Hubless Wheel Sliding Structure for Stroller Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stroller wheels with hubs are costly due to material and production expenses, and adjusting ground clearance is complex, leading to increased manufacturing costs and weight.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of hubless wheels with external and internal sliding structures and bridging components that replace the conventional hub, allowing for adjustable ground clearance and reduced material usage, along with an optional electric generator for power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional hub portion is used in the wheel, then the wheel structure is stable and can connect the rim to the frame, but the material cost and production cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the conventional hub portion from the wheel structure entirely, replacing it with a hubless design where the rim directly connects to the frame through mounting junctions. This extraction of the hub component eliminates the associated material and production costs while maintaining structural functionality through alternative connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel is segmented into distinct functional components: the rim with external sliding structure, the internal sliding structure, and separate mounting junctions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled without requiring an expensive hub portion, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the diameter of the wheel is varied to adjust ground clearance, then the ground clearance of the frame can be adjusted, but the assembly procedures become complicated and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable ground clearance through movable mounting junctions that can be repositioned along the internal sliding structure. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the wheel to adapt to different ground clearance requirements without requiring multiple wheel sizes or complex assembly procedures, maintaining simplicity while providing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adjusting ground clearance by changing wheel diameter (one-dimensional adjustment), the patent enables adjustment along the vertical dimension by repositioning the mounting junctions on the internal sliding structure. This dimensional approach simplifies the adjustment mechanism while achieving the same functional goal.
3Ease of manufacture
If a hub portion is removed to reduce material cost, then material and production costs decrease, but the connection between rim and frame becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sliding structures (external sliding structure on the rim and internal sliding structure) as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between the rim and frame without requiring a hub portion. These sliding structures serve as mediators that simplify the connection mechanism while maintaining structural integrity and enabling easy assembly.
4Ease of manufacture
If the wheel design is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then production cost decreases, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the rim and sliding structures, combining materials with complementary properties to achieve both cost-effectiveness and structural strength. The use of engineered composites allows the hubless design to maintain adequate strength while reducing material costs compared to traditional hub-based wheels.
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 design reduces material weight and production costs, enhances structural strength, and provides adjustable ground clearance and additional power generation capabilities, enhancing operational convenience and market competitiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator disposed on the bridging component to create electric power when the hubless wheel moves
Data Source
AI summary
A stroller includes a frame and a plurality of hubless wheels. A seat is disposed on the frame. The hubless wheels are disposed on the frame. The hubless wheel includes a rim, an internal sliding structure and at least one bridging component. A tire is disposed on the hubless wheel. The rim has an external sliding structure on an inner surface of the rim. The internal sliding structure is disposed inside the external sliding structure. The bridging component is disposed between the external sliding structure and the internal sliding structure. The bridging component revolves on its own axis.