A WHEEL HUB OF VEHICLES”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[001] The disclosed subject matter relates generally to an attachment/detachment system. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a system and method for removing and fastening lug nuts from a wheel hub to position a wheel on a wheelbase of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[002] Generally, the wheels of the vehicle are fastened to the wheelbase using lug nuts. The current approach to replace the wheels of the vehicle is to remove each of the lug nuts from the wheel hub using an impact driver/nut-wrench, then remove the wheel to replace it with another wheel, and finally place back the lug nuts to fasten the wheel to the wheelbase using an impact driver/nut-wrench. Existing fastening methods include the vehicle wheels getting fastened on the wheelbase either through a hub-centric or a lug-nut-centric method. In the hub-centric method, the wheel is designed to be centered using the hub center ring, while in the lug-nut centric method, the wheel is centered using the screw threads on the wheel stud and lug nuts. Lug nuts are removed separately using an impact driver or a conventional nut wrench.

[003] In the existing method, the multiple lug nuts are removed simultaneously using the impact driver head, which consists of individual lug heads that removes all the lug nuts at once. The impact driver head may get in contact with each lug nut simultaneously, and the lug nut head is positioned on the impact driver to remove or attach lug nuts and to unmount and mount the wheel of the vehicle. While the lug nuts are unfastened at once, it still demands the presence of the impact driver to be connected to the head component to remove or attach the lug nuts. The conventional method uses the impact driver to remove each lug nut, and that impact driver could remove or attach only one lug nut at a time. The lug nut head, which consists of multiple lug heads will be positioned over the impact driver to remove all the lug nuts, but that is limited to the lug nut pattern of each vehicle because various vehicles have varying lug nuts patterns, as well as a varying number of lug nuts, thus varying quantity of lug nuts needs different impact driver heads. Hence, there is a need for the development of a system to mount the wheel over the wheelbase and also to unmount the wheel by surpassing the drawbacks mentioned. [004] In the light of aforementioned discussion, there exists a need for a system that would overcome or ameliorate the above-mentioned limitations.

SUMMARY

[005] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure, and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[006] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a system and method for removing and fastening lug nuts from a wheel hub to position a wheel on a wheelbase of a vehicle.

[007] An objective of the present invention directed towards the system is capable of removing and fastening the lug nuts to mount and unmount the wheel over the wheelbase of the vehicle.

[008] Another objective of the present invention directed towards enabling an efficient and quick way to replace a wheel of the vehicle.

[009] Another objective of the present invention directed towards the system is integrated with a high torque actuator that is connected through a complex gear train mechanism to the individual lug nuts.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention directed towards fastening or removing the lug nuts from their respective screw threads of the wheel hub by actuating the high torque actuator.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention directed towards fastening or removing the wheel of the vehicle efficiently in a quick time. [0012] Another objective of the present invention directed towards the system is having an economic significance as well because of its simplicity and compactness.

[0013] Another objective of the present invention directed towards improving the reliability and performance, and retrofit capability to an existing wheelbase of the vehicles.

[0014] Another objective of the present invention directed towards removing multiple lug nuts from the wheelbase of the vehicle simultaneously.

[0015] Another objective of the present invention directed towards fastening multiple lug nuts to the wheelbase of the vehicle simultaneously.

[0016] Another objective of the present invention directed towards enclosing a high torque actuator, lug nut holding components, and other integrated components to protect from external conditions.

[0017] Another objective of the present invention directed towards enabling a user to provide input for controlling the removing or fastening of lug nuts from the wheelbase.

[0018] Another objective of the present invention directed towards the system that displays data includes a sign, design, image, video, programmed lights, and programmed information.

[0019] According to an exemplary aspect, a system for removing and fastening lug nuts from a wheel hub of vehicles comprising of: a high torque actuator, a processor, a gear train assembly, and one or more lug nut holding components enclosed in a casing unit; a display device mounted on the casing unit.

