Toy Vehicle Wheel Removal Tool with Adjustable Lever
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toy vehicle wheels are often difficult to detach from chassis-side components due to interference fits, making manual removal challenging and not representative of real-world scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A wheel removal tool with a tool base body and adjustable removal lever that engages the wheel from behind, allowing for a lever action to detach the wheel from the chassis-side component, featuring multiple rear-engagement portions for uniform force distribution and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual removal of the wheel is attempted, then the operation is simple, but the wheel cannot be detached due to interference fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wheel removal tool as an intermediary device between the user and the wheel-axle assembly. This tool includes engagement portions that interact with specific features on the wheel (such as rim flanges or spokes) and a lever arm that provides mechanical advantage. The tool mediates the force application, enabling wheel removal while maintaining secure attachment during normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool employs a lever arm that can be adjusted between a stored position (during normal operation) and an extended removal position. This dynamic adjustment allows the tool to transition from a compact state that doesn't interfere with wheel attachment to an extended state that provides the necessary mechanical advantage for removal. The lever arm may pivot or telescope to change its effective length based on the operational requirement.
2Reliability
If a tool is used to remove the wheel, then the detachment becomes possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The removal tool is segmented into distinct functional components: engagement portions (such as hooks or grippers) that interface with the wheel, a lever arm for force application, and a mounting mechanism that attaches to the vehicle chassis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall tool relatively simple. The engagement portions may be separate from the lever arm, allowing independent optimization of each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The removal tool is designed to be self-contained and self-operating to the extent possible. The lever arm utilizes the user's input force directly through mechanical leverage without requiring additional power sources, control systems, or complex actuation mechanisms. The engagement portions are designed to automatically grip or engage with the wheel features when the lever is actuated, reducing the need for complex control systems.
3Ease of operation
If multiple rear-engagement portions are used, then the force distribution becomes uniform, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple engagement portions are merged into a single integrated tool base body structure rather than being separate components. The tool base body is designed with multiple built-in engagement features (such as hooks, grippers, or contact points) that are formed as part of the same molded or machined component. This merging approach ensures uniform force distribution across multiple contact points while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate engagement components.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool base body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the lever arm, houses the mounting mechanism for attachment to the vehicle chassis, and incorporates multiple engagement portions for interacting with the wheel. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies manufacturing, as a single versatile base body structure accomplishes what would otherwise require multiple specialized parts.
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 simple and realistic detachment of toy vehicle wheels, facilitating easy operation and manufacturing from plastic components, ensuring effective removal even for solidly fitted wheels.
Implementation Method 1
The wheel is detached from the chassis-side vehicle component with the wheel removal tool via a lever action of a removal lever
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel removal tool for a toy vehicle wheel has a tool base body and at least one rear-engagement portion. The latter is connected fixedly to the tool base body and is embodied so that it, in a removal starting position, engages behind an assigned removal portion of the toy vehicle wheel. A removal lever of the removal tool has a supporting portion for support on a vehicle component fixed on the chassis. The removal lever is adjustable relative to the tool base body between the removal starting position and a removal end position. In the latter, the at least one rear-engagement portion is displaced relative to the supporting portion in a removal direction. This results in a removal tool with which a simple detachment, which is in particular close to reality, of the toy vehicle wheel from a chassis-side vehicle component is enabled.