Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RING GEAR AND BRAKE FOR CENTERLESS WHEEL
FIELD
The embodiments discussed in the present disclosure relate to a ring gear and
a brake for a
centerless wheel.
BACKGROUND
Some wheels have spokes made of tensioned, adjustable metal wires, or some
other
connecting body between the edge and the middle of the wheel. The spokes may
connect a
rim of a particular wheel to a hub of the particular wheel and may help
support an applied
load. Wheels with tensioned spokes may be used in bicycles, wheelchairs,
motorcycles,
automobiles, and other vehicles.
The subject matter claimed in the present disclosure is not limited to
embodiments that
solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those
described
above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example
technology area
where some embodiments described may be practiced.
SUMMARY
In one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the present disclosure
may relate to
centerless wheel assembly that includes a centerless rim including a first
center point laying
in a first plane generally defined by the centerless rim. The centerless wheel
assembly may
also include a centerless ring gear coupled to the centerless rim such that
rotation of the
centerless ring gear causes a corresponding rotation of the centerless rim.
The centerless
ring gear may include a second center point laying in a second plane generally
defined by
the centerless ring gear, and the first plane may be generally parallel to the
second plane.
Additionally, the centerless riruz gear may be shaped to interface with a
drive gear that
drives the centerless ring gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless wheel assembly may include a roller guide shaped and configured to
roll along
the centerless rim.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless rim may include a rail extending towards the first center point.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, a
profile of the roller guide may match a profile of the centerless rim.
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In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
roller guide may be shaped to leave a gap between the roller guide and the
rail during
normal rotation of the centerless wheel assembly.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
.. centerless wheel assembly may include an exoskeleton plate including a
first portion and a
second portion, the roller guide supported by a shaft acting as an axle for
the roller guide,
the shaft; spanning between the first portion and the second portion of the
exoskeleton plate.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless wheel assembly may include a tire coupled to the centerless rim and
concentric
io with the centerless rim, the tire shaped and configured to contact and
roll along ground and
the centerless 4-ear shaped and configured to not contact the ground during
normal rotation
of the centerless wheel assembly.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless wheel assembly may include one or more bolts coupling the
centerless ring gear
is to the centerless rim,
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless wheel assembly may include a bushing around at least one of the one
or more
bolts, the bushing allowing motion between the centerless ring gear and the
centerless rim
based on impeifections in circularity in one of the centerless rim and the
centerless ring ,
20 .. gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless ring gear may be offset from the centerless rim in a direction
parallel to the first
plane to account for imperfections in circularity in one of the centerless rim
and the
centerless ring gear.
25 In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the
present disclosure, the
offset may be located at a place along a circumference of the centerless rim
corresponding
to a greatest imperfection in circularity and a size of the offset corresponds
to a size of the
greatest imperfection in circularity
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
30 first center point and the second center point lie on a line that is
approximately
perpendicular to the first plane.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless gear may include teeth facing a direction generally perpendicular
to the first
plane.
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In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless gear may include teeth facing a direction pointing generally along
the first plane.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless gear may include a helical gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
discle ;ure, the
centerless wheel assembly may include a brake rotor coupled to the centerless
rim.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
brake rotor may be on an opposite side of the centerless rim from the
centerless ring gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
to brake rotor may include a third center point and define a third plane
generally parallel to
the first plane, and the first center point and the third center point may lie
on a line that is
approximately perpendicular to the first plane.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless ring gear and the brake rotor may be part of a single body.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless rim may he composed of a material to function as a heat sink to
dissipate heat
away from the centerless ring gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
centerless wheel assembly may include a drive mechanism coupled to the
centerless ring
gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
drive mechanism may include a manually powered drive gear.
In accordance with one or more centerless wheel assemblies of the present
disclosure, the
drive mechanism may include a drive gear coupled to one of a motor and an
engine.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method of
manufacturing a centerless wheel assembly. The method may include locating a
point along
a circumference of a centerless rim that represents a location of imperfection
in circularity
of the centerless rim. The method may also include determining an offset
amount that
corresponds to the imperfection in circularity of the centerless rim at the
point, and coupling
.. a centerless ring gear to the centerless rim offset from a center point of
the centerless rim
by the offset amount and in a direction running from the center point to the
point.
In accordance with one or more methods of the present disclosure, the point
may represent
a greatest point of imperfection in circularity of the centerless rim.
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In accordance with one or more methods of the present disclosure, coupling the
centerless
ring gear to the centerless rim may include attaching the centerless ring gear
to the
centerless rim via one or more bushings that are configured to allow movement
between
the centerless ring gear and the centerless rim caused by imperfections in
circularity in the
centerless rim.
In accordance with one or more meLhocis of the present disclosure, the method
may also
include coupling a tire to the centerless rim prior to locating the point
along the
circumference of the centerless rim, and the location of imperfection in
circularity of the
centerless rim may include imperfections in circularity in the tire.
In accordance with one or more methods of the present disclosure, the offset
amount may
be approximately half the distance between an expected point along the
circumference of
the centerless rim for perfect circularity and an actual point along the
circumference of the
centerless rim clue to imperfections in circularity.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a centerless
wheel
assembly that includes a centerless rim, and a centerless ring gear coupled to
the centerless
rim such that rotation of the centerless ring gear causes a corresponding
rotation of the
centerless rim, where the centerless ring gear may be generally parallel to
the centerless
rim. The centerless wheel assembly may also include a plurality of bushings
between the
centerless rim and the centerless ring gear to allow movement between the
centerless rim
and the centerless ring gear, and an exoskeleton plate with a first portion
and a second
portion. The centerless wheel assembly may additionally include a roller guide
shaped to
roll along the centerless rim and suspended between the first portion and the
second portion
of the exoskeleton plate, and a drive gear interfaced with the centerless ring
gear, the drive
gear coupled to the exoskeleton plate.
The object and advantages of the present disclosure will be realized and
achieved at least
by the elements, features, and combinations particularly pointed out in the
claims
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the
following detailed
description are given as examples and are explanatory and are not restrictive
of the
invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Example embodiments will be described and explained with additional
specificity and
detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 A illustrates a perspective view of an example centerless wheel
assembly;
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Fitzure 1B illustrates an alternative perspective view of the example
centerless wheel
assembly of Figures IA;
Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of a portion of the centerless
wheel assembly of
Figure 1;
Figure 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of another example
centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure 3B illustrates a perspective view of an additional example centerless
wheel
assembly;
Figure 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of another example
centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an additional
example centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure 4C illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of another example
centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an additional
example centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure IF illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of another example
centerless wheel
assembly;
Figure 5A illustrates a side view of a portion of an example centerless wheel
assembly;
Figure 5B illustrates a side view of a portion of the example centerless wheel
assembly of
Figure 5A;
Figure 5C illustrates a side view of the example centerless wheel assembly of
Figures 5A
and 5B;
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of another example centerless wheel assembly;
Figure 7 illustrates a side view of a portion of an additional example
centerless wheel
assembly;
Figure 8A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an example
centerless wheel
assembly;
Figure 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of another example
centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure 9 illustrates a flow chart of an example method of manufacturing a
centerless wheel
assembly;
Figure 10 illustrates a side view of an example centerless wheel assembly;
=
Figure 11 illustrates a top cutaway view of another example centerless wheel
assembly;
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Figure 12 illustrates an exploded view of an additional example centerless
wheel assembly;
Figure 13A illustrates an exploded view Of another example centerless wheel
assembly;
Figure 13B illustrates a front view of the example centerless wheel assembly
of Figure
13A;
Figure 14A illustrates a first view of an example vehicle utilizing centerless
wheels; and
Figure 14B illustrates a second view of the example vehicle of Figure l 4A .
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The present disclosure relates to a centerless wheel assembly that may include
a centerless
rim and a ring gear coupled to the centerless rim. In some embodiments, the
ring gear may
have a comparable size and orientation as the centerless rim. The ring gear
may be driven
by a drive gear (for example, a small gear coupled to a motor to drive the
larger ring gear).
As the ring gear is driven, the centerless rim is also driven because of the
coupling of the
ring gear to the centerless rim, The centerless wheel assembly may also
include an
exoskeleton plate that may support one or more roller guides that roll along
the centerless
is rim. The exoskeleton plate may also support the motor. In some
embodiments, the
centerless wheel assembly may have a void of material in the middle of the
wheel assembly,
at least in part because the centerless rim, the ring gear, and/or the
exoskeleton plate may
also have voids of material in their resnective middles. In these and other
embodiments, the
ring gear may be coupled to the centerless rim in a way to account for
imperfections in
circularity in the centerless rim and/or an associated tire.
Additionally. the present disclosure relates to a centerless wheel assembly
that that may
include a brake rotor or other braking surface coupled to the centerless rim.
Some embodiments of centerless wheel assemblies described in the present
disclosure may
have one or more of the following advantages: simplicity, low weight, low
cost, low
rotational friction, stable thermal properties, aerodynamic, and improved gear
efficiencies.
Centerless wheel assemblies in accordance with one or more embodiments may be
used on
any number of vehicles or transportation devices, including, for example,
vehicles with any
number of wheels, self-propelled vehicles, manually powered vehicles,
motorized vehicles,
mobility-aiding vehicles, cars, wheelchairs, etc. The centerless wheel
assemblies may be
used to transport people and/or goods. The centerless wheel assemblies may be
similar to
and/or share certain characteristics with the centek-less wheel assemblies
described in U.S.
Application No. 15/146,729, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are explained with reference to the
accompanying
drawings.
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Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example centerless wheel
assembly 100, in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2
illustrates a
cross sectional view of a portion of the centerless wheel assembly of Figure
1. As illustrated
in Figures 1 and 2, the centerless wheel assembly 100 may include a centerless
rim 110 and
a ring gear 120 coupled to the centerless rim 110. The ring gear 120 may
interface with a
drive gear 130. The drive gear 130 may rotate and cause the ring gear 120 to
rotate. Rotation
of the ring gear 120 may cause a corresponding rotation of the centerless rim
110.
The centerless rim 110 may include any shape or profile. In addition to those
illustrated in
the present disclosure, a few additional example profiles of centerless rims
are il1ustrated
in U.S. Application No. 15/146,729, hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety. In
some embodiments, the centerless rim 110 may include a profile such that one
or more
roller guides (such as a first roller guide 180, a second roller guide 182, a
third roller guide
184, and a fourth roller guide 186) may roll along the centerless rim 110. In
these and other
embodiments, the centerless rim 1.10 may include a rail 112 that may function
to maintain
contact between a roller guide and the centerless rim 110 and/or may otherwise
prevent the
roller guide from derailing_ The roller guides may function to maintain the
drive gear 130
and the ring gear 120 in consistent engagement such that the drive gear 130
may drive the
ring gear 120.
The ring gear 120 may interface with the drive gear 130 such that as the drive
gear 130 is
rotated the drive gear 130 causes a corresponding rotation of the ring gear
120. Rotation of
the ring gear 120 may cause a corresponding rotation of the centerless rim 110
to which the
ring gear 120 may be coupled. The ring gear 120 may include teeth 122.
Additionally or
alternatively, the ring gear 120 may include sprockets, spurs, etc., or any
other suitable
element. In some embodiments, the teeth 122 may run along the inner diameter
of the ring
gear 120. The ring gear 120 andior the teeth 122 may be implemented as a
helical gear (left-
or right-handed), a double helical gear, a spur gear, an internal ring gear, a
face gear, a
planetary clear, etc. In these and other embodiments, the teeth 122 of the
ring gear 120 may
interface with teeth 132 of the drive gear 130. The teeth 132 and/or the drive
gear 130 may
be implemented in a similar manner as that described for the teeth 122 and/or
the ring gear
120, but may be implemented in a different manner. For example, the drive gear
130 may
be implemented with teeth 132 as helical teeth and the ring gear 120 may be
implemented
as an internal gear with teeth 122 implemented as helical teeth
In some embodiments, the ring gear 120 may be coupled to the centerless din
110 via one
or more bushings For example, in the illustrated embodiment, bushings 140a,
and 140b,
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are labeled (referred to generally as "gear bushings 140") but as can be seen
from Figure.