[0020] According to another exemplary aspect, the display device is configured with a user input and a user provides input commands using the user input, the processor receives the user-provided input commands thereby activating the high torque actuator and gear train assembly. [0021] According to another exemplary aspect, activated the high torque actuator and gear train assembly enable the one or more lug nut holding components to rotate in either a clockwise direction or anticlockwise direction.

[0022] According to another exemplary aspect, the clockwise rotation of one or more lug nut holding components fastens the lug nuts to the wheel hub of the vehicle and the anticlockwise rotation of one or more lug nut holding components removes the lug nuts from the wheel hub of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the following, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough description of various embodiments. Certain embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with some variations in detail. In some instances, certain features are described in less detail so as not to obscure other aspects. The level of detail associated with each of the elements or features should not be construed to qualify the novelty or importance of one feature over the others.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an example diagram depicting a top view of a system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of vehicles, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 2A is another example diagram depicting a side view of a system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 2B is another example diagram depicting a system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. [0027] FIG. 3 is another example diagram depicting a bottom view of the system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary method for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting another exemplary method for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0031] The use of “including”, “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Further, the use of terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and so forth, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1 is an example diagram depicting a top view of a system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of vehicles, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The diagram 100 includes of a high torque actuator (M) 102, a complex gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e, lug nut holding component (C) 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e, lug nuts (L) 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e. The complex gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e may be represented as a transmission system. The high torque actuator (M) 102 may also be represented as a high torque motor. The lug nuts (L) 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e may include, but not limited to, fasteners, bolts, and nuts.

[0033] The system 100 is an attachment/detachment system that acts as a lug-nut fastener and secures the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e of a wheel to position the wheel on a wheelbase of vehicles. The vehicles may include, but not limited to, automobiles, wagons, motor vehicles, railed vehicles, watercraft, amphibious vehicles, and so forth. The lug nuts may be different from one another with a variety of wheel sizes, lug nut sizes, lug nut forms, and lug nut patterns, including different fastener quantities and/or different fastener spacing.

[0034] The gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, l,04d, and 104e may be designed and engaged with the high torque motor 102 in order to function and act simultaneously to fasten or remove the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e. The integration of the high torque actuator (M) 102 and the gear train assembly 104a, 104b, 104c, lOd, and 104e may be configured to move the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e associated in the system to fasten/remove from the wheel hub of the vehicles. The lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e may be positioned in a lug nut compartment component that holds the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e.

[0035] The system 100 includes a battery configured to supply energy to the motor 102 and other essential components. The system 100 includes an integrated system that could utilize the motion of the vehicle’s wheel to generate electricity for the assembled high torque actuator (M) 102 and relative essential components. The system 100 may include a solar panel/windmill component positioned over the surface of the system 100 to generate electricity and recharge the batteries alternatively to run the high torque actuator (M) 102. The system 100 may include an unused top part positioned with a solar panel/windmill configured to power the actuator 102 either through solar or wind energy. The system 100 may include an unused top part positioned with a display device configured to display input from the user, such as logos or images. The system 100 may be configured to replace the wheel easily by efficient mounting/unmounting of the wheel.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 2A is another example diagram depicting a side view of a system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The diagram 200 depicts the high torque actuator (M) 102, the complex gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e, the lug nut holding component (C) 106b, 106d, lug nuts (L) 108b, 108d. The complex gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e may be configured to transmit the motion of the high torque actuator (M) 102 to the lug nut holding component 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e. The complex gear train assembly is known as gear train assembly. The gear train assembly 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e may be attached to the lug nut holding component (C) 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e. The lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e may be positioned in the lug nut holding component (C) 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e.

