Spoke-Protrusion Wheel Structure for Brake Cooling Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wheel configurations fail to sufficiently regulate air flow along the vehicle side face and enhance brake cooling performance, leading to suboptimal aerodynamic and brake cooling effects.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel design featuring a rim with outward protrusions on the spokes that guide air flow to prevent separation and generate a small vortex, directing cooling air to the braking device, while the spokes are inclined to optimize airflow and reduce turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional wheel configurations are used, then the structure is simple, but the air flow regulation and brake cooling performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding protrusions only at specific locations on the spokes (front surface of the wheel) rather than modifying the entire wheel structure. This localized modification regulates air flow in critical areas while maintaining overall structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel structure is segmented into functional zones: the protrusions on spokes create a first air flow path for cooling the braking device, while the space between spokes creates a second air flow path. This segmentation allows independent optimization of different air flow paths for brake cooling and overall aerodynamic performance.
2Reliability
If protrusions are added to spokes to regulate air flow, then brake cooling performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions on the spokes serve multiple functions simultaneously: they regulate air flow to improve brake cooling, enhances aerodynamic performance by preventing air flow separation, and maintain structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If spokes are inclined to direct air flow rearward, then aerodynamic performance improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the inclination angle of the protrusions as a key parameter to achieve effective air flow regulation. By carefully selecting and standardizing this angle, the design achieves good aerodynamic performance while keeping manufacturing precision requirements within practical limits for mass production.
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
This configuration improves aerodynamic performance by reducing vortex generation and increases brake cooling by enhancing airflow volume to the braking device, resulting in improved aerodynamic and cooling effects.
Implementation Method 1
the air flowing outward along the vehicle width from an interior of the rim to be separated from a leading edge of the protrusion to thereby generate a small vortex behind the protrusion toward the rear of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
This small vortex prevents separation of the side flow of the vehicle from a vehicle side face
Implementation Method 3
The protrusion further prevents separation of the air flowing along the design face of the vehicle wheel from the design face. This enables generation of a smooth outward air flow along the vehicle width from the rim interior
Implementation Method 4
This configuration enables the air flow from the interior of the rim toward the outside along the vehicle width to be directed rearward of the vehicle and outward along the vehicle width, thereby guiding the air flow along the design face of the vehicle wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel includes a rim having an outer periphery to which a tire is mounted and housing a braking device, a hub attached to an axle, and a plurality of spokes connecting the hub with the rim. Each spoke includes a protrusion protruding outward in a vehicle width direction from a design face of the vehicle wheel and extending along a direction in which the spoke extends.