Composite Wheel Assembly with Turbine Openings for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle wheel assemblies do not effectively maximize aerodynamic benefits and fuel efficiency due to aesthetic features that ignore aerodynamics and mass optimization, leading to suboptimal performance in reducing vehicle drag and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A composite wheel assembly where the wheel and cladding are designed as a single unit to optimize weight, mass moment of inertia, and aerodynamics, featuring a lightweight wheel with reduced material usage and larger turbine openings, and a cladding with smaller turbine openings to minimize material while enhancing aerodynamics, secured with a foam adhesive for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If wheel covers or aesthetic structures are added to enhance appearance, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates and total mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the aesthetic wheel cover function with the aerodynamic wheel design into a single integrated assembly. The cladding is specifically designed to work cooperatively with the wheel's turbine openings, combining cosmetic enhancement with aerodynamic performance rather than treating them as separate conflicting elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cladding features localized turbine openings that are strategically positioned and sized to optimize aerodynamic flow through specific areas. This allows different regions of the wheel assembly to have different functional qualities - the cladding provides aesthetics and flow management in certain zones while the wheel structure provides structural integrity and additional flow paths in others.
2Weight of moving object
If material is removed from spokes or wheel backsides to reduce weight, then mass is reduced, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite wheel assembly consisting of a metal wheel structure combined with a plastic or composite cladding. This allows the use of lighter materials in the cladding portion while the metal wheel maintains structural integrity, achieving overall weight reduction without compromising strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the structural wheel portion that maintains strength and the cladding portion that provides aesthetics and additional aerodynamic benefits. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.
3Ease of manufacture
If wheel design focuses on cost considerations with material removal, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines aesthetic cladding with aerodynamic turbine opening design into a single integrated component. This merging allows the same structure to serve multiple functions - cosmetic enhancement and drag reduction - thereby achieving aerodynamic performance without requiring additional separate components that would increase manufacturing complexity and cost.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wheel assembly including a wheel (100) and a wheel clad (200). The wheel (100) includes a wheel outer rim portion (112), a wheel inner hub portion (106) adapted to receive an axle therethrough, and a plurality of wheel spokes (116) extending radially between the wheel outer rim portion (112) and the wheel inner hub portion (106). The wheel has an outer surface having a plurality of wheel turbine openings (120) therein. The wheel turbine openings (120) have a first area. The wheel clad (200) includes a clad outer rim portion (206) axially aligned with at least a portion of the wheel outer rim portion (112), a clad inner hub portion (208) axially aligned with at least a portion of the wheel inner hub portion (106), and a plurality of clad spokes (201) extending radially between the clad outer rim portion (206) and clad inner hub portion (208). The clad (200) has a plurality of clad turbine openings (214) each having a second area. The second area is substantially less than the first area. The clad/wheel assembly has a drag coefficient of substantially less than that of the wheel by itself.