Radiator Wheel Assembly Elastic Hub Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing domestic radiator wheel assemblies are complex, expensive, and generate significant friction, making them difficult to assemble and maneuver, especially when moving around corners.

Innovation Solution

A simplified wheel assembly design featuring an axle with elastic fittings at each end, where each hub is securely attached to the axle and each wheel is rotatable, reducing the number of parts and tool requirements, allowing independent wheel rotation and minimizing friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If wheels are rigidly attached to the axle, then the assembly is simple and robust, but maneuverability deteriorates when moving around corners

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmaneuverability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel assembly is segmented into independent rotatable hubs that can turn independently on the axle, separating the functions of support (axle) and maneuvering (rotatable hubs), thus achieving both structural simplicity and good maneuverability when moving around corners

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If independent wheel rotation is allowed to improve maneuverability, then maneuverability improves, but device complexity increases requiring many parts and tools

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hub and wheel are merged into a single rotatable assembly that fits onto the axle, combining multiple functions (support, rotation, maneuvering) into one integrated component, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining independent wheel rotation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If complex assembly mechanisms are used to allow independent wheel rotation, then maneuverability improves, but ease of assembly deteriorates requiring tools and expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching wheels to a fixed axle, the invention inverts the approach by having the axle fit into rotatable hubs, allowing the hubs to rotate independently on the axle, achieving independent wheel rotation with simple tool-free assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If multiple rotating parts are used to allow independent wheel rotation, then maneuverability improves, but reliability deteriorates due to friction and twisting

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaneuverabilityVSAvoidfriction and twisting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the rotation capability from the axle itself and places it in the hubs, allowing only the hubs and wheels to rotate while the axle remains stationary, eliminating friction and twisting problems associated with rotating axles while maintaining independent wheel rotation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides a cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-assemble wheel assembly that reduces friction and twisting risks, enhancing maneuverability and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a hub mounted on each of the ends of the axle, each hub being assembled by elastic fitting on a respective end of said axle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic fitting: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a wheel mounted on each of the hubs, each wheel being assembled by elastic fitting on the respective hub

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic fitting: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3427972B1Domestic radiator wheel assembly
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 TEXAS DE FRANCE (SARL)
  • EP3427972B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3427972B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3427972B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a domestic radiator wheel assembly, comprising: - an axle (2) adapted to be assembled to a radiator frame (12) (1), which axle has two ends (21, 22), - a hub (31, 32) mounted at each end (21, 22) of the axle (2), - a wheel (41, 42) mounted on each of the hubs (31, 32), characterized in that: - the axle (2) is rigidly attached to the frame (12) after assembly, - each hub (31, 32) is assembled by elastic interlocking onto a respective end (21, 22) of the axle (2), - each hub (31, 32) is rigidly attached to the axle (2) after interlocking, - each wheel (41, 42) is assembled by elastic interlocking onto the respective hub (31, 32), - the wheel (41, 42) is free to rotate on the hub (31, 32) after fitting.