Segmented Crane Wheel Rim Design for Tire Mounting
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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
Engineering 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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
3Ease of operation
If a multi-piece rim is used, then tire mounting is facilitated, but the rim structure becomes more complex
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.
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.
4Weight of moving object
If rim weight is reduced, then crane lifting capacity increases, but tire mounting may become more difficult
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.
Data Source
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.


