Perforated Wheel Rim Filtration for Brake Dust and Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle wheels are heavy and contribute to the dispersion of harmful brake dust particles into the atmosphere during braking, posing health risks.

Innovation Solution

A wheel design featuring a circumferential wall with through openings and a filter band or plugs to trap and aggregate brake particles, combined with a lightweight airless tire, reduces weight and minimizes particle dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the rim is made robust to withstand vehicle weight and impacts, then the wheel's strength and reliability are improved, but the rim becomes particularly heavy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverim strengthVSAvoidwheel weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential wall of the rim is segmented by introducing through openings, which divide the continuous structure into sections. This segmentation reduces the amount of material required while maintaining structural integrity through strategic placement of openings that avoid high-stress areas, thereby reducing wheel weight while preserving rim strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If the wheel rotates during vehicle operation, then the vehicle can move, but brake dust particles are dispersed into the atmosphere causing harmful effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle speedVSAvoidbrake dust dispersion
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A filter band is introduced as an intermediary element positioned at the through openings of the rim. This filter band intercepts brake dust particles that would otherwise be dispersed into the atmosphere during wheel rotation. The filter band allows air flow to pass through while trapping particles, thus mediating between the moving wheel and the atmosphere to prevent harmful dispersion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If through openings are added to the circumferential wall, then the wheel weight is reduced, but the rim structure may become weaker

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel weightVSAvoidrim strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The through openings are strategically positioned in areas of the circumferential wall where stress concentrations are minimal. The distribution and sizing of openings are optimized to maintain structural strength in critical areas while removing material from less critical regions. This local quality approach ensures that weight reduction does not compromise the overall rim strength and durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves a significant weight reduction and effectively captures brake particles, reducing their atmospheric dispersion and health hazards.

Implementation Method 1

the wheel comprises a filter band, in particular a filter band comprising a shape of revolution, the filter band being configured to filter brake particles produced during a braking phase of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the circumferential wall comprises at least one through opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMaterial removal:

Data Source

PatentEP4678407A1Wheel for a vehicle having a perforated wheel rim
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 RENAULT SA
  • EP4678407A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4678407A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4678407A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Wheel (1) for a vehicle comprising a rim (2) intended to receive a tire (3), the rim comprising a circumferential wall (9) comprising an external face (10) turned towards the tire and an internal face (11) in the open air, characterized in that the circumferential wall comprises at least one through opening (12).