, other bushings not explicitly discussed or labeled may also be included...
One or more
of the gear bushings 140may allow for a certain amount of movement between the
centerless rim 110 and the ring gear 120. For example, if there are
imperfections in
circularity in the centerless rim 110 and/or an attached tire 160, the gear
bushings 140 may
allow for some movement between the centerless rim 110 and the ring gear 120
such that
any misalignment in circularity does not bend or break components of the
centerless wheel
assembly 100. For example, the gear bushings 140 may be made of a rubber,
synthetic
rubber, polyurethane, etc., such that a compressible and deformable material
is between the
two metal components of the centerless rim 110 and the ring gear 120. The
material of the
gear bushings 140 may absorb or otherwise dampen vibration or other motion
between the
centerless rim 110 and the ring gear 120. As illustrated in Figure 2, in these
and other
embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 100 may include bolts 142a and/or
142b that
may bolt the ring gear 120 to the centerless rim 110. In these and other
embodiments, the
bolts 142a and 142b may pass through the bushings 140a and 140b respectively.
The
bushings 140a and/or 140b may be threaded or may include space for the bolts
to pass
through. In some embodiments, the bushings 140a and 140b and/or the bolts 142a
and 142b
may pass through one or more channels or gaps in material in the centerless
rim 110. The
bolts 142a and 142b may be held in place by nuts 144a and 144b, respectively.
While
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate nuts 144a and 144b and bolts 142a and 142b, any
other connection
mechanism may be used to couple the ring gear 120 to the centerless rim 110,
such as
screws, rivets, welding, brazing, adhesives, etc. Furthermore, anywhere in the
present
disclosure where bolts are illustrated or described as being used, any other
connection
mechanism may be used, such as screws, rivets, welding, brazing, adhesives,
etc.
As used in the present disclosure, reference to imperfections in circularity
may include any
deviation from any source or in any direction from a perfectly circular,
perfectly cylindrical,
etc. shape. For example, imperfections in circularity may include an oblong,
ovaloid, ovoid,
etc. shape. As an additional example, imperfections in circularity may include
a portion of
a circular-based component with more material in one part of the component
(e.g., in an
extruded component). As another example, imperfections in circularity may
include an
uneven distribution in weight about a circular-based component. In these and
other
embodiments, such an imperfection may be of any magnitude. In some
embodiments,
imperfections in circularity may occur when a wheel assembly is rotated, for
example due
to the wheel compressing against the ground. As another example, imperfections
in
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=
circularity may be due to variations in temperature or other weather
conditions, or due to
manufacturing errors, imperfections that may result in dynamic run out, or
eccentricity
caused by damage in various states of utilization. In some embodiments, a
portion of
imperfection in circularity may be identified by rotating a circular-based
component.
In some embodiments, the imperfection in circularity may be determined and the
ring gear
120 may be attached in a manner offset from the middle of the wheel assembly
100 to
alleviate imperfections in circularity. Examples of such an embodiment may be
illustrated
with reference to Figures 5A-5C and Figure 9.
In some embodiments, the ring gear 120 may have a similar or comparable
circumference
to and/or
orientation to the centerless rim I 10. Additionally or alternatively, the
ring gear 120
may have a circumference smaller than the centerless rim 110. Additionally or
alternatively, the ring gear 120 may have a circumference larger than the
centerless rim 110
and/or smaller than the largest circumference of the tire 160.
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 100 may include a brake
rotor 150.
The brake rotor 150 may be part of a disc brake system associated with the
centerless wheel
assembly 100. The brake rotor 150 may be used to slow down and/or stop the
centerless
wheel assembly 100 The brake rotor 150 may be coupled to the centerless rim
110 in a
similar or comparable way that the ring gear 120 is coupled to the centerless
rim 110. For
example, the brake rotor 150 may be bolted to the centerless rim 110 using
bolts 152a and
152b and nuts I54a and 154b. Additionally or alternatively, the coupling
between the brake
rotor 150 and the centerless rim 110 may utilize brake bushings 156 (such as
the brake
bushings I 56a and 1566). As with the gear bushings 140, the brake bushings
156 may allow
for some movement between the brake rotor 150 and the centerless rim 110. For
example,
there may be imperfections in circularity in one of the centerless rim 110
and/or the brake
rotor 150 and the brake bushings 156 may allow for movement between the
centerless rim
110 and the brake rotor 150 as the wheel assembly 100 is rotated. For example,
the brake
bushings 156 may be made of a rubber, synthetic rubber, polyurethane, etc.,
such that a
compressible and/or elastically deformable material is between the two rigid
components
of the centerless rim 110 and the brake rotor 150. The material of the brake
bushings 156
may absorb or otherwise dampen vibration or other motion between the
centerless rim 110
and the brake rotor 150.
The wheel assembly 100 may include a brake caliper 158. The brake caliper 158
may be
any component designed and/or shaped to interface with the brake rotor 150. In
particular,
the brake caliper 158 may be sized and/or shaped such that the brake rotor 150
rotates freely
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within the brake caliper 158 with generally parallel faces between the brake
rotor 150 and
the brake caliper 158 while the brake caliper I 58 remains fixed relative to
the rotating brake
rotor 150. When the brake caliper 158 is actuated or otherwise invoked, the
brake caliper
158 may be caused to constrict or otherwise move or deform such that the
generally parallel
face of the brake caliper 158 contacts the brake rotor 150. Friction between
the two
generally parallel faces causes the brake rotor 150 to slow down and at sonic
point, stop
rotating. The brake caliper 158 may include a pad or other material made to be
worn down
as part of the face generally parallel with the face of the brake rotor 150.
In some embodiments, the brake caliper 158 may be placed in a position to
facilitate
to improved
aerodynamic performance and braking performance. For example, analogizing
the wheel assembly 100 to a clock face, the brake caliper 158 may be placed at
a three
o'clock position, with a forward direction of travel for the wheel assembly
100 being
towards three o'clock. In these and other embodiments, the brake caliper 158
may be at a
leading edge rather than a trailing edge of the wheel assembly 100. Placing
the brake caliper
158 at the leading edge may improve aerodynamic performance of the wheel
assembly 100
by having a profile that emphasizes the leading edge and a narrower trailing
edge.
Additionally or alternatively, placing the brake caliper 158 at the three
o'clock position
may improve braking performance. For example, as the brake caliper 158 is
constricted so
as to contact the brake rotor 150, inertia of the moving wheel assembly 100
may cause
weight bias to shift towards the front of the wheel assembly 100. The braking
forces of the
brake caliper 158 contacting the brake rotor 150 and the shift in weight bias
may cause the
wheel assembly 100 to chatter and oscillate side to side. If the brake caliper
158 is located
at a twelve o'clock position without a roller guide nearby, the braking forces
may cause a
twisting effect on the wheel assembly 100 as a result of the distance between
the brake
caliper 158 and the roller guide 186. By placing the brake caliper 158 nearer
the roller guide
186, the braking forces may be dampened by the proximity of the brake caliper
158 to the
roller guide 186. In some embodiments, the brake caliper 158 may be placed at
a nine
o'clock position (e.g., proximate a roller guide at the trailing edge of the
wheel assembly
100). By placing the brake caliper 158 at the trailing edge, the twisting,
oscillating, and/or
chatter from the braking forces may be addressed but the wheel assembly 100
may not
enjoy the same aerodynamic benefits.
In some embodiments, imperfection in circularity may be determined and the
brake rotor
150 may be attached in a manner offset from the middle of the wheel assembly
100 to
alleviate imperfections in circularity. Examples of such an embodiment may be
illustrated
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with reference to Figures 5a-5C and 8, and while described with reference to
the ring gear
120, the same principles may be utilized in attaching the brake rotor 150 to
the centerless
rim 110.
In some embodiments, the wheel assembly 100 may include the ring gear 120 and
not
include the brake rotor 150 and the brake caliper 158. Additionally or
alternatively, the
wheel assembly 100 may include the brake rotor 150 and the brake caliper 158
and may
not include the ring gear 120. In some embodiments as illustrated in Figures
lA and 1B,
the wheel assembly 100 may include both the ring gear 120 and the brake rotor
150. In
these and other embodiments, either or both of the ring gear 120 and the brake
rotor 150
3.0 may be attached in a manner offset from the middle of the wheel
assembly 100 to alleviate
imperfections in circularity
In some embodiments, the wheel assembly 100 may include the tire 160 coupled
to the
centerless rim 110. In these and other embodiments, imperfections in
circularity in the
centerless rim 110 may be due to imperfections in circularity in the tire 160.
For example,
imperfections in circularity of the tire 160 may cause the tire 160 to pull,
shift, or otherwise
deform the centerless rim 110 such that imperfections in circularity in the
centerless rim
110 may be altered due to the tire 160. The tire 160 may be any tire, such as
a solid rubber
tire, a tubeless tire, a tire with a tube, a metal tire, a semi-pneumatic
tire, an airless tire, etc.
In some embodiments, the tire 160 and the centerless rim 110 may be a single
unitary
component.
In sonic embodiments, the centerless rim 110 may be configured to operate as a
heat sink
to dissipate heat from the operation of the wheel assembly 110. For example,
the centerless
rim 110 may be constructed of a thermally conductive material (e.g., aluminum
(anodized
or non-anodized), steel, stainless steel, etc.) to facilitate the transfer of
heat from other
components of the centerless wheel 100 to the cemerless rim 110. For example,
driving of
the ring gear 120 via the drive gear 130 may generate heat. Such heat may
transfer across
the bolts 142a and 142b and/or the bushings 140a and 140b. The centerless rim
110 may
dissipate the heat throughout the entire centerless rim 110. As another
example, slowing
and/or stopping the wheel assembly 100 using the brake rotor 150 may generate
heat that
may be drawn into and dissipated by the centerless rim 110. In some
embodiments, the
centerless rim 110 may include one or more channels or open spaces to
facilitate heat
dispersion. For example, such channels may increase the surface area of the
centerless rim
110 through which heat may radiate away and out of the centerless rim 110. In
some
embodiments, by using the centerless rim 110 as a heat sink, temperature
fluctuations for
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the tire 160 may be reduced and/or minimized such that the tire 160 may have a
decreased
probability of over-heating, expanding, exploding, or otherwise failing. In
some
embodiments, the coupling members may be treated in certain ways to prevent
heat transfer
between and among components. For example, the bolts 142 and/or the bushings
140 may
be cross-drilled, have ceramic coatings, and/or include anodizing to prevent
heat transfer
from one component to the other through the coupling members.
In some embodiments, the wheel assembly 100 may include one or more components
such
as a motor 170, roller guides (e.u., roller guides 180, 182, 184, and 186),
and/or brake
calipers 158 that may be coupled to one or more exoskeleton plates 190 (e.g.,
the
exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b). The exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b may
remain
stationary relative to the rotation of the centerless rim 110 and the ring
gear 120.
In some embodiments, the brake rotor 150 may be coupled to the centerless rim
110 such
that as the centerless rim 110 rotates, the brake rotor 150 also rotates. In
these and other
embodiments, the brake caliper 158 may be coupled to one or more of the
exoskeleton
is plates 190.
