Bicycle Disc Wheel I-Shaped Ribs Composite Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle disc wheels often experience insufficient power transmission and twisting due to their thin structure, which can lead to deformation, especially during acceleration when the rider stands up to pedal.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle disc wheel design featuring two circular discs with a wheel frame in a concentric arrangement, and a spoke frame composed of I-shaped ribs made from foam material with composite material cladding, providing increased structural support and connection strength through wider upper and lower sides and a narrower middle section, with outer expansion portions to enhance the connection with the wheel frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the disc wheel uses a thin structure with two discs and a wheel frame, then the weight is reduced, but the structural strength and power transmission capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining foam material with composite material cladding on the I-shaped ribs. This creates a hybrid structure that leverages the lightweight properties of foam while gaining the high strength-to-weight ratio of composite materials, thereby improving structural strength without significantly increasing weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the wheel structure into distinct functional components: two discs, a wheel frame, and multiple I-shaped ribs forming a spoke frame. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the ribs provide structural support while the discs maintain aerodynamic profile, resolving the contradiction between weight and strength.
2Weight of moving object
If the disc wheel uses a thin structure with two discs, then the weight is reduced, but the power transmission capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material cladding on the foam ribs provides high strength and stiffness, enabling effective power transmission from the hub to the wheel frame. The composite structure maintains structural integrity under high torque loads while keeping the overall weight low.
Solution Approach 2:
The I-shaped ribs feature curved outer ends that connect to the wheel frame, creating smooth stress distribution paths. The curved geometry enhances power transmission by reducing stress concentration points and improving the mechanical coupling between ribs and wheel frame.
3Weight of moving object
If the disc wheel uses a thin structure, then the weight is reduced, but the resistance to twisting and deformation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The composite material cladding provides high stiffness and dimensional stability to the I-shaped ribs, preventing twisting and deformation under lateral loads. The foam core maintains the lightweight property while the composite shell provides the necessary rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional thin disc structure to a three-dimensional I-shaped rib structure with foam core and composite cladding. This dimensional enhancement adds structural depth and stiffness without proportionally increasing weight, improving resistance to twisting and deformation.
4Strength
If the I-shaped rib has wider upper and lower sides with outer expansion portions, then the connection strength with wheel frame is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outer expansion portions of the I-shaped ribs feature curved geometries that naturally distribute stresses and simplify the connection interface with the wheel frame. The curved design provides gradual stress transitions, reducing the need for additional reinforcement features and simplifying the overall structural complexity.
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
This design enhances the structural strength of the disc wheel, improving power transmission and reducing the likelihood of distortion without significantly increasing weight, allowing for more efficient force conveyance from the rider.
Implementation Method 1
Each I-shaped rib is composed of a foam material and a composite material cladded on the foam material
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle disc wheel includes two discs respectively formed of two composite material layers with a foam material bonded between the two composite material layers, a wheel frame arranged between the two discs in a concentric manner; and a spoke frame composed of a plurality of I-shaped ribs and sandwiched between the two discs. Each I-shaped rib is composed of a foam material and a composite material cladded on the foam material. Each I-shaped rib has a relatively wider opposite upper and lower sides and a relatively narrower middle section when it is viewed from the cross section, and the relatively wider opposite upper and lower sides of each I-shaped rib are respectively attached to the respective inner side of the two discs.