Axle-Mounted Tire Shield for Blowout Shrapnel Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tire blowouts can cause severe damage to vehicle bodies due to the rapid expulsion of air and resulting shrapnel, leading to accidents and costly repairs.
Innovation Solution
A tire containment device (TCD) is securely mounted to a vehicle's axle, featuring an axle bracket and a tire fender with a continuous containment cavity that intercepts shrapnel from a blowout before it can damage the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a tire blowout occurs, then the tire structure fails and compressed air escapes rapidly, but shrapnel is expelled causing damage to the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
A containment shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the tire and the vehicle body. The shield intercepts shrapnel and redirectors it away from the vehicle body, preventing direct impact damage while allowing the tire to fail naturally without compromising the vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system is divided into separate functional components: a containment shield for intercepting shrapnel, a mounting bracket for secure attachment to the axle, and reinforcement elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and facilitates easy installation and maintenance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a containment device is added to protect against shrapnel, then vehicle body damage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a barrier to intercept shrapnel, provides structural reinforcement to the tire assembly, and redirects debris away from the vehicle body. The mounting bracket also serves dual purposes by securing the shield while reinforcing the axle mounting points.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment shield is constructed from a thin yet durable material that provides effective shrapnel interception without adding excessive weight or complexity. The shield's design allows it to flex and deform upon impact while maintaining its protective function, eliminating the need for heavy rigid structures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the containment cavity covers the upper third of the tire diameter, then shrapnel interception is improved, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The containment shield covers approximately the upper third of the tire diameter, which is sufficient to intercept the majority of shrapnel trajectories during a blowout. This partial coverage approach provides effective protection while minimizing the space occupied and avoiding unnecessary material usage beyond what is required for safety.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to a tire containment device securely mounted to an axle of a vehicle to contain shrapnel caused by a tire blowout. In an illustrative example, the tire containment device may include an axle bracket and a tire fender. The axle bracket, for example, may be mounted to an axle of the vehicle. The tire fender may, for example, have a substantially continuous containment cavity. In some examples, when the tire fender is coupled to a vehicle axle by the axle bracket, the containment cavity may extend over at least a top and an exterior face of an upper third of a diameter of a tire. For example, the containment cavity may substantially intercept shrapnel from failure of the tire before it reaches a body of the vehicle. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce damage to a body of the vehicle during a tire blowout.