For example, as the brake rotor 150 is coupled to the centerless rim 110, as
the
wheel assembly 100 rolls along the ground the brake rotor 150 rotates at the
same rate of
rotation as the wheel assembly 100. Additionally, as the brake caliper 158 is
coupled to the
exoskeleton plates 190 the brake caliper 158 may remain fixed relative to the
rotation of
the brake rotor 150. By utilizing the exoskeleton plates 190 as a mounting
point for the
brake caliper 158, weight and space savings may be realized in the wheel
assembly 100 by
not needing additional components to mount or otherwise suspend the brake
caliper 158
proximate and in a fixed manner relative to the brake rotor 150.
The motor 170 may include any source of motive power. For example, the motor
170 may
include an electric motor such as a direct current (DC) motor, an alternating
current (AC)
motor, a brush motor, a brushless motor, a shunt wound motor, a separately
excited motor,
a series wound motor, a compound wound motor, a permanent magnet motor, a
servomotor,
an induction motor, a synchronous motor, a linear induction motor, a
synchronous linear
motor, etc. As another example, the motor 170 may include a fuel consuming
engine, such
as a four stroke engine, a diesel engine, a two stroke engine, a Wankel
engine, an Atkinson
engine, a gnome rotary engine, etc. In some embodiments, the motor 170 may
include a
small, high-speed, high-efficiency DC electric motor that may rotate at speeds
greater than
six thousand rotations per minute (RPM). In these and other embodiments, the
use of such
a small motor may be available because of the gearing, ratio from the drive
gear 130 to the
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ring gear 120. As an additional example, the engine or electric motor 170 may
include a
human-powered motive device, such as bicycle pedals, arm cranks, ratcheting
levers, etc.
In some embodiments, the centerless rim 110 coupled with the ring gear 120 may
function
as both an output gear and a driven wheel. For example, a gearing ratio may be
the ratio of
the speed of the input gear to the speed of the output gear, which may be
based on the
number of teeth in each gear. In some embodiments, the drive gear 130 may have
a small
diameter and small number of teeth compared to a diameter and number of teeth
of the ring
gear 120, allowing a high gear ratio. The high gear ratio may offer a
mechanical advantage
over conventional wheels and/or conventional power transmission models and may
improve efficiency, reduce weight, and/or reduce cost. In some embodiments,
such a high
gear ratio may include a ratio of between approximately five to one and
approximately one
hundred and twenty-five to one. In these and other embodiments, the gear ratio
may be
based on the intended use of the wheel assembly. Additionally or
alternatively, the gear
ratio may be based on a size of the wheel, which may be limited in size based
on the
application. For example, a vehicle may be limited in wheel size to the
expected height of
the vehicle, etc.
A gear ratio between the drive gear 130 and the ring gear 120 may be larger
than is possible
within a single stage of reduction in the case of a conventional wheel in some
embodiments,
which is often around three to one. For example, the ratio may include between
approximately five to one and approximately one hundred and twenty-five to
one. One
reason for this large gearing ratio advantage is because the ring gear 120 as
the output gear
may be approximately the same size as the tire 160 (e.g., as illustrated in
Figures IA and
1B) with the input gear as the drive gear 130 is much smaller. This gearing
advantage of
the centerless wheel assembly 100 may facilitate additional economies of
weight and space
zs saving via
adaption to a more dimensionally compact motor 170 (e.g., a brushless electric
motor), which may otherwise, due to its small size, provide insufficient
torque for a
conventional wheel. The gearing advantage of the centerless wheel assembly 100
may also
decrease one or more of the following: the amount of energy necessary for a
vehicle
coupled with the centerless wheel assembly 100 to overcome inertia, resistive
losses, and
the operating temperature of the electric motor 170, such that efficiency of
the vehicle may
be improved.
The roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may include any device or
component shaped
andlor configured to roll along the Centerless rim 110 as the centerless rim
110 rotates. For
example the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may be suspended between
the
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exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b via a bridging shaft that may operate as an
axle for the
roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186. In some embodiments, the bridging
shafts may be
coupled with the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b. In some embodiments, the
exoskeleton
plates 190a and 190b may be spaced apart, and the bridging shafts may form a
bridge across
a gap between the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b. For example, any of the
roller guides
180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may be disposed within the gap between the
exoskeleton plates
190a and 190b. In some embodiments, the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b may
correspond to right-hand and left-hand exoskeleton plates.
In some embodiments, the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may include
bearings to
facilitate or otherwise make easier or more efficient the rotation of the
roller guides about
bridging shafts. In some embodiments, the bearings may be rotatably disposed
within the
roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186.
In some embodiments, the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may be made
of any
material that is able to roll along the centerless rim 110 due to static
friction. For example,
is the material may be selected to provide wear resistance and sufficient
friction to drive or
otherwise roll along the centerless rim 110. For example, the roller guides
180, 182, 184,
and/or 186 may be made of a polymer, such as polyurethane, poly vinyl chloride
(PVC),
acetal (homopolyiner), acetal (copolymer), nylon 66, nylon 66 (with 30%
glass), phenolic
(glass filled), polyetherimi de, polyetheresul phone, polyimide,
polyphenylenene sulfide,
polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (e.g., Teflon ), polyethylene
(including
ultra-high molecular weight (U1IMW)), carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium,
polyoxymethylene (e.g., Detrine), etc.
In some embodiments, the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may be
configured to
include a shape or profile that matches a corresponding shape or profile of
the centerless
rim 110 (e.g., as illustrated in Figure 3A). For example, the centerless rim
110 may be
completely void of material in the middle of the centerless rim 110 and the
roller guides
180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may be disposed within the void of material. In some
embodiments, the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may contact the
centerless rim
110. In some embodiments, the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 be
configured to act
upon and guide the centerless rim 110 as the centerless rim 110 is rotated.
In some embodiments, one or more of the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or
186 may be
configured to maintain the spatial relationship between the centerless rim 110
and the
exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b. For example, one or more of the roller
guides 180, 182,
184, and/or 186 may be disposed upon a spring loaded lever arm such that as
the position
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of the centerless rim 110 is changed relative to the exoskeleton plates 190a
and 190b, the
roller guide on the lever arm may engage the centerless rim 110 so that the
rim 110
maintains the spatial relationship with the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b.
The roller
guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186 may be similar or analogous to one or more of
the roller
guides described in U.S. Application No. 15/146,729, hereby incorporated by
reference in
its entirety.
In some embodiments, the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b may have a generally
circular
configuration, and may include a void in material through a central region of
the
exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b. Additionally or alternatively, the
exoskeleton plates may
to be a solid
sheet of material (including square or rectangular sheets of material),
tubular, or
any other shape or form such that the roller guides are supported proximate
the centerless
rim 110. In some embodiments, the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b may have a
lip about
an outer circumference or outer edge In some embodiments, the centerless rim
110 may
be retained between the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b as the centerless rim
110 is
rotated. In some embodiments, an exoskeleton plate may span the centerless rim
110 and
function as both the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b (an example of such an
embodiment
is illustrated in Figure 3A and Figure 3B). In these and other embodiments,
the exoskeleton
plates 190a and 190b may be constructed of a single piece of material that
supports both
ends of a bridging shaft.
In some embodiments, the exoskeleton plates 190a and/or 190b may additionally
include
cladding that may provide a covering over any moving parts to increase
aerodynamics, for
example by reducing turbulence, drag, air resistance, wind resistance, etc.
For example, a
smooth form factor cladding may overlay the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b
to enclose
any moving pails (e.g., the roller guides 180, 182, 184, and/or 186). In some
embodiments,
the cladding may also include a void in material about the middle of the
centerless wheel
assembly 100. In these and other embodiments, the cladding and the exoskeleton
plates
190a and 190b may be combined into a single piece of material to further
improve
aerodynamics and/or reduce weight, turbulence, drag, air resistance, wind
resistance, etc.
For example, in some embodiments (e.g., as illustrated in Figure 3A), the
exoskeleton
plates l 90a and 190b and/or the cladding may form a generally U-shaped
profile. As
another example, the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b and/or the cladding may
form an
asymmetrical shape (e.g., with the leading and trailing edges aerodynamically
optimized).
In some embodiments, at speeds above twenty miles per hour, there may be an
increased
aerodynamic performance due to the lack of spokes and the U-shaped profile.
The
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exoskeleton plates 190a and/or 190b may be similar or analogous to one or more
of the
exoskeleton plates described in U.S. Application No. 15/146,729, hereby
incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
For convenience in describing the location, orientation, and/or position of
various
components, the centerless rim 110 may be described as defining a plane ("rim
plane").
The rim plane may be the plane defined by points along the inner diameter of
the rail 112
and/or the plane through the middle of each of the roller guides 180, 182,
184, and/or 186.
Additionally or alternatively, the centerless rim 110 may include a center
point in the
middle of the centerless rim. The center point of the centerless rim 110 may
lie on the rim
plane defined by the centerless rim. The ring gear 120 may also define a plane
("gear plan").
The gear plane may be the plane defined by the points along the inner diameter
of the ring
gear 120. The ring gear 120 may also include a center point in the middle of
the ring gear
120 that may lie on the gear plane defined by the ring gear 120. In some
embodiments, the
gear plane and the rim plane may be generally parallel. Additionally or
alternatively, the
.. center point of the ring gear 120 and the center point of the centerless
rim 110 may define
a line that is generally perpendicular to the rim plane and/or the gear plane.
Using such a
description, for example, the teeth 122 may be in the plane of the ring gear
120 and may
point in towards the center point of the ring gear 120 (even for helical
teeth, which may cut
through the plane of the ring gear 120 at an angle, the teeth 122 may point
generally towards
the center point of the ring gear 120).
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 100 may be configured to
have an
open center or a void of material in the center of the wheel assembly 100,
which may
provide a storage region with spatial capacity for storage of any of a variety
of items such
as a mechanized drive, cargo, fuel tanks, motors, engines, battery packs,
luggage, an
zs electricity storage system, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the void
of material in the
center of the wheel assembly 100 may be left open for space savings, weight
savings, etc.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures IA, 1B, and 2
without
departing from the scope of' the present disclosure. For example, the
centerless wheel
assembly 100 may include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and
described in
the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the wheel assembly
100 may
not include the brake rotor 150 and the brake caliper 158 (e.g., as
illustrated in Figure 8A),
while in other embodiments, the wheel assembly 100 may not include the ring
gear 120
(e.g., as illustrated in Figure 88). As an additional example, the wheel
assembly 100 may
include any number of roller guides disposed at various locations around the
centerless rim
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1 10. As another example, the exoskeleton plates 190a and/or 190b may take any
shape or
form that provides the functionality described in the present disclosure. For
example, a
square or rectangular plate without a void in the middle may he utilized in
the centerless
wheel assembly 100. As another example, the brake rotor 150 and the ring gear
120 may
be on opposite sides of the wheel assembly 100. Additionally or alternatively,
the brake
rotor 150 and the ring gear 120 may be combined in a single device (e.g., as
illustrated in
Figures 3A and 3B). Additionally, the placement of the motor 170 may vary
depending on
some implementations.
