Spiked Wheel Crown Sealing for Pressurized Tire Traction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spiked wheels for utility vehicles face challenges in achieving a reliable airtight seal for pressurized tire volumes, which are essential for improved traction, smooth running, and reduced ground pressure, while also being durable and resistant to external loads and dirt.
Innovation Solution
The spiked wheels feature a rim and tire casing with a gas-filled volume under overpressure, where the tire casing and rim form a plurality of crowns with spikes mounted in crown receptacles, creating an airtight seal at the crown and receptacle shoulder area, protected from extreme forces and dirt, eliminating the need for separate sealing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas-filled tire volume under overpressure is used in spiked wheels, then traction and smooth running are improved, but achieving a reliable airtight seal becomes difficult due to external loads and dirt exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The tire casing is segmented into multiple crown sections, each with its own crown receptacle and sealing interface. This segmentation allows each sealing zone to be independently protected and sealed, preventing dirt and external loads from compromising the entire tire seal. Each crown receptacle forms an independent airtight chamber with the tire volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown shoulder and receptacle shoulder act as intermediary sealing surfaces between the tire casing and the external environment. These shoulder interfaces create airtight seals that protect the gas-filled tire volume from dirt and external loads, while the crowns themselves serve as intermediary structures that transmit radial tension to secure spikes while maintaining seal integrity.
2Reliability
If separate sealing elements are added to ensure airtight seal, then sealing reliability improves, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the structural components of the spiked wheel. The crown shoulder and receptacle shoulder, which are integral parts of the tire casing structure, simultaneously provide mechanical support and create airtight seals. This eliminates the need for separate sealing elements like gaskets or O-rings, reducing device complexity while maintaining seal reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown and receptacle structures serve multiple functions: they secure the spikes through radial tension, maintain the structural integrity of the tire casing, and create airtight seals through their shoulder interfaces. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated sealing components, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Force
If solid rubber tires with metallic spikes are used, then grip on stony ground improves, but smooth running on paved paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tire pressure parameter is made variable and adjustable. By adjusting the gas pressure within the tire volume, the spiked wheel can adapt to different operating conditions: higher pressure provides a firmer ride on paved paths, while lower pressure allows better deformation and grip on stony ground and uneven terrain, resolving the contradiction between smooth running and grip force.
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
This design ensures a durable, airtight seal, improving traction and smooth running, reducing ground pressure, and enhancing stability on steep slopes, while allowing tire pressure adjustment for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
the tire casing, together with the rim, encloses a gas-filled tire volume which, during the intended operation of the implement carrier, has a specified tire pressure greater than the ambient air pressure
Implementation Method 2
a tread made of an elastically deformable material
Implementation Method 3
when the respective spike is radially tensioned against the crown, the crown is squeezed (deformed) against the receptacle shoulder in the area of the crown shoulder, thereby forming a (particularly ring-shaped) sealing surface and creating an airtight seal
Implementation Method 4
The spikes penetrate the yielding ground under the weight of the implement carrier, thus improving its traction and off-road capability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device carrier (1) with at least two spiked wheels (3) rotatable about a common wheel axis (2) and having the following features: The spiked wheels (3) each comprise a rim (9), a tire casing (10) with a tread (11), and spikes (13) arranged on the tread (11). The tire casing (10), together with the rim (9), encloses a gas-filled tire volume which, during intended operation, has a tire pressure greater than the ambient air pressure. The tread (11) forms a plurality of protruding crowns (16). The spikes (13) are each mounted on one of the crowns and have a crown receptacle for this purpose.The crowns and the crown receptacles are each shaped in such a way that when the crown is radially inserted into the crown receptacle, a crown shoulder and a receptacle shoulder come into contact with each other before a crown plateau touches a receptacle base, so that when the respective spike (13) is radially tensioned against the crown, the crown is squeezed against the receptacle shoulder in the area of the crown shoulder, thereby forming a sealing surface and the crown shoulder seals airtight against the receptacle shoulder at the intended tire pressure.