Square wheel

Square wheel

A literal square wheel is a wheel that, instead of being circular, has the shape of a square. A more common use is as slang, meaning stereotypically bad or naïve engineering (see reinventing the square wheel).

A square wheel can roll smoothly if the ground consists of evenly shaped inverted catenaries of the right size and curvature. [ [http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20040403/mathtrek.asp "Riding on Square Wheels"] , Ivars Peterson, "Science News", Week of April 3, 2004; Vol. 165, No. 14.] [ [http://nths.newtrier.k12.il.us/academics/math/Connections/curves/sqwheels.htm "A Catenary Road and Square Wheels"] , New Trier High School, Winnetka, Illinois] [ [http://faraday.physics.uiowa.edu/mech/1M20.65.htm "Non-Circular Wheels"] , Physics and Astronomy Lecture Demonstrations, University of Iowa]

A different type of square-wheeled vehicle was invented in 2006 by Jason Winckler of Global Composites, Inc. in the United States. This has square wheels, linked together and offset by 22.5°, rolling on a flat surface. The prototype appears ungainly, but the inventor proposes that the system may be useful in microscopic-sized machines (MEMS). [ [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/12/prweb316686.htm "Square Wheel Car Propels Itself by Shifting Weight - Possible MEMS Locomotion"] , Global Composites Inc. press release, December 2, 2005 (with link to video of prototype)]

ee also

* Reuleaux polygon

References


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