[0037] The gear assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e may be actuated by the actuation of high torque actuator (M) 102, and the actuation of the gear assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e configured to move the holding component (C) 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e and which proportionately actuates the lug nuts (L) 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e. The high torque actuator 102 may actuate the gear train assembly 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e to directly actuate the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e. The lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e may act with respect to the movements of the high torque actuator 102 through the lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e. The functionality of the system 100 is to speed up the sub-assembly fasteners to either mount or unmount the wheel of the vehicle.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 2B is another example diagram depicting a side view of a system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The diagram 200 depicts the high torque actuator (M) 102, the complex gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e, multiple lug nut holding component (C) 106b, 106d, lug nuts (L) 108b, 108d. The complex gear train assembly (G) 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e may be configured to transmit the motion of the high torque actuator (M) 102 to the lug nut holding component 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e, a processor 210, a battery 209 and a display device 212. The gear train assembly 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e may be attached to one or more lug nut holding components (C) 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e. The lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e may be positioned in the one or more lug nut holding component (C) 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e. The complex gear train assembly (G) includes multiple gears 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e. The multiple gears 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e of various proportions may include a number of teeth, pitch diameter, a bore diameter, a diameter of gear etc. The multiple gears 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e may be configured to arrange in a pattern, which means multiple gears either tangentially connected or parallel connected through a gear shaft to transmit rotatory motion to one or more lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e from the high torque actuator 102. The high torque actuator 102 may include a motor and configured to move or rotate the other components, which are mounted over the high torque actuator shaft. Here other components may include but not limited to the gear train assembly (G), lug nut holding components 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e (as shown in FIG. 1) and other essential components.

[0039] The lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e (shown in FIG.l) are commercially available or custom made, which serve the purposes of holding the lug nut. The lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e may be configured to enable the movement of lug nuts. The movement of lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e (Shown in FIG.l) may be linear, rotary, or any possible movement. The lug nut holding component may be configured to enable the movement of lug nuts to perform fastening, or removal or locking on wheel hub of the vehicle.

[0040] The processor 210 may be configured to acquire input for activating the high torque actuator 102. The processor 210 may be communicated with components of system 100 based on the user input. The processor 210 may be configured to control the high toque actuator 102 to function. The processor 210 may include, but not limited to a microcontroller (for example ARM 7 or ARM 11), a raspberry pi3 or a Pine 64 or any other 64 bit processor which can run Linux OS, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array, a programmable logic device, a state machine or logic circuitry, Arduino board.

[0041] The battery 209 is configured to supply energy to the display device 212, the processor 210, the high torque actuator includes motor 102, and other essential components. The battery 209 may be a rechargeable battery. [0042] The casing unit 202 may be configured to hold the high torque actuator 102, the gear train assembly, includes multiple gears 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e., lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e, and other integrated components that support the enclosed components. The casing unit 202 may be configured to protect the components of the system 100 from external conditions that affect the functionality of the said components. The components may include but not limited to the high torque actuator 102, the gear train assembly includes multiple gears 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d, and 104e, the multiple holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e.

[0043] The display device 212 may be mounted on an outer surface of the casing unit 202 to display data. The display device 212 may include but not limited to an LED screen, OLED screen. It may serve as a cosmetic/decorative display device over the wheels to display the data. The data may include but not limited to a sign, a design, an image, a video, programmed lights, programmed information.

[0044] The display device 212 may be integrated with a button, touch sensor, or key input to enable the user to give input commands (ex: input function) for controlling the fastening or removing the lug nuts from the wheel of the vehicle.

[0045] The display device 212 may be configured with user input and enable the user to provide input commands using the user input. The input commands (ex: input function) may act as an on/off switch to the system 100 for removing and fastening lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e from a wheel hub of the vehicle.

[0046] The display device 212 may be configured to transmit the input commands to the processor 210, wherein the processor 210 may be configured to receive the input commands from the display device 212 and analyze the input commands, the processor 210 may be configured to activate the high torque actuator 102 based on the input commands to control the operations include removing or fastening lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, 108e from wheel hub of the vehicle. [0047] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for removing or fastening the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e from the wheelbase of the vehicle. Fastening lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e on a wheel hub, the lug nut may be configured to be placed over screw threads of the fastener. Fastening lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e from their respective screw threads of fasteners of the wheelbase by activating the high torque actuator. The screw threads may be placed inside the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e and fastened by the user-provided input commands on the display device 212. The display device 212 may be configured to transmit the user-provided input commands to the processor 210. Based on the user-provided input commands, the processor 210 activates the high torque actuator 102 and the gear train assembly 104a, 104b, 104c, 104d and 104e and enables one or more lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e; thereby, the one or more holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e rotate to rotate lug nuts in clockwise direction on the wheel base of the vehicle. The wheel hub of the vehicle is fastened by rotating the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e in a clockwise direction. So that tyre is fastened to the wheelbase.