Figure 3A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of another example
centerless
wheel assembly 300a, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure. The centerless wheel assembly 300a may include a centerless rim
310 with a
rail 312 that may be similar or comparable to the centerless rim 110 with the
rail 112 of
Figures 1 and 2; a ring gear 320a with teeth 322 that may be similar or
comparable to the
ring gear 120 with teeth 122 of Figures 1 and 2; a drive gear 330a with teeth
332 that may
be similar or comparable to the drive gear 130 with teeth 132 of Figures 1 and
2: bushings
340a and 340b, bolts 342a and 342b, and nuts 344a and 344b that may be similar
or
comparable to the bushings 140a and I µ10b, bolts 142a and 142b, and nuts 144a
and 144b
of Figures 1 and 2; a motor 370 that may be similar or comparable to the motor
170 of
Figures 1 and 2; a roller guide 380 that may be similar or comparable to the
roller guide
180 of Figures I and 2; and an exoskeleton plate 390a that may be comparable
or similar
to the exoskeleton plates I90a and 190b of Figure 1.
In some embodiments, the centerless rim 310 may have any of a variety of
profiles (another
example of which may be illustrated in Figures 4D and 4E). The roller guide
380 may have
a profile that matches or aligns with the profile of the centerless rim 310.
For example, the
centerless rim 310 may include the rail 312. The roller guide 380 may have a
corresponding
gap 382 that may be the same or a similar size as the rail 312. In some
embodiments, a gap
314 may exist between the roller guide 380 and the centerless rail 310. For
example, during
normal operation and/or normal rotation of the centerless rim 310, the roller
guide 380 may
not contact the rail 312 but may still roll along the centerless rim 310. In
these and other
embodiments, when subjected to abnormal forces, such as a pothole, sharp
cornering, a
jump, etc., the rail 312 may contact the roller guide 380 to maintain a
spatial relationship
between the centerless rim 310 and the exoskeleton plate 390a. In some
embodiments, the
roller guide 380 may not contact the centerless rim 310 unless subject to
abnormal forces.
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In some embodiments, the roller guide 380 may be supported by a bridging shaft
385. The
bridging shaft 385 may span between a first portion and a second portion of
the exoskeleton
plate 390a. The bridging shaft 385 may function as an axle for the roller
guide 380. In some
embodiments, the bridging shaft 385 may be made of a light weight material
such as
aluminum.
In some embodiments, the teeth 322 of the ring gear 320a may be oriented
differently than
illustrated in Figures IA, 1B, and 2. For example, the teeth 322 may be
oriented along the
outer diameter of the ring gear 320a rather than along the inner diameter of
the ring gear
120 of Figures IA, 1B, and 2. Stated another way, the teeth 322 may point
generally away
to from the center point of the ring gear 320a while being in the plane
defined by the ring gear
320a. In some embodiments, the teeth 322 may be part of a first portion 324 of
the ring
gear 320a that may be further from the center point. The ring gear 320a may
include a
second portion 326 closer to the center point of the ring gear 320a.
In some embodiments, the second portion 326 of the ring gear 320a may operate
as a brake
rotor. For example, the second portion 326 of the ring gear 320a may be
disposed proximate
a brake caliper 350. The brake caliper 350 may include one or more brake pads
352 such
that as the brake caliper 350 is compressed, the brake pads 352 may contact
the second
portion 326 of the ring gear 320a to slow down the ring gear and
correspondingly, slow
down the centerless rim 310. The brake caliper 350 may remain in a fixed
position relative
to the rotation of the ring gear 320a. Thus, as the brake caliper 350 is
compressed, the
friction between the brake pad 352 and the second portion 326 of the ring gear
320a may
reduce the speed of the ring gear 320a.
In some embodiments, the brake caliper 350 may be coupled to the exoskeleton
plate 390a
via a bolt 356 and a nut 344c. In these and other embodiments, the brake
caliper 350a may
be. coupled to any portion of the exoskeleton plate 390a. The exoskeleton
plate 390a may
maintain a spatial relationship with the centerless rim 310 and the ring gear
320a as the
centerless rim 310 and the ring gear 320a are rotated. By coupling the brake
caliper 350a
to the exoskeleton plate 390a, the brake caliper may be positioned such that
the ring gear
320a may rotate freely proximate the brake caliper 350a when the brake caliper
350a is not
activated, but may interact with the brake caliper 350a when the brake caliper
350a is
activated. While illustrated as being coupled using the bolt 356, the brake
caliper 350a may
be coupled to the exoskeleton plate 390a via any other coupling mechanism
(e.g., screws,
rivets, brazing, adhesives, etc.). In some embodiments, the brake caliper 350a
may be
disposed at approximately a three o'clock (as illustrated in Figure 3B) or a
nine o'clock
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position. In some embodiments, the motor 370 may be mounted at approximately a
six
o'clock position.
In some embodiments, the bolts 342a and/or 342b may extend through multiple
channels
or gaps of the centerless rim 310. For example, to increase stability due to
the weight and
additional forces caused by the ring gear 322 acting as both the ring gear and
the brake
rotor, the bolts 342a and 342b may extend through an entire width of the
centerless rim
310. In some embodiments, the bushings 340a and 340b may pass through the
entire
centerless rim 310. in these and other embodiments, the additional length of
the bolts 342a.
and 342b and/or the additional length of the bushings 340a and 340b may
facilitate the
to operation of
the centerless rim 310 as a heat sink. In these and other embodiments, the
increased heat caused by the ring gear 320a acting as both a ring gear and a
brake rotor may
be dissipated using the centerless rim 310.
In some embodiments, the motor 370 may be coupled to the exoskeleton plate
390a via the
bolts 376a and 376b and nuts 344d and 344e. Any other coupling mechanism may
also be
used. The motor 370 may have an output shaft 372 to which the drive gear 330a
may be
coupled. In some embodiments, because the teeth 322 are disposed on the outer
diameter
of the ring gear 322, the motor 370 may be disposed on a bypass arm 374 that
may extend
the output shaft 372 of the motor 370 proximate the teeth 322. Additionally or
alternatively,
the motor 370 may not use the bypass arm 374 and the output shaft 372 may
include a
mechanical linkage that may displace the force generated at the output shaft
372 such that
the drive gear 330a receives the force generated by the motor 370 at the drive
gear 320a to
drive the ring gear 320a.
In some embodiments, the exoskeleton plate 390a may include one or more
features to
facilitate coupling of various components to the exoskeleton plate 390a. For
example, as
illustrated in Figure 3A, the exoskeleton plate may include a protrusion to
which the bypass
arm 374 may be coupled such that the motor 370 and/or the bypass arm 374 may
not
interfere with the brake caliper 350a and/or the ring gear 320a. Any such
features may be
included to facilitate spatial relationships of the various components that
may be coupled
to the exoskeleton plate 390a.
In some embodiments, the location of the teeth 322 and the brake caliper 350a
may be
reversed. For example, the teeth 322 of the ring gear 320a may be on the inner
diameter of
the ring gear 322 (e.g., closer to the center point of the ring gear 320a) and
the brake caliper
350a may be proximate the outer diameter of the ring gear 320a (e.g., further
from the
center point of the ring gear 320a).
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In some embodiments, the exoskeleton plate 390a May include cladding or a
profile that
may cover any moving parts of the centerless wheel assembly 300a. For example,
the
exoskeleton plate 390a may include cladding that may cover or enclose the
drive gear 330a
and the teeth 332.
Figure 3B illustrates a perspective view of an additional example centerless
wheel assembly
300b. The wheel assembly 300b may be similar to the wheel assembly 300a of
Figure 3A,
except a variation in the placement of the brake caliper 350b, the drive gear
330b, and the
teeth of the ring gear 320b. Additionally, the exoskeleton plates 390b and
390c are
illustrated as two distinct plates rather than a single plate 390a as
illustrated in Figure 3A.
to However, any
of these modifications may be Combined or rearranged in any manner and
are still be within the scope of the present disclosure.
As illustrated in Figure 3B, the ring gear .320b may function as both the ring
gear and as a
brake rotor. The brake caliper 350b may be disposed proximate the ring gear
such that by
contracting the brake caliper 350b the brake caliper 350b may contact the ring
gear 320b
and friction between the brake caliper 350b may slow down the ring gear 320b
and thus the
centerless rim 310. In some embodiments, the brake caliper 350b may be
supported by
posts, rods, or other support structure coupled to the exoskeleton plate 390b.
For example,
a post or support rod may pass through the plane defined by the ring gear 320b
within the
circumference of the ring gear 320b and support the brake caliper 350b. By
supporting the
brake caliper 3501) from within the circumference of the ring gear 320h, the
brake caliper
350b may avoid interference with any bolts, bushings, or other attachment
members
coupling the ring gear 320b to the centerless rim 310.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures 3A and/or 3B
without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the
centerless wheel
assemblies 300a and/or 300b may include more or fewer elements than those
illustrated
and described in the present disclosure. For example, the wheel assembly 300a
may include
any number of components coupled to the exoskeleton plate 390a. As another
example, the
wheel assembly 300a may include an additional or alternative braking mechanism
to slow
down the centerless rim 310 and/or the ring gear 320a.
Figure 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an additional
example centerless
wheel assembly 400a, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure. Figure 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an
additional example
centerless wheel assembly 400b, and Figure 4C illustrates a cross-sectional
view of a
portion of another example centerless wheel assembly 400c. Figure 4D and 4E
illustrate
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additional examples of centerless wheel assemblies 400d and 400e,
respectively, with
different rim profiles. Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate alternative
arrangements of the
placement of the teeth of the drive gear and/or other components associated
with driving
the drive gear in relation to other components of the wheel assemblies 400a,
400b, and
400c. The wheel assemblies 400a, 40b, and 400c may be similar or comparable to
the wheel
assembly 100 of Figures 1 and 2.
As illustrated in Figure 4A, the ring gear 420a may include teeth 422a on an
inside face of
the ring gear 420a. A motor 470a may be disposed proximate the teeth 422a such
that an
output shaft 472a of the motor 470a is oriented proximate the teeth 422a.
Additionally or
io alternatively, a drive gear 430a with teeth 432a may be disposed between
the roller guide
and the ring gear 420a. The teeth 432a may interface with the teeth 422a such
that the drive
gear 430a drives the ring gear 420a. In such an embodiment, the ring gear 420a
may be
disposed a distance away from the centerless rim sufficient for the motor 470a
and/or the
drive gear 430a to be disposed within the space between the roller guide and
the ring gear
420a. In such an arrangement, the drive gear 430a and the teeth 422a may be
covered by
the ring gear 420a to provide an aerodynamic advantage.
As illustrated in Figure 48, a ring gear 420b may include teeth 422b on an
outside face of
the ring gear 420b. A motor 470b may be disposed proximate the teeth 422b such
that an
output shaft 472b of the motor 470h is oriented proximate the teeth 422b. Such
an
arrangement may allow for a larger motor 470band/or a larger drive gear 430b
with teeth
432b. The teeth 432b may interface with the teeth 422b such that the drive
gear 430b drives
the ring gear 420b.
As illustrated in Figure 4C, a drive shaft 485 of the centerless wheel
assembly may pass
through an exoskeleton plate 490, a roller guide 480, and a drive gear 430c.
The exoskeleton
plate 490 and roller guide 480 may be similar or analogous to the exoskeleton
plate 390a
and the roller guide 380 of Figure 3A.
The drive shaft 485 may be coupled to any type of drive mechanism (not
illustrated) on the
side of the wheel assembly 400c opposite the drive gear 430c. For example, the
drive shaft
485 may be coupled directly to a motor, to a drivetrain or other gearing to a
motor, to a
half-shaft of an automobile, etc.
The exoskeleton plate 490 may include one or more bearings 492 (e.g. the
bearings 492a,
492b, 492c, and 492d) that may allow the drive shaft 485 to rotate freely
relative to the
exoskeleton plate 490. For example, the exoskeleton plate 490 may remain
stationary with
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respect to the drive shaft 485 while the drive shaft 485 rotates due to a
motive force of the
drive mechanism (not illustrated).
