3-D Print my 'BRACE GATE' toy gag illusion wheel !

[RJSV]

You might be thinking, (looking at the photo), "Looks good, but maybe needs a 3rd column, for stability there, "poking through the SPOKEs...uh... ..WHAT

   So, the design involves disconnect & re-connect of spokes, 'on the fly' as it were. Keeping out of way of any columns. One method, simpler, uses mechanical force, to rotate a 'spoke gate' (connectable brace). A column simply pushes each little rotating wheel, until column can clear it, and brush by, past.
  The little rotating wheel has several, around its circle, so the act of rotating (out of contact) will move in the next section, for magnetic bonding, see the receptive or capture area, mounted as the start of a spoke, on the inner wheel hub.

  A more advanced / complex design uses micro controlled solenoids, in sync with main wheel rotation.
Most designs tend to prefer 5 of these special dis-connectable spokes, for dynamic balance.

...MORE COMING, thanks

[RJSV]

This figure 2, shows a layout of an 8 inch diameter wheel where there are 5 'stations' around. Each station has the smaller wheel, calling it a 'BRACE GATE' as it is for disconnecting a spoke, usually to very soon re-connect (magnets and slight spring loaded capture).
  You can see, the green color push-aside tab is just done with that collision, with the standing column.
  Confused yet?, Sorry: the smaller wheel 'A.' is left in a position for later push-aside.
Up next, for collision with upright column, is wheel 'B.'
Looking towards the center, you can see the 'stubs' that each has small magnet for holding a spoke. Of course any drive motor has that little bit inefficient, pulling away from the little magnets absorbs some (work).
  But mainly here, a much more compact, but difficult to view, is involving having those 5 gate wheels, on the inside, without protrusions.
Each gate has four vanes, there.

[Zucca]

once you are done post a video please

[RJSV]

Folks, sorry for partial un-professional, this idea been 20 years, so... enjoy. RJ

  Going to the figure 3, That's old design but shows the five stations, that are going to be 7, around that 9 inch wheel. The number of stations is not so important, not like a gear.
  Next time, each gate-wheel is to have five tabs, not four (you can see the 90 degree spaced tabs maybe too far apart).  For best re-engagement, this figure 3 suggests a five-part, that's 72 degrees per vane tab.

  Now with some focus, on that green column (model), you can imagine, the little gate-wheel tab getting 'shoved aside', as the main wheel rotates, bringing that specific gate-wheel to travel behind the column.
Plus, it rotates, looking like to re-engage the same spoke stub, that it was pushed out from engaging.

   Main issue for 3-D printer design, is that 'pinch point' for holding the end of each spoke. I'm maybe not so skilled at those specifics, but I envisioned a small magnet, for holding.
Sadly, any magnets might start some tasty rumours,...
"The thing does not run perpetual...uh, sorry but a little grafene  lubricant is helpful, for the wheels"
No, apologies, only kidding there.

[RJSV]

This next picture shows parts; the 3-D printed hub has standard ball bearing, 3/16 shaft, (similar to roller skate set). Note this model mock-up showing a 'capture pinch spring, on one if the spoke stubs. May or may not use both magnet and springy hold.

   Note that the green column can be a running water pipe, an interesting supplement, where that water can fall back down by way of water wheel buckets, appearing to turn the wheel (and everything...ha ...).
The smaller wheels, can use simpler 'pointy' spikes for mounted stable.
Motor not shown. Some parts could be simple plywood, but the spoke capture hub could benefit from 3-D PRINT process.

[Zucca]

Why not using CAD for designing 3D stuff?

[RJSV]

Sorry, cheap phone plus library (closed) access. Thirty years sick, experts still say Lyme Disease is a bogus deal, so...
  The Hayward city library, (closed until further notice), has 3-D Printer access, when they re-open... Libraries have been OPEN but now only to give shots...

