Flexible Composite Wheel Spokes With Pivoting Nipple Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle and vehicle wheels face a tradeoff between strength and weight due to the use of steel spokes, which are either too thin and weak or too thick and heavy, and manufacturing challenges arise from the need for precise alignment of non-rigid spokes in existing lightweight wheel technologies.
Innovation Solution
The development of wheels with flexible wide-body spokes made of fibrous materials that are lighter, stronger, and more resilient, allowing them to bend without damage, along with innovative nipple designs that accommodate angular adjustments, such as rounded and pivoting nipples, to maintain spoke integrity and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If steel spokes are made thinner to reduce weight, then weight decreases, but strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon fibers with epoxy resin to create a spoke that is both lightweight and extremely strong. The carbon fiber reinforcement provides high tensile strength while the epoxy matrix binds the fibers together, creating a composite structure that outperforms solid steel spokes in both weight and strength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional metal to fiber-reinforced composite, fundamentally altering the strength-to-weight ratio. By selecting specific carbon fiber orientations, resin systems, and curing parameters, the spoke achieves optimized mechanical properties that simultaneously reduce weight and increase strength compared to conventional steel spokes.
2Weight of moving object
If non-rigid spokes are used to reduce weight, then weight decreases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the composite spoke with built-in alignment features during the manufacturing process. The spoke is cured in a mold that pre-establishes the correct angular orientation and positional relationship with the rim and hub, eliminating the need for precise field alignment during wheel assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (such as a molded hub interface or rim interface feature) that mediates between the non-rigid spoke and the wheel components. This intermediary element provides a tolerance-absorbing interface that maintains alignment while accommodating the flexibility of the composite spoke material.
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 solution results in wheels that are significantly stronger and lighter than steel-spoke wheels, requiring fewer spokes while maintaining superior strength and durability, and reduces manufacturing complexity and costs by allowing for easier assembly and alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.