Segmented Wheel Clamp with Mushroom-Head Pin Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel clamps of the first class are bulky and heavy, making them difficult to fit and remove, and they can damage alloy wheels and vehicle bodywork due to their size and weight, with complex assembly procedures that require manipulation of multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A wheel clamp design featuring a clamp body with three arms, where each arm has a radial and axial portion, secured by mushroom-headed pins and a sleeve for adjustable positioning, allowing for sequential and simplified fitting and removal, with a cover plate and key-locking mechanism to enhance security and reduce weight and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheel clamps are made bulky and heavy with increased dimensions, then security impression is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel clamp is divided into three separate arms that can be manipulated independently, with the top arm being removable from the clamp body. This segmentation allows each component to be lighter and easier to handle during fitment and removal operations, while the assembled structure maintains security function.
Solution Approach 2:
The top arm is designed to be removable and repositionable, allowing the clamp to transition between different operational states. This dynamic design enables simplified fitment procedures where the top arm can be fitted after the bottom arms are positioned, reducing the complexity of manipulation required.
2Reliability
If wheel clamps are made bulky and heavy, then security impression is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the wheel clamp into separate arms and a clamp body, each component can be optimized for minimal weight while maintaining structural integrity. The removable top arm can be made lighter since it doesn't need to support the entire clamp structure.
3Reliability
If wheel clamps have complex assembly procedures with multiple components, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel clamp is segmented into distinct components (clamp body, bottom arms, top arm) that can be assembled in a simplified sequence. The bottom arms are first positioned against the road wheel, then the top arm is fitted to the clamp body, reducing the complexity of manipulation required.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom arms are positioned and secured to the clamp body before fitting the top arm. This preliminary action simplifies the overall assembly procedure by breaking down the complex task into manageable stages, where each stage involves fewer components.
4Reliability
If wheel clamps are made bulky and heavy, then security impression is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By manufacturing the wheel clamp as separate components (clamp body, bottom arms, top arm), each part can be produced using simpler, more cost-effective processes. The segmented design allows for standardized production of individual components that can then be assembled.
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a wheel clamp and method of fitment. The wheel clamp comprises a clamp body (12) and first, second and third arms (50, 60). Each of the arms has a radial portion (52, 62) and an axial portion (54, 64), at least one of the arms having a return radial portion (56, 66). The arms are securable at predetermined positions relative to the clamp body (12), ideally separated by around 120°. The second and third arms (60) are each releasably mounted to the clamp body by way of at least one mushroom-headed pin (20) locatable in a keyhole aperture (72). In this way the second and third arms can be assembled to the clamp body whilst the first arm and clamp body are supported by the wheel to which the wheel clamp is fitted, and the weight of the wheel clamp which must be supported and manipulated by the user is reduced.