Bicycle Hub Flange Segmentation for Stability and Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle hubs with wide hub flanges for accommodating straight spokes are heavy, offer poor aerodynamics, and are structurally weakened by large recesses for lacing, compromising stability and weight efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hub design featuring a hub flange with alternating circumferentially closed and open receiving sections, which provides stability without continuous weakening, allowing for compact and lightweight construction while enabling easy spoke insertion and secure lacing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the hub flange is made wide to accommodate straight spokes and allow crossing spokes, then the stability and mounting option for each spoke is improved, but the weight of the hub increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hub flange is segmented into different types of receiving sections (first type with circumferentially closed spoke feedthrough, second type with open spoke feedthrough) that are distributed around the circumference. This segmentation allows the flange to provide stable spoke accommodation in localized areas without requiring the entire flange to be wide, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the hub flange are given different properties through the alternating receiving sections. The closed feedthrough sections provide maximum stability for certain spokes, while the open feedthrough sections allow easier spoke insertion and different lacing patterns. This local differentiation enables the flange to be compact overall while providing appropriate stability at each spoke location.
2Ease of operation
If the hub flange is made with a large diameter to accommodate straight spokes with sufficient space for lacing, then the ease of spoke insertion is improved, but the weight and aerodynamic performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire hub flange large to accommodate all lacing operations, the invention inverts the approach by providing localized receiving sections with appropriate feedthrough designs. The open spoke feedthrough sections specifically facilitate easy spoke insertion from the outside, while the overall flange diameter remains small, thus achieving ease of operation without the penalty of large size and weight.
3Ease of operation
If large recesses or numerous slots are provided on the hub flange to enable uncomplicated lacing, then the ease of spoke lacing is improved, but the structural strength of the hub flange is significantly weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The lacing functionality is segmented into specific receiving sections rather than requiring large continuous recesses or numerous slots across the entire flange. Each receiving section has a localized spoke feedthrough (either closed or open type) that provides the necessary lacing access only where needed, preserving the structural integrity of the remaining flange material.
Solution Approach 2:
The lacing function is extracted and concentrated into specific receiving sections with spoke feedthroughs, rather than distributing large recesses throughout the flange. This extraction allows the flange to maintain its structural strength while still providing the necessary access for spoke insertion and lacing operations at the specific locations where receiving sections are provided.
4Weight of moving object
If the hub flange is made narrow and compact, then the weight and aerodynamic performance are improved, but the stability and ability to accommodate spokes deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The hub flange is designed with local quality variations through alternating receiving sections. At each receiving section location, the flange provides enhanced stability through the spoke bushing and feedthrough structure, while the spaces between receiving sections maintain the compact, narrow profile. This allows the flange to be lightweight overall while providing adequate stability at the discrete locations where spokes are accommodated.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a hub (1) and a wheel (200) with such a hub (1). The hub (1) comprises a hub housing (11) and an axle (21) for rotatably mounting the hub housing (11). A circumferential hub flange (2, 12) is provided on the hub housing (11), which serves to receive and define the orientation of a plurality of spokes (100). The spokes each have a spoke body (101) and a spoke head (102). The hub flange (2, 12) comprises a plurality of receiving sections (3, 4) for receiving a spoke head (102) each. Each receiving section (3, 4) is associated with a spoke guide (5, 6) through which a received spoke (100) can be led out of the receiving section (3, 4). The hub flange (2, 12) comprises two different types of receiving sections (3, 4).One type has a fully closed spoke passage (5) and a second type has a fully open spoke passage (6).