Composite Wheel Rim Collar for Aerodynamics and Load Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber-reinforced plastic wheels face challenges in achieving optimal mechanical and aerodynamic performance due to material transitions and load transfer issues, particularly in hybrid wheels combining different materials, and require efficient attachment to vehicle hubs.
Innovation Solution
A wheel design featuring a rim partially made from multiple layers of fiber-reinforced plastic with a circumferential collar for improved aerodynamics and load transfer, integrated with a wheel center, and a fastening arrangement using bushing arrangements to enhance stress distribution and attachment to vehicle hubs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If hybrid wheels combine different materials (fiber-reinforced plastic rim with metal wheel center), then weight is reduced and mechanical strength is maintained, but stress concentration occurs at material transition areas and corrosion phenomena may arise
Solution Approach 1:
A transition piece is introduced as an intermediary component between the fiber-reinforced plastic rim and the metal wheel center. This transition piece gradually changes material properties across the interface, preventing stress concentration and avoiding direct contact between dissimilar materials that would cause corrosion. The transition piece acts as a mediator that smooths the material property gradient.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel employs a composite structure combining fiber-reinforced plastic for the rim and metal for the wheel center, with the transition piece creating a composite material system that leverages the advantages of both materials while mitigating their incompatibilities. The transition piece itself may be made from composite materials to bridge the property gap between the two main materials.
2Loss of energy
If the circumferential collar is designed to improve aerodynamics, then aerodynamic performance is enhanced, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential collar is merged with the rim structure, forming an integrated aerodynamic component. This merging eliminates the need for separate aerodynamic attachments and reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining the aerodynamic benefits of the collar design.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential collar serves multiple functions: it provides aerodynamic optimization by reducing drag, simultaneously acts as a structural load transfer element, and integrates with the rim assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall wheel structure.
3Weight of moving object
If fiber-reinforced plastic is used for the rim, then weight is reduced and corrosion resistance is improved, but the attachment to vehicle hubs becomes more critical due to load transfer requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The transition piece serves as an intermediary that facilitates reliable load transfer from the fiber-reinforced plastic rim to the metal wheel center and ultimately to the vehicle hub. This intermediary component ensures that the attachment system can handle the unique properties of composite materials while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system leverages composite materials in the transition piece to create an optimized load path that accounts for the anisotropic properties of fiber-reinforced plastics. The composite structure of the transition piece allows for tailored fiber orientation and material distribution to maximize attachment reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention is directed to a wheel (1) comprising a rim (200) that is at least partially made from several layers of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a wheel center (100) comprising multiple spokes (110) extending from a wheel hub (120), which constitutes an axis of rotation (Ay), to the rim (200) in a radial direction. According to the invention the rim (200) comprises a rim well (230) extending in transversal direction (y) between an inboard flange (210) and an outboard flange (220) suitable to receive a tire to be mounted thereon. The wheel (1) comprises a circumferential collar (300) that extends from the outboard flange (220) radially inwards towards the axis of rotation (Ay) and that has an outboard collar face (310) that constitutes an aerodynamic surface.