Wheel-Well Tire Sun Shield for Ventilated RV Tire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire covers are cumbersome to install and uninstall, require additional labor and time for setup, trap heat and moisture, and compromise the aesthetics of recreational vehicles (RVs).
Innovation Solution
A tire sun shield with a flexible fabric sheet and a collapsible frame that attaches to the wheel well using a snap fastener system, bungee cords, and side fasteners, allowing for easy installation and ventilation to prevent heat and moisture buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tire cover is attached to the tire itself, then the tire cover is secured, but the user must reach into the wheel well causing awkward posture and dirt contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wheel well attachment system as an intermediary structure between the tire cover and the wheel well. This attachment system includes attachment members that connect to the wheel well and attachment points on the tire cover, allowing the tire cover to be secured without requiring users to reach into the wheel well. The intermediary attachment system bridges the gap between the cover and the mounting location, enabling secure installation from a comfortable position.
2Reliability
If the tire cover is attached to the tire itself, then the tire cover is secured, but heat and moisture are trapped between the tire and tire cover
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the attachment function from direct contact with the tire surface. By using an attachment system that connects to the wheel well rather than wrapping around the tire, the design eliminates the enclosure that would trap heat and moisture. The tire cover is positioned to cover the tire while the attachment system mounts independently to the wheel well, creating space that allows air circulation and prevents harmful accumulation.
3Reliability
If fender mounted tire shades use snap connectors along the entire periphery, then the tire shade is secured, but multiple holes must be drilled into the fender and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment function into discrete attachment members distributed at specific locations rather than continuous perimeter attachment. The attachment system includes multiple attachment members positioned at strategic points around the wheel well, each connecting to corresponding attachment points on the tire cover. This segmentation reduces the number of holes needed in the wheel well compared to continuous perimeter attachment, simplifies installation, and minimizes aesthetic impact by concentrating holes in fewer, strategically placed locations.
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 tire sun shield is lightweight, easy to install and remove, requires less setup time, maintains the RV's aesthetics, and prevents heat and moisture from accumulating, thereby extending tire longevity.
Implementation Method 1
bungee cords, and side fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a tire sun shield, an attachment system for the tire sun shield, and a method of making and using the tire sun shield. A structure according to the present disclosure includes: a flexible fabric sheet including two holes; a flexible frame attached to a periphery of the flexible fabric sheet; two resilient fasteners, each of the two resilient fasteners having a first end and a second end and being threaded through a respective one of the two holes, two fasteners configured to attach to a wheel, one of the two fasteners being attached to the first end of one the resilient fasteners and another of the two fasteners being attached to the first end of another of the resilient fasteners; and two resilient fastener locks configured to be secured to a respective one of the two resilient fasteners at the front side of the flexible fabric sheet.