Integral Golf Trolley Wheel with Overmolded Studs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically powered golf trolleys cause damage to fairway surfaces during inclement weather due to existing wheel designs, and previous solutions like stud-bearing tires are inconvenient, difficult to fit, and prone to relative movement, leading to reduced longevity and effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece golf trolley wheel with a polypropylene rim and an over-molded elastomeric tire featuring radial ground engaging studs or blades, with keying members to prevent tire movement and enhance fitment, using glass-filled polypropylene and thermo-plastic rubber materials for durability and wear indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If stud-bearing tyres are fitted over existing wheels to prevent fairway damage during inclement weather, then fairway protection is improved, but convenience and time consumption deteriorate due to frequent fitting and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the wheel rim and tyre into a single integral structure where the tyre is overmoulded directly onto the rim, eliminating the need for separate fitting and removal operations. The ground engaging members are formed as an integral part of the tyre, combining the protective function with the wheel assembly itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The tyre is pre-formed with ground engaging members during the manufacturing process, so that the protective function is already integrated before the wheel is assembled to the trolley. This preliminary formation eliminates the need for later attachment or modification.
2Reliability
If the tyre's internal diameter is made the same as or only marginally larger than the wheel rim external diameter to prevent relative movement, then relative movement prevention is improved, but ease of fitting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses curved or arcuate ground engaging members with specific geometric profiles that allow the tyre to be slightly larger than the rim while maintaining secure attachment. The curved surfaces engage with corresponding features on the rim, providing reliable connection without requiring tight dimensional tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The tyre incorporates keying members at specific locations (such as circumferential grooves or radial protrusions) that provide localized attachment points. These keying features are positioned to engage with corresponding rim features, preventing relative movement at critical points while allowing overall ease of fitting.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional stud-bearing tyres are used to prevent fairway damage, then fairway protection is improved, but longevity deteriorates due to stretching and relative movement during use
Solution Approach 1:
The integral construction merges the tyre and rim into a single unit, eliminating relative movement between them that causes stretching and wear. The ground engaging members are permanently bonded to the rim through the overmoulding process, preventing the separation and distortion that limits traditional tyre longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction with the rim made from one material (such as polypropylene) and the tyre overmoulded from another material (such as elastomeric or thermoplastic rubber). This composite structure provides both the durability of the rim and the flexibility/grip of the tyre, while the integrated bonding prevents relative movement and stretching.
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 allows for consistent, damage-free traversal of fairways and hard surfaces in all weather conditions, minimizing tire wear and extending wheel longevity by securely integrating the tire with the rim, preventing relative movement and ensuring effective surface engagement.
Implementation Method 1
the tyre being over moulded onto the rim from an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
the polypropylene material is a glass filled polypropylene material, typically a 20% glass filled polypropylene material
Implementation Method 3
The elastomeric material may comprise thermo-plastic rubber (TPR)
Data Source
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AI summary
A golf trolley wheel which is preformed as a single piece in a single or multiple moulding process with one or a plurality of rows of substantially radial ground engaging studs or blades projecting from its rim. Each stud or blade is of a composition, shape and height to enable the wheel to travel over golf fairways and similar surfaces during inclement weather conditions without causing damage to the fairway or like surface. Each ground engaging member may comprise a generally conical-shaped stud or an elongate blade member whose sides normal to the rolling direction of the wheel.