4403 Teaser: Cirowheels

[ROULT]

Hi!!

This year, alongside with our robot, we designed and built custom wheels.

These wheels have integrated suspension, achieved with plastic leaf springs in the rims of the wheels, and roughtop thread in the circumference of the wheels.

Check them out and comment here if you have any questions. :)

Video: here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXh2aiaGkFo)

[sanddrag]

Very cool!

[Tom Line]

That's pretty neat. Did you take your inspiration from anywhere in particular? I know polaris is using airless wheels

http://images.hgmsites.net/lrg/polaris-sportsman-wv850-h-o-with-airless-tires_100446264_l.jpg

And there were a large number of iterations before those like the Michelin Tweel:

http://airless-tire.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/TweelAudi02-1024x682.jpg

[hrench]

Amazing. Bumpers?

[JamesCH95]

What happens if someone t-bones your robot?

Does the flexibility of the wheels allow your robot to violate the bumper rules?

[DaveL]

Very cleaver design!
You are following in NASA's foot steps.

They developed a mesh wheel for the Lunar Rover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mq7LG9Mq_M

At 2:05 and at 2:27-2:30 you can see the wheels.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwZW4nkz51A

Best ride ever!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EliLP5uEYAU

I kept digging and found some updated designs.
Dave

Michelin tweel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGoPN-QSblk

Humvee tweel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0xNzXTOXkE

Not to be undone, Bridgestone has them available for carts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTKEN07C2E8

Loop spoke wheels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPKY1pFyqu8

ShockWheel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O11hFiu43RQ

[ROULT]

Thanks everybody for watching!

Yes, indeed we were inspired by airless tires...

We had not seen many of the one you posted here, they are pretty awesome, thanks!!

The concept of using leaf springs was used by my great grand father in the design of airless car wheels, so that was our initial inspiration.


Thanks for the positive comments...

The problem with this wheels is that there is still design iteration to be done, and at Week 3 we decided not to continue in the development of those because of time left... If throughout the season we can perfect them, you will probably see them in action in Oklahoma regional or Championship.

We will definitely have them at our pits, so if courious, go check them out!!

Greetings

[LlNUX]

Really awesome design can't wait to see them at Mexico City Regional :D