
[Task] To allow a wheel that provides a performance required for use in an omni-directional vehicle to be manufactured in an efficient manner.[Solution] An annular member (51) comprises a C-shaped main body (61) and a complementary member (62) defining an endless annular shape jointly with the main body (61), a joint (63) between the main body (61) and complementary member (62) includes mating surfaces that are non-perpendicular to the cross sectional center line of the annular member, and the main body (61) and the complementary member (62) are fixedly joined to each other by using a threaded bolt (64) passed radially through the mating surfaces.