Wheel Rim Locking Assembly Without Lock Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel rim designs face complications in assembly, leading to undesirable relative movement between rim components and potential disruption due to the use of lock rings and driver keys, which can be cumbersome and prone to improper assembly.
Innovation Solution
A wheel rim assembly design that eliminates the need for a lock ring by incorporating locks with projections that fit into slots and cut-outs on the rim base and bead seat band, ensuring secure assembly without adhesives and allowing for easy assembly and secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock ring and driver key are used to prevent movement and rotation of rim components, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lock ring from the system entirely, extracting the problematic component that caused assembly complexity. Instead of using a separate lock ring and driver key, the invention integrates the locking function directly into the rim component through slots and protrusions that lock components together during assembly, eliminating the need for additional fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the rim structure itself. The slots formed in the rim and the corresponding protrusions on rim components combine to create an integrated locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate lock rings and driver keys. This merging simplifies the overall device while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a lock ring is used to secure rim components, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to improper assembly and disruptive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The locking slots are pre-formed in the rim during manufacturing, and the protrusions are pre-formed on the rim components. This preliminary action ensures that when components are assembled, they automatically engage through the slots and protrusions without requiring complex assembly procedures or risk of improper installation. The locking geometry is built-in beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The rim components perform their own locking function through the interaction of slots and protrusions. The design is self-locking, eliminating the need for separate lock rings that require manual installation and adjustment. The components secure themselves through the geometric interlocking of the slot-protrusion system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then prevention of relative movement is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple discrete slots distributed around the rim, each with corresponding protrusions on rim components. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where components can be installed independently and lock into place individually, reducing the time and complexity compared to installing a single complex lock ring system.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel rim assembly and components, systems, and methods thereof can have a rim base with at least one slot at an outer end portion thereof, a bead seat band radially outward of the outer end portion of the rim base, and at least one lock provided in the at least one slot. The bead seat band may be in direct contact with the outer end portion of the rim base. The lock can have a first portion that is provided in the slot of the rim base and a second portion that is outside of the slot. The second portion may be adjacent to the bead seat band. The wheel rim assembly may be free of or without a lock ring at the outer end portion of the rim base.