Wheel-Nut Locking Clamp With Elastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel-nut locking devices fail to securely lock neighboring wheel-nuts due to reliance on friction, which can lead to loosening and detachment under fluctuating loads, especially in heavy vehicles, resulting in potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A wheel-nut locking clamp with angled flanges and protruding elements that elastically deform to securely engage wheel-nuts of various diameters, providing tensioned contact to prevent turning, and an intermediary portion for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing wheel-nut locking devices are used, then wheel-nuts can be secured, but the devices rely on friction which causes wear and allows freedom of movement under fluctuating loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental locking mechanism from friction-based to deformation-based. The protruding elements are designed to elastically deform when pressed against the wheel-nut by the flanges, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents turning. This parameter change from relying on friction coefficient to relying on elastic deformation ensures reliable locking without freedom of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or angled flanges that press radially inward against the wheel-nut, causing the protruding elements to deform elastically. This curved geometry allows the locking clamp to accommodate wheel-nuts of various diameters while maintaining consistent contact pressure, thereby preventing turning across different sizes.
2Reliability
If existing wheel-nut locking devices are used, then wheel-nuts can be secured, but the devices are only held in place by small friction which may cause them to fall off under fluctuating loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the holding mechanism from friction to elastic deformation. The protruding elements are designed with specific material properties and geometric dimensions that allow them to deform elastically under the pressure from the flanges, creating a mechanical interlock. This deformation-based holding force is significantly stronger and more reliable than friction, preventing the device from falling off under fluctuating loads.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a locking device accommodates wheel-nuts of various diameters, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible, elastically deformable protruding elements that can adapt to wheel-nuts of various diameters. These protruding elements are designed to bend and deform under the pressure from the flanges, allowing the same locking clamp structure to securely lock wheel-nuts across a range of sizes without requiring multiple specialized designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking clamp is designed with universal features including angled flanges and elastically deformable protruding elements that can accommodate wheel-nuts of various diameters with a single device design. This multi-functional capability is achieved through the elastic deformation mechanism rather than through multiple specialized components, thereby maintaining 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 solution effectively secures wheel-nuts by reducing wear and the risk of detachment, accommodating conically shaped bases and varying diameters, ensuring a more reliable locking mechanism for heavy-duty vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
the protruding elements are forced by the wheel-nuts to elastically deform in a direction away from the wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a wheel-nut locking clamp for locking neighboring wheel-nuts to prevent them from turning, said wheel-nut locking clamp comprising a first portion, a second portion and an intermediary portion.