A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include an outer ring coupled to the outer rim and defining a closeable gap with adjacent interior portions of the inner rim to define a mechanical stop to limit relative movement of the inner rim and outer rim.

A high temperature-resistant wheel, comprising: an elastic hub assembly (1), which has a thermal insulation layer integrated therewith so as to insulate the elastic hub assembly (1) from exterior high temperatures; and a rigid wheel barbed ring (2), which has the elastic hub assembly (1) fastened inside and rotates together with the elastic hub assembly (1). A robot, which comprises the high temperature-resistant wheel.

An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.

A wheel comprises a rim, a hub and a suspension unit. The wheel incorporates or is connectable to a torque source capable of producing torques up to a maximal torque for rotating the wheel around a rotation-axis. In this invention, the suspension unit includes at least one structural member, provided at least partially between the rim and the hub, configured to change in size and/or shape, relative to a nominal size and/or shape thereof, during displacements and/or rotations of the hub relative to a center point of the rim. The suspension unit also includes at least one motion resisting component adapted to retain the structural member at the nominal size and/or shape thereof under torques smaller than the maximal torque.

A wheel comprises a rim, a hub and a suspension unit. The wheel incorporates or is connectable to a torque source capable of producing torques up to a maximal torque for rotating the wheel around a rotation-axis. In this invention, the suspension unit includes at least one structural member, provided at least partially between the rim and the hub, configured to change in size and/or shape, relative to a nominal size and/or shape thereof, during displacements and/or rotations of the hub relative to a center point of the rim. The suspension unit also includes at least one motion resisting component adapted to retain the structural member at the nominal size and/or shape thereof under torques smaller than the maximal torque.

A wheel with an intelligent suspension system that includes a hub, a rim and a set of spokes with dynamically adjustable spoke lengths. Further included is one or more sensors associated with at least the hub and the rim and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that receives sensory signals from the one or more sensors, and transmits control signals to the set of spokes to dynamically control spoke lengths of the set of spokes.

A wheel with an intelligent suspension system that includes a hub, a rim and a set of spokes with dynamically adjustable spoke lengths. Further included is one or more sensors associated with at least the hub and the rim and a microcontroller unit (MCU) that receives sensory signals from the one or more sensors, and transmits control signals to the set of spokes to dynamically control spoke lengths of the set of spokes.

Provided is a tire capable of improving the ride comfort. The tire comprises: a case portion comprising: an inner cylindrical member; an outer cylindrical member surrounding the inner cylindrical member from a tire radial outer side; and a plurality of connecting members arranged between the inner cylindrical member and the outer cylindrical member and connecting the two cylindrical members; and a tread portion having a tread rubber disposed on a tire radial outer side of the outer cylindrical member, wherein: when a portion of the tread rubber located on a tire radial outer side of a junction of the connecting members joined to the outer cylindrical member is defined as a tread rubber junction, a JIS hardness of a first portion of the tread rubber inclusive of the tread rubber junction is smaller than a JIS hardness of a second portion of the tread rubber other than the first portion.

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. An inboard flange may extend radially outward from an inboard side of the inner rim to define an inboard mechanical stop with the outer rim. An outboard flange may be spaced from the inboard flange and extend radially outward from an outboard side of the inner rim to define an outboard mechanical stop with the outer rim.