Static Wheel Weight on Work Vehicle Axle

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in speed limits for work vehicles like tractors poses challenges for traditional wheel weight designs, which were primarily intended for lower speeds, leading to issues with rotation and safety, as well as complexity in assembly and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle wheel structure with a static wheel weight integrated into a support part extending beyond the shaft transmission part, where the wheel weight is fixed with respect to the vehicle frame, preventing rotation and simplifying access and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the wheel weight is integrated within the wheel rim or fixed to specific portions of the wheel rim, then the wheel weight can be securely positioned, but the design becomes complex and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel weight positioning stabilityVSAvoidwheel weight assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The axle is divided into a fixed portion and a mobile portion, with the wheel weight integrated into the fixed portion. This segmentation allows the wheel weight to be securely positioned while simplifying the overall assembly structure and maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the wheel weight is designed for lower displacement speeds, then the design can be simpler, but it becomes unsafe and unreliable at higher speeds up to 50-65 Km/h

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel weight design simplicityVSAvoidwheel weight safety at high speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel weight is integrated into the fixed portion of the axle, which remains stationary relative to the vehicle frame while the mobile portion rotates. This dynamic configuration ensures the wheel weight maintains proper positioning and balance at higher speeds without requiring complex high-speed specific designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the wheel weight is made static with respect to the vehicle frame, then kinetic energy-related risks are eliminated, but the wheel weight must be precisely positioned and secured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekinetic energy risksVSAvoidwheel weight positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel weight receiving portion is pre-formed as an integral part of the fixed portion of the axle during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures precise positioning and secure attachment of the wheel weight, eliminating the need for complex assembly operations while maintaining static positioning to eliminate kinetic energy risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3878720B1Improved wheel weight structure for a work vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP3878720B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3878720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle wheel structure, comprising a vehicle axle (2) extending from a vehicle frame (1), said vehicle axle (2) comprising a fixed portion (3) and a mobile portion (4), wherein the fixed portion (3) defines a wheel axis (X-X), and the mobile portion (4) is configured to rotate around said wheel axis (X-X), the mobile portion (4) comprising a shaft transmission part (5) on which is arranged a wheel rim (6), said shaft transmission part (5) being rotatable around the wheel axis (X-X), the fixed part (3) comprising a support part (34), which extends beyond the shaft transmission part (5) along the wheel axis (X-X), said support part (34) comprising a wheel weight receiving portion which supports a wheel weight (8), such that the wheel weight (8) is arranged on the wheel axis (X-X) and is static with respect to the vehicle frame (1).