Bolt-Together Wheel Venting for Safe Tire Deflation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel assemblies for heavy equipment vehicles with bolt-together designs pose safety risks during disassembly due to rapid pneumatic tire depressurization, which can lead to violent expansion or explosion, and existing deflation systems are often complex and inhibit rapid tire removal.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece bolt together wheel assembly with a deflation system featuring a bolt cover ring, removable valve stem, and venting port plugs that allow for controlled deflation of the tire by sealing the air chamber independently of the wheel halves' securing mechanism, ensuring the tire is fully deflated before disassembly to prevent accidental expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a pneumatic tire is mounted under pressure on the wheel assembly, then the wheel assembly can support heavy loads and provide cushioning, but disassembly of the wheel becomes dangerous due to rapid pneumatic tire depressurization causing violent expansion or explosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a deflation system with vent channels and caps that enables preliminary deflation of the pneumatic tire before wheel disassembly. The vent channels are pre-configured in the wheel assembly, and operators can access them through cap openings to rapidly release pressure before removing the wheel from the axle, eliminating the dangerous rapid depressurization that occurs during normal disassembly procedures
2Reliability
If existing deflation systems with complicated sealing structures are used, then the tire can be deflated before disassembly, but the wheel disassembly speed is inhibited and special tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The deflation system is segmented into independent, easily accessible components: vent channels are separate from the main wheel structure, caps are removable independently, and each cap has its own opening for tool access. This segmentation allows operators to deflate the tire quickly using simple tools without complicated sealing structures, maintaining both reliability and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly includes integrated vent channels that are self-contained within the wheel structure, eliminating the need for external deflation equipment or special tools. The caps with openings allow operators to use simple, commonly available tools to access and operate the vent channels, enabling rapid tire removal without requiring specialized equipment
3Ease of operation
If the wheel assembly uses a bolt-together design with inner and outer halves, then the wheel can be disassembled for tire removal, but rapid pneumatic tire depressurization can violently force apart the wheel assembly during disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The vent channels are positioned and configured to enable preliminary deflation of the pneumatic tire before the wheel assembly is taken apart. By releasing pressure through the caps and vent channels prior to disassembly, the harmful violent expansion force is eliminated, allowing safe and easy separation of the inner and outer wheel halves
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures safe and rapid disassembly of the wheel assembly by ensuring the tire is fully deflated, reducing the risk of injury and facilitating quicker tire replacement without the need for complex sealing structures or special tools.
Implementation Method 1
The venting port plugs are threaded into the vent channels to seal them when the pneumatic tire is to be inflated
Implementation Method 2
Release of pressurized air from the large tire during disassembly can violently force apart the wheel assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
A bolt together wheel assembly with deflation system includes an inner wheel half (103), an outer wheel half (106), a bolt cover ring (189), and a removable valve stem (121). Clamping bolts and clamping nuts secure the outer wheel half to the inner wheel half. Venting port plugs (124) secure the bolt cover ring to the outer wheel half over the clamping bolts. Loosening one or more of the venting port plugs to access the clamping bolts opens a seal to a vent port (157) within the inner wheel half and releases pressurized air from a tire on the wheel, ensuring that the tire is deflated before the wheel can be disassembled.