Multi-Part Wheel Interface Layout for Stronger Joints and Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-part wheels face challenges in manufacturing intricate designs, especially with fiber sheets, and are prone to common damage that increases repair costs, with traditional interface orientations leading to weak joints and limited flexibility in design and repair.
Innovation Solution
A two-part wheel design where the curb-side rim part is attached to the car-side rim part through an interface portion parallel to the wheel's center axis, allowing easier manufacturing of intricate designs, stronger joint, and reduced repair costs due to the replaceable curb-side part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the interface portion extends orthogonal to the center axis (traditional design), then a large surface area is available for attaching the two rim parts, but the center part becomes difficult to manufacture with intricate designs and fiber sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The interface portion is reoriented from an orthogonal extension to a parallel extension relative to the center axis, changing the dimensional orientation of the attachment surface. This dimensional change allows the interface to wrap around the rim structure, providing sufficient attachment area while enabling easier access to the center part for manufacturing operations including fiber sheet application.
2Strength
If the interface portion extends orthogonal to the center axis (traditional design), then the two rim parts can be attached with a large surface, but the joint strength and robustness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By reorienting the interface portion to extend parallel to the center axis, the attachment surface is positioned to better resist the primary loading directions experienced during wheel operation. This orientation change strengthens the joint between rim parts while maintaining manageable structural complexity through the logical separation of curb-side and car-side components.
3Ease of repair
If the curb-side rim part comprises the outer rim-portion and outer flange, then repair costs are reduced for common curb damage, but the interface portion orientation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into distinct curb-side and car-side rim parts, with the curb-side portion designed as a separable module containing the outer rim-portion and outer flange. This segmentation allows the damage-prone curb-side section to be replaced independently, reducing repair costs. The interface portion configuration, while oriented parallel to the center axis, provides a clean separation plane that facilitates this modular replacement approach.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A multi-part wheel 10 comprising a curb-side rim part 11 and a car-side rim part 12, wherein the curb-side rim part 11 comprises an outer rim-base portion 14, and the car-side rim part 12 comprises an inner rim-base portion 15 and a center part 13.