Foam-Filled Stroller Wheel Structure for Elastic Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inflatable wheels for strollers and child toys face issues such as flat tires due to frequent inflation needs and lack of buffer space, leading to poor elasticity and deformation, which affects their usability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A simulated inflatable wheel design featuring a filler tire made of foaming material, mounted on a rim with a tire casing that includes abutting portions and recessed grooves on the filler tire's surface to provide buffer spaces for deformation, enhancing elasticity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the filler tire is made of foaming material and disposed in the tire casing without any space between them, then the structure is compact and simple, but the filler tire cannot provide buffer space for deformation, resulting in poor elasticity
Solution Approach 1:
The tire casing is divided into multiple sections: a rolling portion for contact with the ground, and two abutting portions extending from the sides of the rolling portion. The abutting portions are positioned between the rim and the filler tire, creating segmented spaces that allow the filler tire to deform while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional change by creating radial spaces between the filler tire and the tire casing/rim structure. This radial dimension provides the necessary buffer zone for the filler tire to expand and contract during operation, transforming a two-dimensional tight fit into a three-dimensional structured assembly with functional voids.
2Reliability
If conventional inflatable wheels are used, then they can be inflated to provide cushioning, but they require frequent inflation and are prone to flat tire problems
Solution Approach 1:
The filler tire is constructed from foaming material that inherently provides cushioning properties without requiring external inflation. The foam structure self-maintains its volume and elasticity, eliminating the need for user intervention to inflate or maintain pressure, thus making the wheel self-sufficient and maintenance-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the tire filling from gaseous (air in inner tubes) to solid foam material. This parameter change eliminates the need for inflation while retaining the cushioning function, as the foam's cellular structure provides inherent shock absorption and elasticity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the filler tire is tightly fitted against the rim and tire casing, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the filler tire lacks space for uniform deformation, causing poor performance
Solution Approach 1:
The tire casing is designed with different local qualities: the rolling portion has a smooth outer surface for ground contact, while the abutting portions create localized spaces between the filler tire and the rigid structure. These locally varied qualities allow different regions of the filler tire to deform uniformly during operation.
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 design provides improved elasticity, anti-vibration performance, and enhanced safety by allowing the filler tire to deform uniformly, ensuring stable operation and improved practicality.
Implementation Method 1
the filler tire is made of foaming material... provide buffer space for deformation of the filler tire... improved elasticity
Implementation Method 2
the filler tire is made of foaming material
Implementation Method 3
A recessed portion is formed on at least one position of an outer surface of the filler tire... provide buffer space for deformation of the filler tire
Implementation Method 4
One side of the abutting portion abuts against the rim, and another side of the abutting portion abuts against the filler tire
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a simulated inflatable wheel including a rim, a filler tire mounted on the rim, and a tire casing covering the filler tire and having a rolling portion in rolling contact with the external environment and an abutting portion extending from two sides of the rolling portion. The abutting portion is located between the rim and the filler tire. The abutting portion abuts against the rim and the filler tire respectively. A recessed portion is formed on at least one position of an outer surface of the filler tire. The present invention utilizes the recessed portion of the filler tire to generate space between the filler tire and the rim (or the tire casing), for providing a buffer when the filler tire is deformed and improving elasticity of the filler tire. The present invention further provides a stroller including the simulated inflatable wheel.