In some embodiments, the roller guide 480 may include one or more bearings 482
(e.g. the
bearings 482a, 482b, 482c, and 482d) that may allow the drive shaft 485 and/or
the roller
guide 480 to rotate freely. For example, the bearings 482 may facilitate the
drive shaft 485
rotating freely within the roller guide 480 without driving the roller guide
480 while also
driving the drive gear 430c. Simultaneously, the bearings 482 may also allow
the drive
shaft 485 to act as an axle for the roller guide 480 such that the roller
guide 480 may roll
along the centerless rim 10. By using the drive shaft 485 as both a drive
shaft and as an
axle, the wheel assembly 400c may have further weight reduction.
The drive gear 430c may include one or more bearings 433 (e.g.,, 433a, 433b,
433c, and
433d). The bearings 433 may be one-way bearings and/or the drive shaft may be
keyed to
the drive gear 430c, In some embodiments, the drive gear 430c may rotate with
the drive
shaft 485 as a unitary body, such that rotation of the drive shaft 485 in
either direction also
causes a corresponding rotation of the drive gear 430c. In some embodiments
the drive gear
430c and the drive shaft 485 may be coupled such that the drive gear 430c may
only rotate
in one direction, such that rotation of the drive shaft 485 in one direction
causes a
corresponding rotation of the drive gear 430c but rotation of the drive shaft
485 in the other
direction does not cause a rotation of the drive gear 430c and the drive shaft
485 may rotate
freely within the drive gear 430c when rotated in that other direction.
In some embodiments, the drive shaft 485 may pass through the exoskeleton
plate 490 at a
location different than the location of one of the roller guides 480. In these
and other
embodiments, the drive shaft may not function as an axle for the roller guide
480. In such
embodiments, the exoskeleton plate 490 may include the bearings 492 to
facilitate the free
rotation of the drive shaft 485 when spanning the exoskeleton plate 490.
Figure 4D illustrates a cross sectional view of another example centerless
wheel assembly
400d. The wheel assembly 400d may be similar or comparable to the centerless
wheel
assembly 100 of Figures 1A, 1B, and 2. The wheel assembly 400d may include a
centerless
rim 410 with a rail 412 projecting along an inner circumference of the
centerless rim 410
towards a center point of the centerless rim 410. The wheel assembly 400d may
include a
drive gear 120, a bushing 440a and bolt 444a. The drive gear 120 may be
similar or
comparable to the drive gear 120 of Figures IA. 1B, and 2. The bushings 440a
may be
similar or comparable to the bushing 140a of Figures IA, 1B, and 2. The nuts
444a may be
similar or comparable to the nuts 144a of Figure 1.
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The centerless rim 410 may include a profile with an elongated rail 412 when
compared
with the rail 112. The rail 412 may be shaped and/or configured to be used as
a brake rotor
of the wheel assembly 410. For example, a portion 450 of the rail 412 may be
relatively
flat with a relatively uniform width across the portion 450 such that a brake
caliper may
interfere with a large surface area of the portion 450 when the brake caliper
(not illustrated)
is activated to slow down the centerless rim 410.
The profile of the centerless rim 410 may include a series of pockets or
channels to facilitate
heat dissipation from the centerless rim 410, in some embodiments. For
example, the
centerless rim 410 may draw heat from the drive gear interfacing with the ring
gear, and
to may draw heat from the friction between the brake caliper and the
portion 450 acting as a
brake rotor. In some embodiments, the centerless rim 410 may include vents or
ducts to
facilitate air exchange for a more rapid dissipation of heat via exchange of
heat with the
air. In these and other embodiments, the vents may take any shape or form to
facilitate air
exchange. For example, the vents may include a shape or profile of a NACA
(National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) duct (e.g., as illustrated in Figure 7).
In some embodiments, the profile of the centerless rim 410 may include one or
more
corrugations 4 14. The corrugations 414 may be present along one or more of
the internal
or external surfaces of the centerless rim 410. As illustrated in Figure 4D,
in some
embodiments, the corrugations 414 may be on one or more of the internal
surfaces of the
centerless rim 410 to increase structural integrity and/or material strength.
Additionally or
alternatively, the corrugations 414 may provide an increased surface area to
facilitate
additional heat exchange with the air. The profile may include one or more
fins 452 passing
between each side of the portion 450 used for braking. The fins 452 may
facilitate additional
heat transfer and dissipation from the centerless rim 410.
In some embodiments, one or more areas of the portion 450 used for braking may
be coated
with a material to facilitate braking, wear resistance, and/or heat
dissipation. For example,
one or more areas of the portion 450 may be coated with ceramic, carbon, etc.
Additionally
or alternatively, ally of the other braking or contacting surfaces may be
treated and/or
coated with such a material. For example, any brake rotors and/or brake
calipers, any gears
or gear teeth, any roller guides, any centerless rims, etc.
Figure 4E illustrates a cross sectional view of another example centerless
wheel assembly
400e. The wheel assembly 400e may be similar or comparable to the wheel
assembly 400d.
However, rather than using the ring gear 120, teeth 420 may be disposed along
the inner
circumference of the apex of the rail 412. In these and other embodiments, the
rail 412 may
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function as the brake rotor and as the ring gear. In these and other
embodiments, roller
guides may be larger and/or have a larger gap to accommodate the size of the
rail 412_ For
example, the rail 412 may have an increased length used to accommodate the
portion 450
used as a brake rotor and to accommodate the teeth 420. In some embodiments,
by using
the rail 412 as the brake rotor and the ring gear, additional weight savings
and cost savings
may be obtained.
In some embodiments, a tire tube may be disposed within the tire 160. In these
and other
embodiments, the air valve may protrude into the rail 412. In some
embodiments, the air
valve may protrude outside of the rail 412 and an associated roller guide may
include a gap
or space for the air valve. Additionally or alternatively, there may be a gap
in the rail 412
to facilitate access to the air valve while keeping the air valve below the
inner
circumference of the rail 412. The air valve and/or the tube may take any size
or dimension
suited to match the size of the wheel assembly (e.g., the wheel assemblies
400d, 400e, etc.).
For example, the air valve may include a 30 mm valve stem, a 35 mm valve stem,
etc. In
some embodiments, the tube and/or the air valve size may correspond to a
standard
manufacturing size of tire tubes.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D,
and 4E
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the
centerless
wheel assemblies 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, and/or 400e may include more or fewer
elements
than those illustrated and described in the present disclosure. For example,
the wheel
assemblies 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d, and/or 400e may include any braking
mechanism to
slow down and/or stop the ring gear 420a and/or 420b and/or the centerless
rim. As another
example, the ring gears 420a and/or 420b may additionally operate as brake
rotors. As an
additional example, the drive shaft 485 may span the exoskeleton plate 490 or
may span
the exoskeleton plate 490 and the roller guide 480.
Figures 5A-5C illustrate a process by which a ring gear 520 may be coupled to
a centerless
rim 510 such that the wheel assembly 500 is operable despite imperfections in
circularity
in the centerless rim 510 and/or an associated tire 560, in accordance with
one or more
embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 5A illustrates a side view of a
portion of the
centerless wheel assembly 500 before the ring gear 520 is coupled to the
centerless rim
510. Figure 5B illustrates a side view of the portion of the centerless wheel
assembly 500
after the ring gear 520 is coupled to the centerless wheel assembly 500.
Figure 5C illustrates
a side view of the entire centerless wheel assembly 500 after the ring gear
520 is coupled
to the centerless wheel assembly 500, In particular, by attaching the ring
Rear 520 offset by
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_25 _
a certain amount to account for the imperfections in circularity, the ring
gear wheel
assembly 500 may operate similarly to a wheel without imperfections in
circularity.
As illustrated in Figure 5A, a point 515 may be identified with an
imperfection in
circularity. Such a point of imperfection in circularity may be illustrated by
an "X." In these
and other embodiments, the point 515 may be offset a distance 519 from an
expected point
517 of where the point 515 would be if the centerless rim 510 and/or the tire
560 were
perfectly round. The expected point 517 may be illustrated with an open box.
For example,
there may be a typical location on the centerless rim 510 where holes may be
drilled to
couple the centerless rim 510 to a ring gear, such as a certain distance away
from the tire
560 towards a center point of the centerless rim 510. In some embodiments, the
point 515
may be the same certain distance away from the tire 560 as in the typical
location for a
perfectly round wheel assembly.
In some embodiments, the point 515 may be the point of greatest imperfection
in
circularity. For example, the centerless rim 510 and/or the tire 560 may be
coupled to a
rotating device that may facilitate identification of the greatest point of
imperfection about
the circumference of the centerless rim 510 and/or the tire 560.
As illustrated in Figure 5B, the ring gear 520 may be coupled to the
centerless rim 510
based on the imperfections of circularity. For example, a hole 527 may be
drilled along the
line from the center point of the centerless rim 510 and the point 515. The
hole 527 may be
offset from the expected point 517 by a distance 524 that may be approximately
the same
or shorter than the distance 519. For example, the hole 527 may be located
approximately
half the distance between the point 515 and the expected point 517. In some
embodiments,
the distance 524 may be selected based on the distance 519 and the location of
the point
515 with respect to an edge of the centerless rim 510. For example, the
distance 524 may
be selected such that there is adequate material of the centerless rim 510 to
support bolts or
other connecting members that may be used to couple the ring gear 520 to the
centerless
rim 510.
As described above with reference to Figure 5A, after the hole 527 has been
created, other
holes (e.g., holes 525a and 525b) may be drilled as part of a series of holes
following a path
of circularity. The series of holes besides the hole 527 may lie on the path
of circularity or
may approach the path of circularity. In these and other embodiments, if the
hole 527 is at
the point of greatest imperfection in circularity of the centerless rim 520
and/or the tire 560,
the other holes in the series of holes (e.g., the holes 525a and 525b) may be
more closely
aligned with the path of circularity than the hole 527. In these and other
embodiments, a
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hole may be drilled starting at the point 515, followed by a series of holes
following a
circular shape. For example, the series of holes may follow a shape of
circularity more
circular than that observed by the centerless rim 510 and/or the tire 560. As
another
example, a ring gear may be nearly perfectly circular, and the holes may
follow the path of
circularity of the ring gear. In sonie embodiments, the ring gear may have
more specific
tolerances of circularity in manufacturing than for the centerless rim 510
and/or the tire
560. In some embodiments, the series of holes may be created in a successive
manner,
starting at the point 515.
As illustrated in Figure 5C, the expected point 517 may be offset from the
center point 540
to of the
centerless rim 510 a first distance 532, the hole 527 may be offset from the
center
point 540 a second distance 534, and the point 515 may be offset from the
center point 540
a third distance 539. For example, the second distance 534 may correspond to
the distance
524 in addition to the first distance 532. As another example, the third
distance 539 may
correspond to the distance 519 in addition to the first distance 532.
While Figures 5A-5C are described with reference to the ring gear 520, the
same principles
are equally applicable to a brake rotor (not illustrated). For example, such a
brake rotor may
be more circular (e.g., have fewer imperfections in circularity) than the
centerless rim 510.
The same analysis of imperfection of the centerless rim 510 and the drilling
of holes and
attachment of the brake rotor may be followed.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures 5A-5C without
departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel
assembly 500
may include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
disclosure. For example, the wheel assembly 500 may include any of the
components or
arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As another example, the
distance 524
2.5 may be based
on a variety of factors and may be at a variety of locations other than as
illustrated in Figures 5A-SC.
