Curved Wire Wheel Retention Device for Vehicle Compartment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spare wheel storage systems in vehicles are inadequate for holding larger used wheels, leading to safety and comfort issues due to the risk of the wheel moving during vehicle movement, especially in the event of impacts or rollovers.

Innovation Solution

A wheel retention device using a curved wire structure that can transition from a lowered position to a raised position to securely hold wheels of varying sizes, including those larger than the spare wheel, with securing means like straps and hinges integrated into the vehicle's structural elements, ensuring the wheel is retained upright and inclined within the trunk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a central fixing means (screw) is used to retain the spare wheel, then the spare wheel is securely held in the trunk, but larger used wheels cannot be stored as they do not fit in the compartment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel size accommodationVSAvoidcompartment size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The wire structure is designed to be movable and adjustable, transitioning between a lowered position for compact spare wheels and a raised position for larger used wheels. This dynamic configuration allows the same structure to adapt to different wheel sizes and storage requirements, resolving the contradiction between compartment size and wheel size accommodation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension to the storage system by allowing the wire structure to move between lowered and raised positions. This enables the compartment to accommodate wheels of different sizes by utilizing vertical space adjustment rather than being constrained by a fixed horizontal footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wheel is placed free in the trunk, then larger used wheels can be stored, but the wheel may move during vehicle movement causing safety and comfort problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel storage capabilityVSAvoidwheel stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wire structure is pre-configured to contact and restrain the wheel at critical points before movement can occur. The structure's geometry is designed to prevent rolling and shifting motions, providing preliminary restraint that maintains wheel stability during vehicle movement, impacts, or rollovers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The wire structure serves as an intermediary element between the wheel and the trunk compartment. It provides a controlled interface that secures the wheel in place while allowing for different wheel sizes, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability through this mediating structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a fixed wire structure is used to hold the wheel, then the wheel is securely retained, but the structure cannot adapt to different wheel sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel retention securityVSAvoidwheel size flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The wire structure incorporates movable joints and flexible segments that allow it to dynamically adjust its configuration. This enables the structure to maintain secure retention of the wheel while adapting to different wheel sizes, resolving the contradiction between fixed security and flexible adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The structure's geometric parameters (angles, positions, dimensions) can change to accommodate different wheel sizes while maintaining the retention function. The wire structure's configurability allows parameter adjustment without compromising the security of wheel retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3808637B1Motor vehicle comprising a device for holding a wheel in its compartment
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 RENAULT SA
  • EP3808637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3808637B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3808637B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~3

AI summary

[Motor vehicle comprising a wheel retention device located in the vehicle's storage compartment which includes a compartment (5) of internal size suitable for housing a spare wheel (7) flat, characterized in that said device comprises a wire structure (10) formed by a bent wire suitable for reversibly moving from a lowered position on said compartment to apply to the spare wheel when it rests there flat, to a raised position in which said wire structure is suitable for holding at least transversely a working wheel (8) arranged upright in a substantially inclined plane and supported on said wire structure held in the raised position by retention means (3), and in that lashing means (9, 96) cooperate with said wire structure to retain said working wheel.