US 7,426,970 B2 · Articulated wheel assemblies and vehicles therewith

Abstract

The disclosed articulated wheel assemblies and associated vehicles, for example wheelchairs, include articulated wheel assemblies with at least one offset connecting arm rotatably attached at one end to a payload platform, for example a seat, and attached at the other end to a linear actuator, where the linear actuator is further connected to a wheel. Embodiments include a rotary actuator for varying the linear actuator swing angle, a rotary actuator for eccentrically rotating a hubless wheel, a linear actuator motor for varying the length of the linear actuator, and a propulsion motor. Embodiments provide omnidirectional motion, stepping action when presented with obstacles, irregular surface negotiation, tight space maneuvering and other features to provide disabled people increased mobility. Alternate embodiments include a payload platform with a support strut, which is rotatably attached to an offset connecting arm and pivotally mounted to a seat.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle, comprising:

a payload platform;
an offset link with a proximal end and a distal end, said offset link proximal end pivotally connected with a vertically aligned pivot axis to said payload platform, and said offset link distal end positioned a horizontal distance from said vertically aligned pivot axis;
a first extendable member with a proximal end, a distal end, a first length and a first extension motor, said first extendable member proximal end pivotally connected to said offset link distal end, wherein said first extension motor changes said first length, and wherein said first length and said vertically aligned pivot axis define a first swing angle;
a first rotating motor connected to said first extendable member and said offset link, wherein said first rotating motor rotates said first extendable member and changes said first swing angle;
a first wheel with a first central axis, said first wheel rotatably connected to said first extendable member distal end;
and
a first drive motor coupled to said first wheel, wherein said first drive motor rotates said first wheel around said first wheel central axis.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Articulated wheel assemblies and vehicles therewith

Life of this patent

Articulated wheel assemblies and vehicles therewith

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20