Non-Pneumatic Wheel Hub With Grooved Receiver for Replaceable Spokes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-pneumatic wheel constructions have integral spoke and hub designs that are not readily amenable to spoke or hub substitution, limiting customization and reinforcement options, and are not easily manufactured for various wheel sizes.
Innovation Solution
A hub with an annular receiver featuring spaced projections and grooves allows for removably attached spokes, enabling customization and easy manufacturing for different wheel sizes, constructed from a single sheet of metal forming the projections and grooves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spokes and hub are molded as an integral single-piece construction, then structural strength and manufacturing simplicity are improved, but adaptability and ease of substitution are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The integral single-piece construction is divided into separate components: the hub and the spokes. The hub includes an annular receiver with grooves that receive the radially-inner ends of spokes, allowing them to be attached and detached. This segmentation enables spoke substitution while maintaining structural integrity through the receiver-groove connection mechanism.
2Ease of manufacture
If spokes are integrally joined with hub, then manufacturing process is simplified, but ease of repair and customization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is segmented into two stages: first, the annular receiver is formed as part of the hub (which can be done through stamping or molding); second, spokes are attached to the receiver grooves. This allows the hub to be manufactured efficiently while enabling easy spoke replacement for repair or customization purposes.
3Manufacturing precision
If hub design is fixed for specific wheel size, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability across different wheel sizes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The annular receiver is designed with a standardized geometry that can accommodate spokes of different lengths and configurations. The receiver maintains consistent dimensions and groove patterns across different hub sizes, allowing the same receiver design to be used with various wheel sizes by simply changing the spoke length or hub outer diameter, thus achieving multi-functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A hub (300) for a non-pneumatic wheel (102) and the non-pneumatic wheel (102) incorporating such hub (300). The hub (300) includes an annular receiver (302) with a plurality of projections (312) and grooves (318) arranged in an alternating manner along the circumferential direction of the hub (300). The grooves (318) are configured to receive tension-transmitting elements or spokes (106) of the non-pneumatic wheel (102). The annular receiver (302) may be manufactured from a single sheet of metal that is folded and welded to create the projections (312) and grooves (318).