Drive mechanism with high runnability for all-directional movement

All-directional movement with a simple mechanism!
Run in any direction on uneven ground!

Overview

Invention of drive mechanism for all-directional movement suitable in a small area

All-directional movement with simple mechanism
　Conventional : Complex & large drive mechanism Need to control many inputs by synchronization
　Invention : Simple & small with only 5 components All-directional movement by simply changing the rotation speed ratio of 2 inputs

Excellent step traversability & runnability
　Traversability: Experimental confirmation of traversing a step having the same height as the wheel radius
　　　　　⇒ Able to climb over indoor thresholds and carpets
　Runnability: ① Even 1 wheel spins out, the other wheels will move
　　　　　⇒ Runs even on uneven flooring and outdoor surfaces
② Magnetic cog-wheel with non-contact gear is used for power transmission
　　　　　⇒ Runs in dusty and large temperature gap environments
　　　　　⇒ Able to operate in sanitary environment where machine oil is not appropriated

Features・Outstandings

Product Application

・Care and welfare industry: all-directional wheelchair and mobility scooter
- Elevator in apartment complex → Narrow hallway → All-directional mobility scooter to reach the entrance
- Indoor mobility to be used in Japanese houses with threshold and many steps
- All-directional wheelchair that helps caregiver by moving easily side to bed/bath
・Factory automation industry: product transportation in factories
- For access to narrow areas when transporting products between machine tools where re-layout is difficult
- Transportation in environment where oil-less is required due to hygiene
requirements, such as food, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical plants
・Domestic robot, smart mobility, etc.

IP Data

IP No.　 ： JP2018-522345 & several international applications
Inventor ： Kenjiro TADAKUMA et al.
keyword ： Measurement, Machine, Control