Fibrous Spoke Wheel Structure for Lightweight Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycle and motorcycle wheels face a tradeoff between being lightweight and strong, as thinner steel spokes are lighter but weaker, and thicker spokes are stronger but heavier, with manufacturing challenges due to alignment issues in existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
The use of high-strength, flexible spokes made of fibrous materials with a unique configuration that allows them to bend without losing strength, including nipples that accommodate angular adjustments and anchors that distribute force evenly, reducing the need for multiple spokes while maintaining strength and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If steel spokes are made thinner to reduce weight, then the weight decreases, but the strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining carbon fiber filaments with a resin matrix to create spokes that have both high strength and low weight. The carbon fiber provides tensile strength while the resin binds the fibers together, creating a composite structure that outperforms solid steel spokes in strength-to-weight ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from solid metal to fibrous composite, fundamentally altering the mechanical properties. The carbon fiber composite allows for higher specific strength (strength per unit weight) compared to steel, enabling weight reduction without sacrificing strength.
2Weight of moving object
If existing fiber spokes are made with small diameter to reduce weight, then weight decreases, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a rounded nipple design instead of a sharp-cornered connector, which allows the carbon fiber spokes to bend slightly and align more easily during manufacturing. The curved surface distributes stress more evenly and accommodates minor misalignments, significantly easing the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connector geometry from angular to rounded, which fundamentally alters how the spokes interface with the rim. This parameter change allows for greater tolerance in alignment during manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity.
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 solution provides wheels that are both lighter and stronger than steel wheels, with fewer spokes required, addressing manufacturing challenges and enhancing durability and strength without compromising weight or alignment.
Implementation Method 1
flexible spokes made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.
Implementation Method 2
anchors that distribute force evenly
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.