Compound Wheel Assembly with Locating Ring for Coaxial Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembling of compound wheels is challenging due to the need for precise alignment and tensioning of components, which is difficult to achieve manually, leading to potential errors such as wheel hop and reduced production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compound wheel assembling apparatus featuring a tensioning and fixing component with expanding petals and an expanding core, along with a locating ring, which enables automatic and precise assembly by ensuring coaxiality and proper tensioning of the wheel components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual assembling is used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to assembling errors causing wheel hop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locating ring as an intermediary component with high coaxiality to the expanding core. This locating ring serves as a mediator between the expanding core and the wheel rim, ensuring precise coaxial alignment during assembly. The locating ring's circular-ring-shaped protrusion engages with the wheel rim to maintain accurate positioning, thereby achieving high assembling precision without requiring overly complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action through the tensioning and fixing component that pre-tensions the flange plate before final assembly. The expanding core with expanding petals applies radial tensioning force to the flange plate through T-shaped sliding chutes, pre-establishing the correct positional relationship and coaxiality. This preliminary tensioning action ensures that when the wheel rim is subsequently installed, the components are already in their correct relative positions, guaranteeing high assembling precision
2Productivity
If manual assembling is used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to high labor intensity and low production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service principle through the automatic tensioning mechanism. The expanding core, when actuated, automatically drives the expanding petals to move along the T-shaped sliding chutes, which in turn automatically tension and secure the flange plate. The springs provide automatic force application and maintenance. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual tensioning operations, significantly improving productivity while keeping the device structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the assembling function into distinct modular components: the locating ring for positioning, the expanding core for actuation, the expanding petals for tensioning, the T-shaped sliding chutes for guided movement, and the springs for force application. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance. This modular segmentation improves productivity by enabling parallel operations and reducing assembly time while maintaining manageable device complexity
3Ease of operation
If expanding petals move to fix the flange plate, then the labor intensity is reduced and production efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the tensioning and fixing component structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the conical surface geometry of the expanding core, which features slopes that interact with the expanding petals. The curved conical surface naturally guides the expanding petals radially outward as the core extends, converting linear motion into radial expansion. This geometric relationship simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the need for complex linkages or actuators, achieving ease of operation with relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tensioning systems with a simpler spring-based elastic mechanism. Instead of using motors, hydraulics, or complex mechanical linkages to apply and maintain tension, the system uses springs that automatically provide the necessary radial force. The springs are compressed by the expanding petals and maintain constant tension on the flange plate, simplifying the overall mechanical system while improving ease of operation
4Manufacturing precision
If the locating ring is provided for ensuring coaxiality, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the locating function with the existing base plate structure. The locating ring is integrated into the base plate assembly, with its center axis overlapping the center axis of the base plate. The circular-ring-shaped protrusion of the locating ring combines positioning and support functions in a single component. This merging approach ensures high coaxiality precision (less than 0.05mm between locating ring and expanding core) without significantly increasing device complexity, as the locating ring becomes part of the fundamental assembly structure rather than an add-on component
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 apparatus reduces labor intensity and cost, improves production efficiency, and ensures the quality and reliability of the assembled wheels by maintaining precise coaxiality and preventing wheel hop.
Implementation Method 1
the springs are arranged between the expanding petals and the flange plate; when the expanding petals move along the T-shaped sliding chutes to the inner side wall of the center hole of the flange, the springs are compressed by the expanding petals
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a compound wheel assembling apparatus including a tensioning and fixing component and a locating ring (26); the tensioning and fixing component is arranged to extend into a center hole of a flange to tension and fix a flange; the tensioning and fixing component includes a base plate (18), a flange plate (19), springs (21), expanding petals (22) and an expanding core (25); the locating ring (26) is arranged around the base plate (18), and has a center axis overlapping a center axis of the base plate (18); the locating ring has a circle of circular-ring-shaped protrusion on its outer side.