Portable Tire Traction Device for Stuck Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large trucks often get stuck in potholes or soft spots on road surfaces, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for tow trucks, which existing tire traction devices fail to address effectively due to structural limitations and lack of portability.
Innovation Solution
A portable tire traction device that wraps around the tire perimeter with adjustable shoes and a tightening mechanism, providing traction to help the truck escape stuck situations, and can be easily stowed once the vehicle is free.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing tire traction devices are used, then traction can be provided, but the devices lack portability and cannot be quickly mounted or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a first device that wraps around the tire perimeter and a second device (shoe) that attaches to the tire surface. This segmentation allows the first device to be portable and easily mounted, while the second device provides reliable traction when engaged with the ground surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The first device acts as an intermediary between the tire and the second device. It wraps around the tire perimeter and facilitates the attachment of the shoe to the tire surface, enabling easy deployment while maintaining reliable traction through the shoe-ground interface.
2Reliability
If a device completely surrounds the tire surface, then traction is maximized, but the device becomes non-portable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely surrounding the tire, the device is segmented into a lightweight first device that wraps around the tire perimeter and a separate second device (shoe) that contacts the ground. This segmentation reduces overall weight while maintaining effective traction through the shoe-ground interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The second device (shoe) is designed with specific local qualities for ground contact, featuring a bottom surface optimized for engaging with the ground surface. This localized traction solution provides effective grip without requiring complete tire coverage, thus maintaining portability.
3Force
If the device is designed for heavy trucks, then it can handle high loads, but it becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including an adjustable mechanism that allows the shoe to be positioned at different angles relative to the tire surface, and a tightening mechanism that secures the shoe to the tire. These dynamic features enable the device to handle high loads while remaining relatively simple to operate and adjust.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows for parameter changes in the shoe's angular position and tightening force. The adjustable mechanism enables optimization of the shoe's angle relative to the tire surface, while the tightening mechanism controls the force applied to secure the shoe, providing flexibility for different load conditions without increasing overall complexity.
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
Enables trucks to regain mobility quickly, reducing downtime and costs by providing temporary traction for stuck tires, suitable for various vehicle types and environments, including heavy tractor trailers.
Implementation Method 1
A band will connect the shoes to each other. Attached to the band will be a means to tighten the device. The means to tighten the shoes may be a ratchet device.
Data Source
AI summary
The device will be placed on the outside surfaces of the tire of a car or truck in the event that the car or truck is stuck either in sand or other soft surface or pothole. On either end of the device will be a pair of shoes or flat surfaces that will grip the surface as the tire begins to rotate. Once the tire is safely out of the problem area and back on a sold road surface, the device is removed and then stowed. The device can be used on any tire of any type of vehicle.