Design and Development of High-Performance Rocker Bogie Mechanism for Industrial Applications

Mechanical Engineering

The Rocker Bogie system plays a crucial role in enabling in-situ scientific analysis of targets located at considerable distances, ranging from meters to kilometers apart. In contrast to complex mobility designs involving multiple wheels or legs, the Rocker Bogie design provides a reliable solution that minimizes mechanical failures in Mars' harsh environment. This design features a six-wheeled rover equipped with an efficient and highly mobile suspension system, enabling it to navigate challenging terrains with ease. A significant advantage of the Rocker Bogie design is its streamlined drive train. By utilizing only two motors for mobility, strategically positioned within the rover's body, the design achieves simplicity and efficiency. Insulating the motors from extreme thermal variations enhances their reliability and optimizes overall performance. Furthermore, the use of six wheels is justified by the infrequent occurrence of obstacles in Mars' natural terrain that require simultaneous climbing by both front wheels. Extensive mobility experiments conducted in diverse environments, including agricultural land, rough roads, inclines, stairs, and surfaces with obstacles, have verified the effectiveness of the Rocker Bogie design. These experiments have demonstrated the rover's capability to traverse significant distances across various types of terrain.

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