Electric Steering Drive Motor

The steering drive wheel motor is a highly integrated all-in-one module, effectively combining “drive + steering + shock absorption + braking” within a metal housing the size of a wheel. It integrates the drive motor + steering motor + gear reducer + wheel + shock-absorbing suspension into a highly compact modular drive unit. The steering wheels can move both forward and backward. By independently controlling the speed and 360° steering angle of each wheel, multiple wheels working together enable true omnidirectional mobility. This allows the robotic chassis to perform complex motion trajectories on a flat surface, including translation in any direction, zero-radius turning on the spot, diagonal movement, and curved paths. It is suitable for AGVs, AMRs, unmanned forklifts, and logistics robot chassis.

The internal structure of the AGV steering drive wheel is a highly sophisticated integrated system, with each component serving a critical function.

1. Motor System

Typically comprises two independent high-performance motors: a drive motor and a steering motor. The drive motor provides forward and reverse propulsion, delivering sustained high torque to ensure smooth movement of the robot chassis. The steering motor controls the steering angle of the rudder wheel, enabling precise directional control of the wheels to achieve instantaneous turns at any angle. Servo motors or stepper motors are commonly employed to ensure efficient and precise power delivery.

2. Speed Reduction Mechanism

Positioned between the motor and the actuator, common types include planetary gearboxes and worm gear reducers. Its function is to convert the motor's high rotational speed into low-speed, high-torque output, meeting torque demands under various operating conditions. This achieves significant torque amplification within a compact footprint.

3. Steering Mechanism

This is the key component enabling the AGV steering drive wheel to achieve omnidirectional movement, comprising gears, linkages, and other mechanisms. The gears transmit power, while the linkage system drives the two drive wheels to rotate synchronously in opposite directions. This enables the robot chassis to perform in-place lateral movement, diagonal travel, or spinning on the spot.

4. Position Detection System

Integrated into both the drive and steering systems, this system typically employs high-precision absolute encoders (magnetic or optical) alongside multiple zero-position sensors. It continuously monitors the steering drive wheel motor's rotational speed, travel distance, and precise steering angle in real time, feeding this data back to the control center to ensure operational accuracy.

5. Wheel Hub Covering

Depending on the application scenario, wheel hub coverings typically utilize materials such as polyurethane and rubber. In specialized environments like semiconductor facilities where static electricity is a concern, conductive wheel hub coverings must be employed. This covering design delivers exceptional load-bearing capacity and traction while effectively absorbing vibrations and reducing noise. It also ensures long-term durability, resisting wear and cracking even under prolonged use.

6. Bearings and Seals

Throughout the entire AGV steering drive wheel structure, bearings (either rolling or sliding bearings) support the hub and reduce friction. Combined with a multi-layered waterproof and dustproof seal design, they ensure the internal mechanism operates stably and reliably over the long term in humid, dusty, or outdoor environments without allowing dust or water ingress.

7. Safety Limit Switch

Includes an electronic limit photoelectric switch and a mechanical limit block to prevent cable breakage or mechanical damage caused by exceeding safe steering angles. The zero-position sensor enables rapid system alignment, ensuring a precise reset after each power-up.

8. Mechanical Differential

Primarily plays a crucial role in distributing power to the steering wheels during AGV turns, significantly reducing friction between the wheel hub rubber and the ground. This extends the service life of the steering drive wheel motor and enhances stability.

The AGV steering drive wheel is powered by an electric motor, with a reduction gear adjusting the torque. Transmission components transfer power, while position detection devices provide feedback data. Bearings and seals ensure smooth operation, and a protective housing safeguards internal structures—all working together to achieve efficient, stable motion control.

Advantages of the Steering Wheel

High-Precision Control: The steering wheel system delivers high-precision steering and speed control, meeting exacting positioning requirements.

Each steering drive wheel motor is equipped with an independent drive encoder and a 24-bit absolute steering encoder, achieving steering angle resolution below 0.005°. Actual control accuracy effortlessly reaches ±0.1° to ±0.2°. When dual or quad steering wheels operate in coordination, the system performs real-time inverse kinematics calculations, ensuring perfect synchronization of all wheels' speed and angle within milliseconds.

Omnidirectional Mobility: Enables full-range, arbitrary-angle steering to enhance equipment flexibility and maneuverability.

The steering drive wheel motor inherently supports free movement in any direction and along any trajectory within a plane: straight travel, lateral movement, diagonal travel, zero-radius rotation in place, figure-eight patterns, S-curve maneuvers, and more. In practical applications, the robot can directly sidestep obstacles in narrow aisles and maneuver into storage locations at any angle between densely packed shelves, significantly boosting space utilization and operational efficiency.

Highly Integrated: Each steering wheel serves as a complete “drive + steering + shock absorption + braking + detection” system, reducing component count and lowering overall vehicle weight.

Flexible Configuration: Select steering wheels with varying power, size, and torque to suit diverse application requirements.

A single steering wheel module can be easily configured into multiple layouts:

- Light-duty: 1 steering wheel + swivel casters

- Medium-duty: Dual steering wheels in a face-to-face configuration

- Heavy-duty: Four steering wheels

- Ultra-heavy-duty: Further upgrade single-wheel load capacity

Cost Reduction: Low maintenance costs, modular structure enables quick replacement, sealed design minimizes failures, and standardized interfaces facilitate seamless integration with mainstream navigation systems.

Suitable Environments:

Smart Warehouses & High-Density Storage: Aisle width 1.5–1.8m, requiring frequent lateral movement for loading/unloading, 180° turns on the spot, and maximized space utilization

3C Electronics & Semiconductor Cleanrooms: Ultra-quiet operation (<50dB), minimal vibration, millimeter-level repeatable positioning, average floor flatness

Hospitals and Premium Service Facilities: Narrow corridors, elevator access required, silent nighttime operation, lateral movement to avoid pedestrians

Airports and Port Heavy-Load Logistics: Outdoor use with slopes and gaps in surfaces, IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating required

Ultra-Narrow Aisle Composite Scenarios: Aisle widths only 1.2–1.6m, frequent 90° turns or in-place lateral movement to avoid obstacle