Figure 6 illustrates a side view of another example centerless wheel assembly
600, in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The wheel
assembly
600 may be comparable or similar to the wheel assembly 100 of Figure 1. The
wheel
assembly 600 may include a centerless rim 610 that may be comparable or
similar to the
centerless rim 110 of Figure 1, a ring gear 620 that may be comparable or
similar to the
ring gear 320a of Figure 3A (e.g., with teeth 622 pointing away from a center
point of the
ring gear 320a), and a tire 660 that may be similar or comparable to the tire
160 of Figure
1.
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In some embodiments, the wheel assembly 600 may include a drive gear 630. The
drive
gear 630 may be similar or comparable to the drive gear 330a of FiQure 3A.
However, the
drive gear 630 may be located some distance away from the ring gear 620 and/or
the
centerless rim 610. The drive gear 630 may interface with a chain 635 such
that the teeth
of the drive gear 630 may rotate the chain 635 and the chain 635 may interface
with the
teeth 622 of the ring gear 620 such that rotation of the drive gear 30 may
cause a
corresponding rotation of the ring gear 622 due to rotation of the chain 635.
The chain 635
may be implemented as a belt, drive train, or other feature to change the
location of the
rotational force of the drive gear 630 to the ring gear 620.
to In some
embodiments the drive gear 630 may be located closer to the tire 660 or
further
away from the tire 660 than illustrate in Figure 6. In some embodiments, the
location of the
drive gear 630 may be based on the application in which the wheel assembly 600
is used.
For example, for a bicycle, the drive gear 630 may be located proximate one or
more pedals
of the bicycle.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figure 6 without
departing from the
scope of the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel assembly
600 may
include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
disclosure. For example, the wheel assembly 600 may include any of the
components or
arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As another example, the
wheel
assembly 600 may include one or more exoskeleton plates and one or more roller
guides
(not illustrated).
Figure 7 illustrates a side view of a portion of an additional example
centerless wheel
assembly 700, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure. The
wheel assembly 700 may be similar or analogous to the wheel assembly 100 of
Figures 1A,
1B and 2. The wheel assembly 700 may include a centerless rim 710 and a tire
760. The
centerless rim 710 may be similar or analogous to the centerless rim 110 of
Figures 1A, I B
and 2, and may have a similar profile to the centerless rim illustrates in
Figures 4D and 4E
The tire 760 may be similar or analogous to the tire 160 of Figures IA, 113,
and 2.
In some embodiments, the centerless rim 710 may include one or more vents 716
(e.g.,
vents 716a-716e). In some embodiments, the vents 716 may be a hole going all
the way
through the material of the centerless rim 710. In some embodiments, the vents
716 may
be an indentation such that one end of the vent 710 is open and the material
curves back
flush with the face of the centerless rim 710. In some embodiments, the vents
716 may be
disposed at regular intervals around the entire circumference of the
centerless rim 710, or
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the vents 716 may be disposed at various locations and depths around the
centerless rim
710.
In some embodiments, the vents 716 may include a shape of a National Advisory
Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) duct. In these and other embodiments, the
vents 716
may be shaped to allow air to flow in through the vents 716 with minimal
disturbances to
the air flow. Such vents may facilitate an aerodynamic profile along the face
of the
centerless rim 710 while providing air to cool the centerless rim 710. In some
embodiments,
the vents 716 may be implemented in embodiments in which a rail of the
centerless rim
710 is used as a brake rotor (e.g., as illustrated in Figures 4D and 4E).
lo
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figure 7 without
departing from the
scope of the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel assembly
700 may
include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
disclosure. For example, the wheel assembly 700 may include any of the
components or
arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As another example, the
wheel
assembly 700 may include any number of vents or ducts, with those vents or
ducts taking
any shape, profile, or orientation.
Figure 8A and 8B illustrate cross-sectional views of a portion of example
centerless wheel
assemblies. Figure 8A illustrates a centerless wheel assembly 800a with a
centerless ring
gear 820 and without a brake rotor. Figure 8B illustrates a centerless wheel
assembly 800b
with a brake rotor 850 and without a centerless ring gear. As illustrated in
these figures, in
some embodiments, a wheel assembly may exclude a brake rotor or may exclude a
ring
gear.
While illustrated as having the ring gear 820 (in Figure 8A) and the brake
rotor 850 (in
Figure 8B) on opposite sides of a wheel assembly, the ring gear 820 and/or the
brake rotor
850 may be coupled to the wheel assembly on either side of the wheel assembly.
For
example, the ring gear 820 or the brake rotor 850 may be coupled to an outside
face of the
wheel assembly, e.g., a face on the outside of a vehicle employing the wheel
assembly.
Additionally or alternatively, the ring gear 820 or the brake rotor 850 may be
coupled to an
inside face of the wheel assembly, e.g., a face facing the inside of the
vehicle.
In some embodiments that include multi-wheeled vehicles, such a vehicle may
include
some wheels that include a ring gear and exclude a brake rotor (e.g., Figure
8A) and other
wheels that include a brake rotor and exclude a ring gear (e.g., Figure 8B).
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures 8A and/or 813
without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the
centerless wheel
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assemblies 800a and/or 800b may include more or fewer elements than those
illustrated
and described in the present disclosure. For example, the wheel assemblies
800a and/or
800b may include any of the components or arrangements consistent with the
present
disclosure.
Figure 9 illustrates a flow chart of an example method 900 of manufacturing a
centerless
wheel assembly, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
disclosure.
The method 900 may be performed by any suitable system, apparatus, or device.
For
example, the wheel assembly 500 may perform or be utilized in performing one
or more of
the operations associated with the method 900. Although illustrated with
discrete blocks,
ao the steps and operations associated with one or more of the blocks of
the method 900 may
be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated,
depending on
the desired implementation.
At block 910, a tire may be coupled to a centerless rim. For example, a
centerless rim may
be extruded or otherwise manufactured and a tire may be attached to the
centerless rim.
The centerless rim and the tire may be part of a centerless wheel assembly.
At block 920, a point of imperfection in circularity in the centerless wheel
assembly may
be located. For example, the centerless wheel assembly may be coupled to a
device to rotate
the centerless wheel assembly such that imperfections in circularity may be
identified.
Imperfections in circularity may be due to the centerless rim, the tire, etc.
In some
embodiments, the device that rotates the centerless wheel assembly may orient
the
centerless wheel assembly in a certain direction with respect to the located
point of
imperfection in circularity. For example, the centerless wheel assembly may be
turned until
the point of greatest imperfection in circularity is pointing vertically and
may then be
locked in place.
At block 930, an offset amount that corresponds to the imperfection in
circularity may be
determined. For example, a distance from the center point or a distance from
the expected
point of circularity may be used to determine the offset amount. In some
embodiments the
offset amount may be between the greatest point of imperfection in circularity
and an
expected point of circularity.
At block 940, a series of holes may be drilled into the centerless rim
beginning at the point
identified in block 920. The holes may follow a path of circularity of a ring
gear or other
path of circularity. In some embodiments, the holes may be drilled by the
device that rotated
the centerless wheel assembly at block 920, or the device may include guides
or other
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assistance in locating the location to place the series of holes (e.g., laser
pointers, markings,
etc.)
At block 950, a ring gear may be coupled to the centerless rim offset from a
center point of
the centerless rim by the offset amount. For example, as illustrated in Figure
5C, the ring
gear may be bolted to the centerless rim using the holes drilled at block 940
such that the
ring gear is offset from the center point of' the centerless rim by the offset
amount. By
offsetting the ring gear from the centerless rim, imperfections in circularity
may be
accounted for such that as the centerless wheel assembly is rotated or
otherwise operated,
the circularity of the ring gear may continue to interface with and align with
the centerless
rim.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method 900 without
departing
from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the operations of the
method 900
may be implemented in differing order. Additionally or alternatively, two or
more
operations may be performed at the same time. Furthermore, the outlined
operations and
actions are provided as examples, and some of the operations and actions may
be optional,
combined into fewer operations and actions, or expanded into additional
operations and
actions without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments. For
example,
the blocks 910 and 940 may be omitted. As an additional example, the blocks
920 and 930
may be performed simultaneously by the same device.
While the method 900 of Figure 9 is described with reference to a ring gear,
the same
principles are equally applicable to a brake rotor. For example, such a brake
rotor may be
more circular (e.g., have fewer imperfections in circularity) than a
centerless rim to which
the brake rotor may be coupled. The same analysis of imperfection of the
centerless rim
and the drilling of holes and attachment of the brake rotor may be followed.
Figure 10 illustrates a side view of an example centerless wheel assembly
1000, in
accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For
example, the
centerless wheel assembly 1000 may be a side view with one exoskeleton plate
removed
and one exoskeleton plate 1090 visible. The exoskeleton plate 1090 may be
similar or
comparable to the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b of Figure 1A. The
centerless wheel
assembly 1000 may include a centerless rim 1010 that may be similar or
comparable to the
centerless rim 410 of Figure 4E, including a rail 1012 that may be similar or
comparable to
the rail 412 of Figure 4E. Additionally, just as the rail 412 includes the
portion 450 10
function as a brake rotor and interface with a brake caliper, the rail 1012
may include a
portion 1050 of the rail 1012 that acts as a brake rotor and interfaces with a
brake caliper
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1052. The brake caliper 1052 may be coupled to one or more of the exoskeleton
plates (e g.,
the exoskeleton plate 1090) such that the brake caliper 1052 remains
stationary relative to
the centerless rim 1010. The rail 1012 may additional include teeth 1022 that
may be similar
or comparable to the teeth 422 of the rail 412 of Figure 4E. The centerless
wheel assembly
1000 may include a tire 1060 that may be comparable or similar to the tire 160
of Figure
4E,
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 1000 may include a drive
gear 1020.
The drive gear 1020 may be shaped and/or configured to interface with the
teeth 1022 such
that rotation of the drive gear 1020 may cause a corresponding rotation of the
centerless
to rim 1010,
thus driving the centerless wheel assembly 1000. In some embodiments, the
drive
gear 1020 may include a first set of teeth 1024 that interface with the teeth
1022 of the rail
1012, and may include a second set of teeth 1026 that may interface with a
chain 1035. The
chain 1035 may couple the drive gear 1020 with a powered gear 1030. In these
and other
embodiments, as the powered gear 1030 is rotated, the chain 1035 may cause a
corresponding rotation of the drive gear 1020. The powered gear 1030 may be
coupled to
one or more power sources such as bicycle pedals, a motor drive shaft, an
engine, etc. that
may cause the powered gear 1030 to rotate. For example, the power source may
provide a
rotational force and may be coupled to the center of the powered gear 1030.
In some embodiments, the first set of teeth 1024 may proceed about a first
outer
circumference of the drive gear 1020 and the second set of teeth 1026 may
proceed about
a second circumference For example. the drive gear 1020 may function as two
gears, one
with the first outer circumference and one with the second circumference that
are coupled
to move as a unitary body. The first circumference and the second
circumference may be
different sizes to achieve different gearing ratios based on the intended use
of the centerless
wheel assembly 1000 and a target amount of torque or speed. For example, there
may be a
first gearing ratio between the first set of teeth 1024 and the centerless ri
in 1010 and a
second gearing ratio between the second set of teeth 1026 and the powered gear
1030. By
including both sets of teeth, the two gearing ratios may be independently
modified or
adjusted by changing the circumference and/or location of the teeth. In some
embodiments,
the first set of teeth 1024 and the second set of teeth 1026 may have a common
circumference such that both sets of teeth are along the outer circumference
of the drive
gear 1020.
In sonic embodiments, the drive gear 1020 may be supported by an axle coupled
to one or
more of the exoskeleton plates (e.g., the exoskeleton plate 1090), In some
embodiments,
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the axle may suspend the drive gear 1020 further towards the middle of the
centerless rim
1010 beyond the inner circumference of the exoskeleton plate 1090. Such an
embodiment
may allow for a lower profile exoskeleton plate 1090 reducing weight, but may
come at a
cost of potentially reducing aerodynamics by further exposing the rotating
drive gear 1020.
