Tapered Spring Wheel Assembly for Axial Torsion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pneumatic tires are prone to punctures, leading to safety hazards, while non-pneumatic tires with radial coil springs suffer from inadequate axial torsion resistance and localized damage compromising their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A spring tire or wheel design featuring a hub, tapered springs, and retainers with buckling connections that allow for detachable assembly, providing improved axial torsion resistance and enabling easy replacement of worn components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If radial coil springs are constrained by inner and outer spring plate rims, then the wheel structure is stable, but axial torsion resistance becomes inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel structure is divided into independent modular units: individual tapered springs mounted on the hub, separate retainers for each spring, and an outer tire tread. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the tapered springs provide axial torsion resistance while the retainers and hub provide structural stability, resolving the contradiction between overall stability and localized strength.
2Reliability
If springs are fixed in a rigid structure, then load bearing is reliable, but localized damage compromises the entire wheel functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into independent modular units where each tapered spring, retainer, and hub section can be independently replaced. The detachable connection between retainers and hub allows damaged components to be quickly swapped without affecting other parts, maintaining reliability while enabling easy repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for easy discarding of damaged tapered springs or retainers and replacement with new components. The modular structure with detachable connections facilitates rapid component recovery and replacement, ensuring the wheel can be quickly restored to full functionality without replacing the entire assembly.
3Reliability
If non-pneumatic tires use wire deformation for shock absorption, then puncture resistance is achieved, but shock absorption capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tapered springs with specific geometric parameters (taper angle, coil density, material properties) optimized for both puncture resistance and shock absorption. The tapered geometry allows the springs to deform progressively under load, providing superior shock absorption compared to uniform wire structures while maintaining puncture resistance through the elastic deformation capability.
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 design enhances axial torsion resistance and allows for rapid replacement of worn parts, maintaining optimal performance and safety without the need for inflation.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of tapered springs are pre-compressed and mounted on the hub through the plurality of retainers... The plurality of tapered springs generate elastic resetting forces due to being pressed by the buckling shoulders of the plurality of retainers
Data Source
AI summary
A spring tire or a spring wheel includes a hub, a plurality of tapered springs, a plurality of retainers, and an elastic outer tire tread. The plurality of tapered springs are pre-compressed and mounted on the hub through the plurality of retainers, and inner side surfaces of the plurality of retainers are pressed on and abut the plurality of tapered springs. The inner side surfaces of the plurality of retainers are buckled to the hub, and outer side surfaces of the plurality of retainers abut an inner side surface of the elastic outer tire tread.