US20250213993A1

US20250213993A1 - Wheel of a Remote Control Toy Vehicle

Info

Publication number: US20250213993A1
Application number: US18/665,603
Authority: US
Inventors: Bo Chen
Original assignee: Shantou P&C Plastic Products Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shantou P&C Plastic Products Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-12-29
Filing date: 2024-05-16
Publication date: 2025-07-03
Also published as: CN220478112U

Abstract

The present invention discloses a wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle, comprising: a wheel body; and a wheel drive means; wherein the wheel body comprises an inner cavity, a rolling component, and a coupling component; wherein the rolling component is rotatably mounted on the coupling component and in transmission connection with a power output end of the wheel drive means; and wherein the wheel drive means is mounted on the coupling component and positioned within the inner cavity. The present remote-controlled toy vehicle wheel can be independently controlled, enabling various movement modes of the remote-controlled toy vehicle without occupying space within the vehicle body.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202323634627.6, filed Dec. 29, 2023.
The above applications and all patents, patent applications, articles, books, specifications, other publications, documents, and things referenced herein are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes. To the extent of any inconsistency or conflict in the definition or use of a term between any of the incorporated publications, documents, or things and the text of the present document, the definition or use of the term in the present document shall prevail.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of remote-controlled vehicles, particularly to a wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Remote-controlled toy vehicles have gained immense popularity among children of all ages, attributed to their captivating entertainment value and appealing designs.
Existing remote-controlled vehicles typically feature large-diameter wheels and individual wheel drive means for each wheel to enable various driving modes and adaptability to various driving environments. However, such structure often occupies space within a vehicle body of the remote-controlled toy vehicle, interfering with an internal layout of the vehicle body, making it suitable for only large-sized remote-controlled vehicles.

SUMMARY

An objective of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a remote-controlled toy vehicle wheel that can be independently controlled, enabling various movement modes of the remote-controlled toy vehicle without occupying space within the vehicle body.
The objective of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solution.
A wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle, comprising:

- a wheel body; and
- a wheel drive means;
- wherein the wheel body comprises an inner cavity, a rolling component, and a coupling component;
- wherein the rolling component is rotatably mounted on the coupling component and in transmission connection with a power output end of the wheel drive means; and
- wherein the wheel drive means is mounted on the coupling component and positioned within the inner cavity.

