📌 The Goal: Designing the Ultimate Vehicle
When I set out to design the first 3D Printed Rover, I had to meet very specific requirements:
✔ Simple to build – Fewer parts mean easier assembly.
✔ Easy to use and maintain – It should be quick to assemble and repair, even for students and educators.
✔ Extremely durable – A robotics lab cannot afford to constantly replace broken parts.
✔ Modular and customizable – It had to support different configurations, from FPV cameras to battle-ready attachments.
✔ Affordable – Schools and educators should be able to access and use it.
✔ Visually impressive – To keep students engaged and excited.
✔ Safe to use – Suitable for educational environments without risks.
To achieve this, I designed an entirely new type of vehicle, where all critical components (motor, steering system, ESC, and gearbox) would be integrated into a single module.
🚧 The Problems with Earlier Designs
The initial concept worked, but the first prototypes had serious durability issues.
🔻 The wheels were directly mounted on the motor, which caused huge stress on the gears and axles.
🔻 After just a few days of battle use, most vehicles broke down completely.
🔻 The impacts and collisions transferred directly to the gearbox, causing failures.
✅ The Solution: A Revolutionary Wheel Design
💡 To solve the problem, I designed a new type of wheel that absorbs shocks and impacts.
✔ The wheel now has a built-in suspension system!
✔ Lobed sections in the tire absorb shocks, protecting the motor and gears.
✔ The flexible material (TPU) allows the internal hub to handle pressure, rather than the gearbox absorbing the damage.
✔ Instead of a rigid connection, a flexible coupler was used, which reduces sudden loads on the motor.
The result?
📌 The new Rover design could now withstand weeks of combat in arenas without breaking!
📜 The Patent Registration Process
Once I had perfected the design, I needed to patent it – a process that turned out to be far more complex than I expected.
📌 Two close relatives with experience in patent writing helped me navigate the process.
📌 The designs I had to submit were completely different from my technical models.
📌 Instead of colorful 3D models, I had to submit technical cross-sections, numbered dimensions, and detailed function descriptions.
💡 Without their guidance, the process would have been nearly impossible.
After months of preparation, the patent was submitted and officially approved, marking a major milestone in the project’s development.
🎯 The Rover Today
📌 After countless tests and refinements, the 3D Printed Rover is now a fully developed, durable, and educational tool.
📌 The modern versions continue to be improved based on the lessons learned throughout this journey.
📌 The patent protects the innovative design approach, while the project remains open to educators and makers who want to further develop it.
🚀 This was the journey from concept to patent approval – and the adventure continues! 🎯
