Internal drive wheel and related devices
View Patent ↗A wheel having a rim support structure that affords access to a load connection structure within the wheel. The load connection structure may be configured for movement in response to a force. A rotatable mount bracket is provided on the rim support structure and guides movement of the load connection structure. Embodiments of the wheel device may include internal drive and non-internal drive, roller- and gear-based driving, access on one or both sides of the wheel device, and other features.
1 . A wheel device, comprising:
a rim having an axis of rotation;
a movable mount bracket that is configured to be rotatable relative to the rim, the degree of rotation of the mount bracket being fully independent from the degree of rotation of the rim; and
a load connect structure that is pivotally coupled to the mount bracket such that the load connect structure is configured to pivot relative to the mount bracket about a pivoting axis, and such that the mount bracket is configured to guide the load connect structure to move up and down;
wherein the mount bracket rotates coaxially with the axis of rotation of the rim and remains coaxial with the rim during up and down movement of the load connect structure; and
wherein the pivoting axis between the load connect structure and mount bracket is non-coaxial with the axis of rotation of the rim;
further comprising a rim support structure coupled to the rim, wherein the mount bracket is rotatably coupled to the rim support structure; and
wherein the rim support structure comprises an access opening within the rim support structure, wherein the load connect structure is accessible through the access opening, and wherein the mount bracket is rotatably coupled to the rim support structure adjacent the access opening and configured for rotational movement relative to the rim support structure.
2 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a drive mechanism configured to achieve a driving of the rim, wherein the drive mechanism is mounted on the mount bracket, on the load connect structure, or on an interconnecting sled structure that interconnects and positions the drive mechanism and that is pivotally coupled to the mount bracket or load connect structure.
3 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a drive mechanism that includes at least one of a roller, gear and pulley;
wherein at least one of the roller, gear and pulley are configured to achieve a driving of the rim.
4 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a shock absorber that receives a compressive force from the load connect structure and returns the load connect structure to an at-rest position in the absence of a compressive force.
5 . The device of claim 4 , wherein in the presence of a compressive force on the load connect structure, the load connect structure moves down relative to the rim, the shock absorber compresses and the mount bracket rotates.
6 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a second rim support structure coupled to the rim and rotatably coupled to the mount bracket, wherein the rim support structure is on one side of the wheel and the second rim support structure is on the other side of the wheel.
7 . The device of claim 6 , further comprising a second access opening within the second rim support structure, wherein the load connect structure is accessible through at least one of the first and second access openings.
8 . The device of claim 2 , further comprising a motor for driving the drive mechanism.
9 . The device of claim 2 , further comprising a drive shaft which receives rotating force from an external drive source to drive the drive mechanism.
10 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the drive mechanism drives the rim via a rim support structure.
11 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising a motor configured to achieve a driving of the rim, wherein the motor is mounted on the mount bracket.
12 . An internal drive wheel device, comprising:
a rim having an axis of rotation;
a rim support structure coupled to the rim and defining a first access opening;
a rotatable mount bracket coupled to the rim support structure adjacent the first access opening and configured for rotational movement relative to the rim support structure; and
a load connect structure that is accessible through the first access opening and configured to move up and down in response to a shock force;
a shock absorber that receives a compressive force from the load connect structure and returns the load connect structure to an at-rest position in the absence of that compressive force;
a drive mechanism configured to achieve a driving of the rim; and
a drive motor that drives the drive mechanism to in turn drive the rim;
wherein, in the presence of a compressive force, the load connect structure moves down relative to the rim, the shock absorber compresses and the mount bracket rotates, the load connect structure and the shock absorber move with the mount bracket.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the drive mechanism is coupled to the rim to drive the rim.
14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the drive mechanism drives the rim via a rim support structure.