Dual Offset Wheel for Utility Vehicle Tread Width Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional utility vehicles require multiple types of wheels to adjust tread width for different terrains, such as muddy areas and narrower roads, which is inefficient and prone to incorrect attachment.

Innovation Solution

A wheel design with two offset attaching faces, allowing a single type of wheel to be adapted for different tread widths by changing the attaching face, with spacers for fine adjustment and non-aligned bolt holes to prevent incorrect attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of wheels are provided to change tread width, then the vehicle can adapt to various terrains, but the device complexity and risk of incorrect attachment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetread width adjustment capabilityVSAvoidnumber of wheel types

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single wheel type is designed with two different attaching faces, allowing it to serve multiple functions by achieving different tread widths. The first attaching face provides a first offset distance while the second attaching face provides a second offset distance, enabling one wheel design to replace multiple wheel types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attaching face is segmented into two distinct regions with different offset distances from the wheel center. This segmentation allows the wheel to be attached to the hub in different positions, creating variable tread width configurations from a single wheel design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of wheels are provided to change tread width, then the vehicle can adapt to various terrains, but the ease of operation decreases due to potential confusion and incorrect attachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetread width adjustment capabilityVSAvoidwheel attachment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The two attaching faces are designed with asymmetric characteristics - different offset distances and non-aligned bolt hole patterns. This asymmetry creates an intuitive visual and structural difference that prevents confusion and ensures correct attachment orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different colors to the first and second attaching faces to provide visual differentiation. This color coding system helps operators quickly identify which attaching face should be used for specific tread width requirements, preventing incorrect attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the wheel is designed with offset attaching faces, then a single wheel type can achieve multiple tread widths, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetread width variation capabilityVSAvoidoffset distance accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The offset distances and attaching face geometries are pre-calculated and pre-designed into the wheel structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the precise offset distances required for different tread widths are built into the component itself, eliminating the need for complex adjustments during field operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If the outer end of the wheel lies outside the frame in one configuration, then the tread width is increased for stable travelling, but the vehicle width increases which may reduce maneuverability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle stability on muddy areasVSAvoidvehicle width

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel attachment configuration is made dynamic and adjustable. Operators can switch between the first and second attaching faces depending on the terrain conditions - using the first offset for narrow roads and the second offset for muddy areas. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the vehicle to adapt its width and stability characteristics to match operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10850557B2Wheel for utility vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A wheel for a utility vehicle includes a first attaching face with which the wheel is to be attached to a hub of a vehicle body, and a second attaching face with which the wheel inversed in a vehicle width direction is to be attached to the hub. The wheel is structured such that the first attaching face is, when attached to the hub, offset outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to a center line in the vehicle width direction of the wheel, and the second attaching face is, when attached to the hub, offset inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the center line in the vehicle width direction of the wheel.