Deployable Anti-Slip Vehicle Wheel for Snow and Ice Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheels face challenges in maintaining traction on snowy or icy roads, as winter tires and snow chains are inconvenient to install and affect vehicle performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel design featuring a hook-shaped anti-slip member that can be rotated into position using a driving unit, such as a torsion spring or motor, to provide additional traction on slippery surfaces, and can be easily deployed and retracted as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If winter tires or snow chains are used to prevent tire slippage on snowy or icy roads, then traction is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to separate installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the snow chain function with the wheel rim structure by integrating the anti-slip member directly into the wheel assembly. The anti-slip member is mounted on the wheel rim and can be rotated between a retracted position (inside the wheel rim) and a protruding position (outside the wheel rim), eliminating the need for separate snow chain installation while providing traction assistance on snowy or icy roads
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-slip member is designed to be dynamically adjustable between retracted and protruding positions through rotational movement. A driver mechanism allows the anti-slip member to rotate about an axis, enabling it to protrude radially outside the wheel rim when needed for traction and retract when not needed, providing adaptive functionality based on driving conditions
2Reliability
If snow chains are inserted separately in case of emergency, then traction is improved, but loss of time increases due to separate installation
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-slip member is pre-installed and integrated into the wheel rim structure during wheel manufacturing. The driver mechanism is also pre-configured, so that in case of emergency or snowy conditions, the anti-slip member can be quickly deployed by simply rotating it into the protruding position without requiring separate installation steps, significantly reducing response time
3Reliability
If winter tires are changed separately depending on season, then traction is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to seasonal changes required
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly with the integrated anti-slip member serves multiple functions: it provides normal wheel operation during regular driving conditions and automatically provides snow chain functionality when the anti-slip member is rotated to the protruding position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for seasonal tire changes, as the same wheel can adapt to different road conditions through the adjustable anti-slip member
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
Enhances traction on snowy or icy roads without the need for separate installation of snow chains, improving driver convenience and vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
a driving unit configured to drive the anti-slip member to rotate about the axis
Implementation Method 2
a driving unit configured to drive the anti-slip member to rotate about the axis
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel may include: a wheel disk including a hub, a plurality of spokes extending from the hub in a radial direction, and a wheel rim provided outside of the spokes; a hook-shaped anti-slip member provided on the wheel disk and capable of protruding to the outside of the wheel rim by rotation; and a driving unit driving the anti-slip member.