Collapsible Wheel Hub With Stacked Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional collapsible wheels lack efficient mechanisms for reducing size and weight while maintaining stability and support, especially in applications requiring compact storage and transportation, such as golf pull carts and kayak carts.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a hub assembly with multiple concentrically stacked wheel sections, each with spokes and rims, allowing for expansion and collapse by rotating relative to each other, with an expansion angle limiting mechanism to maintain stability and support, and a tire that elastically expands to fit the wheel sections in both positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the wheel is designed to be collapsible for compact storage and transportation, then the volume and weight are reduced, but the stability and support in the expanded position may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is divided into multiple wheel sections (at least two) that can rotate independently relative to each other about the rotational axis. Each wheel section contains rim portions that cooperatively define the circle when expanded. This segmentation allows the wheel to collapse into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural integrity and stability when expanded for use.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel sections are designed to be rotatable relative to each other, transforming the wheel from a static structure to a dynamic one. This dynamic capability allows the wheel to transition between expanded (stable, operational) and collapsed (compact, stored) states, resolving the contradiction between volume reduction and stability maintenance.
2Strength
If multiple wheel sections are used to maintain stability when expanded, then the support and structural integrity are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wheel sections are combined into a single integrated wheel assembly that functions as one cohesive unit when expanded. The rim portions of the wheel sections cooperatively define a complete circle, creating a unified structural element that provides the necessary strength and support without requiring additional complex components or mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel sections are made rotatable for collapse functionality, then the adaptability and versatility are improved, but the reliability may be reduced due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable wheel sections provide dynamic adaptability, allowing the wheel to transition between expanded and collapsed states. The design minimizes reliability concerns by ensuring that the moving parts are integral to the wheel sections themselves rather than requiring separate, complex mechanical components, thus maintaining reliability while achieving versatility.
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
This configuration allows for a compact collapsed state while maintaining stability and support in the expanded position, enabling efficient storage and transportation without compromising the wheel's operational performance.
Implementation Method 1
a tire that elastically expands to fit the wheel sections in both positions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.