Tread Cover Cleat Design for Wheel Traction on Soft Ground
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tires lack sufficient traction and stability on soft or muddy surfaces, and can cause ground damage, necessitating the use of tracked vehicles for alternative solutions.
Innovation Solution
An anti-slip device comprising a traction cover with an inner engagement surface, an outer tread surface, attachment points, an anchor, and attachment members such as chains or cables, which are secured between the anchor and attachment points to prevent relative movement between the traction cover and tire support, enhancing traction and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tires are used on soft or muddy ground, then the vehicle can maintain simple wheel-based structure, but the tires cannot provide sufficient traction and cause ground damage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the wheel system into separate functional components: the original wheel assembly and an attachable tread cover with cleats. The tread cover segments the traction function from the wheel structure, allowing the wheel to maintain its simple structure while the removable cover provides enhanced traction without ground damage through its cleat design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface parameters of the wheel by attaching a tread cover with protruding cleats. This modifies the contact surface characteristics from a smooth tire surface to a multi-point cleat surface, increasing mechanical interlocking with the ground and improving traction on soft or muddy surfaces without causing excessive ground damage.
2Reliability
If tracked vehicles are used to provide larger engagement surface area, then traction on soft ground is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the tracked vehicle concept into a removable tread cover that can be attached to standard wheels. Instead of converting the entire vehicle to a tracked system, only the tread surface is segmented as a separate attachable component, providing enhanced traction while maintaining the simplicity of the wheel-based vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread cover is designed as a universal attachment that can be used on various wheel configurations. The cover provides multiple functions: enhancing traction on soft ground, protecting the tire from damage, and being removable for different terrain conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for completely different tracked vehicle systems.
3Reliability
If a tread cover is attached to the tire, then traction is improved, but relative movement between the tread cover and tire can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating different engagement mechanisms at different locations: the inner engagement surface with its pattern of protrusions engages with corresponding features on the tire, while the outer surface provides traction. The attachment members are strategically positioned at specific locations to prevent relative movement while maintaining the local traction qualities of the cleats.
Solution Approach 2:
The tread cover utilizes a flexible engagement surface that can conform to the tire surface while maintaining engagement. The pattern of protrusions on the inner engagement surface works with the flexible nature of the cover material to maintain stable attachment to the tire while allowing the outer cleat surface to maintain its traction characteristics.
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 anti-slip device effectively prevents tire spinning, improves traction, and reduces wear by maintaining contact between the tire and ground, especially in adverse conditions, enhancing braking and control on vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The anti-slip device effectively prevents tire spinning, improves traction, and reduces wear by maintaining contact between the tire and ground
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a traction cover for a wheel. The wheel has an axle, a tire, and a tire support that supports the tire, and the cover has a tread body having an inner engagement surface and an outer tread surface, the inner engagement surface being sized to engage an outer drive surface of the tire. The cover also has attachment points carried by the inner engagement surface of the tread body, an anchor secured relative to the tire support, and one or more attachment members attached between the anchor and the attachment points of the tread body.