Spoked Bicycle Wheel Assembly With Inclined Nipple-Washer Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing spoked bicycle wheels with composite material rims face challenges in cost-effectiveness and assembly complexity, particularly when using shaped washers, as they can disperse or slip off during assembly, complicating the process and requiring additional sealing measures for tubeless tires.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a spoke attachment assembly with a nipple and shaped washer, where the washer is applied to the stem and inserted through an inclined opening, ensuring it remains attached during insertion and positioning at the spoke attachment seat, simplifying assembly by using gravity and potentially magnetic guidance to align and secure the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If shaped washers are used during assembly, then the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming, but the cost-effectiveness is improved by avoiding additional sealing bands
Solution Approach 1:
The shaped washer is pre-applied to the nipple stem before insertion, ensuring it is already in position before the nipple enters the rim. This preliminary action prevents the washer from dispersing or slipping off during assembly, simplifying the overall process while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped washer acts as an intermediary element between the nipple and the rim interior. It facilitates the insertion process by guiding the nipple into the spoke attachment seat while preventing direct contact between the nipple and the tire air chamber, eliminating the need for sealing bands
2Ease of operation
If the insertion direction is horizontal, then the assembly process is simplified, but the shaped washer may disperse or slip off during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion direction is set at an upward inclination rather than horizontal, creating a gravitational field configuration where the shaped washer remains in contact with the nipple stem throughout insertion. The upward angle ensures the washer stays in position due to gravity acting favorably, maintaining both simplicity and reliability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional sealing bands are applied to seal openings, then the tire is protected from damage, but the assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the nipple-washer assembly and transferred to the shaped washer itself. The washer's geometry and position create a natural seal between the nipple and the rim interior, eliminating the need for separate sealing bands while still protecting the tire from damage
Solution Approach 2:
The shaped washer serves as a single-use, inexpensive component that provides both mechanical guidance and sealing functions. Rather than using expensive, reusable sealing bands, the washer is a simple, replaceable element that accomplishes the sealing task effectively
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 process allows for efficient and simplified assembly of spoked bicycle wheels without the need for additional sealing bands, reducing the risk of damaging the tire and maintaining cost-effectiveness by stabilizing the washers during insertion and securing them at the spoke attachment seats.
Implementation Method 1
inserting into the opening firstly the stem and then the enlarged head of the nipple along an insertion direction that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane arranged below the rim element and according to a sense of insertion that is oriented away from the horizontal plane and so that the at least one shaped washer remains applied onto the stem of the nipple due to the force of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a process aimed at manufacturing a spoked bicycle wheel, comprising the steps of a) providing a rim element having a spoke attachment chamber (14) provided with at least one opening (15c) and with a spoke attachment surface (17) comprising a plurality of spoke attachment seats (18); b) providing a spoke attachment assembly (80) comprising a nipple (40) having an enlarged head and a stem provided with a coupling portion configured to be coupled to a respective spoke, and at least one shaped washer (50) applied onto the stem of the nipple (40); c) inserting the spoke attachment assembly (80) into the at least one spoke attachment chamber (14) through said at least one opening (15c) along an insertion direction (d) that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane arranged below the rim element (10) and according to a sense of insertion that is oriented away from the horizontal plane; d) moving the spoke attachment assembly (80) along the insertion direction (d) until the stem of the nipple (40) is brought at the spoke attachment surface (17); e) moving said spoke attachment assembly (80) along the spoke attachment surface (17) towards and up to one of said spoke attachment seats; f) inserting the stem of the nipple (40) in said spoke attachment seat; g) constraining said spoke attachment assembly (80) to said spoke attachment seat; h) repeating steps c) to g) in order to couple a respective spoke attachment assembly to each of the plurality of spoke attachment seats. The invention also relates to a spoked bicycle wheel in which the aforementioned assembly (80) is used.