Wheel Tyre Clamp with Radial Sliders and Anti-Slip Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art vehicle wheel clamps are structurally complex, expensive, and unreliable due to kinematic chains of toothed elements, leading to slippage and difficulty in application and removal, making them cumbersome and time-consuming to use.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with a star-shaped body and L-shaped sliders that engage the tire tread securely, featuring a maneuvering member connected by levers for radial movement and a locking device to prevent slippage, eliminating the need for kinematic chains and toothed elements, resulting in a simpler, lighter, and more affordable design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art clamps use kinematic chains with toothed elements to enable slider movement, then the clamp can be fitted and removed from the tyre, but the structural complexity increases and the clamp becomes expensive and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex kinematic chains and toothed elements from the clamp design. Instead of using interconnected mechanical elements, the invention employs simple sliders that move independently along the arms, eliminating the need for complex transmission mechanisms while maintaining the ability to fit and remove the clamp.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is divided into independent components: the body, multiple arms, and sliders that can move independently along each arm. This segmentation allows each component to function autonomously without requiring complex interconnections, simplifying the overall structure while preserving operational capability.
2Reliability
If prior art clamps use elastic return effect of the tyre to tighten the grip, then the clamp secures to the tyre, but the sliders slip towards the open position and the clamp slackens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to preemptively counteract the elastic return effect of the tyre that would otherwise cause slider slippage. By engaging the locking device before significant slippage occurs, the system prevents the harmful effect rather than attempting to correct it after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the elastic return effect, which initially causes slider slippage, into a beneficial force. The elastic deformation of the tyre is harnessed to drive the locking device into the engaged position, transforming what was a harmful slippage mechanism into the actuating force for the locking system.
3Reliability
If prior art clamps add locking devices to prevent slider slippage, then the clamp grip is maintained, but the structural complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device utilizes changes in the physical state of the tyre (elastic deformation) to trigger the locking action. As the tyre deforms elastically during tightening, this parameter change automatically engages the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for complex external locking systems while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device is designed to engage automatically based on the tyre's own elastic deformation during the tightening process. The system uses the tyre's inherent mechanical properties to activate the locking function without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or complex control mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If prior art clamps use multiple intermeshed toothed elements for slider movement, then the clamp can be adjusted, but the manufacturing cost and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex toothed elements and kinematic chains from the design. The sliders are simplified to basic components that move along guide rails or grooves on the arms, eliminating the need for precision-machined gear interfaces and reducing manufacturing complexity while retaining adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex positive engagement mechanisms (toothed elements), the invention employs simple negative engagement or friction-based guidance. The sliders are guided along the arms using straightforward geometric constraints rather than intermeshing positive drive elements, inverting the approach to achieve simplicity.
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 clamp is easy to apply and remove, provides a secure grip without slippage, and is more ergonomic and efficient in use, overcoming the limitations of prior art clamps by simplifying construction and operation while reducing weight and cost.
Implementation Method 1
a locking device (50) which is movable between a locked position, where it acts on the manoeuvring member (30) to prevent it from moving in the second direction, and an unlocked position, where it allows the manoeuvring member (30) to move in the first and second directions
Implementation Method 2
opposing spring (84) interposed between the wedge (85) and the pin (50c) and configured to cause the pin (50c) to spring back to the spaced-apart position
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A clamp (100) applicable to a tyre (P) on a vehicle wheel and comprising a body (10) that includes a plurality of arms (11) extending radially from a central axis (X) and angularly distributed about the central axis (X) and a plurality of sliders (20), each slidably coupled to a respective arm (11) to move radially between a retracted position and an extracted position. The clamp (100) also comprises an manoeuvring member (30) connected to the body (10) and a plurality of connecting levers (40) having a first end that is articulated to the manoeuvring member (30) and a second end (40b) that is articulated to a corresponding slider (20) of the plurality of sliders (20) so that a movement of the manoeuvring member (30) corresponds to a movement of the sliders (20). The clamp (100) also comprises a locking device (50), movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, and a handgrip (60) integral with the manoeuvring member (30) and grippable by a user to directly move the manoeuvring member (30) about the central axis (X).