Propulsion mechanism having spherical ball
AssigneeDelphi Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark A. Koors, Andrew R. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A propulsion mechanism is provided for driving a vehicle having a frame and socket. The propulsion mechanism has a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage the ground surface. First and second powered drive members are frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle. The first and second powered drive members drive the spherical ball in first and second directions and may be operated simultaneously.
Claims17
A propulsion mechanism for driving a vehicle having a frame and a socket provided in the frame, said propulsion system comprising:
- a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage a surface;
- a first powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle;
- a second powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle, wherein the first powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a first direction and the second powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a second directions;
- a first friction reducing load member located substantially on the opposite side of the spherical ball from the first drive member;
- and
- a second friction reducing load member located substantially on the opposite side of the spherical ball from the second drive member.
A propulsion mechanism for driving a vehicle having a frame and a socket provided in the frame, said propulsion system comprising:
- a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage a surface;
- a first powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle;
- a second powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle, wherein the first powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a first direction and the second powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a second direction;
- and
- a friction reducing member located between the spherical ball and the frame of the vehicle.
A propulsion mechanism for driving a vehicle having a frame and a socket provided in the frame, said propulsion system comprising:
- a spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage a surface;
- a first powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle;
- and
- a second powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle, wherein the first powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a first direction and the second powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a second direction, and wherein the first direction is offset from the second direction.
A propulsion mechanism for driving a vehicle having a frame and a socket provided in the frame, said propulsion mechanism comprising:
- a spherical ball disposed in the socket;
- a friction reducing member disposed between the spherical ball and the frame for allowing the spherical ball to rotate relative to the frame;
- and
- a powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to drive the vehicle.
A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
- a socket provided in the frame;
- a first spherical ball disposed within the socket and adapted to frictionally engage a surface;
- a friction reducing assembly disposed between the spherical ball and the frame for allowing the spherical ball to rotate relative to the frame;
- a first powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and powered to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle;
- and
- a second powered drive member frictionally engaged with the spherical ball and actuatable to rotate the spherical ball to propel the vehicle, wherein the first powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a first direction and the second powered drive member drives the spherical ball in a second direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.