Rotatable Wheel Grid for Variable Track Width and Tire Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel grids struggle to accommodate a wide range of track widths and tire sizes, leading to potential damage to towed vehicles due to improper engagement and clearance issues.

Innovation Solution

A wheel grid design featuring a crossbar with cantilevered ends and rotatable L-arms that can adjust to fit various tire sizes and track widths, including a stowed position to minimize interference and a detent assembly for controlled rotation, along with protective belts for chain lifting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed wheel grid design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate a wide range of track widths and tire sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of track widths and tire sizesVSAvoidwheel grid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The L-arms are made rotatable relative to the crossbar, allowing the wheel grid to dynamically adjust its configuration. The L-arms can rotate between a deployed position for engaging tires and a stowed position parallel to the crossbar, enabling the same structure to handle various tire sizes and track widths while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the L-arms remain extended during towing, then tire engagement is maintained, but interference with the towed vehicle undercarriage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetire engagementVSAvoidundercarriage contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The L-arms are designed to rotate into a stowed position parallel to the crossbar when not actively engaging tires, eliminating interference with the towed vehicle's undercarriage. The detent assembly ensures reliable tire engagement when deployed while allowing safe retraction when not needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The L-arm assembly is separated into a deployable functional component and a stowed storage position, allowing the engagement function to be activated only when needed rather than remaining constantly extended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If the wheel grid rotates freely, then positioning is flexible, but controlled rotation is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation flexibilityVSAvoidrotation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detent assembly provides tactile feedback at specific rotation positions, allowing the operator to feel when the L-arms are properly positioned for tire engagement or stowed parallel to the crossbar. This feedback mechanism enables controlled rotation without requiring complex mechanical locks or actuators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250206220A1Automatic wheel grid

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 OSHKOSH CORPORATION

AI summary

A wheel grid includes a crossbar configured to be coupled to a boom of a tow vehicle, the crossbar extending in a first lateral direction from a centerline to a distal tip, and an L-arm including an extension member rotatably coupled to the crossbar about a fixed rotation axis and a wheel engagement member extending from a distal end of the extension member. The L-arm is rotatable between an engaged position in which the wheel engagement member extends away from the centerline and a second position in which the extension member extends laterally away from the centerline.