Bell Lock Wheel Restraint for Bearing and Lug Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are insufficient in preventing run-away or break-away wheels due to bearing failures and lug bolt or lug nut failures, as they do not effectively address the issue of wheels coming loose from trailers and other vehicles, leading to dangerous and uncontrolled projectiles.
Innovation Solution
A bell lock wheel restraint system with an axle adapter and bell retainer that secures the wheel onto the vehicle by engaging the outside face of the wheel, providing a secure attachment in lieu of failed lug bolts or lug nuts, utilizing a bearing nut, spindle seal, threaded hub, plate, bell, and hammer nut to create a lock mechanism that withstands significant forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lug bolts and lug nuts are used to secure wheels, then the wheel assembly can be easily installed and removed, but the system becomes unreliable when bearing or lug assembly failures occur, causing wheels to become uncontrolled projectiles
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel restraint system is divided into multiple independent components: a bell-shaped restraint device, an axle adapter, a bell retainer, and a tether system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability even if one component fails
Solution Approach 2:
The bell restraint device is pre-installed on the axle before wheel installation, and the tether is pre-attached to the bell. This preliminary setup ensures that if lug bolts or nuts fail, the wheel is already restrained and cannot become an uncontrolled projectile
2Reliability
If comprehensive inspection of bearings and lug assemblies is performed, then failure risks can be detected early, but the inspection process becomes time-consuming and requires disassembly of components
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of waiting for inspections to detect bearing or lug assembly issues, the bell restraint device and tether are pre-installed to provide continuous passive protection. This eliminates the need for frequent disassembly inspections while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The bell restraint device acts as an intermediary safety mechanism between the wheel assembly and the axle. It provides a backup restraint system that does not require inspection of the primary lug bolt and nut components
3Reliability
If lug bolts and lug nuts are repeatedly removed and re-tightened for inspection, then bearing issues can be monitored, but the deformation and wear of lug components increases, reducing their lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The bell restraint device and tether system serve as intermediary components that enable bearing monitoring without requiring removal of the primary fastening components (lug bolts and nuts), thus preserving their lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection and monitoring function is extracted from the primary fastening system (lug bolts and nuts) and placed into the separate bell restraint system, allowing bearing monitoring without compromising the integrity of the original fastening components
Data Source
AI summary
A bell lock wheel restraint system having an axle adapter to attach a bell to an axle, wherein the bell engages an outside face of a wheel away from a vehicle on which the wheel is mounted, and a bell retainer that secures the bell onto the axle adapter, thereby securing the wheel onto the vehicle in lieu of one or more failed lug bolts or lug nuts.