Adjustable Non-Pneumatic Wheel Rim for Spoke Tension Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-pneumatic tires lack adjustability in spoke tension, limiting their performance versatility and durability compared to pneumatic tires, which affects their load-carrying capacity and speed rating.
Innovation Solution
A wheel assembly with a radial adjustment mechanism using threaded tension bolts and lock nuts to adjust the spoke tension of non-pneumatic tires, allowing for customizable performance by varying the radial position of cylindrical bolts relative to rim pieces, enabling fine-tuning of the tire's stiffness and load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-pneumatic tires use fixed spoke tension design, then manufacturing is simplified, but performance versatility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the spoke tension to be varied after manufacturing. The adjustment assembly includes a threaded rod that can rotate within a bore, enabling the distance between the rim and spoke to be changed. This dynamic feature allows the same tire structure to be optimized for different applications (different loads, speeds, terrains) without requiring multiple manufacturing variants, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and performance versatility.
2Device complexity
If non-pneumatic tires lack spoke tension adjustability, then device complexity is reduced, but load capacity and durability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by allowing the geometric parameter of spoke tension to be adjusted. The threaded rod mechanism enables precise control over the tension parameter, which directly affects the load distribution and structural integrity. By being able to optimize this parameter for specific load requirements, the tire achieves reliability comparable to pneumatic tires while maintaining the structural simplicity of a non-pneumatic design.
3Ease of operation
If non-pneumatic tires use polymeric spokes with fixed tension, then ease of operation is improved, but performance range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spoke assembly into adjustable components: the spoke itself, the adjustment assembly, and the threaded rod mechanism. This segmentation allows the tension to be independently adjusted without replacing the entire spoke or tire structure. Users can operate the simple polymeric spoke structure while having the capability to adjust performance parameters, thus maintaining ease of operation while expanding the performance range for different applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly for a tire includes a circular hub member for securing to a rotatable axle of a vehicle, an annular first rim piece for engaging the tire, the first rim piece being secured to a first axial end of the circular hub member, an annular second rim piece for engaging the tire, the second rim piece being secured to an opposite second axial end of the circular hub member, a plurality of cylindrical bolts for engaging both the first rim piece and the second rim piece, the cylindrical bolts each engaging the first rim piece, the second rim piece, and a spoke structure of the tire; and a threaded tension bolt for varying a radial position of a first axial end of one of the cylindrical bolts relative to a first elongate opening of the first rim piece.