Elastic Joint Body Deflects Tire Spokes Under Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tire support structures fail to effectively manage loads beyond nominal conditions without causing structural damage or accelerated wear, particularly when encountering obstacles or excessive mass.
Innovation Solution
A spoke design for tires featuring a joint body made of elastic material that connects two spoke elements, allowing for deflection in a bending plane, which acts as a 'bump stop' to prevent excessive deformation and structural damage by transferring load through compression between the spoke elements and the outer tread band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid spoke structures are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the tire cannot effectively manage overload conditions and suffers structural damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke structure transitions from a rigid configuration to one with controlled flexibility by introducing a deflectable joint body. This parameter change allows the spoke to adapt its stiffness characteristics, remaining rigid under normal conditions but allowing controlled deflection under overload conditions to prevent structural damage while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint body is designed to be deflectable, transforming the static rigid spoke structure into a dynamic system that can adapt its configuration based on loading conditions. This dynamic capability allows the spoke to absorb excess energy during overloads through controlled deformation, preventing permanent structural damage.
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid spoke elements are used, then manufacturing precision is easier to achieve, but accelerated wear occurs under excessive mass conditions
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the mechanical parameter of the joint body from rigid to deflectable, the system achieves a balance between ease of manufacture and service life. The deflectable joint can be manufactured using standard elastic materials and processes, while simultaneously extending service life by reducing wear under excessive mass conditions through controlled deformation.
3Reliability
If the spoke allows deflection to prevent damage, then reliability under overload improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spoke is segmented into distinct functional elements: rigid spoke elements for structural support and a deflectable joint body for overload protection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving reliable overload protection without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint body acts as an intermediary element between the rigid spoke elements, providing the necessary deflection capability while maintaining connection. This intermediary component isolates the complexity of the deflectable mechanism from the rest of the structure, simplifying the overall design while achieving reliable overload protection.
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 spoke design enhances load management by preventing structural damage and maintaining performance under nominal and overload conditions, ensuring durability and reduced wear by allowing the spokes to nest and distribute loads effectively.
Implementation Method 1
said joint body comprises an elastic material arranged such that said first spoke element and said second spoke element is deflectable in at least a first plane of bending
Data Source
AI summary
A spoke (100) for a wheel (10) attaching an outer tread (200) to a hub (20), the spoke having a first (142) and second (144) spoke elements joined by a joint body (130) comprised of an elastomer connecting the first spoke element to a second spoke element.