All-terrain robotic omni-directional drive assembly
OwnerDonald Dixoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A main ellipsoidal drive element is provided including a buoyant internal chamber. The main ellipsoidal drive element defines a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface. A drive engagement element is mounted to the first ellipsoid end portion and selectively transfers rotational drive to the main ellipsoidal drive element around the main ellipsoid axis. A plurality of roller elements are mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of the main ellipsoidal element. Each of the roller elements are orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to the main ellipsoid axis direction.
Claims19
An all-terrain drive assembly comprising:
- a robotic drive platform including an upper platform surface and a side platform periphery;
- a drive motor;
- a first drive engagement element;
- a drive transfer chamber in communication with said drive motor and said drive engagement element, said drive transfer chamber transferring drive from said drive motor to said drive engagement element;
- at least one omni-wheel drive assembly mounted to said side periphery, each of said omni-wheel drive assembly comprising:
- a main ellipsoidal drive element defining a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface, said drive engagement element mounted to said first ellipsoid end portion and selectively transferring rotational drive to said main ellipsoidal drive element around said main ellipsoid axis;
- a plurality of roller elements mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of said main ellipsoidal element, each of said roller elements orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to said main ellipsoid axis direction.
An all-terrain drive assembly comprising:
- a robotic drive platform including an upper platform surface and a side platform periphery;
- a plurality of omni-wheel drive assemblies mounted to said side periphery, each of said omni-wheel drive assemblies comprising:
- a main ellipsoidal drive element defining a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface;
- a plurality of fin elements positioned on said outer ellipsoid surface, each of said fin elements orientated parallel to said main ellipsoid axis.
An all-terrain drive assembly comprising:
- a robotic drive platform including an upper platform surface and a side platform periphery;
- three omni-wheel drive assemblies mounted to said side platform periphery and positioned at 120 degree intervals, each of said three omni-wheel drive assemblies selectively activated, each of said omni-wheel drive assemblies comprising:
- a drive motor;
- a first drive engagement element;
- a drive transfer chamber in communication with said drive motor and said drive engagement element, said drive transfer chamber transferring drive from said drive motor to said drive engagement element;
- a main ellipsoidal drive element defining a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface, said drive engagement element mounted to said first ellipsoid end portion and selectively transferring rotational drive to said main ellipsoidal drive element around said main ellipsoid axis;
- and
- a plurality of roller elements mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of said main ellipsoidal element, each of said roller elements orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to said main ellipsoid axis direction.
An omni-wheel drive assembly comprising:
- a main ellipsoidal drive element defining a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface, said main ellipsoidal drive element providing rotational drive around said main ellipsoid axis;
- and
- a plurality of roller elements mounted around a minor ellipsoid periphery of said main ellipsoidal element, each of said roller elements orientated to provide friction reduced rolling in a main ellipsoid axis direction and traction perpendicular to said main ellipsoid axis direction.
An omni-wheel drive assembly comprising:
- an oblong main ellipsoid drive element defining a main ellipsoid axis, a minor ellipsoid plane, a first ellipsoid end portion, a second ellipsoid end portion, and an outer ellipsoid surface, said main ellipsoidal drive element providing rotational drive around said main ellipsoid axis;
- and
- a plurality of fin elements positioned on said outer ellipsoid surface, each of said fin elements orientated parallel to said main ellipsoid axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.