Wheel Rim Inner Flange Weight Reduction Sockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the automotive industry is to reduce the weight of aluminum alloy rims while maintaining mechanical strength, as existing designs struggle to balance weight reduction with performance requirements such as impact strength and fatigue resistance.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of triangular weight reduction sockets on the inner flange of the rim, combined with M-shaped reinforcing ribs, which are specifically designed to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity, using A356.2 aluminum alloy, and optimizing dimensions such as side lengths, depth, and draft angles to achieve a balanced weight reduction and mechanical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the inner flange structure is reduced in weight through conventional designs, then the rim weight decreases, but the mechanical strength and fatigue resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating weight reduction sockets with specific triangular geometries at predetermined locations on the inner flange, rather than uniformly reducing thickness across the entire structure. This allows weight reduction in non-critical areas while maintaining strength in load-bearing regions through strategically placed reinforcing ribs that follow the stress distribution patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner flange is segmented into multiple weight reduction sockets (first and second sockets with different geometries) separated by reinforcing ribs. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each socket's geometry and position, enabling precise control over where material is removed and where structural support is maintained, thus balancing weight reduction with mechanical integrity.
2Weight of moving object
If more material is removed from the inner flange to reduce weight, then the rim weight decreases, but the impact strength and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates reinforcing ribs that extend into the weight reduction sockets beforehand, creating a cushioning effect that prevents stress concentration and crack propagation. These ribs are designed with specific depths and geometries to absorb and distribute impact loads before they can compromise the structural integrity of the thinned flange sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The design creates a composite structure where the aluminum alloy flange is combined with strategically placed reinforcing elements (ribs) that form a hybrid architecture. The combination of thinned socket regions and reinforced rib structures creates a composite system that achieves both weight reduction and maintained reliability under impact conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel and a rim with a weight reduction inner flange are provided. The rim includes an inner flange, a middle portion and an outer flange which are all annular and connected end to end to form an annular rim, in which the inner flange or the outer flange includes multiple groups of edge weight reduction sockets arranged side by side on one side of the inner cavity of a hub, and multiple groups of inner weight reduction sockets arranged side by side are provided inside the edge weight reduction sockets on the rim; a group of edge weight reduction sockets includes a first edge weight reduction socket and a second edge weight reduction socket at the edge of the inner flange or the outer flange, and the first edge weight reduction socket is in the shape of a right-angled triangle having round angles.