Wheel Tyre Clamp With Rolling Sliders for Self-Centering Alignment
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheel clamps are difficult to position precisely on the wheel due to manual alignment challenges, leading to misalignment, increased wear, and risk of damage during adjustment, as the sliders can get jammed or stuck in the tire tread, making the application process time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with a star-shaped design featuring radially distributed arms and a self-centering slider system, equipped with a rolling support system and adjustable mechanism, allowing for precise alignment and secure application without removing the clamp from the wheel, using a combination of sliders and rotating elements to ensure correct positioning and secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the clamp is manually positioned on the wheel with sliders resting on the tyre tread, then the clamp can be applied to the wheel, but the sliders may get jammed or stuck in the gaps of the tyre tread, making position adjustment difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical sliding system with a rolling system. The gripping portions are equipped with wheels that roll on the tyre tread surface, substituting the sliding mechanical action with rolling motion. This eliminates the jamming problem inherent in sliding mechanisms while maintaining the ability to adjust position easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the gripping portion from a static sliding surface to a dynamic rolling wheel system. This parameter change transforms the interaction mode between the clamp and tyre from sliding friction to rolling friction, fundamentally altering the operational characteristics and eliminating jamming issues.
2Measurement precision
If the operator manually positions the first slider vertically aligned with the centre of the wheel, then the clamp can be applied, but misalignment occurs due to manual positioning errors, requiring repeated removal and repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-centering mechanism where the clamp automatically aligns itself with the wheel centre during application. The symmetric star-shaped structure with radially distributed arms and the rolling gripping portions work together to naturally guide the clamp into correct alignment, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric angular spacing of the arms (120 degrees between adjacent arms) combined with the rolling wheel mechanism to create a self-aligning system. This asymmetric configuration, when combined with rolling contact, generates natural alignment forces that guide the clamp to the correct position without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the sliders are moved to the closed position with imprecise alignment, then the clamp is securely attached, but the clamp is not correctly centred and oriented on the wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary alignment through the rolling mechanism before the final closing action. The rolling gripping portions first guide the clamp into correct alignment and position, and only after this preliminary alignment is achieved does the closing mechanism engage to secure the attachment. This ensures both centring precision and secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements (rolling wheels) that allow the clamp to adapt and self-align during the application process. The rolling mechanism provides dynamic adjustment capability, enabling the clamp to find its correct position automatically rather than relying on static manual positioning, thereby achieving both security and precision.
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 enables quick, precise, and secure application to the wheel, reducing wear and risk of damage, while allowing for easy adjustment without repeated removal and repositioning, thus improving efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a rolling support system and configured to come into direct contact with the tyre and which is rotatable idly about an axis of rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp (100) applicable to a tyre (P) on a vehicle wheel (R) and including a body (10) that includes a plurality of arms (11, 12, 13) angularly distributed around a central axis (X) and a plurality of sliders (21, 22, 23), each slidably coupled to a respective arm (11, 12, 13). The clamp (100) also includes an operating mechanism configured to allow simultaneously moving the sliders (21, 22, 23) from a retracted position to an extracted position and vice versa. The plurality of sliders (21, 22, 23) includes a rolling support system configured to come into direct contact with the tyre (P) and rotatable idly about an axis of rotation.