Abstract
The following quote was obtained by the news editors from the background informa tion supplied bythe inventors: “Mecanum wheels (U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,255, incorp orated herein by reference) are usedto drive mobile robots and motorized wheelc hairs, among other applications. They allow for movementin any direction, as we ll as rotation, from a standing start. Omnidirectional wheels (U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,947, incorporated herein by reference) similarly allow movements in both the direction of the wheel rimand perpendicular to it (see FIG. 1). But both mecanu m and omnidirectional wheels work using rollersthat move freely on the ground, even if the wheels themselves are not rotating, so they cannot use normalwheel brakes. An effective braking apparatus for mecanum or omnidirectional wheels cou ld provide aparking brake for motorized wheelchairs, so they don’t roll down sl opes, and also give them more tractionto move up slopes-both improving user saf ety. Such an apparatus could also improve safety, security,and traction for mob ile and warehouse robots, as well as provide an advantage for competitive roboti csteams by preventing other robots from pushing the braked robot around, and by providing extra tractionto achieve objectives even when other robots are in th e way.”
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