Concave Wheel Cap Openings for Brake Cooling and Low Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel caps limit airflow intake behind the wheel, restricting the airflow available for brake cooling and increasing aerodynamic drag.
Innovation Solution
A wheel cap design with a concave outer face and strategically positioned openings that transform turbulent airflow into laminar airflow, enhancing aerodynamics and directing airflow for effective brake cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If wheel cap openings are used to enhance aerodynamics, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but airflow intake behind the wheel cap is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cap incorporates a concave outer face with curved surfaces that redirect airflow patterns. The concave geometry creates a depression that channels air along specific paths, allowing aerodynamic benefits while preserving brake cooling airflow through strategic opening placement in the curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel cap features non-uniform opening distribution with different opening sizes, shapes, and positions across the surface. The openings are strategically placed to create distinct airflow zones: some areas prioritize aerodynamic flow while others maintain cooling airflow paths to the brake, allowing simultaneous optimization of both functions in different locations.
2Temperature
If openings are added to cool the brake, then brake cooling is enhanced, but aerodynamic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel cap is divided into multiple functional zones with different opening characteristics. Certain segments contain larger or more numerous openings dedicated to brake cooling, while other segments have smaller openings optimized for aerodynamics. This segmentation allows independent optimization of cooling and aerodynamic performance in different areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The concave outer face creates curved airflow paths that can accommodate both cooling openings and aerodynamic flow. The curvature allows air to be directed through cooling openings while maintaining smooth overall flow patterns that reduce turbulence and drag, unlike flat surfaces with openings that create disruptive flow separation.
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
The design improves aerodynamics by reducing drag and enhances brake cooling efficiency through laminar airflow management.
Implementation Method 1
The openings limit the aerodynamic drag of the wheel by transforming the turbulent airflow generated by the rotation of the wheel to a less turbulent airflow
Implementation Method 2
the concave shape of the outer face of the wheel cap may tend to drive the outer airflow into the wheel, through some of the openings, and to extract an inner airflow out of the wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel cap, comprising: an inner side, for attaching the wheel cap to a wheel rim of a wheel; a peripheral edge, coaxial with a central axis of the wheel cap; an outer face, opposite to the inner side, wherein the outer face is delineated by the peripheral edge and comprises a peripheral portion and a central portion, centered on the central axis; and openings, connecting the peripheral portion to the inner side. The outer face is concave, so that: the central portion is recessed inwards relative to the peripheral portion along the central axis; and the peripheral portion is recessed inwards relative to the peripheral edge along the central axis.