Spherical drive system

• US 8,459,383 B1
• Filed: 07/07/2011
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel Burget
• Original Assignee: Daniel Burget
• Inventors: Burget, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Scharich, Marc A
• Application Number:
  US13/178,259
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 180/6.2, 180/7.1, 180/7.2, 301/5.23
• US Class Current: 180/7.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 19/003 Multidirectional wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 19/14 Ball-type wheels B60B19/06 takes precedence

Abstract

A spherical drive system for a vehicle providing movement in multiple directions. The spherical drive system can be maneuvered either by a system of driven omnidirectional wheels or by an electromagnetic field. One embodiment includes two pairs of omnidirectional drive wheels working in complement to each other providing multi-directional movement by way of electronic motors which are wired to a controller. A spherical tire will reside within the shell and will be in direct contact with the omnidirectional drive and stabilizer wheels. The spherical tire will work in tandem with the omnidirectional drive and stabilizer wheels moving the vehicle in the appropriate direction. Another embodiment is driven by an electromagnetic field created with magnets placed inside the spherical wheel and electromagnets placed on an outer shell. The electromagnetic field will drive the spherical wheel moving the vehicle in the appropriate direction.

Claims

1. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle, which assembly comprises:

two pairs of omnidirectional drive wheels wherein each said omnidirectional drive wheel complements each other within said pair wherein each said omnidirectional drive wheel is connected to an electronic motor which motor is wired to a controller to move said drive wheel;

an outer shell, wherein said omnidirectional drive wheels attached to said outer shell contains a hollow encasing;

a spherical tire, said tire enclosed within said outer shell; and

a plurality of omnidirectional stabilizer wheels attached to a lower component of said outer shell.

2. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said omnidirectional drive wheel is secured to mounts on said outer shell.

3. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pairs of said omnidirectional drive wheels with guide rollers axis parallel to tangent of said omnidirectional drive wheel work in a continuous sequence with one another to move the assembly in any direction.

4. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said omnidirectional drive wheels are in direct contact with said spherical tire to generate directional movement.

5. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller is attached to said vehicle or directly mounted on the assembly.

6. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer shell contains upper and lower components which are removably latched together.

7. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein said outer shell contains brackets on an outer edge of the outer shell to attach to shocks of said vehicle.

8. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 6 wherein said upper component of said outer shell has four mounts that said omnidirectional drive wheels and said electrical motor are securely attached.

9. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spherical tire is composed of rubber material.

10. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 9 wherein said spherical tire is housed within said outer shell providing directional movement of said omni directional wheel assembly.

11. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein said omnidirectional stabilizer wheels are mounted onto said lower component of said outer shell.

12. An omni directional wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 11 wherein said omnidirectional stabilizer wheels with guide rollers parallel to tangent of said omnidirectional stabilizer wheels are in direct contact with said spherical tire to control movement and stabilize said assembly.

13. A spherical wheel assembly for a vehicle, wherein assembly comprises:

an outer shell, with plurality of electromagnets placed at specific points on said outer shell;

a spherical tire, said spherical tire enclosed within said outer shell;

a plurality of magnets strategically placed at specific points inside said spherical tire, wherein said electromagnets on said outer shell correspond with said magnets on said spherical tire;

and a frame encircling said outer shell.

14. A spherical wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein said outer shell is comprised of upper and lower components which are removably latched together.

15. A spherical wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein said outer shell is composed of a non-iron aluminum alloy.

16. A spherical wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein said spherical tire is composed of a rubber material.

17. A spherical wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein assembly includes a plurality of bearings between said outer shell and said spherical tire that serve to reduce friction and keep said spherical tire in the center of said outer shell.

18. A spherical wheel assembly for a vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein said frame is equipped with air ride suspension.