In these and other embodiments, the location of the drive gear 1020 may be
based on the
height of the rail 1012 such that the first set of teeth 1024 may interface
with the teeth 1022.
The height of the rail 1012 may be based on any of a number of factors,
including desired
braking surface, heat dissipation, material, aerodynamics, etc. In some
embodiments, one
or more bearings may be coupled to the axle such that the drive gear 1020 may
rotate freely
about the axle. Additionally or alternatively, one or more one-way bearings
may be utilized
to couple the drive gear 1020 to the axle or the drive gear 1020 may be keyed
to the axle
such that as the axle is rotated, the drive gear 1020 is also rotated.
In some embodiments, the drive gear .1020 may be coupled to one or more power
sources
at the center of the drive gear 1020 rather than through the chain 1035. For
example, an
output shaft of an electric motor or a drive shaft of an engine may be coupled
to the center
of the drive gear 1020 such that the rotational force of the output shaft or
the drive shaft
may cause a corresponding rotation of the drive gear 1020.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figure 10 without
departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel
assembly 1000 may
include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel assembly 1000 may include any of
the
components or arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As another
example,
the centerless wheel assembly 1000 may exclude the chain 1035 and the powered
gear 1030
and include a motor or other power source coupled to the drive gear 1020.
Figure 11 illustrates a top cutaway view of another example centerless wheel
assembly
1100, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
For example,
the centerless wheel assembly 1100 may be a top view of an example wheel that
may be
used in an automotive application. The centerless wheel assembly 1100 may
include a drive
gear 1130 that drives the centerless wheel assembly 1100. The centerless wheel
assembly
1100 may also include a brake caliper 1152 for slowing and stopping the
centerless wheel
assembly 1100.
The centerless wheel assembly 1100 may include a number of components that are
comparable or similar to others already described in the present disclosure.
For example,
the exoskeleton plates 1190a and 1190b may be similar or comparable to the
exoskeleton
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plates 190a and 19013 of Figure 1A. The centerless wheel assembly 1100 may
include a
centerless rim 1110 that may be similar or comparable to the centerless rim
410 of Figure
4E, including a rail 1112 that may be similar or comparable to the rail 412 of
Figure 4E.
Additionally, just as the rail 412 includes the portion 450 to function as a
brake r.otor and
interface with a brake caliper 1152, the rail 1112 may include a portion of
the rail 1112 that
acts as a brake rotor and interfaces with the brake caliper 1152. The brake
caliper 1152 may
be coupled to one or more of the exoskeleton plates (e.g., the exoskeleton
plates 1190a and
1190b) such that the brake caliper 1152 remains stationary relative to the
centerless rim
1110. The centerless wheel assembly 1100 may include the drive gear 1130 that
may be
similar or comparable to the drive gear 430 of Figure 4. However, the drive
gear 430 may
interface with the rail 1112 along a centerline 1102 of the centerless wheel
assembly 1100.
The drive gear 1130 may be drive by a drive shaft 1185 that may be similar or
comparable
to the drive shaft 485 of Figure 4c. The centerless wheel assembly 1100 may
include one
or more roller guides 1180 that may be similar or comparable to the roller
guide 180 of
Figure 1A. The centerless wheel assembly 1100 may include a tire 1160 that may
be
comparable or similar to the tire 160 of Figure 4E.
The drive gear 1130 may be driven by the drive shaft 1185 to cause the drive
gear 1130 to
rotate. Rotation of the drive gear 1130 may cause a corresponding rotation of
the centerless
rim 1110 due to an interaction between teeth of the drive gear 1130 and teeth
of the rail
1112 of the centerless rim 1110. To slow or stop the wheel, the brake caliper
1152 may be
invoked to interfere with the portion of the rail 1112 that may operate as a
brake rotor.
A first roller guide 1180a may be coupled to the first exoskeleton plate 1190a
using a
suspended axle 1182. The suspended axle 1182 may be coupled to a single
exoskeleton
plate (e.g., the exoskeleton plate 1190a) rather than bridging between both
the exoskeleton
plate 1190a and 1190b. For example, the suspended axle 1182 may be
cantilevered from
one exoskeleton plate 1190. Iii operation, the suspended axle 182 may function
in a similar
manner to an axle or bridOng shaft that spans between the exoskeleton plates.
For example,
in these and other embodiments, the first roller guide 1180b may be configured
to roll freely
along the suspended axle 1182. By using the suspended axle 1182, the roller
guides 1180
may be used without interfering with the rail 1112. In these and other
embodiments, the
roller guides 1180 may include a smaller profile and may not include a gap for
the rail as
compared to embodiments in which the roller guide spans the rail (e.g,,
similar or
comparable to the roller guide 380 of Figure 3A).
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In some embodiments, the first roller guide 1180a may function to maintain the
centerless
rim 1110 in proper position and alignment such that the drive gear 1130 may
maintain
consistent contact with the teeth of the rail 1112. In some embodiments, the
first roller
guide 1180a may roll along the centerless rim 1110 during normal operation.
Additionally
.. or alternatively, the first roller guide I180a may be configured and/or
positioned to roll
along the centerless rim 1110 only when there is a force or motion that causes
the centerless
rim 1110 to deviate from normal operation (e.g., a bump or pothole, torsional
forces,
chatter, etc.). The other roller guides 1180b, 1180c, and 1180d with their
associated
suspended axles 1182b, 1182e, and I 182d may operate in a similar or
comparable manner
to to the first roller guide 1180a and first suspended axle 1182a.
In some embodiments, the roller guides 1180 may be disposed at various
locations about
the centerless wheel assembly 1100. For example, the roller guides 1180 may be
placed at
an 8:30, 3:30 and 12:00 position. In these and other embodiments, the roller
guides 1180
may be disposed in a symmetrical position about the centerline 1102. For
example, if the
first roller guide 1180a is at an 8:30 position the third roller guide 1180c
may also be at an
8:30 position. Additionally or alternatively, the first roller guide 1180a and
the third roller
guide 1180c may be displaced or staggered from each other. For example, the
first roller
guide 1180a may be at an 8:30 position, the second roller guide 1180b may be
at 3:30
position, the third roller guide 1180c may be at a 9:30 position, and the
fourth roller guide
.. 1180d may be at a 2:30 position. Any of a variety of factors as described
in the present
disclosure may influence the placement of the roller guides 1180 about the
centerless wheel
assembly 1100. For example, the roller guides 1180 may be placed in positions
to resist
chatter, torsional forces, or other wheel-deforming forces. As another
example, the roller
guides 1180 may be placed in positions to handle braking forces. As an
additional example,
the roller guides 1180 may be placed in positions to facilitate removability
of the
exoskeleton plate 1190.
In some embodiments, the second exoskeleton plate 1190b may be coupled to an
automotive vehicle using lug nuts 1142. For example, the lug nuts 142a, 1142b,
and 1142c
may be disposed at various locations about the second exoskeleton plate 1190b.
The lug
.. nuts 1142 may couple the centerless wheel assembly 1100 to any component of
a vehicle
such that the centerless wheel assembly 1100 may provide motion to the
vehicle.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figure 11 without
departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel
assembly 1100 may
include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
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disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel assembly 1100 may include any of
the
components or arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As another
example,
the centerless wheel assembly 1100 may include a motor coupled to the drive
shaft 1185 to
drive the drive gear 1120. As an additional example, there may be additional
or fewer roller
guides 1180. As another example, the exoskeleton plates 1190a and 1190b may
include an
enclosure or covering spanning between the two exoskeleton plates 1190a and
1190b (e.g.,
similar or comparable to the exoskeleton plate 390a illustrated in Figure 3A).
Figure 12 illustrates an exploded view of another example centerless wheel
assembly 1200,
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. For
example, the
centerless wheel assembly 1200 may be an example wheel that may be used in an
automotive application.
The centerless wheel assembly 1200 may include a number of components that are
comparable or similar to others already described in the present disclosure.
For example,
an exterior exoskeleton plate 1.290a and an interior exoskeleton plate 1290b
may be similar
or comparable to the exoskeleton plates 190a and 190b of Figure IA, The
centerless wheel
assembly 1200 may include a centerless rim 1210 that may be similar or
comparable to the
centerless rim 410 of Figure 4E, including a rail 1212 that may be similar or
comparable to
the rail 412 of Figure 4E. Additionally, just as the rail 412 includes the
portion 450 to
function as a brake rotor and inteiface with a brake caliper 1152, the rail
1212 may include
a portion of the rail 1212 that acts as a brake rotor and interfaces with a
brake caliper 1250.
The brake caliper 1250 may be coupled to one or more of the exoskeleton plates
(e.g., an
interior exoskeleton plate 1290b) such that the brake caliper 1250 remains
stationary
relative to the centerless rim 1210. The centerless wheel assembly 1200 may
include a drive
gear 1230 that may be similar or comparable to the drive gear 430 of Figure 4.
The drive
gear 1230 may be driven by a drive shaft 1285 that may be similar or
comparable to the
drive shaft 485 of Figure 4C. The centerless wheel assembly 1200 may include
one or more
roller guides 1280 (e.g., 1280a-c) and/or 1282 (e.g., 1282a-c) that may be
similar or
comparable to the roller guides 1180 of Figure 11 The centerless wheel
assembly 1200
may include a motor 1270 that may be similar or comparable to the motor 170 of
Figure
IA.
The drive gear 1230 may be driven by the drive shaft 1285 to cause the drive
gear 1230 to
rotate. Rotation of the drive gear 1230 may cause a corresponding rotation of
the centerless
rim 1210 due to an interaction between teeth of the drive gear 1230 and the
teeth 1222 of
the rail 1212 of the centerless rim 1210. To slow or stop the wheel, the brake
caliper 1250
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may be invoked to interfere with the portion of the rail 1212 that may operate
as a brake
rotor.
In some embodiments, the rail 1212 of the centerless rim 1210 may be offset
from the
middle of the centerless rim 1210, such that the rail 1212 may be closer to an
interior portion
of the centerless wheel 1200 (e.g., closer to the body of an automobile) or
closer to an
exterior portion of the centerless wheel 1200. Moving the rail 1212 closer to
the interior
portion may provide a force and/or aerodynamic advantage. For example, the
rotating
driver gear 1230 and/or the teeth1222 may be further from the exterior air for
an automobile
in motion.
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 1200 may include a first
set of roller
guides 1280 that ma.: be suspended from the interior exoskeleton plate 1290b.
The roller
guides 1280 may be cantilevered in a similar or comparable manner to the
roller guides
1180 of Figure 11. Additionally or alternatively, a second set of roller
guides 1282 may be
cantilevered from the exterior exoskeleton plate 1290a in a similar or
comparable manner
to the roller guides 1180 of Figure 1 . In some embodiments, the second set of
roller guides
1282 may be located proximate the exterior exoskeleton plate 1290a such that
as an
automobile goes around a corner or experiences other G-forces that may shift
forces
towards the exterior exoskeleton plate 1290a, the second set of roller guides
1282 may
maintain various components of the centerless wheel assembly 1200 in proper
position and
in proper alignment such that the forces do not derail the driver gear 1230 or
otherwise
misalign the other components of the centerless wheel 1200.
In some embodiments, the drive shaft 1285 may include a sleeve or bushing
1240. The
sleeve or bushing 1240 may include threads or other coupling mechanism such
that a hub
nut 1242 may screw into or otherwise interface with the sleeve or bushing 1240
to couple
the exterior exoskeleton plate 1290a to the interior exoskeleton plate 1290b.
