Multi-Part Vehicle Wheel Sealing Around Force-Locking Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheels face challenges in sealing the passages through the wheel rim for tubeless tires, which are connected via force-locking mechanisms, leading to air leakage, seal damage during operation, and interference with tire mounting/removal, while also compromising the structural integrity of the wheel rim.
Innovation Solution
A seal is positioned between the connection surfaces of the wheel rim and wheel disc, avoiding direct contact with connecting elements, ensuring a reliable, airtight seal without affecting the force transmission or structural integrity, using elastic materials and grooves or recesses for secure placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal is integrated into the force transmission path of the connecting element, then the seal is secured in position, but the seal is at risk of damage during continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the seal from the force transmission path of the connecting element. The seal is placed in a groove on the wheel rim that is positioned away from the connecting element's force transmission zone, allowing the seal to be secured in position through the groove structure without being subjected to the mechanical stresses of the force-locking connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove structure acts as an intermediary that secures the seal in position without requiring the seal to be part of the force transmission path. The groove provides mechanical retention for the seal while being structurally independent from the connecting element's load-bearing function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the seal is placed on the outside of the rim above the connecting element, then the seal installation is simplified, but the seal requires additional installation space that may interfere with tire mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seal groove with the existing structural features of the wheel rim, integrating the seal into the rim's connection area without adding protruding elements. The groove is formed within the rim's existing geometry, eliminating the need for additional installation space that would interfere with tire mounting operations.
3Device complexity
If the connecting element is embedded into the wheel rim to reduce protrusion, then the installation space for seal is reduced, but the wheel rim's load-bearing capacity is locally reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the seal groove in a different spatial dimension relative to the connecting element - specifically, the groove is located in a region of the wheel rim that is not compromised by the embedding of the connecting element. This spatial separation allows the connecting element to be embedded for reduced protrusion while the seal groove maintains the wheel rim's structural integrity in its location.
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 solution provides a durable, efficient seal that prevents air leakage, protects the seal from operational stresses, and allows easy tire mounting/removal, maintaining the structural integrity and load-bearing capacity of the wheel rim.
Implementation Method 1
The seal (10) is made of an elastic material, in particular of fluororubber or silicone
Implementation Method 2
For securing the seal (10) in position, it is provided in a groove (9) or in a recess (16)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle wheel which has a wheel disc, a wheel rim and at least one connecting element which connects the wheel disc to the wheel rim, wherein the connecting element is guided through a passage in the wheel rim and is joined in the wheel disc and a seal is provided for hermetically sealing the passage in the wheel rim, wherein one or more seals (10) is/are arranged between an attachment region of the wheel disc (2) and an attachment region of the wheel rim (1), wherein the seal(s) (10) surrounds/surround the connecting element(s) (4) in a contact-free manner.