In the above wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle, the coupling component is used to connect the rolling component to a vehicle body or a steering mechanism of the remote-controlled toy vehicle.
When in use, the rolling component of the remote-controlled toy vehicle wheel employing this structure can be driven to rotate by the in-wheel wheel drive means controlled by a user, thereby propelling the remote-controlled vehicle; moreover, this structure can increase the remote-controlled vehicle's horsepower, as each wheel is powered by an independent wheel drive means; furthermore, this structure enables the remote-controlled vehicle to seamlessly transition between various movement modes (such as rotating in place) by providing individual control over the rotational speed of each wheel; meanwhile, the wheel drive means can utilize the space within the inner cavity of the wheel body, eliminating the need to occupy space within the vehicle body of the remote-controlled vehicle, avoiding interference with an internal layout of the vehicle body, making it suitable for remote-controlled vehicles of various sizes.
In one preferred embodiment, the rolling component and the coupling component jointly form a first wheel-unit structure having the inner cavity, with a main body of the wheel drive means being mounted within the coupling component; and the wheel drive means is provided with a first mounting shaft, enabling the rolling component to be rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft to establish a transmission connection with the power output end of the wheel drive means.
With this structure, the rolling component and the coupling component can combine to form a commonly seen wheel-unit structure; and the rolling component can swivel relative to the corresponding coupling component, and during swivel, can be driven by the corresponding wheel drive means to rotate around the first mounting shaft.
In one preferred embodiment, the wheel drive means comprises a first housing fixedly mounted on the coupling component, and a first electric motor and a first gear set that are respectively arranged in the first housing; the first mounting shaft is positioned on the first housing; an initial gear of the first gear set is mounted onto an output shaft of the first electric motor; and a final gear of the first gear set is rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft and connected to the rolling component.
The first electric motor, via the first gear set, drives the rolling component to rotate around the first mounting shaft.
In one preferred embodiment, a first shaft sleeve with a first external spline is positioned on a gear end face of the final gear of the first gear set and rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft; and the rolling component is provided with a first internal splined hole for engaging with the first external spline on the first shaft sleeve.
The final gear of the first gear set, via the first shaft sleeve, can set the rolling component into rotation.
In one preferred embodiment, the coupling component comprises a first fixing member and a second fixing member; the rolling component comprises a first rolling member and a second rolling member; the first fixing member, the first rolling member, the second fixing member, and the second rolling member are arranged in a right-to-left sequence to form the first wheel-unit structure; a first connecting member is provided on the first fixing member, and a second connecting member matching the first connecting member is provided on the second fixing member, so that the first fixing member is fixedly connected to the second connecting member on the second fixing member through the first connecting member; the wheel drive means is fixedly mounted within the first fixing member; a third connecting member is provided on the first rolling member, and a fourth connecting member matching the third connecting member is provided on the second rolling member, so that the first rolling member is fixedly connected to the fourth connecting member on the second rolling member through the third connecting member; and the first internal splined hole is provided on either the first rolling member or the second rolling member.
This structure enables the first fixing member and the second fixing member to restrict the lateral movement of the first rolling member, thereby preventing lateral oscillation of the first rolling member during rotation.
In one preferred embodiment, one side edge of the first rolling member is provided with a first annular protruding ridge or a first annular groove; and the first fixing member or the second fixing member is provided with a second annular groove or a second annular protruding ridge matching the first annular protruding ridge or the first annular groove.
When the first rolling member comes into contact with the first fixing member or the second fixing member, the interaction between the annular protruding ridge and the annular groove can further restrain lateral oscillation of the first rolling member during rotation.
In one preferred embodiment, the first connecting member is disposed on an outer side of the first fixing member; the second connecting member is disposed on an outer side of the second fixing member; a first through hole is provided on the second fixing member; the third connecting member is disposed on an inner side of the first rolling member; the fourth connecting member is disposed on an inner side of the second rolling member; the third connecting member passes through the first through hole to fixedly connected to the fourth connecting member; the first internal splined hole is provided on the first rolling member.
The first connecting member and the second connecting member, once connected, can also function as a linkage component for linking to the vehicle body or the steering mechanism of the remote-controlled toy vehicle.
The third connecting member and the fourth connecting member may each be configured with a different hole type: one with a through hole and the other with a threaded hole, facilitating their connection by inserting a screw through the through hole and securing the screw into the threaded hole.
In one preferred embodiment, the first fixing member and the second rolling member are respectively spherical-cap-shaped; the second fixing member and the first rolling member are respectively annular-ring-shaped; and the first fixing member, the first rolling member, the second fixing member, and the second rolling member collectively form the first wheel-unit structure in a spherical shape.
In one preferred embodiment, a first tire is provided on an outer surface of the first rolling member, enhancing traction and preventing slippage.
In one preferred embodiment, the rolling component forms a second wheel-unit structure having the inner cavity and a second through hole; and the wheel drive means is provided with a second mounting shaft, with one end of the second mounting shaft extending through the second through hole to the outside of the rolling component and being fixedly connected to the coupling component, enabling the rolling component to be rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft to connect with the power output end of the wheel drive means.
With this structure, the rolling component can alone form a commonly seen wheel-unit structure, while the coupling component functions as a linkage component for linking the rolling component to the vehicle body or the steering mechanism of the remote-controlled toy vehicle; moreover, the rolling component can swivel relative to the corresponding coupling component, and during swivel, can be driven by the corresponding wheel drive means to rotate around the second mounting shaft.
In one preferred embodiment, the wheel drive means comprises a second housing, and a second electric motor and a second gear set that are respectively arranged in the second housing; the second mounting shaft is positioned on the second housing; an initial gear of the second gear set is in transmission connection with an output shaft of the second electric motor; and a final gear of the second gear set is rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft and connected to the rolling component.
The second electric motor, via the second gear set, drives the rolling component to rotate around the second mounting shaft.
In one preferred embodiment, a second shaft sleeve with a second external spline is positioned on the final gear of the second gear set and rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft; the second through hole is a second internal splined hole matching the second external spline; and the rolling component engages with the second external spline of the second shaft sleeve through the second internal splined hole.
In one preferred embodiment, the wheel body further comprises a second tire sleeved onto the rolling component.
Compared to the prior art, one preferred embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages: The present remote-controlled toy vehicle wheel can be independently controlled, enabling various movement modes of the remote-controlled toy vehicle without occupying space within the vehicle body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle in Embodiment I of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a coupling component in Embodiment I of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective of a wheel drive means, installed in a first fixing member, in Embodiment I of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of a wheel drive means, engaged with a first rolling member, in Embodiment I of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of a second rolling member in Embodiment I of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle in Embodiment II of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of a wheel drive means, installed on a coupling component, in Embodiment II of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective of a wheel drive means, engaged with a rolling component, in Embodiment II of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Set forth below are specific embodiments of the present invention and a further description of the technical solutions of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

