Anti-skid Chain Spider System Fatigue Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-skid devices for vehicle wheels require additional components and longer assembly times, which increases costs and complexity without adequately addressing stress and fatigue resistance.

Innovation Solution

An anti-skid device featuring a spider chain system with flexible connecting elements and a simplified support structure that integrates the connecting elements within the support, allowing for rapid assembly and enhanced resistance to fatigue through optimized component usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If brackets are used to constrain chain portions to supports, then the chain portions are retained in position and stresses are absorbed, but the number of components increases and assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress absorption capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the bracket function into the support structure itself. The support is designed with integration zones where chain portions are directly constrained without requiring separate bracket components. This combining of functions reduces the total number of components while maintaining the stress absorption capability through the unified support-bridge structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides structural support, constrains chain portions through integrated zones, and absorbs stresses. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate brackets, as the support itself becomes a universal component that handles both positioning and stress management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If brackets are used to constrain chain portions to supports, then the chain portions are retained in position and stresses are absorbed, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress absorption capabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the constraint function into the support structure, the assembly process is simplified. Instead of installing separate brackets onto supports and then attaching chain portions, the unified support with integrated constraint zones allows for direct installation, reducing assembly steps and time while maintaining reliable stress absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The constraint zones are pre-integrated into the support structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action of incorporating the constraint mechanism into the support itself eliminates the need for additional assembly steps involving separate brackets, thereby reducing assembly time while ensuring proper stress absorption from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If additional components are added to the anti-skid device, then stress absorption is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress absorption capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into the support structure, eliminating the need for separate bracket components. This reduction in component count directly lowers manufacturing costs through fewer parts to produce, inventory to manage, and assembly operations to perform, while the integrated constraint zones maintain effective stress absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional support structure that constrains chain portions and absorbs stresses eliminates the need for additional specialized components. This universality reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing complexity, leading to cost reduction while maintaining or improving stress absorption through the optimized unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3932698B1An Anti-skid device
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 LAMPA
  • EP3932698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3932698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3932698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An anti-skid device for a vehicle wheel comprising: - a first and a second portion (21, 22) of chain, flanked to one another and destined to extend along a development of a tread of the wheel; - a first support (31) of the first and the second portion (21, 22) of chain, the first support (31) being destined to superpose on a tread of the wheel; - at least a first connecting element (41) for connecting the first and the second portion (21, 22) of chain, located at the first support (31), the first connecting element (41) being flexible.