Developing of a Wheel-Paddle Integrated Propeller for Amphibious Robot Based on Moving Webbed Paddle Wheels

Abstract

With wheeled amphibious robot as the research object, for the adaptability of amphibious robot to amphibious environment such as sandy, muddy, or rocky land, we have proposed a new wheel-paddle integrated propeller based on moving webbed paddle wheels. This propeller made the robot functional well in the water and on land, and made it a good adaptability to amphibious environment. Considering the specific situations of the amphibious robot, the design process was proposed to design this integrated wheel-paddle integrated propeller. The angles of the paddles in water were analyzed for stability through simulations. Finally, a wheel-paddle integrated propeller based on moving webbed paddle wheels was made according to virtual model. To test the prototype propeller’s performance on speed, turning and switching ability both on land and in water, several experiments were carried out. Results showed that the prototype propeller achieved the desired design specifications.