Adapter Disc Wheel Centering With Deformable Ring Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel systems face challenges in accurately centering the wheel relative to the adapter disc and wheel hub, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs due to the need for precise alignment and tolerance compensation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a separate wheel centering ring, made of plastics, with nubs or projections that deform to compensate for tolerances, and a wheel hub centering ring with latching means, allowing for flexible adaptation to different wheel hubs and pitch circles, while using lightweight materials for the adapter disc.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate wheel centering ring is provided to center the wheel relative to the adapter disc, then centering accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centering function is segmented into two separate components: a wheel centering ring for centering the wheel relative to the adapter disc, and a wheel hub centering ring for centering the adapter disc relative to the wheel hub. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific centering task, improving overall centering accuracy while keeping each individual component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel centering ring acts as an intermediary component between the wheel and the adapter disc, providing a dedicated interface for centering. This intermediary element transfers and refines the centering function, ensuring accurate alignment without requiring the adapter disc itself to be complex.
2Manufacturing precision
If the wheel centering ring is made of plastics with deformable nubs or projections, then tolerance compensation is improved, but mechanical strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel centering ring is made from plastics material with deformable nubs or projections that can change their physical state under mounting forces. These nubs or projections are designed to deform elastically or plastically during the centering process, allowing the material parameters to adapt and compensate for dimensional tolerances in the wheel and adapter disc.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of plastics material for the wheel centering ring provides a composite solution that combines the benefits of deformability for tolerance compensation with sufficient mechanical strength for the centering function. The plastics material can be formulated with specific properties to achieve the right balance between deformability and strength.
3Ease of manufacture
If the adapter disc is designed as a single substantially planar disc, then production costs are reduced, but adaptability to different wheel hubs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel hub adaptation function is segmented from the adapter disc itself and placed in a separate wheel hub centering ring component. This allows the adapter disc to remain a simple, planar structure optimized for manufacturing, while the separate centering ring provides the adaptability needed for different wheel hub configurations through its adjustable centering geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel hub centering ring serves multiple functions: it centers the adapter disc on the wheel hub, compensates for tolerances, and adapts to different wheel hub configurations. This multi-functional component provides versatility without complicating the basic adapter disc design, allowing one adapter disc design to work with multiple wheel hub types.
4Reliability
If latching means are provided to fasten the wheel centering ring to the wheel or adapter disc, then reliability of centering is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latching means are designed to automatically engage and secure the wheel centering ring to the wheel or adapter disc during the mounting process. The latching mechanism operates autonomously without requiring additional tools or complex assembly steps, providing reliable centering while maintaining simplicity in the fastening process.
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
Enables accurate wheel centering without clearance, reduces production costs, and allows for universal use of the adapter disc with various wheel types, enhancing flexibility and reducing unsprung masses in vehicle suspension.
Implementation Method 1
a centering surface of the wheel centering ring has plurality of nubs or projections. Such nubs or projections protrude from the centering surface and may be flattened or deformed in some portions during the centering. As a result, it is possible to compensate for tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A rim system including a rim, an adapter disc for mounting on a wheel hub of a vehicle, a plurality of wheel screws or a plurality of wheel nuts for fastening the rim to the adapter disc, a plurality of screws or a plurality of nuts for fastening the adapter disc to the wheel hub and a wheel hub centring ring for centring the adapter disc relative to the wheel hub. A rim centring ring is provided for centering the rim relative to the adapter disc.