Aluminum Rim Weight Reduction Sockets for Hub Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the automotive industry is to reduce the weight of aluminum alloy hubs 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 quadrangular weight reduction sockets on the outer rim of the aluminum alloy hub, specifically designed with dimensions such as 32 mm length, 25 mm width, and 2.5 mm depth, along with reinforcing ribs and side form joint ridges, to achieve weight reduction while meeting stringent performance standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If weight reduction sockets are added to the rim, then the weight of the hub is reduced, but the mechanical strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating weight reduction sockets at specific locations on the rim where material removal has minimal impact on overall structural strength. The sockets are strategically positioned and sized (3-5 rows, 10-40mm length, 10-40mm width, 0.5-3mm depth) to achieve weight reduction while maintaining mechanical integrity in critical load-bearing areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the rim structure by introducing multiple discrete weight reduction sockets arranged in lattices patterns (3-5 rows annularly). This segmentation allows selective material removal in non-critical zones while preserving the load-bearing continuity of the rim, achieving a balance between weight reduction and structural strength.
2Weight of moving object
If more weight reduction sockets are arranged annularly, then greater weight reduction is achieved, but the structural integrity and fatigue resistance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by removing only a controlled amount of material through weight reduction sockets with specific dimensions (10-40mm length, 10-40mm width, 0.5-3mm depth) and limited density (3-5 rows annularly). This partial material removal achieves weight reduction while staying within thresholds that preserve fatigue resistance and structural reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lattice patterns for arranging weight reduction sockets, creating a repetitive geometric structure that distributes stress uniformly across the rim. This patterned arrangement (3-5 rows of sockets in lattices) mimics natural structural optimizations, maintaining reliability while achieving consistent weight reduction across multiple sockets.
3Weight of moving object
If the depth and size of weight reduction sockets are increased, then more weight is reduced, but the impact strength and radial fatigue performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of weight reduction sockets (length: 10-40mm, width: 10-40mm, depth: 0.5-3mm, spacing: 3-10mm rib width) to achieve the maximum weight reduction while maintaining impact strength and radial fatigue performance. The specific parameter range of 0.5-3mm depth ensures sufficient weight removal without compromising the rim's structural integrity under impact loads.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel and a rim with weight reduction sockets are provided. The rim is made of an aluminum alloy and includes an inner flange, a middle portion and an outer flange, the inner flange, middle portion and outer flange are all annular and are connected end to end to form a cylindrical rim, in which weight reduction sockets are provided on the outer surface of the middle portion of the rim; the weight reduction sockets are rectangular ones, and are arranged in lattices in turn; and 3-5 rows of weight reduction sockets are arranged annularly on the outer surface of the middle portion of the rim.