Collapsible Wheel Assembly with Movable Mounting Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires used in irrigation systems and other vehicles require frequent maintenance, which is inconvenient in remote locations, and alternatives like tireless wheels cause excessive ground penetration and soil disturbance.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible wheel assembly with an airless flexible tire, featuring radially movable mounting elements that support the tire, allowing it to flex and distribute weight evenly, reducing ground penetration and soil disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pneumatic tires are used, then the wheel assembly provides flexibility and reduced ground penetration, but the tires require frequent maintenance and repair
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is segmented into a collapsible wheel structure with movable mounting elements that can be reconfigured. The wheel includes a central portion with mounting elements that can move between extended and retracted positions, allowing the tire to be mounted or removed without removing the entire wheel assembly from the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly incorporates dynamic mounting elements that can change position between extended and retracted states. This dynamic configuration allows the wheel to adapt between supporting a tire for flexible ground engagement and collapsing for tireless operation, resolving the contradiction between tire maintenance requirements and ground penetration reduction.
2Reliability
If tireless wheels are used, then maintenance is reduced, but ground penetration and soil disturbance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly transitions from a static tireless design to a dynamic system where mounting elements can extend to support a flexible tire when needed. This allows the system to reduce maintenance by operating without a tire while still providing the option to engage a tire for reduced soil disturbance when traversing sensitive terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly changes its structural parameters by moving mounting elements between extended and retracted positions. When mounting elements are extended, they support a tire that provides flexibility and reduces ground pressure. When retracted, the wheel operates as a tireless design with minimal maintenance requirements.
3Reliability
If mounting elements are extended to support the tire, then the tire is securely mounted, but the wheel assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into modular components including a central portion and multiple independent mounting elements. Each mounting element can independently move between extended and retracted positions, providing secure tire support when extended while maintaining simpler operation when retracted.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting elements serve multiple functions: they support the tire when extended, and can be retracted to allow tireless operation or facilitate tire removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mounting and support mechanisms, managing complexity while providing secure tire mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.