Hinged Outer Rim Segments for Durable Heavy-Duty Wheel Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel technologies, both pneumatic and non-pneumatic, face challenges in durability and maintenance, particularly for large construction or mining vehicles, where excessive forces can lead to deformation, puncture, or blowout, resulting in high replacement costs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A wheel assembly featuring an inner rim and an outer rim with hingeably coupled segments, supported by gas springs with integrated hydraulic dampers, and tread members carried by the outer rim segments, providing enhanced suspension and mechanical stops to manage lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pneumatic tires are used to absorb forces during vehicle operation, then the tire can provide cushioning and comfort, but the tire may deform, puncture, or blowout under excessive forces, leading to reduced reliability and increased maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rim is divided into multiple separable segments that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the tire and rim to be replaced as modular units, reducing downtime and maintenance costs while improving reliability through easier replacement of damaged components.
Solution Approach 2:
Lateral stops are introduced as intermediary elements between the tire and ground, providing mechanical support and limiting lateral displacement of the tire. This prevents excessive deformation and punctures by distributing lateral forces, thereby improving wheel durability without compromising the pneumatic cushioning function.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the outer rim is made as a single rigid piece, then the structural integrity is high, but the tire cannot adapt to lateral forces and excessive deformation occurs, reducing the lifespan of the tire
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rim is segmented into multiple sections that can move independently relative to each other. This allows the rim structure to flex and adapt to lateral forces while maintaining overall structural integrity, preventing tire deformation and extending tire lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic segmented structure that can adapt its configuration in response to lateral forces. The segments can pivot and adjust to accommodate terrain variations, reducing stress on the tire and extending its service life.
3Reliability
If wheel replacement is performed frequently due to deformation and wear, then the wheel can maintain performance, but significant downtime and maintenance costs are incurred, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rim is divided into separable segments that can be independently removed and replaced. This modular design allows for rapid replacement of only the damaged segments rather than the entire wheel assembly, significantly reducing downtime and maintaining vehicle productivity while ensuring wheel performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Damaged outer rim segments can be discarded and replaced with new or refurbished segments, while intact segments are retained and reused. This selective replacement strategy minimizes waste and reduces replacement time, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring reliable wheel performance.
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 wheel assembly effectively reduces deformation and wear, enhances durability, and minimizes downtime by providing improved suspension and mechanical support, thereby reducing maintenance costs and extending the lifespan of the wheels.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims
Implementation Method 2
gas springs with integrated hydraulic dampers
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly may include an inner rim, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The outer rim may include outer rim segments each hingeably coupled in end-to-end relation to an adjacent outer rim segment to define the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims, and tread members each carried by a respective one of outer rim segments.