Segmented Crane Wheel Rim Design for Tire Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel constructions for mobile cranes are heavy due to multi-piece rims, making them difficult to mount tires without damage and limiting the crane's lifting capacity, while single-piece rims with deep central wells complicate brake systems and render tires unreusable.

Innovation Solution

A wheel construction featuring a rim with inner and outer flanges, a central well, and side parts with convex and curved portions, which reduces material weight and stress points, facilitating easier tire mounting and maintaining structural integrity for heavy loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a multi-piece rim is used, then tire mounting is easier and tire damage risk is reduced, but the rim weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire mounting easeVSAvoidrim weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rim is divided into multiple segments (typically three pieces) that can be separated to facilitate tire mounting and demounting. The segments are connected by allowing relative movement along guide surfaces, enabling the rim to open wide enough for stiff crane tires to be installed without damage while maintaining structural integrity during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rim segments are designed with dynamic connection mechanisms that allow relative movement during mounting operations but maintain rigid connection during normal operation. The guide surfaces enable controlled movement of segments while the locking mechanism ensures stability under load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Weight of moving object

If a single-piece rim with deep central well is used, then rim weight is reduced, but tire mounting becomes difficult and tire damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverim weightVSAvoidtire mounting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The deep central well structure is achieved through segmented construction rather than a single deep cavity. The segments can move relative to each other to create sufficient opening width for tire bead passage, eliminating the mounting difficulties associated with deep single-piece wells while maintaining the weight benefits of a compact design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rim design transitions from a single deep central well (one-dimensional depth) to a segmented structure with multiple shallower sections (multi-dimensional arrangement). This allows the effective depth to be maintained for structural integrity while the segmented nature provides opening capability in the radial dimension for tire mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a multi-piece rim is used, then tire mounting is facilitated, but the rim structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetire mounting easeVSAvoidrim structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rim is segmented into a limited number of pieces (typically three) with standardized connection mechanisms. The guide surfaces and locking features are designed to be simple and repeatable, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from multiple unique connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection mechanism between rim segments serves multiple functions: it allows relative movement for mounting, provides structural connection for load bearing, and includes guide surfaces for alignment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Weight of moving object

If rim weight is reduced, then crane lifting capacity increases, but tire mounting may become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverim weightVSAvoidtire mounting ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design allows the rim to achieve reduced weight through optimized material distribution while the segment separation provides mechanical advantage for tire mounting. The guide surfaces ensure that the reduced mass does not compromise the ability to control segments during mounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230241912A1A Wheel Construction
Publication Date: 2023.08.03 MOVEERO LTD
  • US20230241912A1 patent drawing
  • US20230241912A1 patent drawing
  • US20230241912A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A wheel construction including a rim, the rim including: an inner flange (16) and an outer flange (18), a central well (20) positioned between the flanges, a pair of bead seats (22, 24), one being positioned adjacent each flange, each bead seat being connected to the respective flange by a flange connection portion, and being connected to one of a pair of side parts (30, 32), each connected to the central well by a well connecting portion (34, 36), wherein at least one of the side parts includes a convex portion (40, 42) including a convex surface that extends radially beyond the axially inner end of the bead and a curved portion (50, 52), and wherein at least one of the inner flange and the outer flange includes an extended portion (17, 19) which extends radially inwardly to a free end.