Quick Change Wheel Assembly With Segmented Locking Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel attachment methods for construction and mining equipment require numerous bolts, making assembly and disassembly time-consuming and prone to incorrect torque, and are not suitable for non-resilient materials, complicating repair and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A quick change wheel assembly featuring a hub with splines and slots, an inner rim with notches and tabs, and locking blocks that allow for secure attachment with fewer bolts, facilitating faster assembly and disassembly while accommodating non-resilient materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large number of bolts are used to attach the wheel to the axle, then the load on each bolt is reduced and the attachment strength is improved, but the time required for wheel assembly and disassembly increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel hub is segmented into multiple independent locking blocks that can be engaged or disengaged separately. Each locking block independently secures the wheel to the axle, allowing the wheel to be quickly released by simply removing the locking blocks rather than undoing multiple bolts simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking blocks are designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions. This dynamic mechanism allows rapid transition from a secured state (wheel attached) to a released state (wheel removable), eliminating the time-consuming process of removing multiple fixed bolts.
2Strength
If a large number of bolts are used to attach the wheel, then the attachment strength is improved, but the likelihood of incorrect torque application increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blocks are designed with self-aligning features that guide them into the correct engagement position with the axle. This self-service mechanism ensures proper positioning and force distribution without requiring precise manual torque application, eliminating the risk of incorrect torque on multiple bolts.
3Ease of manufacture
If the drive wheel is made of resilient material to enable snap-fit attachment, then the assembly process is simplified, but the wheel cannot be used with construction and mining equipment that require non-resilient materials
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blocks serve as intermediary components between the wheel hub and the axle. Instead of requiring the wheel material itself to be resilient for snap-fit attachment, the locking blocks provide the mechanical compliance and engagement mechanism, allowing both resilient and non-resilient wheel materials to be used with the same attachment system.
4Ease of manufacture
If teeth are forced over the hub to snap into pockets, then boltless attachment is achieved, but easy removal of the wheel becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking blocks are designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged states. During assembly, they are forced into the engaged position to secure the wheel; during maintenance, they can be easily moved to the disengaged position to allow wheel removal. This dynamic design provides both secure attachment and easy removal, unlike fixed snap-fit teeth.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel assembly is disclosed. The wheel assembly may have a hub with a first spline, a second spline, and a slot separating the first spline and the second spline. The first spline, the second spline, and the slot may extend from a front end to a rear end. The wheel assembly may also have an outer rim configured to mount a tire. The wheel assembly may further have an inner rim extending from a rim front end to a rim rear end. The inner rim may have a notch disposed at the rim front end and a tab disposed at the rim rear end. The tab may slidingly engage with the slot. The wheel assembly may have a locking block, which may slidingly engage with the notch and the slot at the front end. Further, the wheel assembly may have a bolt connecting the mounting block to the hub.