A transformable wheel module is disclosed. The transformable wheel module comprises: a plurality of lobes; and a mode switching unit for switching modes between a first traveling mode in which the lobes are coupled in a ring shape and a second traveling mode in which the lobes are separated from each other, wherein the mode switching unit can include: a first rotary link; a second rotary link positioned on the same rotational axis as the first rotary link; a plurality of first connecting links for individually connecting the first rotary link and the lobes; a plurality of second connecting links for individually connecting the second rotary link and the lobes; a first driving motor for rotating the first rotary link; and a second driving motor for rotating the second rotary link.

A caster wheel assembly for an outdoor power equipment machine includes a wheel mount and provides a double bell-shaped caster wheel including two bell-shaped halves, each bell-shaped half includes a central hub, a smooth transition portion, an outer circumferential rim, and a planar face. A ground contacting tread can be provided by the outer circumferential rims. A ground contacting tread can be provided by a resilient tread ring positioned between the two bell-shaped halves.

An apparatus equipped with a moving tool includes a base and the moving tool including a wheel that rolls on a floor surface during movement of the apparatus, and a support unit that is fixed to the base at a position above an upper end of the wheel and that supports the wheel. The base includes a contact portion that is disposed at a position behind the support unit in a moving direction and above the upper end of the wheel, and with which the moving tool comes into contact when the support unit is bent rearward.

An axle-free wheel comprising: an outer rim member having a ground interface on an external surface thereof and an outer ball race or rolling race on an inner surface thereof; an inner rim member having an inner ball or rolling race on an outer surface thereof.

The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of walking mechanisms, and provides a smooth obstacle-crossing walking mechanism, which can provide strong smooth obstacle crossing capability, meanwhile, maintains lower friction loss and higher efficiency, and is suitable for most daily use situations. A smooth obstacle-crossing walking mechanism includes a driving wheel and a contact wheel. The driving wheel has a wheel diameter lower than that of the contact wheel. The driving wheel compresses an inner edge of the contact wheel under gravity. The contact wheel is in contact with the ground surface. When the driving wheel rotates actively, it walks along the inner edge of the contact wheel under the frictional force with the contact wheel. The contact wheel rolls forwards under a pressure and the frictional force of the driving wheel, so as to enable the smooth obstacle-crossing walking mechanism to walk.

A system is provided for retractably deploying traction of a wheel. The system includes a set of grippers, each gripper having a cleat and a radially disposed strut. The system further includes a set of first poles, each first pole coupled to one of the struts, the first pole configured to support motion of its corresponding strut between a parked position and an engaged position, wherein, in the engaged position, the corresponding cleat is axially disposed and engaged against the tread of the wheel and, in the parked position, the corresponding cleat is disengaged from the tread of the wheel. The system includes a first faceplate configured to rotate with the wheel. The system further includes a cleat deployment mechanism having a second faceplate rotatably coupled to the first faceplate, and a set of second poles, each second pole coupled to one of the struts and to the second faceplate.

A vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel, a tire, one or a plurality of protruding elements positioned fully or partially within the tire and a deployment mechanism configured to deploy said one or a plurality of protruding elements out of the tire to a deployed position utilizing pressure within the tire, and configured to retract said one or a plurality of protruding elements from the deployed position to a retracted position.

An axle-free wheel comprising: an outer rim member having a ground interface on an external surface thereof and an outer ball race or rolling race on an inner surface thereof; an inner rim member having an inner ball or rolling race on an outer surface thereof.

The present invention relates to the construction of Mecanum wheels for a robot-operated painting system. The wheels have special characteristics given the difficulties and obstacles where they will be used. They were designed to facilitate the movement of the painting system on vertical and horizontal walls and to avoid coating losses. The Mecanum wheels consist of a set of wheel covers that are used to secure the rollers. The rollers, arranged at 45° and in a cylindrical-convex shape, contain bearings passing through their central axis, and have rollers at the ends of the bearings. The magnetic base is placed between the two wheels, being at an optimal height to exert magnetic force against the surface and to be able to pass over obstacles. Mecanum wheel geometries and materials are designed to be inert to the coating.

A deformable wheel according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of lobes; wheel spokes connected to the plurality of lobes, respectively; and hinges pivotably connecting the wheel spokes to the lobes, wherein the wheel spokes are capable of two degree-of-freedom motion, and the plurality of lobes either form a circular shape due to the two degree-of-freedom motion of the wheel spokes, or separate from each other to form a deformed shape.