  The Senior Rec Center has aid, for individuals, such as free laptops,... But CLOSED, until, well you know.
So, in this venue, CAD CAM ain't happnin, but thanks for thought.
  All sarcasm aside, doing YOGA in backyard helps keep spirits up, plus you can study (electronics) from. google-smartphone.
  The METH and basic low criminal activity (San Jose, Silicon Valley), well, no; that sh#ts still OPEN!
OPEN as usual.
   Anyway, my next thing on list is to try on getting that Lap Top help. Thanks, RJ

[RJSV]

(Folks, sorry to be designing, as I go, that can be annoying).
   The first approach, for overall wheel, is to do it like a bike wheel. In the hub, there are two center disks, each with 7 Spokes, placed in alternate spacing for 14 spokes at the rim. That fits pretty well, with a 12 inch diameter wheel.

   As a side (concept), the RATIO set-up has 'discrete' movements of 90 degrees or 1/4 turn. Meanwhile the main wheel turning smooth. Considering having two columns, the result is a 1 to  1.5 ratio. So every two input revolutions results in actual 3 revolutions, if you are for example, twisting two threads, or a pair of wires.

[RJSV]

The included diagram showing (suggested) disconnect and re-connect methods, has both magnetic and friction-fit for supporting spokes.
   The horizontal sliding out/in should be minimal force needed, while the magnet for the hub piece is to be in the upper 'pinch point', of the 'jaw' shape.
 
   Readers can see, how a more electronic solution would involve solenoids and timed pulses, for doing the attaching. Plus, having a small motor, or geared arrangement can handle the (individual) little gate wheels, avoiding the column mechanical contact.

[RJSV]

 This top down view shows a 7 station main wheel, plus shows two gate wheels, (out of the 7 total).
For clarity, the gate wheel (see left side of diagram) is shown by itself.
   You can see: The green column obstructed the spoke, by the main wheel motion, so that the spoke has been pulled out (of connecting), and soon, the next magnet holding leg will be able to connect with that same stub, on the moving hub. Notice that the gate wheel itself does not move out of alignment, with the stub piece: only the leg rotates out / in from magnetic bonding.
   Notice, with those two (green colored) columns will have an 'INDEXING' effect, so each main wheel rotation will cause two index actions. This, in the configuration shown, the two indexing movements, of 72 degrees each (1/5 turn), or 2/5 turn per full main rotation.
  Thus the ratio is 1 to 1.4 and with the indexing intermittent, (happens when push past a column).

[RJSV]

Getting close, with this diagram:
  Acting as a graphical calculator, the 6 vaned gate gets close to function;  The idea is to rotate the gate wheel just enough, and it looks right.
  However, considering the next time, the little gate wheel would have the vane at considerable angle, relative to pushing against the column.
So, a seven vane arrangement should be tested. That has a more 'broadside' or normal 90 degree force.
It has been a goal to limit the number of vanes, for when any electronic / magnetic coils are used, for the bonding action, of the spokes to hub pieces.
   At real size, this 'ILLUSION WHEEL' is 10 inches diameter.

[RJSV]

Couldn't get a short video to post...
  Here is a still photo: an upright flashlight shows where one of the columns is situated, for pushing the vane, representing a wheel spoke. That wheel has 7 vanes.

   Main wheel is 12 inches diameter, (view omits the hub parts).

[RJSV]

Latest: The 6 stations are shown split, into a
' 3 OVER 3', meaning 3 gate wheels on the upper rim and 3 gate wheels on the lower rim.
  Eventually, an improvement will have 3 rims, each with the same 3 wheels mounted. Each will be offset, by 40 degrees, that 120 degree total is repeated three times around.
  So those 9 wheels allow considerable possible support, for a spinning wheel (assembly), where only one place is not supporting (braced with a spoke).

  At least now have the confidence, in the design details, to start cutting plywood...

[RJSV]

The central aspects for keeping moving parts separate are becoming clear: The size (diameter) of each of the three columns is best kept at about 5/8 ths inch or less. It is thought, to add a trick using flowing water fountain, seemingly out of nowhere etc.
  So, the column thickness determines how much 'seat' is possible, into the vanes or fingers, of the gate wheel. A larger column cannot 'nestle' so much, into the gate wheel, and thus each 'finger' on the gate wheel must be longer.
  For the hub, it is the usual moving part clearance, simply keeping rotation clear from any column, by having radius that stops short of distance to a stationary column.
  In the photo-diagram, an extra gate wheel was placed, just for temporarily illustrating how many gate wheels will have to have several rings, at 3 per ring, just for decent clearance. The magnets should not get too close, to each other, unless that is needed.