The Wheel History

The initial design for ceramics used in the most advanced technology known to mankind, the wheel has not stopped driving our civilization as a catalyst in a chemical reaction. We thought it would be a good idea to make a tour through the different stages of evolution of the wheel and see where it goes now.

Begining 

The researchers agreed that 3500 BC is the year he invented the wheel, which is more than an order of magnitude of an exact year. The place is Mesopotamia, the area now occupied by the war-torn Iraq. The first wheel for transport is about 3200 BC, with the purpose of passing cars Mesopotamia.

For the complete story, as shown here, the beginning of the rear wheel to the Paleolithic era (15,000 to 750,000 years).

So, people used logs to move heavy loads around. The biggest problem with this method of transport is that many of the rolls have been requested, and the treatment had to certify that the rollers remained faithful to the course. One theory of how this obstacle was overcome propose a platform or a sled, built in grills are installed, which prevents the rollers from slipping out from under the load. Use the two rollers, two grids of each coil, one front, one aft, and roll.

It took another 1500 years before our ancestors thought the next step in the evolution of the wheel spoke. Need to expedite the transport and the idea of ​​using less material because of this technological innovation. The Egyptians are credited with the first implementation of the spoked wheel of the model year 2000 BC, chariots. Reduced form of carving on both sides, but it was the Greeks, the first time in the street, or H-type of wheel.

The first tire iron around in cars are Celts in 1000 BC. The spoked wheel has remained largely unchanged until 1802, when GF Bauer filed a patent for wire tension spoke for the first time. This wire spoke consisted of a piece of wire passes through the rim of the wheel and secured at both ends of the cube. In the coming years, this wire spoke evolved round tension spoke bicycle we see today.

Another great invention that had the same thing with the thread tension was spoken of the tire, which was patented in 1845 by RW Thompson. His idea was reinforced in 1888 by John Dunlop, a Scottish veterinarian, who also patented. Thank you to the smooth ride, Dunlop tires replaced the hard rubber used by all the bikes at the time.

Car Wheels 

You just start talking about car wheels from 1885 Karl Benz Benz Patent Motorwagen. The tricycle used bicycle wheel as a child, they were equipped with hard rubber.

Speaking of rubber, the first people who have thought to use it in the car for purposes of André and Edouard Michelin, who later founded the famous tire manufacturer. In 1910, BF Goodrich Company invented longer than tires with the addition of carbon.

Overseas, Ford Model T wheel Artillery Wood, which was followed in 1926 and 1927 welded steel-wheels. Contrary to Karl Benz first vehicle, the car that "put America on wheels" were invented by Mr. Dunlop tires. But there was a significant difference between these tires and the ones we use today. Made of tires White rubber, self had a life expectancy of about 2000 miles. A tire lasted only 30 or 40 miles before repairs. Common problems include: tires that come off the wheel, punctures, and the tube is a hurry.

Paradoxically, the next step in the development of the flying saucer was the one that says more in common with the original solid model. Like so many other things in our history, the change resulted in a lower cost than the steel disc wheels have less to do. RIM could have rolled straight out of the strip of metal, and the same disc can be printed on the sheet in a single easy motion. Two components were welded or riveted together, and the result was one of the wheels, which was relatively light, stiff, durable non-life, easy to produce large quantities and, above all, cheaply produced.

Perhaps now would be a good time to talk about the difference between the rims and wheels. Although most people now refer to the wheels, especially alloy rims these, the term really means the outer edge of the wheel where the tire is mounted.

Returning to our story today, there are basically two types of wheels for use, alloy steel and automobiles, which have benefited from technological advances. As a result, large and heavy wheels of the car, the early days have become light, solid-ray equipment. It should be noted that, as the first rays of the solid wheel design oriented relatively early stages of humanity, so that in the 20th century.

Although we are not too technical about the differences between steel and aluminum wheels, we will say that it is easier and better conductors of heat. As a result, vehicles with improved alloy wheels, sports steering and handling and extend brake life. They are also more visually appealing, but that's another story. On the other hand, mags more expensive to manufacture than steel, which increases the overall price of the car.

The future of the Wheel 

Since the traditional wheel design is close to exhausting the possible development of more and more companies have argued that prototypes of the exotic in its place. Of these, Michelin is probably in the field of research over the last two innovative concepts, Tweel and Active Wheel System.

Tweel 

Announced in 2006, the Tweel becomes the first designs with a non-pneumatic solution rather than the traditional combination of tires and wheels. The running surface consists of a rubber bearing, which binds to the center for flexible radios. The flexible spokes are fused with a deformable wheel that absorbs shock and rebounds. Michelin says that even without the need for air in conventional tires, Tweel still offers the kind of comfort ride tires load capacity and resistance to road hazards.

Although it offers many advantages, the Tweel is overshadowed by a big problem: vibration at speeds over 50 mph (80 km / h), so only suitable for the construction and personal mobility vehicles.

Active Wheel systemThe concept is probably the most revolutionary of all, since it includes all the key components of the car in motion. Even if only for electric vehicles, the Active Wheel system houses the engine, suspension, gearbox and drive shaft.