Segmented Tire Rim Assembly for Reusable Inner Rim Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-pneumatic tire and rim assemblies are difficult to disassemble without damaging components, leading to resource-intensive and costly rim recovery at the end of the tire's life, especially as tire sizes increase.
Innovation Solution
A non-pneumatic tire and rim assembly design featuring an inner and outer rim with axial grooves and ridges of corresponding geometry, allowing for axial insertion and removal of the inner rim from the outer rim without adhesive or permanent bonding, enabling reusable inner rims and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive is used to affix the rim to the tire, then the rim is securely fixed to the tire, but the rim becomes difficult to remove without damage and requires resource-intensive recovery processes
Solution Approach 1:
The rim assembly is divided into multiple segments: an inner rim component and an outer rim component. These segments are connected through axial grooves and ridges that allow for reversible mechanical engagement, eliminating the need for permanent adhesive bonding while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rim components have different surface characteristics. The axial grooves and ridges provide localized mechanical interlocking features, while other surfaces maintain smooth contact for adhesive bonding where needed. This localized differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of strong bonding and easy disassembly.
2Reliability
If the rim is securely fixed to the tire using adhesive, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the cost and resource intensity of rim recovery increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rim into reusable inner and outer components that can be separated and reassembled, the system maintains structural integrity during use while enabling resource-efficient recovery and reuse at end-of-life, reducing the need for manufacturing new rims.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular rim design with axial grooves and ridges enables easy disassembly and recovery of valuable rim components. The inner rim can be removed and reused on different tires, recovering expensive materials without resource-intensive processing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive bonding is used to attach the rim to the tire, then the rim remains stable during operation, but the complexity and cost of rim recovery processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is segmented into modular components with standardized axial grooves and ridges. This segmentation creates a systematic disassembly approach where components can be separated in reverse order of assembly, reducing complexity compared to breaking adhesive bonds on monolithic rims.
4Volume of moving object
If larger tire sizes are used, then the vehicle capacity and performance improve, but the cost of non-reusable rims increases proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The modular rim design with axial grooves and ridges enables easy disassembly and recovery of valuable rim components. The inner rim can be removed and reused on different tires, recovering expensive materials without resource-intensive processing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A rim assembly for a tire includes an outer rim having an outer annular surface and an inner surface. The rim assembly also has an inner rim with an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the outer rim has a first plurality of axial grooves that define a first plurality of axial ridges. The outer surface of the inner rim has a second plurality of axial grooves that define a second plurality of axial ridges. The second plurality of axial grooves have a cross-sectional geometry corresponding to a cross-sectional geometry of the first plurality of axial ridges, and the second plurality of axial ridges have a cross-sectional geometry corresponding to a cross-sectional geometry of the first plurality of axial grooves.