Segmented Wheel Connector Structure for Stair Climbing Without Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheels with rubber tires, while flexible enough to climb stairs, face issues with deflection and surface-friction between connecting beams and plates, leading to wear and the need for lubrication.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design featuring a frame that rotates about an axial direction, an absorber coupled radially outward, and a connector that moves along radial directions and rotates on a plane crossing the axial direction, eliminating the need for oil lubrication and reducing surface-frictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rubber tire with sufficient flexibility is used to climb stairs, then the wheel can overcome continuous obstacles like stairs, but the tire may be bent by distortion force when the wheel is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The tire is divided into multiple blocks (first block, second block, third block) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows each block to adapt to the ground surface while maintaining overall structural stability, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for stair climbing and stability during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with movable portions that allow dynamic adjustment between the blocks and the frame. The movable connector enables the tire structure to adapt its configuration during rotation, maintaining stability while preserving the flexibility needed to overcome obstacles like stairs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a beam structure is used to prevent wheel deflection, then the wheel maintains structural stability, but surface-frictions occur between the beam and plate leading to wear and bolt unfastening
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates movable portions that allow dynamic adjustment and rotation, eliminating static friction points. This dynamic design prevents surface-friction wear between components while maintaining the structural stability needed to prevent wheel deflection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's movable portions change the operational parameters from fixed rigid connections to adjustable dynamic connections. This parameter change reduces friction and wear while maintaining sufficient structural stability to prevent wheel deflection.
3Reliability
If oil is injected to solve frictions between beam and plate, then surface-frictions are reduced, but oil spatter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical friction-reduction method (oil lubrication) with a structural solution (movable connector design). The movable portions reduce friction through controlled movement rather than lubrication, eliminating oil spatter while maintaining friction reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable connector serves itself by using its own movement to reduce friction, eliminating the need for external lubrication. This self-service mechanism reduces friction between components without generating oil spatter, as no oil is required in the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment wheel includes a frame configured to rotate about an axial direction, an absorber coupled to a side of the frame in a radially outward direction, and a connector connecting the absorber and the frame, wherein a first portion of the connector is configured to be movable along the radially outward direction and a radially inward direction of the frame, and a second portion of the connector is configured to be rotatable on a plane that crosses the axial direction.