Tire Chain Mounting Bracket for Simplified Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire chains with elastically stretchable inner clamping rings often slip off the tire during assembly, requiring reattachment and complicating the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a mounting bracket with increased flexural rigidity, featuring two legs that extend from a common apex and are arranged at a shallow angle, which securely holds the inner clamping ring in place on the tire, allowing it to be pulled over without detaching, and includes attachment points for anti-skid agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastically expandable inner tension ring is used to facilitate attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the inner tension ring can slip off the tire during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tension ring is divided into two functional parts: the elastically expandable ring itself and separate mounting brackets. The mounting brackets are detached elements that provide additional securing function, while the inner tension ring maintains its elastic expansion capability. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve ease of operation through the elastic ring and reliability through the separate mounting brackets.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary element between the inner tension ring and the tire. It provides an additional interface that secures the inner tension ring to the tire, preventing slippage while allowing the inner tension ring to maintain its elastic expansion function. The mounting bracket mediates between the need for ease of attachment and the need for secure retention.
2Ease of operation
If the inner tension ring is made highly flexible for easy installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the bending stiffness deteriorates, causing the ring to slip off during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the flexible inner tension ring and the rigid mounting brackets. The inner tension ring maintains high flexibility for easy installation, while the mounting brackets provide the necessary bending stiffness and structural stability. Each component is optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The inner tension ring is designed with high flexibility and low bending stiffness to allow easy installation and expansion. The mounting brackets are designed with high bending stiffness to provide stable attachment points and prevent slippage. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and stability.
3Reliability
If mounting brackets with high bending stiffness are added to hold the inner tension ring, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting brackets are integrated with the inner tension ring system as a unified assembly. The brackets are positioned at strategic locations on the inner tension ring, creating a combined structure that functions as a single unit during installation and operation. This merging reduces the perceived complexity by presenting a cohesive solution rather than separate disparate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting brackets serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, prevent slippage of the inner tension ring, and facilitate proper positioning during installation. By making the mounting brackets multi-functional, the invention reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high reliability.
4Ease of operation
If the passage in the mounting bracket is interrupted to provide attachment points, then the ease of operation is improved for attaching anti-slip material, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The passage in the mounting bracket is interrupted only at specific local positions where attachment points are needed for anti-slip material. The interruption is not random but precisely located at areas that facilitate easy attachment operations. This localized modification balances the need for operational ease with manageable manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a tire chain (1) for a vehicle tire (5), comprising an elastically expandable inner tension ring (11) which, when the tire chain (1) is mounted, is arranged on an inner side (3) of the tire (5) facing the vehicle. The invention further relates to a retrofit kit for a tire chain (1). To facilitate the installation of a tire chain (1) on a vehicle tire (5), the invention provides that the inner tension ring (11) is equipped at least at one point with a mounting bracket (15) whose bending stiffness is increased compared to the inner tension ring (11).