Gas Spring Wheel Assembly for Run-Flat Mine Drum Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel technologies, particularly for large construction and mining vehicles, face challenges such as high replacement costs and downtime due to tire deformation, punctures, and rapid tread wear.
Innovation Solution
The development of a wheel assembly featuring an inner rim, an outer rim, and a plurality of gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims, providing a gas suspension for relative movement and a mechanical stop to limit movement, thus offering a run-flat capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If pneumatic tires are used to absorb forces during vehicle operation, then the tire can cushion shocks and provide comfort, but the tire and rim may deform, puncture, or blowout under excessive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pneumatic tire from the wheel assembly, extracting the source of deformation and puncture risks while maintaining the force absorption function through solid mechanical components (rim, hub, and load-bearing structure)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system (air-filled tire) with a solid mechanical structure consisting of the rim, hub, and integrated load-bearing components, eliminating the risks associated with pneumatic systems while maintaining structural integrity
2Force
If excessive forces are applied to the tire, then the vehicle can handle heavy loads, but rapid tread wear occurs leading to shortened tire lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tread component from the traditional tire structure, eliminating wear-related failures while maintaining load capacity through the robust rim and hub structure designed for heavy-duty applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a design where the load-bearing structure (rim and hub) is built to withstand excessive forces without wear, effectively making the wheel assembly a durable, long-lasting component that does not require periodic replacement due to tread wear
3Reliability
If non-pneumatic wheels with mechanical springs are used, then the wheel can resist deformation and provide run-flat capability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rim, hub, and load-bearing functions into an integrated wheel assembly structure, eliminating the need for separate mechanical spring components while maintaining run-flat capability through the inherent structural integrity of the unified design
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
This solution reduces the frequency of wheel replacements, minimizes downtime, and lowers operational costs by providing enhanced durability and resistance to deformation and wear, particularly suited for heavy machinery.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim
Data Source
AI summary
A mine material processing apparatus may include a rotatable drum to process mine material, and wheel assemblies configured for rotation of the rotatable drum. Each wheel assembly may include an inner rim, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim.