Ribbed Wheel Heat Shield Structure for Brake Heat Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheel assemblies in vehicles, particularly those with multi-disc brake assemblies, experience significant heat transfer from braking operations, which can compromise the structural integrity and performance of wheels and tires.
Innovation Solution
The use of wheel heat shields fabricated through additive manufacturing, featuring segments with heat-resistant materials and ribbed structures to resist heat transfer, along with optional pedestals for mechanical support, which are designed to divert and dissipate heat away from the wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If wheel assemblies use multi-disc brake assemblies for deceleration, then braking performance is improved, but heat transfer to the wheel increases compromising structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
A heat shield is introduced as an intermediary component positioned between the brake assembly and the wheel. The heat shield includes a radially inner surface facing the brake assembly and a radially outer surface facing the wheel, creating a thermal barrier that intercepts heat transfer paths. This mediator protects the wheel from direct thermal exposure while allowing the brake system to maintain full braking performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield utilizes the radial dimension to create thermal protection. By extending radially between the brake assembly and the wheel, the heat shield adds a dimensional barrier that intercepts heat transfer in the radial direction. The shield may include radially extending fins or ribs that increase the thermal path length and create additional thermal resistance in the radial dimension.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional heat shield manufacturing methods are used, then production is simpler, but assembly complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is merged with the wheel assembly as an integrated component. The heat shield may be formed as a single piece with the wheel or as a pre-assembled unit that attaches to the wheel in one operation. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate heat shield segments and reduces the number of fastening operations required during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal protection to the wheel, acts as a structural support element, and may provide mounting surfaces for other brake assembly components. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the wheel assembly and simplifies the overall structure.
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 ribbed wheel heat shields effectively reduce heat transfer to the wheel and tire, maintaining structural integrity and performance by enhancing cooling efficiency and reducing assembly complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
At least the radially outer surface of the at least one segment defines a plurality of ribs configured to resist heat transfer across the at least one segment
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
A wheel heat shield may include at least one segment including a heat-resistant material extending along a longitudinal axis between an outboard end and an inboard end. The at least one segment may define a radially inner surface and a radially outer surface relative to the longitudinal axis. At least the radially outer surface of the at least one segment may define a plurality of ribs configured to resist heat transfer across the at least one segment. An assembly may include a wheel and the wheel heat shield secured to an interior surface of the wheel. A technique may include additively depositing the heat-resistant material to form the wheel heat shield.