Counterweighted Wheel Handling for Horizontal Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel handling devices, particularly for bulky and heavy vehicles, face challenges in positioning the wheel due to interference from the lifting cable when the center of gravity is offset, making operations complicated and dangerous, especially in undeveloped sites, requiring additional tools or multiple personnel.
Innovation Solution
A handling device with a body featuring a lifting interface, a wheel interface, and a counterweight interface, where the counterweight comprises a triangle towing arm with high and low attachment points, allowing the center of gravity to be positioned vertically, enabling horizontal wheel axis alignment and cable clearance from the vehicle body, facilitating single-person operation and easy wheel placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible device with cable suspension is used to handle heavy wheels, then the wheel can be lifted, but the cable interferes with the vehicle body when the wheel center of gravity is offset
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a counterweight mechanism where a first counterweight is attached to the handling device at a specific distance from the wheel center of gravity. This counterweight balances the wheel's weight, allowing the wheel to be held horizontally without cable interference with the vehicle body during handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the lifting interface at a distance from the wheel center of gravity along the vertical axis, creating a moment arm that allows the cable to clear the vehicle body horizontally while still providing effective lifting. This spatial arrangement in three dimensions resolves the interference problem
2Power
If the lifting interface is positioned close to the wheel center of gravity, then the wheel can be lifted efficiently, but the cable interferes with the vehicle body offset
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight compensates for the offset distance between the lifting interface and wheel center of gravity, enabling the lifting interface to be positioned optimally for both efficiency and clearance. The counterweight creates a balancing moment that allows horizontal wheel orientation during lifting
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device incorporates a pivot axis that allows the wheel interface to rotate, enabling dynamic adjustment of the wheel's orientation during lifting. This rotation capability ensures the wheel can be positioned horizontally with proper cable clearance while maintaining lifting efficiency
3Reliability
If additional transit tools or multiple personnel are used to handle the wheel, then the wheel can be positioned correctly, but the operation becomes more complicated and dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lifting function, positioning function, and balancing function into a single integrated handling device. The device includes a body with wheel interface, lifting interface, and counterweight interface that work together to perform all necessary operations in one unified system, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools or personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The handling device is designed to be self-balancing through the counterweight mechanism, which automatically positions the wheel horizontally during lifting without requiring additional operators or complex control systems. The device serves itself by maintaining proper orientation through gravitational balance
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
Enables safe, efficient, and single-operation wheel handling without interference, reducing the need for heavy tools and minimizing operator risk, while optimizing transport on recovery vehicles by using a counterweight to balance the wheel's weight, ensuring the cable does not interfere with the vehicle body.
Implementation Method 1
the center of gravity of the assembly formed by the device and the wheel is located substantially vertically to the lifting interface
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a handling device (1) for a wheel (10) and a method using such a device (1) which comprises a body (2) comprising a lifting interface (3) in the upper part (2a) thereof that is designed to be connected to a lifting means (104). The body (2) comprises, on a first side, a wheel interface (4) designed to be secured to a wheel (10) to be manipulated, and, on a second side opposite the first, an interface referred to as a counterweight interface (7) on which a counterweight (8) is secured. The lifting interface (3) is positioned such that, when a wheel (10) is fixed to the device (1), the center of gravity (Md) of the assembly formed by the device (1) and the wheel (10) is located substantially vertical to the lifting interface (3), thus positioning the axis (6) of the wheel horizontally.