Active Wheel Hub Cap with Shape Memory Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerodynamic hubcaps for motor vehicle wheels either compromise aerodynamics or brake cooling, as they either lack sufficient air passages for cooling or have suboptimal aerodynamic performance due to the orientation of blades.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic device with radially mounted blades on a motor vehicle wheel, utilizing shape-memory elements that adjust blade orientation based on temperature to optimize air flow for both aerodynamic drag reduction and brake cooling, featuring blades with an airplane wing profile and pivoting connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If aerodynamic hubcaps with blades are used to reduce drag, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but brake cooling efficiency deteriorates due to limited airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The hubcap integrates both aerodynamic blades and ventilation flaps that can dynamically change their configuration. The aerodynamic blades are positioned to reduce drag during normal operation, while ventilation flaps can be opened to allow airflow to the brakes when cooling is required, resolving the contradiction between drag reduction and brake cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The hubcap design combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both an aerodynamic element (with blades for drag reduction) and a ventilation system (with flaps for brake cooling). This multi-functional design allows the same hubcap structure to address both aerodynamic performance and thermal management needs
2Temperature
If standard wheel covers with numerous air passages are used, then brake cooling is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates due to turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having permanently open air passages like standard wheel covers, the invention uses controllable ventilation flaps that can be opened or closed as needed. This dynamic control allows the system to provide brake cooling when required while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency during normal operation, avoiding the constant turbulence penalty of open passages
3Loss of energy
If turbine effect hubcaps with radial perforations are used, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but brake cooling efficiency deteriorates due to limited airflow surface
Solution Approach 1:
The hubcap is segmented into distinct functional zones: aerodynamic blades for drag reduction and separate ventilation flaps for brake cooling. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other, with the ventilation flaps providing dedicated airflow paths to the brakes independent of the aerodynamic blade configuration
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 device enhances both aerodynamic performance and brake cooling efficiency, maintaining aerodynamic action while allowing easy implementation and attractive design, achieving a 1.5 g CO2 reduction per kilometer and a 10°C reduction in brake fluid temperature.
Implementation Method 1
notable in that the blade(s) are pivotally mounted radially on the frame by means of at least one shape memory element configured to modify the orientation of said blade(s) according to the temperature
Implementation Method 2
the blade(s) are oriented to generate, when the device is rotating following the forward direction of the vehicle, an airflow directed from the outer face to the inner face of the wheel
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The invention concerns an aerodynamic device (1) for a motor vehicle wheel (3) that comprises a frame (9) intended to be mounted on an external face of the wheel (3), and at least one blade (7) linked to the frame (9) and extending radially, when the device (1) is in the mounted position. The blade or blades (7) of this device (1) are moreover mounted so as to be able to pivot radially on the frame (9) by means of at least one shape memory element (31) configured to modify the orientation of said blade or blades (7) depending on the temperature.