Wheel Puller Beam With Pivoting Alignment for Seized Wheel Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tools for removing wheels from wheel hubs are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and pose a risk of damaging the wheel, hub, or causing injury, especially when dealing with seized wheels, and lack compatibility with various wheel and hub sizes and configurations.

Innovation Solution

A tool comprising a puller beam with pivoting members and threaded members that can exert a pulling force on the wheel hub or studs, allowing for safe and reliable removal of seized wheels without requiring perfect alignment, and is adaptable to different wheel and hub dimensions through interchangeable base members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a sledgehammer is used to dislodge seized wheels, then the wheel can be removed from the hub, but there is a risk of damaging the wheel, hub, or other parts, and the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel removal efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of damage to wheel, hub, or operator
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a specialized wheel removal tool as an intermediary device between the operator and the seized wheel. This tool includes a puller beam with threaded members that engage with the wheel hub studs, and connection members that attach to the wheel. By applying controlled pulling force through this intermediary mechanism, the wheel can be removed without the uncontrolled impact forces of a sledgehammer, eliminating the risk of damage to the wheel, hub, or operator while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel removal tool is segmented into distinct functional components: a puller beam for applying force, threaded members for engaging the hub studs, connection members for attaching to the wheel, and pivoting members for alignment adjustment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, enabling controlled force application that removes seized wheels efficiently without causing damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional wheel removal tools are used, then wheel removal is possible, but they require perfect alignment and are not compatible with various wheel and hub sizes and configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with wheel and hub sizesVSAvoidalignment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pivoting members that allow the connection members to dynamically adjust their angle and position. This dynamic capability enables the tool to adapt to misaligned wheels and hubs without requiring perfect alignment, as the pivoting mechanism automatically compensates for angular deviations. The tool can engage with various wheel and hub configurations while maintaining effective force application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel removal tool is designed as a universal device that can accommodate different wheel and hub sizes and configurations. The puller beam with its threaded members engages with standard hub studs, while the connection members can attach to various wheel types. The pivoting members provide additional adaptability, allowing the same tool to effectively remove different types of wheels without requiring multiple specialized tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 tool effectively removes seized wheels with reduced risk of damage or injury, is compatible with a wide range of wheel and hub sizes, and can operate with tilted alignment, making it user-friendly and robust for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

The distal ends of the pair of threaded members are arranged to abut against the base member so to move the puller beam away from the base member when a rotational force is applied to the pair of threaded members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

Each pivoting member is pivotable about an axis parallel with a third axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and to the second axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP4052924B1Wheel removal tool
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 WALLMEK I KUNGALV
  • EP4052924B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4052924B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4052924B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool (1) for removing a wheel from a wheel hub is disclosed. The tool has a puller beam (2) with a first pair of openings (4a, 5a) and a second pair of openings (4b, 5b) together forming a pair of passages (3a, 3b) through the beam. The tool further has a base member (7, 7') and a pair of threaded members (8) arranged to extend through a corresponding passage (3a, 3b), where the distal ends (19) of the threaded members are arranged to abut against the base member (7, 7'). Furthermore, the tool (1) has at least two connection members (16) for securing the puller beam (2) to the wheel and exerting a pulling force on the wheel when a rotational force is applied to the pair of threaded members (8).