For example,
the bushing 1240 may be fixedly coupled to the motor 1270, and the motor 1270
may be
fixedly coupled to the interior exoskeleton plate 1290b. As another example,
the bushing
1240 may be fixedly coupled to the interior exoskeleton plate 1290b. In these
and other
embodiments, removing the hub nut 1242 may allow removal of the exterior
exoskeleton
plate 1290a and/or the centerless rim 1210 by removing only the hub nut 1242_
In some embodiments, the interior exoskeleton plate 1290b may include one or
more
mountings 1291 for coupling the centerless wheel assembly 1200 to an
automobile, such
as to a c-arm, steering joint, or other vehicular joint. in these and other
embodiments, lug
nuts or any other coupling mechanism may be used.
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In some embodiments, the roller guides 1281a and 128th may include bearings
such that
the roller guides 128Ia and 1282b may rotate freely around the drive shaft
1285 For
example, as the drive shaft 1285 is rotated, the drive gear 1230 may rotate
with the drive
shaft 1285 while the roller guides 1281a and 128 lb may rotate freely about
the drive shaft
1285 and/or may roll along an inner surface of the centerless rim 1210.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figure 12 without
departing from
the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel
assembly 1200 may
include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel assembly 1200 may include any of
the
to components or arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As an
additional
example, there may be additional or fewer roller guides 1280, 1281, and 1282.
As another
example, the exoskeleton plates 1290a and 1290b may include an enclosure or
covering
spanning between the two exoskeleton plates 1290a and 1290b (e.g., similar or
comparable
to the exoskeleton plate 390a illustrated in Figure 3A).
is Figures 13A and 13B illustrate various view of an example centerless
wheel assembly
1300, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
For example,
Figure 13A illustrates an exploded view of the centerless wheel assembly 1300
and Figure
1313 illustrates a front view of the centerless wheel assembly 1300. The
centerless wheel
assembly 1300 may be comparable or similar to the centerless wheel assembly
1200 of
20 Figure 12. The centerless wheel assembly 1300 may include an
intermediate exoskeleton
plate 1394 in addition to an interior exoskeleton plate 1390 and an exterior
exoskeleton
plate 1396. The exterior exoskeleton plate 1396 may take a customizable view
to facilitate
visual appeal, aerodynamics, or other design purposes.
The centerless wheel assembly 1300 may include a number of components that are
25 comparable or similar to others already described in the present
disclosure. For example,
the interior exoskeleton plate 1390 may be similar or comparable to the
exoskeleton plates
190a and 190b of Figure IA. The centerless wheel assembly 1300 may include a
centerless
rim 1310 that may be similar or comparable to the centerless rim 1210 of
Figure 12,
including a rail 1312 that may be similar or comparable to the rail 1212 of
Figure 12.
30 Additionally, just as the rail 1212 includes a portion to function as a
brake rotor and
interface with the brake caliper 1250, the rail 1312 may include a portion of
the rail 1312
that acts as a brake rotor and interfaces with a brake caliper 1350. The
centerless wheel
assembly 1300 may include a drive gear 1330 that may be similar or comparable
to the
drive gear 1230 of Figure 12. The drive gear 1330 may be driven by a drive
shaft 1385 that
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may be similar or comparable to the drive shaft 1285 of Figure 12. The drive
shaft 1385
may include a bushing 1340 around the drive shaft 1285 that may be similar or
comparable
to the bushing 1240 of Figure 12. The centerless wheel assembly 1300 may
include a hub
nut 1342 that may be similar or comparable to the hub nut 1242 of Figure 12.
The centerless
wheel assembly 1300 may include one or more roller guides 1380 (e.g., 1380a-
c), 1381
(e.g., 1381a-b), and/or 1382 (e.g., 1382a-c) that may be similar or comparable
to the roller
guides 1280, 1281, and/or 1282 of Figure 12.
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 1300 may include the
interior
exoskeleton plate 1390 that may be coupled to a vehicle, such as through a c-
arm, steering
joint, or other mechanical linkage. The interior exoskeleton plate 1390 may be
coupled to
the intermediate exoskeleton plate 1394. For example, a series of nuts and
bolts may couple
the interior exoskeleton plate 1390 and the intermediate exoskeleton plate
1394. In these
and other embodiments, one or more spacers 1392 (e.g., the spacers 1392a-
1392d) may be
used to provide a proper spacing and orientation between the interior
exoskeleton plate
1390 and the intermediate exoskeleton plate 1394. For example, the spacers
1392 may be
smaller at the top of the centerless wheel assembly 1300 and wider at the
bottom of the
centerless wheel assembly 1300 to support a generally frustoconical shape of
the
intermediate exoskeleton plat 1394 with an opening further towards the top of
the centerless
wheel assembly 1300. In some embodiments, the intermediate exoskeleton plate
1390 may
seat directly against the interior exoskeleton plate 1394 and the spacers 1392
may be
compressed between the interior exoskeleton plate 1390 and the intermediate
exoskeleton
plate 1394. In some embodiments, the rail 1312 may be disposed between the
interior
exoskeleton plate 1390 and the intermediate exoskeleton plate 1394.
In some embodiments, the brake caliper 1350 may be coupled to the intermediate
ze exoskeleton
plate 1394. In these and other embodiments, the brake caliper 1350 may be
coupled using a movable coupling mechanism, such as a quick-release mechanism
(e.g., a
release mechanism that is activatable by hand without a tool), a hinged
mechanism, or other
such coupling mechanism to allow the brake caliper 1350 to be moved away from
the rail
1312. In some embodiments, the intermediate exoskeleton plate 1394 may include
a gap or
void in material for the brake caliper 1350 such that the brake caliper 1350
may be moved
into a position such that the brake caliper 1350 remains stationary relative
to the rail 1312
and that when the brake caliper 1350 is restricted, the brake caliper
interferes with the
portion of the rail 13 112 that operates as the brake rotor to decrease the
rotational speed of
the centerless rim 1310.
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In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may operate as a face
plate or
wind guard to the centerless wheel assembly 1300. For example, the external
exoskeleton
plate 1396 may include any shape or form factor to facilitate brand
recognition, increase
aerodynamics, provide an aesthetically appealing appearance, or other factors.
For
example, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may include a logo, design, or
other mark or
shape affiliated with a particular wheel manufacturer or automobile company.
As another
example, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may be shaped with a smooth
surface to
reduce wind resistance. In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton plate
1396 may
have voids in material or may be a small ring around the outside of the
centerless wheel
assembly 1300. In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may be
sized
such that an exterior lip of the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may protrude
beyond the
centerless rim 1310 in one or more directions. For example, the exterior lip
of the external
exoskeleton plate 1396 may protrude in an exterior direction further than the
centerless rim
13 10 and/or may protrude in a radial direction away from the center of the
centerless rim
13 10 beyond the outer circumference of the centerless rim 1310.
In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may include one or
more roller
guides 1382 that may be coupled to the external exoskeleton plate 1396. For
example, the
roller guides 1382 may be cantilevered as described with respect to the roller
guides 1180
of Figure 11.
In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may be coupled to the
bushing
1340 using the hub nut 1342. In these and other embodiments, the external
exoskeleton
plate 1396 may be removed from the centerless wheel assembly by removal of the
hub nut
1342. Additionally or alternatively, after removal of the external exoskeleton
plate 1396,
the centerless rim 1310 may be removed from the centerless wheel assembly 1300
by
moving, releasina, or otherwise adjusting the brake caliper 1350 such that the
centerless
rim 1310 may proceed externally away from the centerless wheel assembly 1300.
In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton plate 1396 may include one or
more raised
features 1397 that may interface with one or more depressions 1395 in the
intermediate
exoskeleton plate 1394. While illustrated as raised features 1397 and
depressions 1395 in
the external exoskeleton plate 1396 and intermediate exoskeleton plate 1394,
respectively,
the raised features and the depressions may occur in the other exoskeleton
plate as well.
Additionally or alternatively, any interfacing feature may be used between the
external
exoskeleton plate 1396 and intermediate exoskeleton plate 1394 to facilitate a
secure
centerless wheel assembly 1300. In some embodiments, the external exoskeleton
plate 1396
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may be coupled to the bushing 1340 that may be coupled to the interior
exoskeleton plate
1390, and the interior exoskeleton plate 1390 may be coupled to the
intermediate
exoskeleton plate 1394. In these and other embodiments, there may be no direct
coupling
between the exterior exoskeleton plate 1396 and the intermediate exoskeleton
plate 1394
.. besides the interaction of the raised features 1397 and the depressions
1395.
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assembly 1300 may include a valance
1360
that may be configured to resist rock, sand, dust, or other materials from
entering the
centerless wheel assembly 1300 proximate the rail 1312. For example, the
valence 1360
may be made of a rubber of other material that may straddle the inner
circumference of the
3,o internal exoskeleton plate 1390, the intermediate exoskeleton plate
1394, and/or the
external exoskeleton plate 1396. In some embodiments, the valance 1360 may be
made of
a rigid material, and in other embodiments, a deformable or stretchable
material.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures 13A and 13B
without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the
centerless wheel
.. assembly 1300 may include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and
described in
the present disclosure. For example, the centerless wheel assembly 1300 may
include any
of the components or arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As
an additional
example, there may be additional or fewer roller guides 1380, 1381, and/or
1382.
Figures 14A and 14 B illustrate multiple views of an example vehicle 1400
utilizing
centerless wheels 1410. The centerless wheel assemblies 1410 may be comparable
or
similar to the centerless wheel assembly 1300 of Figures 13A and/or 13B.
In some embodiments, the centerless wheel assemblies 1410 may be coupled to a
vehicle
chassis 1420. For example, the chassis 1420 may include a half shaft, arm,
cantilevered
member, etc. to which the centerless wheel 1410 may be coupled. In some
embodiments, a
single lug nut may couple the centerless wheel 1410 to the chassis 1420.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to Figures 14A and 14B
without
departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the vehicle
1400 may
include more or fewer elements than those illustrated and described in the
present
disclosure. For example, the vehicle 1400 may include any of the components or
.. arrangements consistent with the present disclosure. As an additional
example, there may
be any of a variety of coupling members to couple the centerless wheels 1410
to the chassis
1420. As an another example, the vehicle 1400 may include a body on top of the
chassis
1420 such as a cargo area, a seating area, an engine or motor area, etc.
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Terms used in the present disclosure and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of
the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term
"including"
should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to," the term "having"
should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as
-includes, but
is not limited to," the term "containing" should be interpreted as
"containing, but not
limited to," etc.).
Additionally, if a specific number ,of an introduced claim recitation is
intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
recitation no such
intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following
appended claims
io may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or
more" to introduce
claim recitations_ However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to
imply that
the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an"
limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments
containing
only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory
phrases "one
is or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an"
(e.g., "a" and/or "an"
should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds
true for the
use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is
explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be
interpreted to mean at
20 least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two
recitations," without other
modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
Furthermore, in those
instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc."
or "one or
more of A, B, and C. etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended
to include A
alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together,
or A, B,
25 and C together, etc.
Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative
terms, whether
in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate
the
possibilities of including one of the terms, either of' the terms, or both
terms. For example,
the phrase "A or B" should be understood to include the possibilities of "A"
or -13" or "A
30 and B."
All examples and conditional language recited in the present disclosure are
intended for
pedagogical objects to aid the reader in understanding the disclosure and the
concepts
contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as
being without
limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, Although
embodiments of
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the present disclosure have been described in detail, various changes,
substitutions, and
alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present
disclosure.
