A wheel and a vehicle each having a simple structure and capable of moving over a step while maintaining stability at flat ground traveling are provided. A wheel includes an outer ring that rotates about a wheel rotational axis, an arm drive gear that rotates independently from the outer ring about the wheel rotational axis, and an arm capable of rotating about an arm rotational axis fixed to the outer ring, the arm being configured to partially protrude outside from an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring in a radial direction as the arm drive gear rotates relative to the outer ring in one direction (normal rotational direction) and to be housed inside in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring as the arm drive gear rotates relative to the outer ring in the other direction (reverse rotational direction) opposite to the one direction.

A wheel and a vehicle each having a simple structure and capable of moving over a step while maintaining stability at flat ground traveling are provided. A wheel includes an outer ring that rotates about a wheel rotational axis, an arm drive gear that rotates independently from the outer ring about the wheel rotational axis, and an arm capable of rotating about an arm rotational axis fixed to the outer ring, the arm being configured to partially protrude outside from an outer peripheral surface of the outer ring in a radial direction as the arm drive gear rotates relative to the outer ring in one direction (normal rotational direction) and to be housed inside in the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer ring as the arm drive gear rotates relative to the outer ring in the other direction (reverse rotational direction) opposite to the one direction.

A driving wheel includes: a hub body disposed in a central region of the driving wheel; a plurality of spoke members inserted into the hub body and movable in a radial direction R of the driving wheel relative to the hub body; and link members each having one side coupled to one of the spoke members and the other side coupled to another spoke member disposed adjacent to the spoke member to which the one side of the link member is coupled. In particular, when the spoke members move in the radial direction R, the link members are rotatable about regions coupled to the spoke members.

A driving wheel includes: a first disc provided to be rotatable with respect to a rotary shaft; a second disc provided to be rotatable with respect to the rotary shaft; a plurality of spokes each protruding outward and each having a first side rotatably coupled to the first disc and a second side rotatably coupled to the second disc; a first motor to rotate the first disc; and a second motor to rotate the second disc.

A driving wheel includes: a first disc provided to be rotatable with respect to a rotary shaft; a second disc provided to be rotatable with respect to the rotary shaft; a plurality of spokes each protruding outward and each having a first side rotatably coupled to the first disc and a second side rotatably coupled to the second disc; a first motor to rotate the first disc; and a second motor to rotate the second disc.

An expandable wheel (100) assembly attached to a vehicle includes a circular rim disc (200) operable to receive a plurality of drive members (300) about its circumference. The drive members (300) are pivotally connected to the rim disc (200) and expand outward from the rim disc (200) via sliding levers (500) when a rotational force is applied to the rim disc (200). As a result, the drive members (300) increase the ground clearance and enhance the ability for the vehicle to negotiate variable terrain while also increasing the top velocity of the vehicle. The expandable wheel (100) assembly contracts to a circumferential closed position when the rotational force is removed.

An expandable wheel (100) assembly attached to a vehicle includes a circular rim disc (200) operable to receive a plurality of drive members (300) about its circumference. The drive members (300) are pivotally connected to the rim disc (200) and expand outward from the rim disc (200) via sliding levers (500) when a rotational force is applied to the rim disc (200). As a result, the drive members (300) increase the ground clearance and enhance the ability for the vehicle to negotiate variable terrain while also increasing the top velocity of the vehicle. The expandable wheel (100) assembly contracts to a circumferential closed position when the rotational force is removed.

Disclosed are a folding wheel and a portable appliance. The folding wheel includes: a wheel body, wherein the wheel body include two wheel plates that can be spliced with each other, and a notched area is formed therebetween when the two wheel plates are spliced with each other; a first connecting element disposed in the notched area; a first slide rail mechanism, at least part of which is disposed on the first connecting element, and remaining parts of which are disposed on respective wheel plates, wherein the first slide rail mechanism includes a first rail groove and a first rotating shaft inserted into the first rail groove, such that the two wheel plates can be spliced with or separated from each other along the first rail groove via the first rotating shaft, and can be flipped relative to the first connecting element via the first rotating shaft; the folding wheel is foldable, wherein when the two wheel plates are pulled away from each other, the two wheel plates slide away from each other along the first rail groove. The two wheels may be flipped, wherein when the two wheel plates are folded towards each other, the portable appliance with reduced folded size facilitates the user to pack or carry.

Disclosed are a folding wheel and a portable appliance. The folding wheel includes: a wheel body, wherein the wheel body include two wheel plates that can be spliced with each other, and a notched area is formed therebetween when the two wheel plates are spliced with each other; a first connecting element disposed in the notched area; a first slide rail mechanism, at least part of which is disposed on the first connecting element, and remaining parts of which are disposed on respective wheel plates, wherein the first slide rail mechanism includes a first rail groove and a first rotating shaft inserted into the first rail groove, such that the two wheel plates can be spliced with or separated from each other along the first rail groove via the first rotating shaft, and can be flipped relative to the first connecting element via the first rotating shaft; the folding wheel is foldable, wherein when the two wheel plates are pulled away from each other, the two wheel plates slide away from each other along the first rail groove. The two wheels may be flipped, wherein when the two wheel plates are folded towards each other, the portable appliance with reduced folded size facilitates the user to pack or carry.

A vehicle includes a frame including a front frame part and a rear frame part. An elongated single wheel is rotatably connected to one of the front frame part and the rear frame part. The elongated wheel houses an expansion device including a linkage mechanism adapted to reconfigure a shape of the elongated wheel between a cylindrical shape in top view of the vehicle when the vehicle is traveling in a straight direction and a frustoconical shape in top view of the vehicle in a turning condition of the vehicle.