Robot Cleaner Wheel Frame Slot-Rib Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for joining tire skins and wheel frames in robot cleaners either result in high production costs due to integral formation or unstable press-fit methods that are difficult to assemble and replace.
Innovation Solution
A wheel frame with a ring-shaped joint surface featuring slots and protruding ribs, allowing the tire skin to be easily mounted and securely fixed, with a stopping wall and box side surface preventing displacement and slippage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If press-fit method is used to join tire skin and wheel frame, then production cost is low and tire skin can be replaced individually, but the combination is weak causing wheel slippage and assembly difficulty when interference is too large
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into separate components: wheel frame, tire skin, and protruding ribs. The tire skin and wheel frame are not integrally formed but assembled separately through the slot-rib mechanism, allowing individual replacement while maintaining connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding ribs are embedded within the slots of the wheel frame, creating a nested structure where the tire skin's ribs fit inside the wheel frame's slots. This nesting provides mechanical interlocking without requiring integral formation or excessive interference press-fit.
2Reliability
If mold double injection is used to join tire skin and wheel frame, then combination is stable and wheel does not slip, but production cost is too high and both components must be replaced together
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly is divided into separate components: wheel frame, tire skin, and protruding ribs. The tire skin and wheel frame are not integrally formed but assembled separately through the slot-rib mechanism, allowing individual replacement while maintaining connection during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire skin is designed as a replaceable component that can be discarded when worn and recovered by simply replacing the tire skin while keeping the wheel frame. This contrasts with mold double injection where both components must be replaced together.
3Reliability
If press-fit method is used with large interference between tire skin and wheel frame, then combination is very stable, but assembly is difficult and replacement time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The slots are pre-formed in the wheel frame with specific dimensions and the protruding ribs are pre-formed in the tire skin. These preliminary preparations allow the components to be assembled together easily without requiring forceful press-fit or excessive interference, reducing assembly time while maintaining stability.
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
This solution enables convenient assembly and replacement of tire skins while maintaining stability, reducing material costs and preventing wheel slippage.
Implementation Method 1
The protruding rib slides into the slot through the two sliding surfaces and along the two side walls. The two side walls press against the two sliding surfaces to limit displacement of the protruding rib in a direction of rotation.
Implementation Method 2
The stopping wall presses against one of the limiting surfaces to limit displacement of the protruding rib in a direction of a wheel shaft.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission assembly and a wheel thereof are presented, and the wheel includes a wheel frame and a tire skin. The wheel frame has a ring-shaped joint surface surrounding the wheel frame, and the joint surface is disposed with at least one slot. The slot has two opposite side walls and at least one stopping wall, and the stopping wall is located between the two side walls. The tire skin is ring-shaped. The tire skin is sleeved on the wheel frame, and attached to the joint surface. The tire skin has at least one protruding rib, and the protruding rib is located in the slot. The stopping wall limits displacement of the protruding rib in a direction of a wheel shaft, and the two side walls limit displacement of the protruding rib in a direction of rotation, thus achieving a good combination effect between the tire skin and the wheel frame.