Embodiment I

As shown in FIGS. 1-5 , one embodiment of a wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle, comprising:

- a wheel body 1; and
- a wheel drive means 2;
- wherein the wheel body 1 comprises an inner cavity, a rolling component 102, and a coupling component 101;
- wherein the rolling component 102 is rotatably mounted on the coupling component 101; and
- wherein the rolling component 102 and the coupling component 101 jointly form a first wheel-unit structure having the inner cavity, with a main body of the wheel drive means 2 being mounted within the coupling component 101; and the wheel drive means 2 is provided with a first mounting shaft 201, enabling the rolling component 102 to be rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft 201 to establish a transmission connection with a power output end of the wheel drive means 2.

In the above wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle, the coupling component 101 is used to connect the rolling component 102 to a vehicle body or a steering mechanism of the remote-controlled toy vehicle.
When in use, the rolling component 102 of the remote-controlled toy vehicle wheel employing this structure can be driven to rotate by the in-wheel wheel drive means 2 controlled by a user, thereby propelling the remote-controlled vehicle;

- moreover, this structure can increase the remote-controlled vehicle's horsepower, as each wheel is powered by an independent wheel drive means 2;
- furthermore, this structure enables the remote-controlled vehicle to seamlessly transition between various movement modes (such as rotating in place) by providing individual control over the rotational speed of each wheel;
- meanwhile, the wheel drive means 2 can utilize the space within the inner cavity of the wheel body 1, eliminating the need to occupy space within the vehicle body of the remote-controlled vehicle, avoiding interference with an internal layout of the vehicle body, making it suitable for remote-controlled vehicles of various sizes.

The wheel drive means 2 comprises a first housing 202 fixedly mounted on the coupling component 101, and a first electric motor (not shown) and a first gear set that are respectively arranged in the first housing 202; the first mounting shaft 201 is positioned on the first housing 202; an initial gear of the first gear set is mounted onto an output shaft of the first electric motor; and a final gear 203 of the first gear set is rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft 201 and connected to the rolling component 102.
The first electric motor, via the first gear set, drives the rolling component 102 to rotate around the first mounting shaft 201.
A first shaft sleeve 2031 with a first external spline is positioned on a gear end face of the final gear 203 of the first gear set and rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft 201; and the rolling component 102 is provided with a first internal splined hole 1021 for engaging with the first external spline on the first shaft sleeve 2031.
The final gear 203 of the first gear set, via the first shaft sleeve, can set the rolling component 102 into rotation.
The coupling component 101 comprises a first fixing member 1011 and a second fixing member 1012; the rolling component 102 comprises a first rolling member 1022 and a second rolling member 1023; the first fixing member 1011, the first rolling member 1022, the second fixing member 1012, and the second rolling member 1023 are arranged in a right-to-left sequence to form the first wheel-unit structure; a first connecting member 10111 is provided on the first fixing member 1011, and a second connecting member 10121 matching the first connecting member 10111 is provided on the second fixing member 1012, so that the first fixing member 1011 is fixedly connected to the second connecting member 10121 on the second fixing member 1012 through the first connecting member 10111; the wheel drive means 2 is fixedly mounted within the first fixing member 1011; a third connecting member 10221 is provided on the first rolling member 1022, and a fourth connecting member 10231 matching the third connecting member 10221 is provided on the second rolling member 1023, so that the first rolling member 1022 is fixedly connected to the fourth connecting member 10231 on the second rolling member 1023 through the third connecting member 10221; and the first internal splined hole 1021 is provided on the first rolling member 1022.
This structure enables the first fixing member 1011 and the second fixing member 1012 to restrict the lateral movement of the first rolling member 1022, thereby preventing lateral oscillation of the first rolling member 1022 during rotation.
One side edge of the first rolling member 1022 is provided with a first annular groove (not shown); and the first fixing member 1011 is provided with a second annular protruding ridge 10112 matching the first annular groove.
When the first rolling member 1022 comes into contact with the first fixing member 1011, the interaction between the annular protruding ridge and the annular groove can further restrain lateral oscillation of the first rolling member 1022 during rotation.
The first connecting member 10111 is disposed on an outer side of the first fixing member 1011; the second connecting member 10121 is disposed on an outer side of the second fixing member 1012; a first through hole 10122 is provided on the second fixing member 1012; the third connecting member 10221 is disposed on an inner side of the first rolling member 1022; the fourth connecting member 10231 is disposed on an inner side of the second rolling member 1023; the third connecting member 10221 passes through the first through hole 10122 to fixedly connected to the fourth connecting member 10231; the first internal splined hole 1021 is provided on the first rolling member 1022.
The first connecting member 10111 and the second connecting member 10121, once connected, can function as a linkage component for linking to the vehicle body or the steering mechanism of the remote-controlled toy vehicle.
The third connecting member 10221 and the fourth connecting member 10231 are each be configured with a different hole type: one with a through hole and the other with a threaded hole, facilitating their connection by inserting a screw through the through hole and securing the screw into the threaded hole.
The first fixing member 1011 and the second rolling member 1023 are respectively spherical-cap-shaped; the second fixing member 1012 and the first rolling member 1022 are respectively annular-ring-shaped; and the first fixing member 1011, the first rolling member 1022, the second fixing member 1012, and the second rolling member 1023 collectively form the first wheel-unit structure in a spherical shape. A first tire is provided on an outer surface of the first rolling member 1022, enhancing traction and preventing slippage.

