Aircraft Wheel Hub Protector With T-Bar Guide for Bearing Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft wheel protectors do not adequately protect the internal components of aircraft wheels and bearings from damage during transport, particularly from the T-bar used to secure the protector covers, which can cause nicks, scratches, and misalignment.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of internal protective protrusions within the aircraft wheel and wheel bearing cover that guide the T-bar for easy installation while preventing it from contacting the wheel bearings, thus protecting the internal surfaces and preventing misalignment or dislodgment of unretained bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the T-bar is used to secure the protector covers, then the covers are tightly fastened to the wheel assembly, but the T-bar contacts the internal metal surfaces causing nicks, scratches, and grease transfer
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic guide member is introduced as an intermediary between the T-bar and the internal metal surfaces. The guide member has a passage that directs the T-bar through the wheel assembly while its outer surface protects the internal surfaces from contact with the T-bar, preventing nicks, scratches, and grease transfer while still allowing the T-bar to perform its fastening function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the protective cover extends over internal components, then external forces and intrusions are blocked, but the internal components remain vulnerable to T-bar contact and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The protective cover is divided into two functional segments: the main cover body that provides external protection by extending over internal components, and the separate plastic guide member that specifically protects against T-bar contact. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in protecting against different types of damage
3Ease of operation
If unretained bearings rely on proper wheel installation, then bearing retention is achieved, but improper T-bar installation can dislodge bearings and cause safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic guide member acts as a mediator that guides the T-bar through the wheel assembly along a predetermined path. The guide member's structure ensures proper T-bar alignment and positioning, preventing misinstallation that could dislodge unretained bearings while maintaining the simplicity of the installation process
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft wheel hub protector is adapted to engage an aircraft wheel including an aircraft tire on a rim. The aircraft wheel hub protector having two or more cover sections with one or more protective protrusions. The one or more protrusions retain one or more bearing races in a support section of the hub and protect an internal surface within an axle void within the hub of the rim of the aircraft wheel. The second cover section is engaged with an opposed side of the aircraft wheel from the first cover section. A coupling mechanism is provided on or engaging the at least one protective protrusion and coupling the first cover section and second cover section together, thereby securing the aircraft wheel hub protector to the aircraft wheel and retaining the at least one bearing race.