Omnidirectional wheels and associated wheel guards
Technology is provided for wheel guards that can help lift the wheel of a wheeled vehicle, such as a robot, up and over an obstacle. The wheel guard can include a guard member including a ramped surface extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion coupleable to a suspension of a wheel of the vehicle. A pivot mechanism is attached to the first end portion that is coupleable to a chassis of the vehicle, whereby the guard member can pivot with respect to the chassis as the wheel moves up and down.
1. A wheel guard for use on a wheeled vehicle, the wheel guard comprising:
a guard member including a ramped surface extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion coupleable to a suspension of a wheel of the wheeled vehicle; and
a pivot mechanism attached to the first end portion, the pivot mechanism coupleable to a chassis of the wheeled vehicle, whereby the guard member can pivot with respect to the chassis as the wheel moves up and down.
2. The wheel guard of claim 1 , wherein the second end portion is coupleable to an axle of the wheel.
3. The wheel guard of claim 1 , wherein the guard member is a first guard member and further comprising a second guard member positioned opposite the first.
4. The wheel guard of claim 1 , wherein the guard member pivots about a pivot axis substantially parallel with an axis of the wheel.
5. A wheel assembly for use on a wheeled vehicle, the wheel assembly comprising:
a wheel positioned on an axle, the axle coupleable to a suspension of the wheeled vehicle;
a guard member including a ramped surface extending between a first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion being coupled to the axle; and
a pivot mechanism attached to the first end portion and coupleable to a chassis of the wheeled vehicle, whereby the guard member can pivot with respect to the chassis as the wheel moves up and down.
6. The wheel assembly of claim 5 , wherein the guard member pivots about a pivot axis that is substantially parallel with an axis of the wheel.
7. The wheel assembly of claim 6 , wherein the guard member is a first guard member and further comprising a second guard member coupled to the axle opposite the first guard member.
8. The wheel assembly of claim 5 , wherein the wheel is an omnidirectional wheel.