Shape-Memory Wheel Insert for Brake Cooling and Low Drag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerodynamic hubcaps for motor vehicle wheels provide limited air flow to the braking system, leading to increased brake temperatures and aerodynamic drag, while existing solutions either compromise aerodynamics or are difficult to install and disassemble.
Innovation Solution
An insert for the wheel featuring a frame with a blade pivotally mounted on a metal support with shape memory, which changes orientation based on temperature, directing air flow either inward for cooling or outward to reduce drag, with a calibrated return spring mechanism for smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If aerodynamic hubcaps with blades are used to reduce drag, then aerodynamic performance is improved, but air flow to braking system is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is made movable through a shape memory alloy support that allows it to pivot between different orientations. At low temperatures, the blade adopts an aerodynamic orientation to reduce drag. When brake temperature exceeds the critical threshold, the shape memory alloy transforms, causing the blade to pivot to an open position that maximizes air flow to the braking system, thus dynamically resolving the contradiction between drag reduction and brake cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes temperature as a controlling parameter to switch between two operational states. The shape memory alloy support has a predetermined critical temperature that triggers a phase transformation, changing the blade's orientation from a closed aerodynamic position to an open cooling position. This parameter-based control automatically balances aerodynamic performance and thermal management based on real-time brake temperature conditions.
2Loss of energy
If wheel vents are closed to improve aerodynamics, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but brake ventilation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blade system is self-regulating through the shape memory alloy support. When brake temperature rises, the alloy automatically transforms and pivots the blade to open the vent, allowing air to cool the brakes. When temperature drops, the alloy returns to its original state, closing the vent to restore aerodynamic efficiency. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements thermal feedback control where the blade position is determined by the brake temperature. The shape memory alloy support senses the temperature condition and automatically adjusts the blade orientation accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that continuously optimizes the balance between aerodynamic drag and brake cooling based on real-time thermal conditions.
3Loss of energy
If shape memory actuators are used to control blade orientation, then aerodynamic and thermal performance are optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the control mechanism from complex multi-component actuators and reduces it to a single shape memory alloy support element. This alloy support directly provides both the structural function of holding the blade and the actuation function of pivoting the blade in response to temperature changes, eliminating the need for separate motors, sensors, and control electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the inherent phase transformation property of shape memory alloys at a predetermined critical temperature to achieve automatic blade actuation. This material-based parameter change replaces complex mechanical or electronic control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to optimize both aerodynamic and thermal performance based on brake temperature conditions.
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
Optimizes both aerodynamics and brake cooling, achieving a 3 dm2 aerodynamic gain and a 1.5 g CO2 reduction per kilometer, while reducing brake fluid temperature by approximately -10°C, and is simple to implement.
Implementation Method 1
a blade (4) linked to the frame (3), said blade (4) being pivotally mounted on the frame (3) by means of a support (5) formed by a shape memory metal element configured to modify the orientation of said blade (4) from a predetermined critical temperature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4a
Figure 4b
AI summary
The invention relates to an insert (1) for a wheel (2) of a motor vehicle, comprising a frame (3) designed to be solidly attached in an opening (22) of the disc (21) of the wheel (2) and at least one blade (4) connected to the frame (3), the blade (4) being pivotably mounted on the frame (3) by means of a shape-memory metal support (5), the blade (4) and the support (5) being positioned on the frame (3) so as to extend and to pivot in a direction that is radial to the disc (21) of the wheel (2) when the device is solidly attached in the opening (22), the two ends (51) of the support (5) being solidly attached to the frame (3), extending on either side of the blade (4) and a central portion (52) of the support (5) being constrained to rotate as one with the blade (4).