Travelling apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11471343-B2
Application number	US-202016838305-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 2, 2020
Priority date	Apr 5, 2019
Publication date	Oct 18, 2022
Grant date	Oct 18, 2022

Abstract

A travelling apparatus having a high travelling performance with a simple structure is provided. A travelling apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a frame; front wheels disposed in a front of the frame; first links configured to be extendable and retractable and coupled between the front wheels and an oscillation axis located in a rear of the front wheels; and first linear motion mechanisms that are coupled between the frame and the first links and are extended and retracted so as to rotate the first links about the oscillation axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A travelling apparatus comprising:
a vehicle body;
a first wheel configured to be disposed in a front of the vehicle body;
a first link configured to be extendable and retractable and coupled between the first wheel and an oscillation axis located in a rear of the first wheel;
a first linear motion mechanism that is coupled between the vehicle body and the first link and is extended and retracted so as to rotate the first link about the oscillation axis;
a first brake configured to restrict rotation of the first link about the oscillation axis;
a second brake configured to restrict extension and retraction of the first link;
a second wheel configured to be disposed in a rear of the first wheel;
a driving mechanism configured to raise and lower the second wheel;
a third wheel configured to be disposed in a rear of the second wheel; and
a second link configured to couple together the second wheel and the third wheel;
wherein the driving mechanism is a second linear motion mechanism that is coupled between the second link and the vehicle body and rotates the second link; and
wherein a dilatant fluid is included in at least one of the second and third wheels.

2. The travelling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the first to third wheels are driving wheels.

3. The travelling apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first wheel, the second wheel, the third wheel, the first linear motion mechanism, and the second linear motion mechanism are arranged on right and left sides of the travelling apparatus and are driven independently on the right and left sides of the travelling apparatus.

4. The travelling apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a wheel brake configured to restrict rotation of the first wheel.

5. A travelling apparatus comprising:
a vehicle body;
a first wheel configured to be disposed in a front of the vehicle body;
a first link configured to be extendable and retractable and coupled between the first wheel and an oscillation axis located in a rear of the first wheel;
a first linear motion mechanism that is coupled between the vehicle body and the first link and is extended and retracted so as to rotate the first link about the oscillation axis;
a first brake configured to restrict rotation of the first link about the oscillation axis;
a second brake configured to restrict extension and retraction of the first link;
a second wheel configured to be disposed in a rear of the first wheel;
a driving mechanism configured to raise and lower the second wheel;
a third wheel configured to be disposed in a rear of the second wheel;
a second link configured to couple together the second wheel and the third wheel;
an in-wheel motor provided in one of the second and third wheels; and
a transmission mechanism configured to transmit a driving force of the in-wheel motor to the other one of the second and third wheels;
wherein the driving mechanism is a second linear motion mechanism that is coupled between the second link and the vehicle body and rotates the second link; and
wherein at least two of the first to third wheels are driving wheels.

6. A travelling apparatus capable of climbing up and going down a step, the travelling apparatus comprising:
a vehicle body;
a wheel having a dilatant fluid included therein;
a first wheel;
a second wheel configured to be disposed in a rear of the first wheel;
a third wheel configured to be disposed in a rear of the second wheel; and
a driving mechanism configured to move the first wheel upward or downward;
wherein at least one of the second wheel and the third wheel is a wheel having the dilatant fluid included therein.

Assignees

• Toyota Motor Co Ltd
• Univ Tokyo

Inventors

• Takahata Tomoyuki
• Kosaka Yusuke
• Izuo Takashi

Classifications

• A61G5/061 Primary

  for climbing stairs · CPC title

• A61G5/1051

  Arrangements for steering · CPC title

• A61G5/063

  with eccentrically mounted wheels · CPC title

• A61G5/1013

  engaging the wheel · CPC title

• A61G5/1059

  adjusting the height of the seat · CPC title