Omnidirectional vehicle with offset wheel pairs
US6540039B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K2007/0092
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wheel base or mobile platform providing omnidirectional motion and control. At least two offset wheel assemblies are coupled to a platform that supports a load. Each offset wheel assembly has two wheels that share a common axis and a mechanical link that is pivotally coupled to a pivot point on the rigid platform and supports the two wheels in such a manner that the common axis is displaced from the pivot point. The common axis of the wheels is free to rotate about an axis parallel to the planes of rotation of the wheels. The platform may be turned in any direction specified by a user from any instantaneous configuration or velocity in accordance with a method uniquely specifying a torque to be applied to each of the wheels while each of the wheels is in rolling motion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.