Spare Wheel Actuation Device Friction Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for raising and lowering spare wheels in vehicles, especially large and heavy ones, risk accidental release due to disengagement of the engagement member from the transmission member, leading to unsafe conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a transmission member and engagement mechanism that includes a curved surface for guiding the flexible cable, an orientation member for automatic alignment, and a friction-generating system using a worm screw and toothed wheel to securely hold the wheel in the raised position, preventing accidental descent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually controlled actuation device with flexible cable is used to raise and lower the spare wheel, then the device can be operated easily by the user, but the engagement member may accidentally come out of the seat of the transmission member causing the wheel to drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a safety latch mechanism that automatically engages before the engagement member enters the seat, and a retention system that maintains engagement throughout the operation. This preliminary and continuous engagement prevention resolves the contradiction by ensuring the member cannot accidentally disengage while maintaining ease of manual operation through the flexible cable control system
2Reliability
If a retaining system is added to firmly retain the wheel in the raised position, then the safety and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-latching mechanism where the safety latch automatically engages with the transmission member seat through the motion of the flexible cable itself, without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The retention is achieved through the geometric configuration of the latch and seat that naturally lock together during the raising operation, thereby improving reliability while minimizing added complexity
3Ease of operation
If the engagement member is designed to engage into the seat of the transmission member, then the wheel can be held in the raised position, but the engagement member may accidentally disengage leading to dangerous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The safety latch mechanism engages in advance before the engagement member enters the seat, creating a preliminary secure connection. Additionally, the retention system maintains continuous engagement throughout the operation, preventing accidental disengagement and eliminating the harmful effect of the wheel dropping while preserving the simple manual operation through flexible cable actuation
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
Ensures the spare wheel is firmly retained in the raised position, reducing the risk of accidental release and providing safety against dangerous conditions, while allowing efficient operation and simple, economical manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation device 14 is configured for generating friction that will prevent the wheel R from going down when the bar 34 is not engaged in the fixed transverse seat 30.
Implementation Method 2
The cable 16 co-operates with the curved, or arched, outer surface 24 (in particular, with the guide 28) of the transmission member 22, from which the cable 16 is deviated, conveniently by approximately 90 degrees, around the transmission member 22.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Device for raising and lowering a spare wheel (R) of a vehicle to and from its horizontal storage position outside the vehicle, comprising: an actuation device (14); a flexible cable (16) co- operating with the actuation device (14); an engagement member (18, 85) fixed to one end of the flexible cable (16); a transmission member (22, 78) fixed with respect to the structure (12) of the vehicle and having a substantially cylindrical shape, arranged along its own longitudinal axis. The flexible cable (16) co-operates with a curved outer surface (24) of the transmission member (22, 78), from which the flexible cable (16) is deviated around the transmission member (22, 78). The engagement member (18, 85) comprises a bar (34, 83) with its horizontal axis fixed to one end of the flexible cable (16). A fixed transverse seat (30, 76) is obtained on top of the transmission member (22, 78), and the bar (34, 83) is adapted to engage into the fixed transverse seat (30, 76) for stable anchorage of the wheel (R) to the structure of the vehicle (12) when the wheel is in the completely raised position. The actuation device (14) includes: a toothed wheel (44) co-operating with the flexible cable (16), and a worm screw (45) for turning the toothed wheel (44). The actuation device (14) is configured for generating friction that will prevent the spare wheel (R) from going down when the bar (34) is not engaged in the fixed transverse seat (30).