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IPFS News Link • Inventions
Shock-absorbing wheels offers a more compliant ride
• http://www.dvice.com, Michael TreiThe SoftWheel takes one of the basic principles of wheel design, that the hub needs to be in the center of the wheel, and tosses it out. With the SoftWheel the rim is supported by three spokes that are hinged at each end, in a way that lets the angle between them and the rim change. A gas shock inside each spoke keeps the hub centered when there's no external force being applied, but add enough pressure and the hub can move by several inches. This not only absorbs the shock of hitting an obstruction on the ground, but it also stores the energy in a way that propels the wheel forward as it recovers.