Embodiment II

Differences between this embodiment and Embodiment I are as follows: as shown in FIGS. 6-8 , the rolling component 102′ forms a second wheel-unit structure having the inner cavity and a second through hole 1021′; and the wheel drive means 2′ is provided with a second mounting shaft 201′, with one end of the second mounting shaft 201′ extending through the second through hole 1021′ to the outside of the rolling component 102′ and being fixedly connected to the coupling component 101′, enabling the rolling component 102′ to be rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft 201′ to connect with the power output end of the wheel drive means 2′.
With this structure, the rolling component 102′ can alone form a commonly seen wheel-unit structure, while the coupling component 101′ functions as a linkage component for linking the rolling component 102′ to the vehicle body or the steering mechanism of the remote-controlled toy vehicle; moreover, the rolling component 102′ can swivel relative to the corresponding coupling component 101′, and during swivel, can be driven by the corresponding wheel drive means 2′ to rotate around the second mounting shaft 201′.
The wheel drive means 2′ comprises a second housing 202′, and a second electric motor (not shown) and a second gear set that are respectively arranged in the second housing 202′; the second mounting shaft 201′ is positioned on the second housing 202′; an initial gear of the second gear set is in transmission connection with an output shaft of the second electric motor; and a final gear 203′ of the second gear set is rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft 201′ and connected to the rolling component 102′.
The second electric motor, via the second gear set, drives the rolling component 102′ to rotate around the second mounting shaft 201′.
A second shaft sleeve 2031′ with a second external spline is positioned on the final gear 203′ of the second gear set and rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft 201′; the second through hole 1021′ is a second internal splined hole matching the second external spline; and the rolling component 102′ engages with the second external spline of the second shaft sleeve 2031′ through the second internal splined hole.
The wheel body further comprises a second tire sleeved onto the rolling component 102′.

REFERENCED PARTS

- 1 Wheel body
- 2, 2′ Wheel drive means
- 101, 101′ Coupling component
- 102, 102′ Rolling component
- 201 First mounting shaft
- 201′ Second mounting shaft
- 202 First housing
- 202′ Second housing
- 203 Final gear of the first gear set
- 203′ Final gear of the second gear set
- 2031 First shaft sleeve
- 2031′ Second shaft sleeve
- 1021 First internal splined hole
- 1011 First fixing member
- 1012 Second fixing member
- 1022 First rolling member
- 1023 Second rolling member
- 10111 First connecting member
- 10121 Second connecting member
- 10221 Third connecting member
- 10231 Fourth connecting member
- 10112 Second annular protruding ridge
- 10122 First through hole
- 1021′ Second through hole

Claims

1. A wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle, comprising:

a wheel body; and

a wheel drive means;

wherein the wheel body comprises an inner cavity, a rolling component, and a coupling component;

wherein the rolling component is rotatably mounted on the coupling component and in transmission connection with a power output end of the wheel drive means; and

wherein the wheel drive means is mounted on the coupling component and positioned within the inner cavity.

2. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the rolling component and the coupling component jointly form a first wheel-unit structure having the inner cavity, with a main body of the wheel drive means being mounted within the coupling component; and

wherein the wheel drive means is provided with a first mounting shaft, enabling the rolling component to be rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft to establish a transmission connection with the power output end of the wheel drive means.

3. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 2,

wherein the wheel drive means comprises a first housing fixedly mounted on the coupling component, and a first electric motor and a first gear set that are respectively arranged in the first housing;

wherein the first mounting shaft is positioned on the first housing;

wherein an initial gear of the first gear set is mounted onto an output shaft of the first electric motor; and

wherein a final gear of the first gear set is rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft and connected to the rolling component.

4. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 3,

wherein a first shaft sleeve with a first external spline is positioned on a gear end face of the final gear of the first gear set and rotatably sleeved onto the first mounting shaft; and

wherein the rolling component is provided with a first internal splined hole capable of engaging with the first external spline on the first shaft sleeve.

5. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 4,

wherein the coupling component comprises a first fixing member and a second fixing member;

wherein the rolling component comprises a first rolling member and a second rolling member;

wherein the first fixing member, the first rolling member, the second fixing member, and the second rolling member are arranged in a right-to-left sequence to form the first wheel-unit structure;

wherein a first connecting member is provided on the first fixing member, and a second connecting member matching the first connecting member is provided on the second fixing member, so that the first fixing member is fixedly connected to the second connecting member on the second fixing member through the first connecting member;

wherein the wheel drive means is fixedly mounted within the first fixing member;

wherein a third connecting member is provided on the first rolling member, and a fourth connecting member matching the third connecting member is provided on the second rolling member, so that the first rolling member is fixedly connected to the fourth connecting member on the second rolling member through the third connecting member; and

wherein the first internal splined hole is provided on either the first rolling member or the second rolling member.

6. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 5,

wherein one side edge of the first rolling member is provided with a first annular protruding ridge or a first annular groove; and

wherein the first fixing member or the second fixing member is provided with a second annular groove or a second annular protruding ridge matching the first annular protruding ridge or the first annular groove.

7. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 5,

wherein the first connecting member is disposed on an outer side of the first fixing member;

wherein the second connecting member is disposed on an outer side of the second fixing member;

wherein a first through hole is provided on the second fixing member;

wherein the third connecting member is disposed on an inner side of the first rolling member;

wherein the fourth connecting member is disposed on an inner side of the second rolling member;

wherein the third connecting member passes through the first through hole to fixedly connected to the fourth connecting member;

wherein the first internal splined hole is provided on the first rolling member;

wherein the first fixing member and the second rolling member are respectively spherical-cap-shaped;

wherein the second fixing member and the first rolling member are respectively annular-ring-shaped; and

wherein the first fixing member, the first rolling member, the second fixing member, and the second rolling member collectively form the first wheel-unit structure in a spherical shape.

8. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the rolling component forms a second wheel-unit structure having the inner cavity and a second through hole; and

wherein the wheel drive means is provided with a second mounting shaft, with one end of the second mounting shaft extending through the second through hole to an outside of the rolling component and being fixedly connected to the coupling component, enabling the rolling component to be rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft to connect with the power output end of the wheel drive means.

9. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 8,

wherein the wheel drive means comprises a second housing, and a second electric motor and a second gear set that are respectively arranged in the second housing;

wherein the second mounting shaft is positioned on the second housing;

wherein an initial gear of the second gear set is in transmission connection with an output shaft of the second electric motor; and

wherein a final gear of the second gear set is rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft and connected to the rolling component.

10. The wheel of a remote-controlled toy vehicle as claimed in claim 9,

wherein a second shaft sleeve with a second external spline is positioned on the final gear of the second gear set and rotatably sleeved onto the second mounting shaft;

wherein the second through hole is a second internal splined hole matching the second external spline; and

wherein the rolling component engages with the second external spline of the second shaft sleeve through the second internal splined hole.