Centre-lock composite wheel attachment with radial load distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Attaching composite structures, such as carbon fibre wheels, to other components is challenging due to low stiffness and strength perpendicular to the fibre direction, leading to damage from high clamping pressures and uneven load distribution in conventional attachment methods, particularly in centre-lock systems.
Innovation Solution
A centre-lock attachment arrangement that uses a combination of a centre-lock fastener, fastening nut, and elongate fasteners to spread clamping force over a large area, with annularly spaced fastener apertures to distribute pressure evenly and prevent damage, ensuring minimal loss of attachment performance during vehicle operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high clamping pressure is applied to achieve a stiff joint, then joint stiffness is improved, but damage to composite material occurs at or adjacent to the attachment hole
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into multiple fastener apertures arranged in a radial pattern around the central attachment hole. This distributes the clamping force across multiple discrete points rather than concentrating it at a single location, reducing peak stresses that would damage the composite material while maintaining overall joint stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening washer incorporates a radially extending load distribution feature that creates different structural properties at different radial distances from the center. The feature provides enhanced load distribution capability in the radial direction while maintaining appropriate clamping force locally at each fastener aperture, addressing the specific stress distribution requirements of composite materials.
2Area of stationary object
If conventional flat washers are used to distribute load, then load distribution area is increased, but uneven load distribution occurs with higher compression near the bolt head
Solution Approach 1:
The load distribution feature breaks the symmetry of conventional flat washers by incorporating radial extensions that actively engage with the composite wheel structure. This asymmetric geometry creates a more favorable stress distribution pattern, directing loads away from the critical region near the attachment hole edge while maintaining broad load distribution across the washer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The load distribution feature extends radially outward from the washer plane, adding a dimensional element that conventional flat washers lack. This radial extension creates additional load path opportunities and distributes compression forces more evenly across the composite wheel surface, eliminating the concentrated high-compression zone that occurs with standard flat washers.
Data Source
AI summary
A center-lock attachment arrangement for use in attaching a composite wheel to a mount. TA front element includes an outer engagement surface engaging a center-lock fastening nut and an inner engagement surface engaging an outer side of a central attachment area of the composite wheel. The front element further includes an attachment aperture through which a center-lock fastener is inserted and a plurality of fastener apertures around the attachment. A backing element includes an outer engagement surface facing the mount and an inner engagement surface engaging with an inner side of the central attachment area. The backing element further includes an attachment aperture through which the center-lock fastener is inserted and a plurality of fastener apertures around the attachment aperture. Elongate fasteners received through the aligned apertures of the front and the backing element clamp the front and the backing element over and around the central attachment area.