Sinusoidal Wheel Heat Dissipation and Debris Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Material handling equipment, such as forklifts, faces challenges with wheel durability due to uneven surfaces, extreme temperatures, and debris, leading to frequent replacements and instability when navigating rough terrain.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of sinusoidal wheels that dissipate heat through airflow, push obstacles aside, and distribute wear evenly, featuring a modular design that allows independent rolling and a unique approach angle to reduce shock and friction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional wheels are used on material handling equipment, then the equipment can operate on smooth surfaces, but the wheels wear out quickly and fail frequently when encountering rough terrain, debris, and extreme temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel durabilityVSAvoiddamage from rough terrain and debris

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel is divided into multiple sinusoidal segments or channels that can independently deflect and absorb impacts from debris and rough surfaces. Each segment acts as an independent shock absorber, preventing damage to the entire wheel structure while maintaining rolling functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sinusoidal curved profile of the wheel creates a continuous series of arcs that naturally deflect obstacles and distribute impact forces. The curved geometry allows the wheel to roll over debris and uneven surfaces more effectively than a straight-sided wheel, reducing damage and extending durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If small diameter wheels are used to fit inside fork blades, then the equipment can maneuver through tight spaces, but the wheels have difficulty traversing rough or cracked floor surfaces and wear out quickly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaneuverability through tight spacesVSAvoidwheel lifespan on rough surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sinusoidal curved profile allows the small wheel to better negotiate rough surfaces and cracks by distributing impact forces across the curved surface. The continuous arcs in the sinusoidal pattern help the wheel roll over obstacles more effectively, extending lifespan despite the small diameter needed for fork blade clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional circular wheels are used, then the design is simple and manufacturing is easy, but heat generated by friction and load cannot dissipate efficiently, leading to wheel failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat dissipation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The sinusoidal wheel design creates a porous or channelled structure with multiple surfaces and cavities that facilitate air flow and heat dissipation. The intricate sinusoidal pattern increases surface area for thermal exchange while maintaining structural integrity, allowing efficient heat removal without significantly complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Force

If wheels with large contact patch are used, then the wheel can support heavy loads, but the wheel cannot easily push aside debris and obstacles on the floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoiddebris and obstacle interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel contact surface is segmented into multiple sinusoidal zones rather than a single large flat surface. This segmentation allows different portions of the wheel to independently interact with the ground, enabling the wheel to push aside debris while maintaining overall load support capability through the distributed contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The sinusoidal wheels significantly extend the lifespan of material handling equipment wheels, improve maneuverability, and reduce failures due to heat and debris, while maintaining stability and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

a sinusoidal wheel that dissipates heat because the shape of the wheel's channels allows the heat created by load and friction to escape more efficiently by providing air flow through the sinusoidal channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat dissipation through airflow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a sinusoidal wheel that physically pushes small nuts, bolts, woodchips and common warehouse floor obstacles left and right out of the way... the sinusoidal wheel always striking objects at an angle instead of steamrolling over the objects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force through approach angle: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11173745B2Sinusoidal wheel

Publication Date: 2021.11.16 SHARK WHEEL INC

AI summary

A wheel set assembly having a plurality of sinusoidal channeled wheels. The sinusoidal channeled wheels having a sinusoidal channel disposed around a circular exterior surface of each of the sinusoidal channeled wheels. The wheel set assembly allows for better maneuverability and longevity in comparison to other materials handling equipment wheels because of the sinusoidal channels. The sinusoidal channels also provide heat dissipation along with the ability to push debris out of the way of the materials handling equipment.