Wheel Suspension with Preloaded Spring and Non- radial Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel suspension systems for self-propelled vehicles, such as wheelchairs and bicycles, face challenges in providing a smooth and even damping system, as current solutions like resilient spokes and hydraulic dampers can lead to uneven rotation and increased stress, while preloaded springs may not maintain consistent damping characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design with at least three support members between the hub and rim, utilizing a preloaded spring member that stores energy and a damper, which is operable only during spring compression or elongation, ensuring consistent damping characteristics and maintaining a fixed distance until threshold stress is reached, with a non-radial configuration to distribute forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If hydraulic dampers are used in radial spokes, then damping function is provided, but uneven rotation occurs due to different damping characteristics during compression and elongation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-radial support members arranged at specific angles (e.g., 60 degrees for three members, 90 degrees for two members) relative to the rotation axis. This asymmetric angular arrangement ensures that during rotation, all support members experience comparable compression and elongation cycles, equalizing the damping characteristics and eliminating uneven rotation while maintaining effective vibration and shock damping.
2Force
If preloaded springs are used, then damping threshold is established, but consistent damping characteristics are not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are preloaded with springs configured to engage only after a predetermined threshold force is exceeded. This preliminary action establishes a consistent engagement condition where the spring damping characteristics remain reliable and predictable throughout operation, as the spring is always in the same engagement state relative to the threshold force level.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If resilient spokes are used, then vibration absorption is achieved, but high stress causes spokes to break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the damping function from the primary load-bearing spokes and relocates it to dedicated support members positioned at non-radial angles. These support members contain the spring and damper elements, isolating the vibration absorption function from the main structural spokes. This separation reduces stress on the spokes while maintaining effective vibration damping through the specialized support members.
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 provides a wheel with smooth damping only above a predetermined threshold, maintaining stability and responsiveness, avoiding the drawbacks of uneven rotation and increased stress, while allowing for selective differentiation of interference types and magnitudes, enhancing the overall ride quality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one support member (40) comprises two longitudinal elements (52, 54), whereby the two longitudinal elements (52, 54) are slidably connected to each other... a spring element (50) and/or damper (50)... act for maintaining the wheel hub in concentric relation to the annular members and felly thereof
Implementation Method 2
a spring element (50) and/or damper (50)... wherein the spring element is preloaded so that its nominal length is smaller than a non-stressed length thereof
Implementation Method 3
DE 10 2005 032 537. This car wheel has radial located spokes that are comprising an hydraulic damper
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
A wheel with a suspension system being connectable to a vehicle, like a wheel chair, comprises a hub (38) and a rim (34) rotatable about the axle (42) of the hub (38). Between the hub (38) and the rim (34), a number of support members (40) is located. The support members (40) are adapted to retain the distance when stressed up to a threshold value and recoverly alter the distanced when stressed over this threshold value. According to the invention, the support members (40) are comprising spring elements (50), damping strokes by compression if the support member (40) is compressed or elongated. The spring elements (50) are preferably preloaded.