Wheel Lifting Plate With Tread Lip for Easier Tire Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Changing or rotating tires on a vehicle is cumbersome due to the difficulty in lifting and aligning heavy wheel assemblies, which requires a device that can easily lift and position the wheels for mounting or dismounting while engaging the wheel at the tire tread for stability.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with an elongated rigid plate featuring a roller at one end and a tire-tread engaging lip at the other, allowing the wheel to be lifted and rolled into position using a pedal mechanism, ensuring stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual lifting is used to lift heavy wheel assemblies, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the heavy weight and difficulty in alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is segmented into distinct functional components: a platform for wheel placement, a pedal for actuation, and a lifting mechanism with linkages. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, making the overall device easier to operate while keeping the structure manageable and not overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism employs dynamic linkages and movable components that adapt to the wheel's position and weight. The pedal-driven system provides dynamic mechanical advantage, allowing a single person to easily lift heavy wheels through simple foot pressure, thereby improving ease of operation without requiring excessive structural complexity.
2Productivity
If simple manual tools are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming process of lifting and aligning wheels
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic lifting mechanism with pedal actuation enables rapid wheel lifting and positioning. The mechanical linkages provide fast, controlled movement that significantly reduces the time required for wheel installation compared to manual methods, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-operating through the pedal mechanism, where the user's foot pressure directly drives the lifting action without requiring additional manual manipulation or complex control systems. This self-service characteristic accelerates the wheel installation process and improves productivity.
3Ease of operation
If the lifting device engages the wheel at the rim, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is designed with localized features that contact specific stable portions of the wheel, such as the tire tread or flange areas, rather than the entire rim. This local quality approach ensures stable engagement while maintaining ease of operation, as the contact points are strategically positioned to provide both grip and leverage.
4Ease of operation
If a complex lifting mechanism is used to easily position wheels, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lifting device into standardized components (platform, pedal, linkages, support structures), each part can be manufactured independently using common fabrication techniques. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process while still achieving the complex positioning function, as each segment can be produced separately and assembled systematically.
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
Facilitates the easy lifting and positioning of wheels for mounting or dismounting, providing stability through engagement with the tire tread and simplicity in manufacturing and operation.
Implementation Method 1
A roller is fixed with the bottom side of the elongated rigid plate proximate the wheel portion
Implementation Method 2
the pedal portion may be pressed downwardly such as with a person's foot to pivot the elongated rigid plate about the roller to lift the wheel
Implementation Method 3
the pedal portion may be pressed downwardly such as with a person's foot to pivot the elongated rigid plate about the roller to lift the wheel
Implementation Method 4
the tire-tread engaging lip engages at least a portion of a tread of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A device for lifting a wheel and rolling the wheel on a surface includes an elongated rigid plate having a top side, a bottom side, a peripheral edge, a pedal portion at a rear end of the rigid plate, and a wheel portion at a forward end of the rigid plate. A roller is fixed with the bottom side of the rigid plate and the peripheral edge of the wheel portion at the forward end of the rigid plate is bent upward to form a tire-tread engaging lip, at least a portion of which engages a tread of the wheel. In use, with the wheel resting on the wheel portion, the pedal portion may be pressed downwardly to pivot the rigid plate about the roller to lift the wheel. The lifting device is then rolled on the surface to place the wheel at a desired position.