Segmented Guard Elements for Wheel Rim Anti-Scratch Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Snow chains often damage wheel rims due to rubbing, particularly at the connecting hooks joining the outer ring to the chain portions crossing the tire tread, and existing anti-scratch devices are bulky, complex, and costly.
Innovation Solution
An anti-scratch device comprising two guard elements made of soft materials, such as plastic or rubber, with a stud and tang mechanism that couples to the connecting hook to prevent direct contact with the wheel rim, allowing for easy mounting and production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a streamlined shell consisting of two plastic half-shells is used to protect the connecting hook, then the wheel rim is protected from damage, but the device becomes excessively bulky, complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-scratch device is divided into two separate guard elements instead of using a single streamlined shell. Each guard element is a simple stud-shaped component that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining protective function, eliminating the complexity of coupling means required for the streamlined shell design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard elements are designed as simple, inexpensive components made from basic materials. Rather than using complex molded half-shells with specialized coupling mechanisms, the invention employs straightforward stud-shaped guards that are cheap to produce and can be easily replaced if needed, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a streamlined shell consisting of two plastic half-shells is used to protect the connecting hook, then the wheel rim is protected from damage, but the device becomes excessively bulky and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the protective device into two separate small guard elements rather than a single bulky streamlined shell, the total material usage is reduced. Each stud-shaped guard element requires minimal material, resulting in a lighter overall device while maintaining effective protection of the connecting hook and wheel rim interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple stud-shaped guard elements use minimal material compared to the complex half-shell structure. This approach reduces both weight and manufacturing cost, creating a lightweight protective solution that is easy to produce and install without the excess weight of a streamlined shell design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complex coupling means are used for the half-shells, then the guard device provides adequate protection, but the device becomes excessively bulky and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into two independent guard elements that do not require coupling means. Each element is a simple stud that can be manufactured separately using basic machining or molding processes, eliminating the need for complex assembly operations and specialized coupling components, thereby greatly simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard elements are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be mass-produced using conventional manufacturing methods. By avoiding complex coupling means and streamlined shell structures, the manufacturing process becomes simpler and more cost-effective, aligning with the principle of using cheap, easily manufactured components.
4Ease of manufacture
If simple guard elements are used, then the device is easy to produce and mount, but adequate protection of the wheel rim must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The guard elements are designed with specific local features optimized for their protective function. Each stud-shaped guard has a contact surface specifically positioned to interface with either the connecting hook or the wheel rim, providing targeted protection exactly where needed. This local optimization ensures adequate protection despite the simplicity of the overall component design.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard elements act as intermediary components between the connecting hook and the wheel rim. By positioning these simple stud-shaped guards in the contact zone, they mediate the interaction between the metal chain components and the wheel rim surface, preventing direct metal-to-rim contact and thereby protecting the wheel rim effectively.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6
AI summary
An anti-scratch device (1) for snow chains is described, comprising: - a first guard element (2) comprising a stud (20) provided with a tang (23) adapted to be inserted into the connecting hook (9) that connects a link of the outer ring (5) to the portions of chain (6) disposed transversally on the tyre (100), and - a second guard element (3) comprising a stud (30) in which is formed a hole (33) within which the end of said tang (23) of the first guard element (2) engages.