[0048] Removing lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e from their respective screw threads of fasteners of the wheel hub of the vehicle by the user-provided input commands on the display device 212. The display device 212 may be configured to transmit the user-provided input commands to the processor 210. Based on the user-provided input commands, the processor activates the high torque actuator 102 and the gear train assembly and enables one or more lug nut holding components. Responding to the one or more lug nut holding components 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, and 106e by the user input commands and rotating the one or more lug nuts in an anticlockwise direction, thereby removing lug nuts from the wheel hub of the vehicle. Thus tyre is removed from the wheelbase.

[0049] The rotating direction of the lug nuts controls the fastening and removal of the lug nuts from the wheelbase of the vehicle. The direction may include clockwise direction and anticlockwise direction. The direction of the lug nuts 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d and 108e

[0050] may be controlled by the high torque actuator rotation direction, wherein the processor 210 controls the torque actuator rotation direction. The processor 210 may be operated based on the user input commands depending upon the position of the lug nuts. Additional integral components/functionalities would be included as part of the system 100 to ease the functionality of the lug nuts. The setup could be designed or adjusted based on the number of lug nuts of a vehicle. The design could be changed based on the type of vehicle that needs to be accommodated.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 3 is another example diagram depicting a bottom view of the system for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. The system 300 depicts casing 202, and the lug nuts (L) 108a, 108b, 108c, 108d, and 108e.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 4 is a flowchart 400 depicting an exemplary method for fastening and removing lug nuts from a wheel hub of a vehicle, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. As an option, the method 400 is carried out in the context of the details of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. However, the method 400 is carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions are equally applied to the description below.

[0053] The exemplary method 400 commences at step 402, actuating the high torque actuator using the battery. Thereafter at step 404, actuating the gear train assembly by the high torque actuator. Thereafter at step 406, actuating the holding components/lug nut holding components by the high torque actuator. Thereafter at step 408, actuating the each lug nut positioned separately in the holding components/lug nut holding components. Determining whether the each lug nut is actuated by the high torque actuator to rotate in a clockwise direction at step 410. If the answer at step 410 is Yes, the method continues at step 412, fastening the lug nuts to mount the wheel on a wheelbase of the vehicle. If the answer at step 410 is No, the method continues at step 414, removing the lug nuts to remove the wheel of the vehicle.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 5 is a flowchart 500 depicting an exemplary method for removing and fastening lug nuts from a wheel hub of vehicles in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments. As an option, the method 500 is carried out in the context of the details of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG.4, and FIG.5. However, the method 500 is carried out in any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions are equally applied to the description below. [0055] The exemplary method 500 commences at step 502, enclosing a high torque actuator, a processor, a gear train assembly, and one or more holding components in a casing unit. Thereafter at step 504, mounting a display device on the casing unit. Thereafter at step 506, enabling a user to provide input commands on the display device using a user input. Thereafter at step 508, receiving and analyzing user-provided input commands by the processor to activate the high torque actuator and gear train assembly. Thereafter at step 510, enabling the one or more lug nut holding components. Determining whether the one or more lug nut holding components are rotated in a clockwise direction by the activating high torque actuator and gear train assembly at step 512. If the answer at step 512 is Yes, the method continues at step 514, fastening the lug nuts to the wheel hub of the vehicle by a clockwise rotation of the one or more lug nut holding components. If the answer at step 512 is No, the method continues at step 516, removing the lug nuts from the wheel hub of the vehicle by an anticlockwise rotation of the one or more lug nut holding components.

[0056] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0057] Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments and illustrations thereof, other embodiments and modifications to preferred embodiments may be possible that are within the principles and spirit of the invention. The above descriptions and figures are therefore to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0058] Thus the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.