IP Library Granted Patent US 11,267,283
Granted Patent B2
US 11,267,283 · App. 16/376,981 · Granted Mar 8, 2022

Omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system

Inventor: Ricky Jukuei Hsu (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
B60B19/003B60B19/006B60B2900/931B60K7/0007B60K17/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,267,283
App. No.
16/376,981
Granted
Mar 8, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to an omni-direction wheel system and methods for controlling the omni-direction wheel system. The omni-direction wheel system includes a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another. Each suspension system may include an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub. The suspension system may further include an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis.

Claims (28)

1. An omni-direction wheel system having a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another, each suspension system comprising:

an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub; and

an in-wheel motor configured to rotate with the wheel and drive the wheel about a horizontal axis;

wherein the suspension system further comprises a smart tire mounted on the wheel and configured to morph into different configurations based on one or more conditions, wherein the smart tire and the in-wheel motor form a modular unit;

wherein the suspension system further comprises a torque arm for controlling a range of motion of the smart tire, a magnetic-controlled shock damper for controlling an elevation change of the smart tire, a main strut for controlling compression, and a rotary damping wheel hub for damping a rotation of the smart tire;

wherein the main strut is pivotably coupled to the torque arm and the rotary damping wheel hub.

2. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 1 , wherein the magnetic controlled shock damper is configured to control the elevation change based on terrain information provided by a sensor.

3. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic controlled shock damper is configured to move a vehicle body toward a level orientation when the terrain information indicates a gradient or traverse angle.

4. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 2 , wherein the magnetic controlled shock damper is configured to exert a vertical force responsive to a control signal.

5. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 1 , wherein the smart tire comprises a plurality of reconfigurable scales.

6. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of reconfigurable scales are configured to modified to adjust at least one of a structure of the smart tire, a density of the smart tire, or a ground pressure of the smart tire.

7. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 5 , wherein modifying the plurality of reconfigurable scales comprises changing at least one of a tread pattern or a sidewall pattern of the smart tire by modifying an arrangement of the plurality of reconfigurable scales.

8. The omni-direction wheel system of claim 3 , wherein modifying the structure of the smart tire comprises adjusting an aspect ratio of the smart tire.

9. A suspension system comprising:

an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees about a vertical axis based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub;

an in-wheel motor configured to drive the wheel about a horizontal axis;

a smart tire mounted on the wheel and configured to morph into different configurations based on one or more conditions, wherein the smart tire and the in-wheel motor form a modular unit; and

a torque arm for controlling a range of motion of the smart tire, a magnetic-controlled shock damper for controlling an elevation change of the smart tire, a main strut for controlling compression, and a rotary damping wheel hub for damping a rotation of the smart tire;

wherein the smart tire comprises a plurality of reconfigurable scales configured to be modified to adjust at least one of a structure of the smart tire, a density of the smart tire, or a ground pressure of the smart tire.

10. A vehicle comprising:

one or more sensors configured to obtain information related to one or more conditions associated with the vehicle or an environment of the vehicle;

an omni-direction wheel system having a plurality of suspension systems that operate independently of one another, each suspension system comprising an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub; and

a processor configured to process the information obtained from the one or more sensors to control the omni-direction wheel system;

wherein the smart tire comprises a plurality of reconfigurable scales.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the omni-direction wheel system is configured to rotate each wheel to such that the vehicle is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle.

12. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the suspension system further comprises a smart tire configured to morph into different configurations based on the one or more conditions, an electromagnetic steering hub configured to rotate a wheel 360 degrees based on a polarity of an electromagnetic signal applied to the electromagnetic steering hub, a torque arm for controlling a range of motion of the smart tire, a magnetic-controlled shock damper for controlling an elevation change of the smart tire, a main strut for controlling compression, and a rotary damping wheel hub for damping a rotation of the smart tire.

13. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the suspension system further comprises an in-wheel motor, wherein the smart tire and the in-wheel motor form a modular unit.

14. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of reconfigurable scales are configured to be modified to adjust at least one of a structure of the smart tire, a density of the smart tire, or a ground pressure of the smart tire based on the information obtained from the one or more sensors.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 11, 2019
From: HSU, RICKY JUKUEI
To: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 048864/0150 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200316987A1 · Oct 8, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,515,749