Adjustable Automobile Wheel Cover With Expanding Elastic Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automobile wheel covers fail to fit securely on rims with different hole diameters, leading to potential falling during high-speed driving due to dimensional tolerances and interference with the wheel shaft.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable wheel cover design featuring a central hole with a bearing seat, annular seat with slots, and elastic posts, along with a screw and nut mechanism that expands the posts to secure the cover without interfering with the wheel shaft, and engaging legs that fit into slots for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solid adjusting block is used to fit various rim diameters, then the wheel cover can be adjusted to different sizes, but it will interfere with the wheel shaft of some branded cars
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting block is divided into two functional parts: a hollow cylindrical body that fits in the annular seat, and an expandable post mechanism that protrudes through the central hole. The hollow structure specifically accommodates the wheel shaft, eliminating interference while maintaining adjustability for various rim diameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow adjusting block is designed with a nested structure where the cylindrical body is inserted into the annular seat, and the expandable posts are nested within the hollow body. This allows the wheel shaft to pass through the hollow center without interference, while the outer structure maintains its adjusting function.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional engaging legs are used, then the wheel cover can be assembled to the rim, but it cannot be fitted tightly due to dimensional tolerances of different hole shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging legs are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to deform and adapt to the dimensional variations of different rim hole shapes. This dynamic flexibility ensures tight fitting across various brands while maintaining ease of assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging legs utilize material elasticity to change their physical parameters (shape and position) during assembly, enabling them to conform to different hole dimensions and shapes, thereby achieving reliable tight fitting across various rim specifications.
3Strength
If the posts are expanded outwardly to secure the wheel cover, then the wheel cover can be firmly attached to the rim, but it may interfere with the wheel shaft
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into the hollow adjusting block that accommodates the wheel shaft and the expandable posts that provide attachment firmness. This segmentation allows the posts to expand outwardly for secure attachment while the hollow structure prevents shaft interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow cylindrical structure of the adjusting block acts as an intermediary between the expandable posts and the wheel shaft, allowing the posts to expand for firm attachment while the hollow space mediates to prevent interference with the passing wheel shaft.
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 adjustable wheel cover securely fits various rim diameters, preventing falling and enhancing driving safety by expanding posts to press against the shaft hole and engaging legs that fit into slots for stable assembly.
Implementation Method 1
an annular seat extended from an inner side of the bearing seat and defined with a plurality of slots, an elastic post provided between each two slots... the posts expand outwardly
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile wheel cover includes a central hole and a bearing seat, an annular seat with a plurality of slots, an elastic post provided between each two slots, and an adjusting block which includes a first end and a second end which is larger in diameter than the first end, the first end is inserted in the annular seat. The adjusting block includes a recess and has the first end inserted in the annular seat, a screw horizontally extends outward from the first end of the adjusting block and is inserted into the bearing seat, at least one nut is screwed on the screw and abutted against an outer surface of the bearing seat, rotating the nut can make the second end of the adjusting block move toward an interior of the annular seat, and the posts expand outwardly.