Wheel AMT Mounting Channel Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic tires face air pressure losses due to punctures and diffusion, requiring frequent driver intervention for inflation, and existing wheel designs lack mounting surfaces for air maintenance tire system components, complicating their integration without interfering with tire mounting.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design featuring an axially-extending wall with a circumferential AMT mounting channel and bead mounting areas, allowing secure mounting of AMT system components radially inward of the tire bead, enabling smooth tire mounting and integration of pumps and regulators without modifying the wheel's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If AMT system components are mounted on the wheel, then air pressure maintenance capability is improved, but the complexity of wheel structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: traditional bead mounting areas for tire attachment and a separate AMT mounting channel for air maintenance components. This segmentation allows independent mounting of AMT components without interfering with tire bead seating, resolving the contradiction by organizing complexity into isolated, purpose-specific segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The AMT mounting channel extends circumferentially about the wheel in a dimension that does not interfere with the axial space required for tire bead mounting. By utilizing the circumferential dimension of the wheel body, the design accommodates AMT components without compromising the radial space needed for traditional tire attachment.
2Ease of operation
If AMT components are mounted radially inward of the bead, then tire mounting is facilitated, but the available mounting space for AMT components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The AMT mounting channel exploits the circumferential dimension of the wheel body, extending around the wheel in a direction that does not compete with the radial space required for tire bead mounting. This dimensional separation allows adequate mounting space for AMT components while maintaining radial clearance for tire installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel structure exhibits local quality differentiation: the bead mounting areas maintain their traditional radial profile for tire attachment, while the AMT mounting channel provides a specialized circumferential space for air maintenance components. Each region is optimized for its specific function, allowing tire mounting ease while providing sufficient AMT component space.
3Ease of manufacture
If original wheel design is preserved, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but integration of AMT components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel design is segmented into the original wheel body structure and an added AMT mounting channel. This segmentation allows the majority of the wheel to be manufactured using conventional processes, while the AMT mounting channel can be added through relatively simple machining or molding operations, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling AMT integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel design achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both traditional bead mounting capabilities and AMT component mounting within a single wheel structure. The universal wheel design can accommodate both conventional tire mounting and modern air maintenance systems, enhancing adaptability without requiring complete redesign of the wheel manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel for an air maintenance tire system is provided. The air maintenance tire system includes at least one pump and a regulator. The wheel includes a body that is formed with an axially-extending wall, a pair of flanges, and a pair of bead mounting areas. Each bead mounting area is disposed axially inwardly proximate a respective one of the flanges. The axially-extending wall is formed with an AMT mounting channel. The AMT mounting channel extends circumferentially about the wheel approximately mid-way between the flanges and is defined by a first adjacent wall, a second adjacent wall, and a base. Mounting surfaces are formed in or adjacent the AMT mounting channel, so that the at least one pump is mounted in the AMT mounting channel radially inwardly of the bead mounting areas.